I've seen a few post on you guys upgrading to the Rancho shocks. I have a 2000 X Limited with 36k on in. It rides a bit rough. I want to soften the ride a bit. I don't do any towing or 4 wheeling. I'm not looking for a car like ride or I won't have bought an X. I live right outside Boston and it's bad enought that I have to deal with people hating me that I drive such a king of SUV's but I can handle them, it's the dare pot holes that i can't handle. My son loves the truck but yells at me when I hit a pot hole. He tells me Dad go easy. Now he's no wossy boy but he loves sitting in the 3rd seat so he feels it pretty bad back there, he's 3 years old. When I called a local place here in MA. they said the Rancho's give a harder ride. He recommended the Bilstien or KYW. He said they will give me a more touring ride then the Ranchos will. I'd like to get them installed this week and would like to know what you guys think. My wife is dieing for me to start my mods since I got this truck a few weeks ago. So I figured start with the shocks. Then I'm off to Monstas recommendation on the Flowmaster 40s.

Mosta I got to hear that wave and I'm hocked.

Well hope you can help me guys. Thank you

 

Any help please
Thanks in advance

 

I like the bilsteins... But any shock will be a huge improvment over stock.

 

Have you seen what comes on the 2003 models from the factory?

Rancho shocks!

 

I have a 2001 X and have cut the fron bump stops shorter by 1 inch. it was very easy to do, just took em off and used a hachsaw to cut one "wafer " off then re installed them.
THis oped up the distance for the front end travel.
I have also installed the Ranchos 9 way adjustables.
THis made a huge difference. I highly recommend them.
I bought al for from Samsoff road, buy three get one free, and free shipping. it take three weeks to get them to my house though.

I have since then also purchased the controller for them as well, but have yet to install it. To date I will make no more changes to the suspension, I am really happy with the set up. I also tow a 9000 lbs travel trailer so changing the shock settings is really helpful.

 

The biggest improvement in ride that I did to mine was get the X code springs in the front - TOTALLY different truck from what I started with - the Ranchos were less of an improvement, but they are there to stay too.........

 

I have a 2002 x Limited 4x4 with 5000 miles,
I replaced the stock shocks with Doetsch DT3000.
It made a pleasent difference.

http://www.doetsch-shocks.com/ Cost was $176.28 delivered.

 

I put Edelbrock IAS shocks front and rear on my 2000 V10 Excursion and they improved the ride greatly. (Not sure what the difference is, but the Excursion shocks carry a different part number than the Superduty shocks, so do your homework when shopping.)

The BIGGEST problem I solved was that the front axle only had about an inch or so of travel before it bottomed out on the rubber bump-stop/snubber -- from the day the truck was new. Making a "normal" turn out of a parking lot onto a street was enough to make the thing bottom out, and you could feel the truck "jacking up" after it had bound up on the stop. It amounts the same effect as "factory built-in" spring sag.

My solution was to install an "add-a-leaf" spring to the front. That added several more inches of clearance, thus axle travel, and the tooth jarring episodes mainly went away.

If you don't do something about the bump stop issue, your Excursion will NEVER ride as well as it can.

Lots of suspension companies make Add-a-Leafs or "Leveling Kits", so look around.

One thing I'm intersted in, but have not tried yet, is the Timbren Aeon Springs -- basically, a rubber overload spring that mounts between frame and axle. (http://www.timbren.com) Makes sense that it would be easiest to install and give better ride. They are about in the same price range as the leveling kits.

I did install extra heavy duty front and rear sway bars. No more sway when cornering, changing lanes, trailering, etc.

Final word about shocks: Dual front shocks. No matter HOW good any company's shocks are, you can't beat dual front shocks, even on a street/road truck. A few companies sell the brackets needed -- from very simple to exotic. They seem never to be listed in any of the 4WD Truck magazine advertisements, so you just have to call around and ask.

My wife's daily driver is an '01 Mustang (sold her '98 BMW 328), mine is an '01 Explorer. Our "spare car" is the '00 Excursion, which now rides better than most cars, and what we end up driving the most.

So, some quality shocks and front spring work of just about any kind WILL put a smile on your face. Sway bars and dual front shocks make it just that much better.

Good Luck!