I know there is a bunch of info around and I have read a bunch, now and along time ago when I did my 2003. I have a quick question as I will have to address the wandering issue in the future when I find a new Ex. I had Landyots radius rods, sway bar, upgraded shocks, air bags and V code front springs on my 2003 7.3 EX. It worked out well. The radius rods completely solved the wandering issue but apparently he is no longer making them. Will the V/B code spring upgrade along with sway bar and shocks take care of most of the wandering issue or are there other traction bars anyone is using on not lifted Excursions?
Steve

 

Yes, I think the spring upgrade will actually fix the wandering issue. then the sway bar is an added benefit!

 

Nothing beats the radius rods. The Excursion is a high-torque vehicle with a relatively short wheelbase. Any axle wrap is magnified by this short wheelbase and the high roll center of the vehicle. Radius rods keep the rear axle from steering the Excursion.

But, since they are no longer an option, you can achieve maybe 80% of the benefits with "supplemented" V/B springs. What I mean is that V/B alone are not sufficient to get this benefit. You should also add either RAS or "mod" the rear B code springs. One of these 2 combinations will help to reduce the rear axle wrap enough to tame the rear axle steer problem. It will still be there, but will be acceptable.

My 2003 had "Gen I" radius rods, which clamped onto the leading part of the spring pack. That 2003 tracked straighter than my 2005 does after all the mods shown in my sig. I finally have the 2005 to an acceptable steering stability where I can let my teenage daughter drive it (with plenty of advice).

Even though Gen I Radius Rods cured the rear axle steer issue on the 2003, they also stiffened up the stock G code springs by restricting motion. I think (but do not know) that Gen III radius rods (which weld to forward spring mount) would accomplish the benefit without the drawback of restricting the spring pack.

The best combination would be Gen III Radius Rods on B code rear springs.

 

Yeah, I had the Gen I radius rods also, they did seem to stiffen the springs a bunch. Rode pretty hard in the rear. It sure did make a night & day difference with wander/rear steer however. Before I installed the radius rods, it was darn near tiring to drive on the highway! I plan to do the springs right away when I find a new Ex. I will have to check into the rear spring mod, I've read just a little bit. If I recall you add the 2 short leafs from the stock springs?

 

you know i have had my EX since the time i joined this forum and i have not done anything to cure the alleged wandering issue... but what i did do is learn the limitations of my EX and i try not to drive the thing like a sports car all the time lol .. in reality the only time i have had the wandering issue is when i hit a **** ton of bumps.. oh and i have 179,000 miles on the stock suspension

 

My experience with my last Ex was different. I had to constantly correct steering on the highway until I installed the radius rods. I don't drive hard either. I think some tend to wander more than others for some reason. It may have to do with the steering box being messed with to correct a problem that is actually in the rear suspension. I know the previous owner of my now deceased Ex had the steering box adjusted which I believe made it worse. The 2005 Ex I am looking at now has had the steering box replaced according to the Oasis report. This wandering is very misunderstood and it's generally not diagnosed correctly and they mess with the steering box and front end to no avail.