FordExcursions.com Forums
docgas63
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• Sugar Land, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/20/2005 |
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• 37 posts |
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 Posted:8/20/2005 22:57 |
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Hello everyone..... seems like you'll will be able to give some advice....
I tow a 7500 lb RV with a tongue weight of 995 and I use the Hensley hitch. Probably total tongue of around 1200lbs.
Used to drive a 3/4 ton 8.1L 3.73 Big Block Suburban and it never even noticed the trailer when hitched. No sag at all but it chugged gas..
I traded it in for a 05 Diesel Excursion 2005 and have found out that Ford makes these trucks for the family in mind and NOT for heavy duty towing, although it has 5 springs and is a 3/4 ton truck. So when I hitch up, back drops 3 inches....
after spending hours researching Air Bags - vs Timbrens vs Adding a Leaf: I have come across the SuperSpring. I am pretty sure I do not want to deal with the Air Bags, Timbrens seem +/-. The excursion is a family car 48 weeks of the year and a tow vehicle the other 4. weeks...
Do you feel I should start with the supersprings to stop this 3 inch drop as the best option?
Also many people on the forums change out their OEM "crappy" Ford rear shocks for Bilsteins or Rancho.... Other people add a rear Helwig antisway bar.
Comments on the Supersprings (www.superspings.com)?? to level out my vehicle??
What is the main reason for changing out the shocks.... is it a towing issue??
Local Allroad shop said the new 05's come with K & N filter?? Is this true?
Some people as posting that the 05's come with Sway bar on rear... I see the stabilizer bars on the front...not the rear? whats the real story...?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help this EX GM owner....
DG
David, Sandra and 3 Kids
2005 4x2 6.0L PSD Excursion Limited
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
SuperChips, X-Monitor, Zoodad, PSD Badges |
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Casey Law
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• Manhattan Beach, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 2/11/2005 |
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• 8 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/21/2005 01:49 |
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DG, I ran into the same problem w/ rear end sag as you have come across. I pull a 10,000 lb travel trailer and no matter how I adjusted the 4 way equalizer hitch, the back end of my Excursion seemed to sag. I finally ended up putting Air Lift Air bags on the back end and they solved the problem. Around town and when I am not towing, I run 10 lbs in them. With the trailer hooked up, I bump them up to 30-40 lbs and they level things right out. I've also added Rancho 9000x shocks which I run at 4 rear/ 2 front when I am running around town and 6 rear/ 4 front when in tow mode. By far the shocks made the biggest diference in the ride both with and without the trailer hooked on the back. The next big improvement to the ride was changing the front springs to F-350 V codes. The suspension then had sme room to move as opposed to constantly ramming against the bump stops. Landyot's radius rods were the next noticeable improvement followed by adding a Hellwig rear sway bar and then changing out the front factory bar to a Hellwig Bar as well.
Casey |
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docgas63
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• Sugar Land, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/20/2005 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:8/21/2005 02:46 |
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thanks for the response. It is too bad that this suspension is such a weak link in what could be a terrific tow vehicle. I love the diesel power but find it a bit frustrating to have to go thru all this to make it the tow vehicle the Suburban 8.1L 3/4 ton was with regard to suspension capability.
I guess that is where all the "Ford Family pricing + 2000K cash back" $$ savings is heading.
David
David, Sandra and 3 Kids
2005 4x2 6.0L PSD Excursion Limited
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
SuperChips, X-Monitor, Zoodad, PSD Badges |
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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:8/21/2005 09:30 |
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Doc...
I've had an 02 7.3L 2 wheel drive, an 03 6.0 4x4, and now an 05 6.0 4x4...
Even though I only have < 1000 miles on the 05, I know already it is a different animal than both the 02 and 03 were...
Stock it has a MUCH different ride than either of the other two...
wereas the others were more turck like and definetly let you know when you hit a bump, this 05 is much smoother over the same roughness...
