FordExcursions.com Forums
Lance214
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• Dallas, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 6/2/2005 |
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• 11 posts |
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 Posted:6/14/2005 08:12 |
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Thxs for your reply!
How much do these Radius Rods run and where can I find them? Also, will adding these to the vehicle void out my warranty?
What make of air lift bags are you using?
LT
| Quote: | | Quote: | It sounds like you have some good knowledge of the flow systems on your X! My 05 X came stock with a sway bar. Would you still recommend the other two suspension improvements you mentioned?
Also, have you added horsepower & torque to your X with any "chip" modifications?
| Quote: | No need to modify the air intake to get whatever little benefit is offered by exhaust changes. The stock Donaldson design is excellent for filtration and for low restriction. I have yet to change mine after 54K in operation. In my opinion, diesel engines don't benefit appreciably from these flow improvements. That is primarily because torque is the name of the game and any flow improvements only add a few HP at high RPM. Most of what you want to do is to improve "launch"--which is torque.
Again, my opinion is that the biggest improvements to be made to the "X" come from suspension mods to get the rear axle under control. The "X" wanders around basically because of rear axle wrap and body roll. I recommend you attack these symptoms before spending more on the abundant torque / power the engine already has. Start with a Hellwig anti-roll bar and then add Landyot's radius rods.
(| Quote: | | Quote: | | Quote: | | Quote: | JohnBoy...where did you get your remote stater installed and what brand? Also, should I be concerned about voiding my warranty with a programmer? If, not then the Edge chip seems to be a good choice. What about intake modifications?
If it were you guys, what would your first mod be? |
My first mod was an alarm and a remote start. I have a Viper 550 ESP alarm/remote start system. The remote has 2-way communication so you know if the alarm goes off and you can also see if your vehicle is started, too (great for when you don't have line of site with it).
I personally would not put a chip in at this point unless you do other modifications to the transmission like an aftermarket torque converter and valve body. My transmission died at 87K and when I had the X towed into Ford (I left the chip installed), they voided my warranty on the spot due to an installation of the chip. $3000 later, I was back on the road minus warranty. I even paid for 100K extended warranty and they voided it. I did not do any towing, just around town and highway driving.
If you do go with the chip, make sure to remove it before bringing it to the dealer so they are not encouraged to void any warranty on your X.
I'd look into an AFE aftermarket intake/air filter. This and other brands replace the entire air box to allow for cooler air intake and much more surface area on the air filter vs. the panel filter in the air intake box that comes from the factory. |
I would personally not mess with air intake on a 6.0L PSD engine. The stock Donaldson air filter and duct work is an excellent engineering piece. You will compromise filtration with most aftermarket products. Take it from a mechanical engineer specializing in filtration. |
I hear what you'r e saying, but if I'm going to change the the exhaust at somepoint, wouldn't I need to modify the intake to see maximum benefit? |
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Lance214, Sorry for not replying to your question about suspension. Got lost in the argument over stock air intake...
At any rate, if you have a Ford anti-roll bar, you will still see noticeable stability improvement(s) by adding the Radius Rods. If you tow, I also would recommend air lift bags. The Ford anti-roll bar is smaller in diameter than the Hellwig, but is certainly better than what my '03 came with--nothing.
In my opinion, the radius rods correct the directional stability issue(s) with the 4x4 on the highway. Far and away, this was the most noticeable modification I have ever done to any vehicle.
Also, I have found that the air lift bags, when lightly pressurized (say 5 - 10 psig), actually improve the ride of the "X". I don't know the exact reason except to guess that the air bags "re-arc" the stock springs and then take on the inital loading from a bump, as the springs are actually doing less until re-compressed again. I put the bags on because I wanted a level ride when towing my travel trailer. They work great for that too (I pressurize after tensioning spring bars on WD hitch). |
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Green_Forest
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• Tulsa, OK, USA |
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• Registered on 5/13/2005 |
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• 9 posts |
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Posted:6/14/2005 08:24 |
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Speak to LANDYOT about radius rods. He can provide at a reasonable price.
I used Firestone air lift bags. You may want to get the self-levelling controls w/compressor. Much more convenient.
| Quote: | Thxs for your reply!
How much do these Radius Rods run and where can I find them? Also, will adding these to the vehicle void out my warranty?
What make of air lift bags are you using?
LT
| Quote: | | Quote: | It sounds like you have some good knowledge of the flow systems on your X! My 05 X came stock with a sway bar. Would you still recommend the other two suspension improvements you mentioned?
Also, have you added horsepower & torque to your X with any "chip" modifications?
| Quote: | No need to modify the air intake to get whatever little benefit is offered by exhaust changes. The stock Donaldson design is excellent for filtration and for low restriction. I have yet to change mine after 54K in operation. In my opinion, diesel engines don't benefit appreciably from these flow improvements. That is primarily because torque is the name of the game and any flow improvements only add a few HP at high RPM. Most of what you want to do is to improve "launch"--which is torque.
Again, my opinion is that the biggest improvements to be made to the "X" come from suspension mods to get the rear axle under control. The "X" wanders around basically because of rear axle wrap and body roll. I recommend you attack these symptoms before spending more on the abundant torque / power the engine already has. Start with a Hellwig anti-roll bar and then add Landyot's radius rods.
(| Quote: | | Quote: | | Quote: | | Quote: | JohnBoy...where did you get your remote stater installed and what brand? Also, should I be concerned about voiding my warranty with a programmer? If, not then the Edge chip seems to be a good choice. What about intake modifications?
