FordExcursions.com Forums
spartan
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• Nashville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 7/17/2003 |
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• 86 posts |
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 Posted:8/12/2003 10:40 |
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Thought I would share this story for anyone thinking about lifting their X.
I started with the lift project on my X in early 2000 before a designated kit existed for the truck. Started with Fabtech 5.5" front springs and 4" blocks in the rear. The ride immediately went to crap and driveline problems surfaced. Then I tried Superlift " Softride " 6" springs front and rear - still a bad ride and more driveshaft issues; angles and insufficient spline contact, etc.. Then I went back to the Fabtech 5.5" in front and matching springs in the rear - still pathetic. To sum it up, I put alot of money and time into screwing up my X. Handled great like a giant go-cart, but the ride was really harsh. I literally avoided driving as much as possible due to the bad ride.
Spent Saturday and Sunday taking off the Fabtech junk and installed an Edge 4.5" hanger kit with twin Bilsteins up front and singles in the rear. Ahhhh! Finally relief. The ride and handling are both oustanding. Fresh alignment; rebalanced all four BFG AT 35 X 12.5's and I'm in Xstacy. Call Ryan at Superduty Headquarters in Arizona and get yours today. No I don't work for Donahoe Racing or anything. They just finally got it right for the Superduty.
So for anybody thinking about lifting your X; do you want a show truck or a functional vehicle with a super comfy ride that still handles? I wasted bouku $$$$ and went through all kinds of bling bling to figure this out. I hope by posting this that I can save others the pain, frustration and the money. I considered V code springs and all the other options, but I wanted to keep my 35's and THE EDGE is the way to go. Kreg you are welcome to send me money for this endorsement if you would like.
2000 XLT Premium, V10, 4.3 LSD Rear, Edge 4.5" Hanger Lift, Landyot Radius Rods, Hellwig Sway Bar, Dual Bilsteins, 295 75 16 Nitto AT's, Billet Grill, Lengthened and Balanced Driveshaft, Hella 450's, Insulated AC Lines, Modified ZooDad, Husky Liners F to B.
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 Posted:8/12/2003 17:19 |
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yeah buddy.
I have the edge lift as well. It was installed by SD HQ, ryan and the crew. No blocks, single shocks for now and I like the way it handles.
I would like dual bilsteins up front, did you use a "hoop" or just a dual mount? what model bilsteins, the 5100s?
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spartan
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• Nashville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 7/17/2003 |
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• 86 posts |
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 Posted:8/12/2003 23:29 |
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Just the basic dual mount. We don't need a hoop for the street. 
2000 XLT Premium, V10, 4.3 LSD Rear, Edge 4.5" Hanger Lift, Landyot Radius Rods, Hellwig Sway Bar, Dual Bilsteins, 295 75 16 Nitto AT's, Billet Grill, Lengthened and Balanced Driveshaft, Hella 450's, Insulated AC Lines, Modified ZooDad, Husky Liners F to B.
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neilc88
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• Cleveland, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 8/13/2003 |
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• 53 posts |
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Posted:8/13/2003 07:03 |
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Spartan,
Thanks for posting your joy and frustration. I believe there a many of us that want to lift our Excursions without sacrificing ride and handling. Your post was quite beneficial. Is there a link to the Edge kit? I see you installed this yourself. How long did it take you to install and how many guys? Also, approximate price of lift and shocks.    |
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Hitch
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• Traverse City, MI, USA |
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• Registered on 9/20/2002 |
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• 22 posts |
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Posted:8/13/2003 10:26 |
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Over at thedieselstop.com a lot of guys are going with the Edge lift kits......and all who do seem to love them.
www.donahoeracing.com is the company that makes The Edge kits.
www.superdutyheadquarters.com is a major distributor and installer of these kits......also a pretty cool website.
and no, I'm not related to or affiliated with these companies.
Hitch
2002 Limited Ultimate PSD X, DVD w/3 monitors, Donahoe Racing 4.5" lift, 315 MT/R's, 16x10 Weld Velociti's, Husky Liners front to back, PSD Badges, Hellwig, SCMT, AFE Intake, Banks Monster Exhaust, Autometer gauges in under cubby pod.
http://community.webshots.com/user/hitch42 |
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spartan
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• Nashville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 7/17/2003 |
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• 86 posts |
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Posted:8/13/2003 10:47 |
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You can check out the edge products at donahoeracing.com and pictures of kits installed at the Superduty Headquarters web site - don't try it with dial-up though.
