Hi guys, some of you have probably seen that I just got my first Excursion, a 2002 4x4 Limited 7.3 PSD - I was planning on slowly uprgrading it to get it reliable, handle well, drive well in the snow, but above all haul my 32' TT which has a front garage and I load it up well, so have a lot of weight on the hitch.

Like I said, I planned on making changes over time, as I can still use my Expedition until I get the Excursion up to standard - However, I may have just sold my Expedition I actually felt a bit sick when the guy said he'd have it, as I do love that car! But until I have cash in my hand it's not a done deal!

So if the Expedition goes, I'm going to be left with some cash to put into the Excursion, but I'd need to get most jobs done before March/April next year as that's when our Motocross season starts and I need to be hauling my TT

Here's what I'm thinking - but my head has been hurting since buying the Excursion and joining this site, so please be patient with me if I don't understand as much it's been a steep learning curve.

Springs - I'm thinking the V/B codes as I've read about a lot - but don't know if I'd need heavier considering my WD hitch may put some weight to the front axle? And is there an online shop I can order everything I need?? I don't want to pull everything off then find I need some more parts and have to wait a few weeks!

Shocks -Rancho 9000XL's????

Rear sway bar - I've checked and I dont have one at all. If I buy one, would it come with everything to install? (my Expedition had one fitted from the factory so was easy to upgrade)

Wheels - I like the look of my 20x9 on my Expedition with 275/60r20 tyres. What do think those sizes will be like when the suspension is good? Or would it be better to go with a smaller rim, like 18" so I can have a more 'off road' type tyre? I will need it to be good in the snow

Exhaust - I've read good things about the MRBP 4" turbo back with the small muffler. Has anyone fitted the MRBP cool duals??

Air intake - I have no idea what is best! I have a K&N on my Expedition and it sounds great - but with my Excursion being diesel I don't have to be scared of water and puddles, so don't know if an enclosed filter would be better so it doesn't suck water

Programmer - I have a Superchips Cortex 1950, and I think I can use that on the Excursion if I unlock it from my Expedition?

Anything else?? And links would be a help - I find the search on here quite hard to find things? I've been finding it easier to google??!!

Sorry for the long post

 

If your programmer doesnt work a tuner is definitely a fun upgrade.

I think your "20 rims will give more stability while road driving and towing due to less siwewall flex, but others will disagree.

The mbrp gets a lot of reps around here. I am basically a stock exhaust but with the cat and muffler off.

I think most people would tell you to just leave the OEM air intake in place unless you are going to super-mod the engine (>500hp). I dont think changing it adds a lot.

 

Larger the wheel, the more expensive the tire generally.

I would also add in a tranny cooler, and gauges (especially if you are going to run tunes). I would skip the Superchips as they seem to eat the tranny's behind powerstrokes. Custom tunes like Tony Wildman, PHP, etc...will be a better choice.

Skip the K&N, run a Napa 6637 filter or something along those lines. To many turbo's have been dusted by K&N's (usually when they are neglected and not oiled), but I would shy away from them.

 

Thanks for the input guys

I did look at the K&N on my Expedition incase I could use it and mod it for the Excursion - but wont bother as like you say the standard intake looks unrestricted anyway!

I was only going to use my Superchip as I don't know if it would sell over here, and it worked well for adjusting my spedo and for reading/clearing codes - I normally leave it in haul mode. Was the problems from people revving too high and altering shifts?

The 20" suited my Expy well - but I wont be wanting the Excursion to corner like a car so I don't know if 18's and more tyre would suit it better??

Good call on the tranny cooler

 

I would go with X and C codes from a DRW F350 if you plan on tongue weight. I would also recommend a 6.0 transmission cooler, RAS or a helwig rear sway bar. The duals wont do much on a factory truck, just go with the standard 4''. The most important part is the gauges to monitor EGT's (exhaust gas temperature) boost and trans temp. I would stay away from any "chip" mainly because some on the market can produce very high EGT's and can damage other parts.

 

Get an SCT livewire TS. Tuner with Gauges - tunes the tranny and allows use of custom tunes.

 

Why don't you hook the trailer up to the truck before you go upgrading springs?? If your Expy could pull it (even with the Timbrens) then there will not be any issues when your Excursion pulls it.

Totally agree with the 6.0L cooler. Hell, that's the FIRST thing you should do!

 

Trailer aside, my springs are too weak. The fronts are at a negative bend and only have about 1" before resting on the bump stop. Rears are a bit better, but not up to standard for this type of truck, and not how I want it to handle

In all honesty the Timbrens on my Expy wasn't worth even the shipping for them - all I use them for is to cushion the load, hence why I had to make spacers, so there is only about 1.5" travel before the Timbrens start to 'squash' - that's with HD spings on too. It works well as it's still a good ride without the trailer, and sits only about 1.5" lower on the rear when the trailel is on.

I will hook the Excursion up and see how she sits, but I know there is a lot of weight to go on it

 

Duals not available for the Excursion, just the trucks. But an MBRP exhaust sound great on these rigs. I have one on my Ex and my old F250 (now my daugters).

Riffraff Diesel: MBRP 4" Turbo Back Aluminized

Riffraff Diesel: MBRP 4" T409 Stainless Turbo Back

6637 - Riffraff Diesel: 6637 Replacement Filter

AFE - Riffraff Diesel: AFE "Big Boost" BHAF Washable Filter

I wouldn't, but I wonder if that Superchips you're using on your gas vehicle would even have the capability to tune a 7.3L PSD.

Call Clay at Riffraff Diesel. He's the Forum sponsor and supporting vendor here in the Excursion forum. Tell him what you're looking for and he'll help you figure out the best way to attack the problem, in the cheapest way possible.

Riffraff Diesel Performance Parts | Ford 7.3 diesel | 7.3 powerstroke | Ford Powerstroke | 7.3L Powerstroke Parts

Stewart

 

That's the way it left the factory...believe it or not!

How much does your trailer weigh (approx) when loaded?

 

I love my MBRP 4" system I put on myself last weekend. Highly recommend it, and it was a friend with a 7.3 that turned me on to it. Amazon has the best prices with free shipping, and if you are a Prime member it's free 2-day shipping.

 

Stewart gave you the info on intakes that I and many others use. It's a great intake. If you want a great sounding muffler but don't want to spend a bunch of money the Walker Big Truck muffler is the way to go. That's what I have on mine. Walker Big Truck Muffler 21470

 

Really?? That's bad! Not how I want one of my vehicles to be, it would bug me everytime I looked under the truck.........and want it to feel safe when driving

The trailer weighs approx 9000lbs loaded, so not a lot compared to the big 5th wheels etc.........it's mainly having the garage at the front that causes the weight on the hitch

There isn't anywhere here I can weigh it (or I haven't found anywhere) - I may be able to take the tow vehicle to get weighed, then take the truck and trailer, and see what the difference is.