At this point am not sure if it is shocks, frame, or what, but it is much improved !
first, let's go slow...
some of the excellent suggestions for the pre 05 Ex's (many of which I did to my 03 with great results) may not be as applicable on the 05,
not that I know all the answers, but just suggest we reinvestigate the 05 "needs" then proceed...
Second, a rear sway bar and shocks effect different ride attributes... while there is some overlap...
the sway bar primarily addresses the side to side sway during cornering and dips on one side of the vehicle... haven't even looked under mine to see what's there yet... 
as you surely know, the shocks primarly address the movement of the wheeel/tire...
and thus far I am more impressed with the stock shocks ! 
so - we'll learn togetha !!!!
good luck !
JB
on edit, I would be stunned if there is a K&N filter in here, from the outside it sure looks like the excellent Donaldson filter - the similar one put on the Hummers in the desert 
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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docgas63
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• Sugar Land, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/20/2005 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:8/21/2005 10:20 |
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JohnBoy,
thank you... I do know that I have to contral the sag soon because I will be towing for Labor Day weekend. !
Do you know much about the supersprings.. www.supersprings.com or have a comment. I am looking for an option other than AirBags and Timbrens. Seems supersprings or Hellwig HelperSprings are good options.
Super Springs website describes the 3 in 1 attributes as = Airbags/Add a Leaf + Sway Bar + Performance shocks. My Local Allroad shop has told me they have had good success with them.
I will likely add this and tow labor day weekend and see how I do before I plunk anymore $$
Any comment.?
(although the Superchip is perking my interest.)
thanks
David
David, Sandra and 3 Kids
2005 4x2 6.0L PSD Excursion Limited
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
SuperChips, X-Monitor, Zoodad, PSD Badges |
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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:8/22/2005 06:07 |
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Have not had any info on supersprings... can't help ya there...
do know one thing you can control is the weight bias of your trailer to get the tongue weight where you want it... rule of thumb I've always heard is 10% of the LOADED trailer weight for tongue weight....
and then a weight distributing hitch
or a sway control hitch like a Hensley is an excellent one time investment...
http://mday.day.net/hensleycon.html
good luck !
JB
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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docgas63
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• Sugar Land, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/20/2005 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:8/22/2005 10:56 |
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Johnboy,
Just came back from talking to some of the mechanics at the local Ford Dealership. He told me the 05 Excursion IS different from 03-04. The front end is changed. He mentioned things like coils in the front, chassis bars that are used in the Ford 550's etc. I wish I was more technically oriented to follow him more closely.
He was talking all this technical stuff but clearly gave me the impression that as you stated, the 05 is different.
Can anyone else confirm this? or further build on this.??
David
05 Excursion PSD
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow-Prodigy
David, Sandra and 3 Kids
2005 4x2 6.0L PSD Excursion Limited
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
SuperChips, X-Monitor, Zoodad, PSD Badges |
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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:8/22/2005 12:29 |
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Some have said the change was to the superduties, and not to the Ex...
but i haven't verified it either way....
but when I get a minute, I will 
just know it rides a LOT better than either the 02 or 03 Ex's I had ! 
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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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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docgas63
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• Sugar Land, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 8/20/2005 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:8/22/2005 14:41 |
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My 05 Excursion is a 4x2 and I see a huge coil spring that the Ford Mechanic pointed out to me. I do believe that your 4x4 has leaf springs as your picture shows.
This dealership was not the dealership trying to sell me anything. The mechanic took the time to discuss some modifications that Ford did to the front of the 05's. I am not claiming a major overhaul.
He had nothing to sell me and I was not buying anything. He just was talking 'shop' with me.
David
05 4x2 PSD Excursion
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
David, Sandra and 3 Kids
2005 4x2 6.0L PSD Excursion Limited
Sunnybrook 3310
Hensley Arrow - Prodigy
SuperChips, X-Monitor, Zoodad, PSD Badges |
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