A friend helped me with the bumper off and on, stock rear spring reinstall and the lower rear shock bolts ( more on this later ), but otherwise I basically did it myself. You will need at least two three ton jacks, stands, a complete assortment of impact wrenches, standard wrenches, sockets, pry bars, hammer, bench grinder to get your upper rear shock pins ready for the bushings, etc.. It took me about 10 hours total. I spent alot of time getting up and down getting the right size wrench etc. so it would really be nice if somebody just helped handing you tools. Also, if you are just putting the kit on and don't have to change out all four spring packs like I did it will be a breeze. Another good reason not to try spring lifts. What goes in must come out and I swear I think those Fabtech 10 leaf packs weigh 200# each - LOL.
Some folks say three or four hours, but I think thats with help. I could probably have done it in five hours if I didn't have to do the springs. I also put both front springs on before I realized the new blocker beam attaches at the spring mount bolts and had to undo and redo. I can really be stupid some times. I also spent like half an hour staring at the thing trying to figure out how the lower valance goes back on - it doesn't - you have to get a '03 version if you want a lower valance.
The rear shocks - do not cut the band. Secure the upper mounts. Have one person hold the shock on top of the lower mount with an alignment pin then cut the band. Use a pry bar on the under side of the shock anchored in the shock mount to control expansion and align the bolt. Use another algnment pin to catch the shock as it expands - DO NOT let it get past the bolt hole or you will be sorry. I let the first one get by me and learned this the hard way.
2000 XLT Premium, V10, 4.3 LSD Rear, Edge 4.5" Hanger Lift, Landyot Radius Rods, Hellwig Sway Bar, Dual Bilsteins, 295 75 16 Nitto AT's, Billet Grill, Lengthened and Balanced Driveshaft, Hella 450's, Insulated AC Lines, Modified ZooDad, Husky Liners F to B.
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The_X_Family
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• Northern, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/20/2003 |
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• 63 posts |
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Posted:8/13/2003 11:33 |
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Do you have a good contact at this AZ dealer. Any chance of a group purchase, I'm in the market for a GOOD lift, I bet there are many others that might come out of the shadows if the price is right.
I know the quality and ride is very good if not better than a worn factory suspention. I'm a old Fart, I drive my truck every day, I'm not interested in bouncing my fat gut down the road just to look cool with a cheap lift.
Ken D.
Just Your Basic Mobile Familyroom
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spartan
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• Nashville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 7/17/2003 |
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• 86 posts |
• 1
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Posted:8/13/2003 13:48 |
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As I mentioned in the lead post call Ryan at Superduty HQ. The number is 1-877-969-2929. Tell him Dave the guy from Nashville, TN sent you. Maybe he'll throw me a bone when I blow a shock or something.
I don't think you will get anywhere with a group purchase on Donahoe Racing stuff. Expensive to the dealers and expensive to the consumer. I've seen the wholesale prices and there is not alot of markup for Edge products.
Donahoe Racing name, quality stuff and Bilstein shocks = $$$.
I guess I'm an old fart too - 44 years old. You would think I would have stopped playing with lifts and trucks about 15 years ago, but noooo, I just had to mess around with another one. I did Toyota Landcruisers for 20 years and Jeeps before those. Actually we still have a '97 Landcruiser with 2.5" OME lift, ARB bumpers, 9000# Superwinch, Hi-Lift Jack, Hella Lamps, Sliders, 285/75 Bridgestone AT Revos, etc.. It's bad. One incredible off road machine. My wife drives it to the mall and the grocery store. LOL I can't help myself.
2000 XLT Premium, V10, 4.3 LSD Rear, Edge 4.5" Hanger Lift, Landyot Radius Rods, Hellwig Sway Bar, Dual Bilsteins, 295 75 16 Nitto AT's, Billet Grill, Lengthened and Balanced Driveshaft, Hella 450's, Insulated AC Lines, Modified ZooDad, Husky Liners F to B.
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MrRottnDog
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• New Lenox, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 2/19/2002 |
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• 103 posts |
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Posted:8/14/2003 18:47 |
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Another Excellent source for Edge Products is
Marty Garza (OVERKILL)
Truck ToyZ
(956) 664-2621
He is the original builder and owner of the OVERKILL Monster Truck until selling the team to it's present owner. He is a suspension guru and is especially knowledgeable with eXcursion and Superduty lifts. I have bought all of my edge suspension components from him and have found him to be a helluva nice guy and bends over backwards to make sure his customers are happy. Here is a pic of his own lifted eXcursion.
MrRottnDog |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:8/15/2003 08:53 |
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How can you guys not get hassled by the The Law when driving with lifted vehicles like these? When I had my Bronco, I had a cop pull me over and take out a measuring tape to measure my bumper height. Naturally my bumpers were higher than the legal limit (by about 5 inches) and I ended up with a ticket. Wasn't speeding or anything, just minding my own business.
They'd be all over a lifted vehicle like above, or is that strictly for show? MrRottndog, do you run into problems with the PO-lice?
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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