excursion tire pressure E rated
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Avis PA
back from the dead
I know this is an old thread, but it’s what I found doing a search. I too have started to adjust tire pressure in an attempt to have a softer ride without negatively effecting handling. No one in the above posts mentioned the sticker on the door ( not the jamb ) that says with up to 6 passengers and 300 lbs of cargo, for best ride put air pressure to 38 front and 45 rear. I was running at 60/65, and any little crack in the road jarred the X. So I lowered to the “recommended” psi per door sticker, and it rides a lot softer. I can feel the extra shmooshiness of the tires, but as I have only driven 15 miles to work at 65 mph, I haven’t decided yet if this low of pressure is for me. Also, these pressures seem a little low for our heavy X’s. Should I be worried? Should I air up immediately before driving or risk certain death? Suggestions, comments, concerns?
PS: 01 XLT, 6.8, 265/75 16 E all terrains, x code fronts, 4.5” rear blocks , Monroe gas magnum shocks
PS: 01 XLT, 6.8, 265/75 16 E all terrains, x code fronts, 4.5” rear blocks , Monroe gas magnum shocks
Last edited by Silverback01; Oct 31, 2017 at 08:40 AM. Reason: Added info
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
I know this is an old thread, but it’s what I found doing a search. I too have started to adjust tire pressure in an attempt to have a softer ride without negatively effecting handling. No one in the above posts mentioned the sticker on the door ( not the jamb ) that says with up to 6 passengers and 300 lbs of cargo, for best ride put air pressure to 38 front and 45 rear. I was running at 60/65, and any little crack in the road jarred the X. So I lowered to the “recommended” psi per door sticker, and it rides a lot softer. I can feel the extra shmooshiness of the tires, but as I have only driven 15 miles to work at 65 mph, I haven’t decided yet if this low of pressure is for me. Also, these pressures seem a little low for our heavy X’s. Should I be worried? Should I air up immediately before driving or risk certain death? Suggestions, comments, concerns?
PS: 01 XLT, 6.8, 265/75 16 E all terrains, x code fronts, 4.5” rear blocks , Monroe gas magnum shocks
PS: 01 XLT, 6.8, 265/75 16 E all terrains, x code fronts, 4.5” rear blocks , Monroe gas magnum shocks
All the ones I have seen indicate 50 front 55 rear.
38 psi will support about 2000 lbs which puts you close to curb weight.
The Ex already understeers significantly with correct tire pressure and dropping it to 38 is going to increase understeer a good bit.
Fwiw, a decent read
Tire PSI Adjustments for Better Riding Performance
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 952
From: Kaufman TX
Fwiw, a decent read
Tire PSI Adjustments for Better Riding Performance
Tire PSI Adjustments for Better Riding Performance
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 29
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From: Avis PA
Cheese and crackers!!! Boy, I guess I did flirt with death on way to work this AM. I just checked the door sill sticker, and it lists pressures for D load rating!!! Heading from parking lot across street to Sheetz to air back up. Probably go 55/60. Pirate, thank you for the help.
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
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From: Green Oak, MI
Cheese and crackers!!! Boy, I guess I did flirt with death on way to work this AM. I just checked the door sill sticker, and it lists pressures for D load rating!!! Heading from parking lot across street to Sheetz to air back up. Probably go 55/60. Pirate, thank you for the help.
IMO, they should have issued new door stickers, or at least a supplement sticker, to inform people of the new, correct recommended pressures. Some of the modern tire shops will be told the correct pressures in their computer, but some can still look at the door tag, and that can be a problem.
Here's some reading material on the recall: What's Behind the Firestone Steeltex Recall on Ford Excursions? | Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Avis PA
Yes, 2000-early 2003 Excursions came from the factory with load range D Firestone Steeltex tires. After they were recalled and Ford had to replace the old ones, they changed the OEM 4x4 tire to the BFG Rugged Trail with higher load range E in later 2003. The new 4x2 tire I believe was a Pirelli Scorpion.
IMO, they should have issued new door stickers, or at least a supplement sticker, to inform people of the new, correct recommended pressures. Some of the modern tire shops will be told the correct pressures in their computer, but some can still look at the door tag, and that can be a problem.
Here's some reading material on the recall: What's Behind the Firestone Steeltex Recall on Ford Excursions? Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.
IMO, they should have issued new door stickers, or at least a supplement sticker, to inform people of the new, correct recommended pressures. Some of the modern tire shops will be told the correct pressures in their computer, but some can still look at the door tag, and that can be a problem.
Here's some reading material on the recall: What's Behind the Firestone Steeltex Recall on Ford Excursions? Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.
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"The lack of a specific failure pattern, a higher failure rate on a size used almost exclusively on Ford Excursions, and statements from Firestone that many of the failures occurred due to overloading all suggest Ford's specification of an inadequate load range. Tire experts familiar with the situation concur that this is likely. The use of a lower load range left the Excursion with a margin of safety that was too low,"
Regardless of what you drive or tow or even what tires you have.
Know your payload, know your pressures.
It's pretty easy to overload an Excursion. Hell mine is almost at it GVWR with just me sitting in it.
Regardless of what you drive or tow or even what tires you have.
Know your payload, know your pressures.
It's pretty easy to overload an Excursion. Hell mine is almost at it GVWR with just me sitting in it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,842
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From: NoVA
No wonder my local tire shop and I were in a long argument when they installed a 'D' tire in my spare wheel. I had to then backup my claim for the 'E' range tires with such info before they agreed to replace the tire.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Installing a larger rear anti-roll will reduce understeer significantly, especially when there's no rear bar to begin with.
With a properly sized set of anti-roll bars steering can be dialed in to neutral.
Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Green Oak, MI
Sun, thank you for the info. I had heard that the early X’s came with D tires, but I was unaware of the crashes and deaths. Per the article, it seems Ford is to blame for spec-ing a tire that was too weak, not an actual problem with the tires themselves. I wonder if the D tires were on a lighter vehicle if they would’ve had issues.
"The lack of a specific failure pattern, a higher failure rate on a size used almost exclusively on Ford Excursions, and statements from Firestone that many of the failures occurred due to overloading all suggest Ford's specification of an inadequate load range. Tire experts familiar with the situation concur that this is likely. The use of a lower load range left the Excursion with a margin of safety that was too low,"
It's pretty easy to overload an Excursion. Hell mine is almost at it GVWR with just me sitting in it.
It's pretty easy to overload an Excursion. Hell mine is almost at it GVWR with just me sitting in it.
Interesting. But good idea to have your spare swapped. Both of my '02s still had the factory Steeltex LRD spare, apparently replacing that wasn't covered in the recall.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
Manufacturers by design have vehicles understeer rather than oversteer.
Installing a larger rear anti-roll will reduce understeer significantly, especially when there's no rear bar to begin with.
With a properly sized set of anti-roll bars steering can be dialed in to neutral.
Installing a larger rear anti-roll will reduce understeer significantly, especially when there's no rear bar to begin with.
With a properly sized set of anti-roll bars steering can be dialed in to neutral.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Agree.
The Hellwig front/rear anti-roll bar set leaves a V10 Ex with a comfortable amount of understeer.
A diesel or 4x4 would be heavier in the front resulting in more understeer.
The Hellwig front/rear anti-roll bar set leaves a V10 Ex with a comfortable amount of understeer.
A diesel or 4x4 would be heavier in the front resulting in more understeer.