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:8/15/2003 17:32 |
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| Quote: | 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? |
The lift laws vary from state to state... Going from almost none to very strict, such as in your state. How much these laws are enforced within the states also varies greatly. OVERKILL lives in Texas where the only restriction is a little enforced headlight height law. Many local police officers may not know the lift laws for trucks in their state and probably don't feel like pulling over a truck and taking measurements unless the truck looks unsafe. They may feel violations of that nature are better enforced by state troopers and I agree.
In your state the law states a bumper height limit of 25" and a frame height of +6". I assume the frame height can be a maximum of 31". I would think you could have a 6" lift and run 35's without attracting much attention from the law in Minnesota. With the +6" frame height and max of 25" on the bumpers they eliminate the option of going with drop bumpers to comply though! 
In Illinois and many other states the lift laws are based on the GVWR assigned to your vehicle from the manufacturer. My excursion has a GVWR of somewhere around 8000 lbs. For the purpose of lift law regulations in Illinois it would fall into the GVWR 7501 - 9000 catagory... so the law for me would be front bumper max 28" - rear bumper max 30". Obviously I am over front and back.
The loophole is this. I had much of my suspension work done at a shop where the owner has a State and Federal Truck Manufacturers License. He can legally change GVWR on your truck. It has been increased to a GVWR of 10,250. A GVWR of over 10,000 LBs. means no bumper or frame height laws are applied. I do have to buy D truck plates in Illinois and have the truck state inspected every 6 months. I also get it inspected and get a federal inspection sticker every year. Granted the shop with the truck manufacturing license is not quite using the license as it may have been intended but is technically legal. I also have to run the blocker bar in the rear. I have never been pulled over... YET!
Here's a link to lift laws for various states [b]YOUR STATES LIFT LAWS[/b]
MrRottnDog |
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David Monach
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• Orange County, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/30/2002 |
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• 38 posts |
• 2
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 Posted:8/20/2003 23:30 |
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Back to the Edge Lift topics, I installed the 4.5 Edge Lift with Dual Bilsteins on normal dual shock mounts. I research for over a year about the pros and cons of the various choices out there. I have friends with other lifts and my X rides better than all of them with no side effects (driveline, bounce/harshness on freeway driving). I drove my X rather gingerly for a while after the lift trying to find that uneasy feeling somewhere with the lift. Nothing! With the lift alone the ride was improved dramatically over stock. The whaling around on the freeway bumps disappeared. Then I took it one step further and installed the Hellwig Anti Sway bar. Between that and the lift the thing rides like a dream..... My only compliant now is that it demands an aggresive beefy tire like the Pro Comp X-terrain (how fitting  ), but despite all the marketing on those agressive tires they are loud. But I would NOT trade the look and the feel of the entire set up for anything. I do not work for any of the companies mention in the string either...just a fan. Check out my photos on the registry: http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/detail.php?id=1338&s=8385#content
Good luck to all those that dream of lift....it really the only way to have an X
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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:8/21/2003 06:44 |
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David,
Your X looks very good.  Also glad to hear about the improved ride quality. Were the first pictures with the 315s on stock wheels? Did you have to convert to the 16x8 or did you just like the look better? Was your 4:30 gear stock? I have a '02 4x4 with the 3:73 gear. Does anyone think a gear change is necessary when going with 35" tires? Also, how has your gas milage changed with the lift and tires?   |
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dnp
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• Jackson, MS, USA |
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• Registered on 1/20/2003 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:8/21/2003 18:07 |
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I'm presently in the market for a lift (actually, I had planned on buying a kit today, but I saw this thread, and I had to ask some questions), but I want one that simply makes the truck level from front to rear (I have 305/70's, and I have NO rubbing problems - I just want the truck to sit level)
Am I missing something with the Edge Kit or does it seem R-E-A-L-L-Y expensive for what it is? On the 3" levelling kit you get NO springs, NO track bar relocation bracket, and NO rear lift of any sort for ONLY $850+ dollars????? To me, that's $75 each for shocks + $550 for spring hangers and u-bolts!!! Granted, everyone says it rides great, but wouldn't I be better off simply buying re-valved Bilsteins?
Please don't read this wrong (you can't hear the inflection of my voice), because I'm not wanting to sound like a smart a$$; I'm really just asking. How can the ride be that improved using stock springs and different hangers? Doesn't this kit really boil down to just a nice set of shocks?
I had planned to buy a Superlift SuperRide Select lift (3" front/1.5" rear) which comes with new front springs, 4 shocks, rear blocks, track bar relocation bracket, and all hardware for about $500.......is this a dumb move? Wouldn't the new springs likely give me an improved ride?
Also, what about just going to U-code springs and new Bilsteins all around? Wouldn't that provide an improved ride?
Please let me hear any and all responses.....I really don't want to have to do this installation more than once?
Thanks,
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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:8/22/2003 03:18 |
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I'm thinking that dnp raised a good question. If we are not changing the springs, just changing the mounting point then what advantage does the "edge" have over the "fabtech" at half the cost.
I can understand the effect of the Dual Bilsteins but I can add them to the fabtech kit.
I will pay for quality not just the name, can someone point out the diffrence before I pry my tight wallet open!
