birdman127
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• baltimore, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 10/13/2002 |
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• 581 posts |
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 Posted:1/11/2005 16:12 |
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Cool
Go out to your truck and see how much room is between your bumpstops. The area in question is in the picture below. I would guess you have less than a inch between the two. With the increased weight from the bumper you will be riding on metal with no travel or movement in your front suspension. 
The bump stop is the black rippled looking thing and the spring pad is metal below it. This is a picture of my V codes with Rancho 9000X adjustable shocks from 2 years ago
Moderator
Scott
2000 ltd 6.8 V10*4.30LS*
Lots of mods
check my gallery
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CoolStrategist
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/11/2005 |
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• 79 posts |
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Posted:1/11/2005 16:28 |
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Birdman,
Will do. I may have to wait until tomorrow morning but I will definitely check.
But I could not view your pictures that you attached. If you can repost them that would be great.
Thanks,
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Black 2003 4x4 Limited V10; 285/75 BFG Dueler Revos; Viper 791xv Remote Start and Alarm with voice module; Hellwig Rear Sway Bar; Go Industries Rancher Grill Guard; Limo Tint; Rancho RS9000X Shocks; Line Of Fire LED Lights; WeatherTech Dark Window Deflectors; 2005 Heated, Signal, Running light TTT mirrors; PIAA 550 Driving/Fog Lights; PIAA 9007 Headlights w/upgraded wiring harness (bright!); PIAA 9005 fogs; Optima Yellow Top battery |
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flyfishingguru
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• Annapolis, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 12/31/2003 |
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• 120 posts |
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Posted:1/11/2005 16:39 |
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Check my pics in my gallery as I have the RanchHand Rover grill guard. It is easy to install and is bulletproof. The Rover doesn't have the grids over the headlights like the Euro and be advised that most of those designs are welded on and not removeable. There is a place in Austin Texas that can sell you the Rover guard for less than RH and more often than not, they are on eBay for 300.00 to 350.00 brand new! I believe the name of the outfit was Star Customs and the guy I dealt with is named Jeff.
A full replacement looks cool and you can install it on a stock shock Ex. I wonder about airbag operation though. I had an issue with airbags on my Land Rover when I put on an ARB winch bumper. That may be something to ask before proceeding with the full replacement. 
Scott
2003 Excursion XLT , Fabtech 6" Lift Kit,,Gibson Catback Exhaust ,K&N Air Intake, Alpine/Infinity/XM System,Roof Clearence Lights, "C" BETR Mirrors,Thule Roof Rack, Eddie Bauer Grille, Husky Floor Liners , American Racing Outlaw II 16x8 Wheels and 33" Goodyear ATS Tires |
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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:1/11/2005 18:29 |
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| Quote: | | If I could get away with my stock shocks for a few months of city/hwy driving if I get the bumper that would be nice. But I do not want to take any chances either. |
Isn't the PowerStroke a couple hundred pounds heavier than the V10? I tried searching online quickly but couldn't find any specs. If so, then I'd say that an extra 175 pounds of bumper will not be a problem...especially if you're going to get aftermarket shocks in a couple months anyway.
| Quote: | | Where is everybody getting their V codes and approx cost? And who can put them on? Excuse my ignorance but is that something that places similar to Midas can do? |
V codes are OEM springs -- you can get them directly from Ford. Or if you luck out and find a 4x4 shop in your area that has recently lifted an F250 or F350 that happened to have these springs from the factory, you can buy them from the shop. I'd opt for new springs from Ford if it were me.
I would look for a local 4x4 shop in your area. Go to your local yellow pages website and search for "4x4" and you'll find a listing of shops. Call around and see which one can help you out and what their rates are. They should be able to give you a ballpark estimate of swapping out the front leaf springs on an Excursion. Odds are that they've done lift kits in other Ford SuperDuty trucks so it's the same process.
| Quote: | | Also, from an aesthetic point of view it appears most like the grill guard only on the Ex. I do not want a "farm" look. Any other opinions? |
Hahahahaha, I had to laugh at that!!!  That's what I've always liked about my Excursion, its diversity. Just enough class for cruising around in the city without getting strange looks, and enough toughness to be out hunting or on a farm to be taken seriously!! 
-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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rozett
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• Limington, ME, USA |
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• Registered on 1/10/2003 |
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• 163 posts |
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Posted:1/12/2005 07:01 |
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Cool, welcome to the forum...
There are two things these folks are talking about....
SHOCKS: most folks have replaced the OEM shocks with Bilstein or Rancho shocks. They will improve the handling, but will have little impact on handling a Ranchhand bumper. A shop like Midas could do the work, but will charge you an arm and leg for the shocks. Better off buying them yourself and finding a mechanic to do it if you are not inclined to do it yourself.
SPRINGS: The X comes with weak (D code) springs for a couchy ride (for soccer moms). Some folks have replaced the stock springs with the springs used on the F250. The V code are the standard F250 spring and the X code are the upgrade. Both will raise the front end of your X a little. The V code will fix the nose-down condition of the stock X by raising the front end 1.5". I would not trust a Midas type shop to do this. Either use your local Ford dealer or a spring shop.
