Hi X owners!

My name is Stefan, I am from Berlin, Germany (yes, there is X-addiction also on the other side of the ocean!). I came across this forum a couple of weeks ago and signed-up today. I think it is absolutely fantastic and incredibly rich in information on everything related to the X - extremely helpful indeed but I think it will take me at least a year to read through everything I am interested in, haha

Anyway, here is my X-story: I bought my (first) X (a 2004 V10 4x4) some weeks ago. It is still with the dealership in the US because I want to have some modifications done before shipping it overseas. More specifically, I am thinking of the following:

(1) SUSPENSION LIFT. I decided to go for a 4" ProComp lift, which does not create too much of clearance space between the tire and the wheel well. A 4" suspension lift looks just fine to me.

(2) GEARS. Re-geared 4.56.

(3) PERFORMANCE. Banks cold air intake, Banks headers, Banks y-pipe, and Banks Ottomind programmer.

(4) EXHAUST. The stock cats will remain in place because they seem to flow rather well and a high-flow cat doesn't seem to make a tangible difference in my particular case (please tell me if you think otherwise). I will put a single-in-dual-out Flowmaster Super 44 muffler, a 4" pipe between the cat and the muffler and two 2.5" pipes straight out the back, with 4" tips.

(5) ENGINE OIL COOLER, OIL PAN, A/T COOLER. Bigger engine oil cooler (with built-in thermostat) and A/T cooler. I also wanted a bigger oil pan (deep sump pan), but apparently it's hard to find them so I'll go without it.

(6) WHEELS (RIMS/TIRES). This has proved a bit tricky. I decided to go for Moto Metal MO951 Chrome wheels, 20x10, 8/170, ET -18, BSM 4.79, with Nitto Trail Grappler tires 315/60/20 (35" tire diameter and 12.5" section width). As I am not planning to go off-road but drive my X on paved roads only, I guess the above rims/tires will fit the 4" suspension lift without fouling the wheel wells, undercarriage, fenders, etc. I wouldn't mind some minor rubbing of the leafs at full turn.

So, what do you guys think of the above modifications? Any comments or good advice would be very much welcome!

Cheers,

Stefan

 

There you go, welcome Stefan. If you haven't already ordered the lift I would go with a 6", you won't be sorry. How much are they charging to deliver it to you?

 

Thanks!

The 4" ProComp suspension lift has already been ordered. The problem is that when looking at photos of 6" lifted Xs I find the clearance between the top of the tire and the edge of the fender too large, I don't really like it frankly speaking. Initially, I wanted a 3" lift only... So, 4" is already more than I wanted.

Do you think there will be a rubbing issue if I stay on the road without full turn?

Shipping the X to Europe in a 20" container cost between $4,000-4,500.

 

Wow, that sounds like some mod list! I wish I could afford to do that much in one shot! Make sure to post pics when you can! Wewlcome to FTE!

 

I'm very happy with the banks headers and y- pipe.
I agree with you on cat. Stock one flows very well.
I did the full body muffler (70 series) quiet until I get down on the gas pedal.
I also did duals out but with 3" all stainless steel.
The cold air intake makes little dif. On these v10's.

4.56 is a great choice.
I went with 4:30, I don't really tow much and here in Florida we have no hills.

Welcome to FTE, looks like you did your homework!

 

thanks, fordboy67, for your response. true, those are a lot of mods at once but I need to get all this done in one go before shipment. having those done here in Germany would be much more costly.

 

LivingLarge, what you are saying confirms my choice, thank you for that. btw, what wheels/rims do you have on your X? I'm a bit concerned about rubbing issues putting 35" x 12.5" on my 4" suspension lifted Excursion... any views on that?

 

I'm running 285's (33 x 11.5) so I only have v code springs up front
f350 blocks in rear with the roadmaster active suspension.

I will use a 3.5 inch hanger up front and replacing my rear springs in February.
At that point will look at rims and 35's. X 12.5.

 

Sorry, giving me a total of 5.5 inches of lift.

 

285's are 32 x11.5 aren't they ?? 305's are 33x12.5......315's 35x12.5 I believe

 

My bfg's are 32.8

 

Thanks ! that is good to know !.....very very near (like can't even tell) the same as a 305 but fits a stock rim much better !

 

Ok, so now you got me thinking!

Researched, turns out:

bfg all terr 285 75 16 e is 33 inch
bfg all terr 305 70 16 e is 32.8 inch

how about that.

 

Yep, only noticable difference would be width 11.5 vs 12.5........the 285 would work alot better on the stock 7" rim and look like a 305......I love this forum !

 

That's cool that you can plan ahead and get all that done and shipped to you, I don't know if I'd have the patience to wait. Can't wait to see the pics