FordExcursions.com Forums
rstone1
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 8/3/2005 |
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• 2 posts |
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 Posted:8/3/2005 19:34 |
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Looking for some advice on modifying my X for Towing
I just traded my old 2000 4X4 7.3L for a new 05 4X4 6.0L Eddie Bauer with all the bells and whistles. I bought the original in Jan. with 123K on it. I was only planning on keeping it for a year, but was pushed into the purchase because of the Excursion being discontined. In 6 months I've put 26K on it towing a 3000lb cargo trailer. Had some mechanical problems, but nothing I wasn't expecting. Glad to have the new one though.
I will be doing about 30K miles a year towing the same 3000lb trailer. I truly wanted an SUV, and due to my use I really had no choice but to get the Excursion, because of the diesel. I do plan on keeping it for a LONG time.
So here's what I'm looking at doing, any ideas or advice would be very much appreciated.
I plan on doing the radius rods and new shocks for sure.
I would really like to do the Banks Big Hoss Bundle, but will I be kissing my warranty goodbye?
I would also like a more powerful stance. My old one had something like a 3" lift w 305/70R17 on it.
I would love any advice on some appropriate lift and tire sizes that will still highway well. I know this goes against what I'm using the truck for, but it needs to look good.
I've looked around at the super springs vs. the aribags and I'm still debating. Any comments?
Also I will be doing just about all of these mods at one time, but I have to wait until January.
I'll also be doing some lighting and a few other goodies. I'll post pics of the stock soon.
Thanks. |
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RayRay1
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• Piscataway, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 4/24/2005 |
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• 54 posts |
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Posted:8/4/2005 01:07 |
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RStone, check my truck out, has a leveling kit installed (dind't want to lift it but still wanted a better look than the nose slammed down).... It sits on Weld Sidewinders wheels and 315x75x16 BF Goodrich tires....Ride is a lot better and the tires do not sing on the highway (ran it right next to divider and the noise was pretty much normal, maybe a tick about stock tires)
Hope this helps
2003 Xcursion EB 6.0 diesel, AFE Stage 1 instake, AutoMeter Phantom Boost, EGT & Trans guages, Leveling Kit, BFGoodrich 315x75x16 on Weld Sidewinders, Eclipse radio & CD changer, Rockford amp & 12' subs, XM radio, 10.5 Mobile DVD video system |
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rstone1
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 8/3/2005 |
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• 2 posts |
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Posted:8/4/2005 10:16 |
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RayRay, your truck looks great. We actually have the same color. For only a 2 1/2in leveling kit, it's got a great look. Nice combo.
Did you upgrade the shocks or anything else? |
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dhanby
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• Rochester Hills, MI, USA |
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• Registered on 7/13/2005 |
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• 8 posts |
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Posted:8/4/2005 10:35 |
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My experience with Ford and my X (03 6.0L Limited) is exhaust and intake mods are OK but if you chip or flash and they find out, your warranty is toast. I am running Banks monster exhaust and AirRaid intake and they were fine with that. My 03 developed oil leaks (common in early 6.0's) after 2 rear main seals and a new upper pan seal my driveway is now oil free. I have been running a Bully Dog Power Pup Downloader and Outlook Monitor. Even though I reflashed the computer to stock, the service manager saw the Outlook Monitor and threatened to void my warranty and charge me for the second rear main seal and pan job. I explained that the Outlook Monitor is nothing more than gauges if the computer was not flashed (which is wasn't) but he insisted that "juicing" the computer for more performance caused my leaks. Oil leaks from fuel mapping? Besides 99% of the time I run the power setting at 25% of max for economy and longevity. So in summary, BE CAREFUL and make sure there is no evidence that you have modified anything having to do with the computer. |
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Tantrum
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• Bergen County, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 7/26/2005 |
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• 52 posts |
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Posted:8/4/2005 16:29 |
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RayRay1
Your truck looks great. Please explain what the Leveling kit is and a sorce to get one.
I dont want to raise mine either but would like to raise the nose a bit.
Im also looking at a Hellwig swaybar and RS9000 shocks BFG AT's 28575R16
2005 PSD Limited 4x4 |
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Douglas Dircks
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• New Richland, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 11/13/2003 |
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• 118 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/10/2005 01:37 |
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I'd go with the air bags over the beefy leafs. The work truck had Firestone air bags with new factory leafs installed at one hundred and fifty thousand miles and now I wish they would have been installed when purchased. With the front heavy dump trailer the truck sits level when it used to squat badly. With the beefy leafs only when empty or not towing you will be bouncing all over the road. With the air bags you can simply turn down the psi to five to ten psi for a nice comfy ride. The on board compressor would be nice but there's still free air at some gas stations!