Hope that makes it a little clearer. Enjoy your X.
//bruce
2000 Excursion Limited V10 4x4
ART brakes, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear sway bar, SD grille, V10 badges, Sylvania Silverstars, clear corners, and Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 285s. |
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CoolStrategist
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/11/2005 |
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• 79 posts |
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Posted:1/12/2005 07:50 |
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Thanks for the great information guys! I have a bit of homework to do based on all your posts but will report back once I determine what direction to take.
Will the V codes springs make the ride less comfortable? I do plan on doing the shock upgrade also.
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Black 2003 4x4 Limited V10; 285/75 BFG Dueler Revos; Viper 791xv Remote Start and Alarm with voice module; Hellwig Rear Sway Bar; Go Industries Rancher Grill Guard; Limo Tint; Rancho RS9000X Shocks; Line Of Fire LED Lights; WeatherTech Dark Window Deflectors; 2005 Heated, Signal, Running light TTT mirrors; PIAA 550 Driving/Fog Lights; PIAA 9007 Headlights w/upgraded wiring harness (bright!); PIAA 9005 fogs; Optima Yellow Top battery |
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birdman127
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• baltimore, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 10/13/2002 |
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• 581 posts |
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Posted:1/12/2005 08:24 |
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V codes and a good shock will give you a much better ride. No more hiiting the bump stops on the axle and those bone jarring hits. The springs will be a little stiffer but you will gain travel in the suspension and with the weight of the bumper I know you will have a much better ride. 
Moderator
Scott
2000 ltd 6.8 V10*4.30LS*
Lots of mods
check my gallery
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CoolStrategist
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/11/2005 |
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• 79 posts |
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Posted:1/12/2005 09:42 |
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I called Ranchhand and a very helpful and seemingly informed guy named Bo answered some questions. Here were his comments:
-The bumper replacements are fine on a stock 3/4 ton body. A 1/2 ton body needs aftermarket shocks/springs. Am I correct in assuming the 2003 Excursion is a 3/4 ton body?
-Some states do not allow the Euro version of the grill guards or bumpers because it impairs the headlight beam with the extra wires. He stated that a customer in Texas had a trooper give him a ticket for this (although there is no law for this in Texas). Also, if a headlight lens breaks underneath the Euro...you are in for a big job.
-None of their bumper replacements affect air bag deployment. He has pictures of air bag deployment in accidents with vehicles with Ranchhand replacements as proof. After I stated that some auto manufacturers specifically state bumpers should not be replaced with non-OEM parts because of airbag concerns he reiterated his statement and virtually guaranteed it.
-Some Ranchhand dealers try to add a lot more to the product price. He suggested that although they prefer you buy from dealers you can buy from Ranchhand direct if you feel their price is better.
Any thoughts?
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Black 2003 4x4 Limited V10; 285/75 BFG Dueler Revos; Viper 791xv Remote Start and Alarm with voice module; Hellwig Rear Sway Bar; Go Industries Rancher Grill Guard; Limo Tint; Rancho RS9000X Shocks; Line Of Fire LED Lights; WeatherTech Dark Window Deflectors; 2005 Heated, Signal, Running light TTT mirrors; PIAA 550 Driving/Fog Lights; PIAA 9007 Headlights w/upgraded wiring harness (bright!); PIAA 9005 fogs; Optima Yellow Top battery |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:1/12/2005 14:58 |
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1/2 ton he must be referring to the F150.
The Excursion is on a Superduty platform but less the suspension for a 8,000 pound truck.
I picked our New full replacement for $650 here in Dallas and they installed it 
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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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 |
• 1
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Posted:1/12/2005 16:12 |
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| Quote: | | -The bumper replacements are fine on a stock 3/4 ton body. A 1/2 ton body needs aftermarket shocks/springs. Am I correct in assuming the 2003 Excursion is a 3/4 ton body? |
Yep!
1/2-ton: F150, Expedition
3/4-ton: F250, Excursion
1-ton: F350
| Quote: | | -Some states do not allow the Euro version of the grill guards or bumpers because it impairs the headlight beam with the extra wires. He stated that a customer in Texas had a trooper give him a ticket for this (although there is no law for this in Texas). Also, if a headlight lens breaks underneath the Euro...you are in for a big job. |
I've been incorrectly ticketed on "illegal equipment" equipment as well. This is more a case of the officer not knowing the ins and outs of the specific law for bumpers. A trip to the courthouse and it was all cleared up.
| Quote: | | -Some Ranchhand dealers try to add a lot more to the product price. He suggested that although they prefer you buy from dealers you can buy from Ranchhand direct if you feel their price is better. |
If the price is better, go for it. However, if you are having it installed by a dealer, you may want to order through them. It depends on the ego of the shop you order from. Some places are picky about them supplying the product, others aren't. At the very least, see if they will match the competitive price that you found. Never hurts to ask. There's always room for negotation!
-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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