Helderman air ride

[mcallister]

I have a 2002 Ford Excursion, 7.3 PSD, I have been inquiring about "getting my truck to handle". I have been looking into the Road Air Suspension kits, bilsteins shocks. A buddy of mine told me about Helderman air ride. Has anyone gotten those installed on the EX?? I called over to Helderman, I guess they have (4) Excursion done up, and claim the truck will handle, haul 75% better than stock. I would do front and back. What do you think??

mcallister

[Monsta]

Kelderman is good stuff! Are you only doing it to make it handle better??

[mcallister]

I was told by a dealer that it is used mainly on commercial, industrial applications and if I wanted front & rear air ride suspension, I could easily spend 6K-15K on all the gadgets. I have a Helliwig rear anti-sway bar, Firestone air bags, gas shocks (Les Scwab) now. I am up in the air about the Kelderman until the dealer gets back to me. I was told by X Hemi guy and countless others on this site about the Road Active Suspension and Bilsteins shocks.....that may be a possibility, cheaper one anyways. It handles good now, I know it's a truck! I didn't know it, but Helliwig makes a front anti-sway bar too. I am going to buy a 31 foot Jayco in the next couple months. I have never towed with Excursion, so I am just trying to get this thing equipped. Any suggestions, comments??

2002 Ford Excursion Limited, 7.3 PSD
mcallister

[scottman70]

Same here, I called around the Phoenix AZ area and found 2 dealers that were ready and willing to install the full Kelderman kit front and rear. Try $10 grand though.... They said that it does wonders for the Excursions and eliminates the wander issues! I now enjoy wandering the roads, knowing I saved 10 grand!

[scottman70]

Originally Posted by mcallister

I was told by a dealer that it is used mainly on commercial, industrial applications and if I wanted front & rear air ride suspension, I could easily spend 6K-15K on all the gadgets. I have a Helliwig rear anti-sway bar, Firestone air bags, gas shocks (Les Scwab) now. I am up in the air about the Kelderman until the dealer gets back to me. I was told by X Hemi guy and countless others on this site about the Road Active Suspension and Bilsteins shocks.....that may be a possibility, cheaper one anyways. It handles good now, I know it's a truck! I didn't know it, but Helliwig makes a front anti-sway bar too. I am going to buy a 31 foot Jayco in the next couple months. I have never towed with Excursion, so I am just trying to get this thing equipped. Any suggestions, comments??

2002 Ford Excursion Limited, 7.3 PSD
mcallister

If you do not do the RAS or the rear spring swap don't get your hopes up. The Ex will tow heavy weights but you will be white knuckling it if you do not install all the items suggested here. (take it from me!) I finally got it dialed in but it still does not tow like my pickup. I tow 11k now that I bought my toy to put into the toy hauler. I towed my 30 ft toy hauler from PX to Iowa and I had my air bags at 39 psi, front tires at 65 psi and the rears at 80 psi. I also attached my trailer slightly (very slightly) nose down and placed quite a bit of tension on the weight distribution bars. So far this is the best setup I have been able tow with. I tried it slightly nose up, higher psi in the air bags and it was all over the place. Once you get it dialed in it does pretty good though. I am sure each vehicle is different so good luck. Oh, 1 more thing you absolutely need to have Load E rated tires, they have stiffer sidewalls and higher operating PSI's (a must!)

So are you getting a new or used RV? Why not get a toy hauler instead of a travel trailer, just curious? I started with a TT and after 2 trips I looked at a toy hauler and couldn't believe how open and spacious they are especially with slide outs. I travelled with it for 1 year until I finally got toys. They have such flexibilty though! Anyway just curious, I wish I'd bought a hauler at the beginning would have saved me some $$$.

[mcallister]

I want to buy new one. The TT just fits our lifestyle. So, the Road Active Suspension & Bilstein shocks sound like the way to go. I'll do it. Oh, and you said something about new springs....front and rear?? Let me know.

2002 Ford Excursion, 7.3 PSD
mcallister