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 |
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Posted:8/22/2003 10:04 |
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OK. I'll try to help here. Your questions lead back to my original post. Please read it again then continue here.
Seems that the replacement springs you get from aftermarket manufacturers invariably stink. They are made for one thing - to lift the truck. Take a look at a set and compare them to your stock rear spring packs - you can immediately tell the difference in quality. No flex and no spring compression rate therefore it doesn't matter what shocks you use it doesn't work. If the springs don't flex - shocks don't do anything. Not to mention that the shocks they send you are cheap oil valved units that match the springs in lack of quality. In terms of springs two notable exceptions are Donahoe Racing and National Spring.
Are the edge products expensive? Yes, but they are super high quality and there really isn't another option if you want to run 35" tires and keep your comfy C code springs. The 3.5" Fabtech kit won't get you there on an Excursion. It will on an F250 cause they sit higher in the front to begin with cause of the heavier rate springs.
Next - U or V code springs. If you want your Excursion to ride like an F250 or F350 then go for it. Look at the spring chart on those in this forum and note the travel and rates on the heavier factory springs. Your Excursion rides nice because of the C code springs that have 5 inches of travel. Problem is that you don't get that in stock set up because they lowered the truck in the front for mass market appeal and the springs can't articulate without hitting the bump stops. Give them room to work and they work great, especially when you dampen them with single or dual bilsteins.
Big lifts equal crappy ride. Moderate lift with soft springs and good shocks equal good ride. I fell for all the BS ads from lift companies - you know - " designed with ride in mind", "softride", " 10 thin leafs for a better ride ", etc.. It's BS. They use so many leaves so they can use cheap steel to get the lift and none of them ride worth a crap. It's an illusion. The two leaves in your C code X springs cost five times what the steel in those big 10 leaf packs do.
You want a show truck or something you can drive every day? You gotta decide for yourself.
Almost forgot - the truck will be leveled depending on what size blocks you use in the rear to compensate for the lift in the front. The advantage to leaving the rear lower is to prevent driveshaft problems. The Edge 4.5" kit comes with a single 5" rear block to replace the rear factory 2" block = net 3" lift in rear. Just ask for a 6" block if you want a level truck. Also the 3" kit doesn't really need a front box kit or pitman arm on an Excursion cause you net lift is really only about 2 inches or less.
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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David Monach
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• Orange County, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/30/2002 |
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• 38 posts |
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Posted:8/23/2003 01:58 |
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| Quote: | David,
Your X looks very good. Also glad to hear about the improved ride quality. Were the first pictures with the 315s on stock wheels? Did you have to convert to the 16x8 or did you just like the look better? Was your 4:30 gear stock? I have a '02 4x4 with the 3:73 gear. Does anyone think a gear change is necessary when going with 35" tires? Also, how has your gas milage changed with the lift and tires? |
Thanks...it took a bit to get it to where I like it. In the picture gallery the first pictures where on the stock rims. They rubbed turning one way but not the other. I can not remember which way. I went to a 16X8 with a 20mm offset vs. the 16X7 stock rim. It gives it a little more stought stance and does not rub. I am going to have to find something else to do to it soon, for someone in my neighborhood copied me. Same X (Black Monotone) Edge lift (4.5") but he screwed up on the rims. No offset. They look thin like a tractor tire. Much the way the stock rim looks from the front or back. I am thinking of putting a silver Shelby type stripe (DUAL) front to back o the truck. Any oppinions before I decide. Feedback welcome.
Don't be to harsh if you do not like the idea!!!!!
I want to get a complete console as well. Any ideas about that out there?  |
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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 |
• 1
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Posted:8/23/2003 03:49 |
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If your looking for a little lift and better than stock ride quality go with the hangers. Any change to beefier leafs will result in a harsher ride. Although not as harsh as you might imagine, if the right combination is used. The edge hangers are very well built and engineered and include new shackles also. However the edge parts are very pricey and may be more than the average person needs. If you don't need the extra inch and money is a concern you might want the fabtech hangers. If not the edge stuff is quality.
MrRottnDog |
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Phil Eaton
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• Lander, WY, USA |
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• Registered on 4/28/2003 |
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• 42 posts |
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Posted:8/24/2003 10:18 |
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I think Mrrottendog and spartan really know what they are talking about through experience. The Edge system was developed by Donahue Racing and you are paying in part for the engineering. Apparently a lot of the pre-runners in desert racing are using the Edge and if you drive off-road you need the plushest ride available. (my case everyday)
I can say that my x has greatly improved ride by increasing the axel travel with x code springs that leveled out my x front to rear. The x code has a higher spring rate that stock spring that I compensated for with custom valved 7100 bilsteins with low compression valving. I am happy with my results, but had I known at the time, I would have gone with the tested and engineered Edge system that would take out some of the guess work to accomplish the same thing I originally wanted. Also, cutom valved bilsteins are at least $120 each. ( 7100s are $137/each) The Edge includes custom valved shocks in their package. Again, engineered, tested and the proper length to match wheel articulation change. They probably bolt on as compared to my arrangement that required some fabrication for shock mounting.
PS. donahoue racing has a pretty cool web site that discusses this as well.
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