If it were you guys, what would your first mod be? |
My first mod was an alarm and a remote start. I have a Viper 550 ESP alarm/remote start system. The remote has 2-way communication so you know if the alarm goes off and you can also see if your vehicle is started, too (great for when you don't have line of site with it).
I personally would not put a chip in at this point unless you do other modifications to the transmission like an aftermarket torque converter and valve body. My transmission died at 87K and when I had the X towed into Ford (I left the chip installed), they voided my warranty on the spot due to an installation of the chip. $3000 later, I was back on the road minus warranty. I even paid for 100K extended warranty and they voided it. I did not do any towing, just around town and highway driving.
If you do go with the chip, make sure to remove it before bringing it to the dealer so they are not encouraged to void any warranty on your X.
I'd look into an AFE aftermarket intake/air filter. This and other brands replace the entire air box to allow for cooler air intake and much more surface area on the air filter vs. the panel filter in the air intake box that comes from the factory. |
I would personally not mess with air intake on a 6.0L PSD engine. The stock Donaldson air filter and duct work is an excellent engineering piece. You will compromise filtration with most aftermarket products. Take it from a mechanical engineer specializing in filtration. |
I hear what you'r e saying, but if I'm going to change the the exhaust at somepoint, wouldn't I need to modify the intake to see maximum benefit? |
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Lance214, Sorry for not replying to your question about suspension. Got lost in the argument over stock air intake...
At any rate, if you have a Ford anti-roll bar, you will still see noticeable stability improvement(s) by adding the Radius Rods. If you tow, I also would recommend air lift bags. The Ford anti-roll bar is smaller in diameter than the Hellwig, but is certainly better than what my '03 came with--nothing.
In my opinion, the radius rods correct the directional stability issue(s) with the 4x4 on the highway. Far and away, this was the most noticeable modification I have ever done to any vehicle.
Also, I have found that the air lift bags, when lightly pressurized (say 5 - 10 psig), actually improve the ride of the "X". I don't know the exact reason except to guess that the air bags "re-arc" the stock springs and then take on the inital loading from a bump, as the springs are actually doing less until re-compressed again. I put the bags on because I wanted a level ride when towing my travel trailer. They work great for that too (I pressurize after tensioning spring bars on WD hitch). |
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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 Vehicle
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Aug250
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• Miami, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 4/15/2005 |
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• 76 posts |
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Posted:6/14/2005 18:03 |
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Lance I just received my AFE with pro gaurd 7 and MBPR exhaust. I have not yet installed them but there is a thread right now on the Diesel stop that shows the actual test that was performed on the different intakes and the AFE. I also have a DR. Performance airforce on the truck (basically it's the zoodad mod but it's a really nice peice of molded plastic so that you don't have a big hole behind the grill) the jury is still out on this mod till I get some highway miles on it to get good MPG numbers. Thats the only way I'll know if it has made a difference.
Augie
2005 EX 6.0 4X4 EB, 3" DR, 33" MT ATZ's, Landyot RR, Hoodblanket, Weather stripping mod, Zoodad, MBRP, Outlook, Midland CB, more to come... |
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Lance214
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• Dallas, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 6/2/2005 |
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• 11 posts |
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Posted:6/14/2005 18:06 |
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Keep me up to date on the X's performance after you do the mod. I'm curious to see what the result are.
LT
| Quote: | Lance I just received my AFE with pro gaurd 7 and MBPR exhaust. I have not yet installed them but there is a thread right now on the Diesel stop that shows the actual test that was performed on the different intakes and the AFE. I also have a DR. Performance airforce on the truck (basically it's the zoodad mod but it's a really nice peice of molded plastic so that you don't have a big hole behind the grill) the jury is still out on this mod till I get some highway miles on it to get good MPG numbers. Thats the only way I'll know if it has made a difference.
Augie |
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Aug250
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• Miami, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 4/15/2005 |
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• 76 posts |
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Posted:6/15/2005 11:46 |
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I am also waiting on the Radius Rods and an EGR valve so I can supplement the one that comes stock on the truck. 
2005 EX 6.0 4X4 EB, 3" DR, 33" MT ATZ's, Landyot RR, Hoodblanket, Weather stripping mod, Zoodad, MBRP, Outlook, Midland CB, more to come... |
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caddys83
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• Oklahoma City, OK, USA |
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• Registered on 12/4/2004 |
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• 127 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:6/26/2005 17:11 |
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| Quote: | | Her in NY every sping I use a modified sprinkler that pulsates & rotates, I pull it under the truck to thoughroly clean the under carriage. ...... |
Hmmm.... Intresting, I never thought of doing that. I always like to have my Excursion undies wash but most of these automatics car wash scare me to death due to the size of this truck.... Theres even a Shell gastation with a so called, "big rig car wash" option but I never felt comfortably during the whole process of washing the Excursion... Now all I ever need is bucket of quarters and the local self-service carwash  Thanks for the tip 
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I've decided that Xochi was in cahoots with the gas stations to rid me of my bank account. I still and love her.
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:6/27/2005 08:59 |
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With all due respect to the sponsors and aftermarket guys....
I have to say if you read other sites you know that
ANYTHING other than the stock air intake is grounds for Ford to deny warranty issues you may have down the road..
and even some stock filters that are not seated properly have led to warranty denials....
and none have proven that the stock Donaldson filter flows any less or filters any less than ANY other aftermarket....
some have even done dyno runs and drag strip times with the different filters and noticed little difference...
my engine life "money" is on stock donaldson filter....
and it can be had online for half what the dealer wants to charge you....
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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