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 PSD 265/75/16 Ravo's Centerline rims Python 871XP
99 F250 x-cab short bed XLT 4x4 PSD 295/75/16 American Racing rims Viper 550 ESP stainless steel MAAP nerf bars Putco four piece grill inserts bumper poles and mud flaps air bags triple pillar pod Autometer Ultra Light fiberglass tannue cover and topper programmed pcm pulling 22 psi
99 F350 crew cab long bed drw Lariat 4x4 PSD 255/85/16 Python 871XP AIS fold down fifth wheel ball |
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RayRay1
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• Piscataway, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 4/24/2005 |
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• 54 posts |
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Posted:8/11/2005 09:21 |
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RStone, thanks (I have had a white one and a black one, this color is the best  ).... I added Monroe Reflex shocks but everything else is stock..... Just turned 36K on the clock so will be adding a few more after market parts..... I tow but nothing as heavy as what you do
Tantrum, I had the leveling kit installed at the dealer where I brought the truck (they do 4x4 work and are big into the diesels)... I am not technical on it but will give it to you the way they broke it down for me... The ride will improve, steer better and handle better... As you see the look is more aggressive with out being jacked up in the air. I know Fabtech makes one, not sure which company is installed on my truck. I installed a Monroe Reflex shocks, swaybar and GoodYear 305x70x16 on the 2000 X that I had and it rode great (stock height)
2003 Xcursion EB 6.0 diesel, AFE Stage 1 instake, AutoMeter Phantom Boost, EGT & Trans guages, Leveling Kit, BFGoodrich 315x75x16 on Weld Sidewinders, Eclipse radio & CD changer, Rockford amp & 12' subs, XM radio, 10.5 Mobile DVD video system |
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Michael Gail
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• Sierra Madre, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 5/1/2003 |
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• 138 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/15/2005 21:08 |
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Hi rstone1,
Check out the thread on Hidden Hitches. I just installed one on my EX. It is rated for 500 lb. tongue and 9000 lb. trailer. It sure makes parking a trailer a cinch. YOU can see exactly where you are putting it. It also gives you a really stout brace behind your bumper. With all that, nobody will know it's there unless you show it to them. It hides behind the front licence plate.  I got mine through J.C. Whitney for $129. It's quite easy to install. 6 bolts is all that holds the bumper on. Oh, the OEM fog light have to go, however you can get a better pair from your local auto parts store for under $40. [Again, see the thread on Hidden Hitch or 'front hitch'. 
Mike
'02 EX, Limited, 4X4 , PSD, Nitto, Terra Grapplers 295/16, K&N Air Filter, Billet Grill, Hidden Hitch. Magnaflow SS Exhaust system with 3.5" downpipe, 4" main and 5" tip. Banks Six-Gun Power Module, Banks TransCommand. |
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Saleen99122
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• Somerset, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 7/8/2005 |
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• 32 posts |
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Posted:8/18/2005 12:38 |
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Rayray, you do any towing with that beast? I'm around the corner in Somerset, I'd like to take
a look at yours one of these days when I get back from vacation. I work in Piscataway as well. |
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RayRay1
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• Piscataway, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 4/24/2005 |
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• 54 posts |
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Posted:8/18/2005 23:37 |
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TFALK, I am actually going to be towing out to Indy for the BIG GO over Labor Day weekend, that will be the first long distance tow I have done (I normally tow the trailer to Englishtown but that is no more than 6-7 miles round trip from the shop). I originally brought the truck and it was treated like a big puppy as the hardest thing it did was run my family up and down I-95  .... I will be dragging a 18ft enclosed trailer to INDY containing 2 Pro Stock Motorcycles.... I will be taking the truck to the shop next week to have a BIG trans cooler installed along with AFE filter and triple guages and overhead pod (trans, egt and boost)
Let me know when you would like to hook up, I am running to VA this weekend but should be back by Monday.... Hoping to drop the truck off one day next week B4 hitting the road the following weekend
2003 Xcursion EB 6.0 diesel, AFE Stage 1 instake, AutoMeter Phantom Boost, EGT & Trans guages, Leveling Kit, BFGoodrich 315x75x16 on Weld Sidewinders, Eclipse radio & CD changer, Rockford amp & 12' subs, XM radio, 10.5 Mobile DVD video system |
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