Excursion handling
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From: Fargo North Dakota
Excursion handling
My girlfriend and I are having a baby, bringing the total to 5. So the Excursion she already owns, one of the reasons I love her 
, isn't going anywhere. It's a 2000 4X4 with the 5.4 all stock. I'm well aware of the steering wander, especially after driving it, but I more concerned about the handling. I know it's a really really big vehicle but she calls it, quite appropriately, the bus. Myself being the gear head I am had one thought after driving it. I can improve it... We have the technology. So naturally I hopped into my favorite Ford truck forum and started hunting, I've found bits and pieces of info but not the comprehensive handling tech thread I was looking for. I want a list of things I can mod to tighten the handling and make the bus well less of a bus. I think that's a good idea for a sticky if someone has the knowledge and the time. Refrain from the obvious, I know about worn ball joints and sway bar bushings. I want mods. First on the list is probably a red head steering box, I hear they can do one with a quicker ratio, that'll be a start.
, isn't going anywhere. It's a 2000 4X4 with the 5.4 all stock. I'm well aware of the steering wander, especially after driving it, but I more concerned about the handling. I know it's a really really big vehicle but she calls it, quite appropriately, the bus. Myself being the gear head I am had one thought after driving it. I can improve it... We have the technology. So naturally I hopped into my favorite Ford truck forum and started hunting, I've found bits and pieces of info but not the comprehensive handling tech thread I was looking for. I want a list of things I can mod to tighten the handling and make the bus well less of a bus. I think that's a good idea for a sticky if someone has the knowledge and the time. Refrain from the obvious, I know about worn ball joints and sway bar bushings. I want mods. First on the list is probably a red head steering box, I hear they can do one with a quicker ratio, that'll be a start.
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Stewart
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I've been poking around that thread for about an hour now and still not quite finding what I need. Maybe it's there and I don't quite grasp the lingo yet. Modded b springs? Modded how? RAS? There's a lot of acronyms and shorthand being used that I'm not familiar with. I've come to realize that if I was seeking some advice on the handling I should have specified our driving habits also. It's primary use is as a people hauler, when all 6, soon to be 7 of us need to go somewhere. It will rarely tow anything, so the 5.4 will suffice, once I squeeze a little more oomph out of it anyway.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
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From: SE Georgia
got to a junkyard and find a F-250/350. look for V code front springs and B code rear springs
buy them
take the V code front springs and they bolt directly to the front axle. no modifications
take the B code rear springs, remove the 1" block and overload leaf (ontop of the main spring pack. Then take your currently installed springs on the X and you'll take 2 leafs from that, and install them into the "B" codes. Slap the "new" leafs onto your X
You should see about 4" of height gain from this. Depends on how badly your current springs have sagged.
see this thread here. he has pictures
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11391676
buy them
take the V code front springs and they bolt directly to the front axle. no modifications
take the B code rear springs, remove the 1" block and overload leaf (ontop of the main spring pack. Then take your currently installed springs on the X and you'll take 2 leafs from that, and install them into the "B" codes. Slap the "new" leafs onto your X
You should see about 4" of height gain from this. Depends on how badly your current springs have sagged.
see this thread here. he has pictures
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11391676
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
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RAS = Roadmaster Active Suspension. Roadmaster Active Suspension Kits | Helper Springs | Overload Springs
I feel like it does help the handling along with the sway bar. For a big beast, mine feels pretty tight to the road, though I have a 2WD with a better front suspension.
I feel like it does help the handling along with the sway bar. For a big beast, mine feels pretty tight to the road, though I have a 2WD with a better front suspension.
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From: Fargo North Dakota
Thanks for the info. I have a good relationship with husky spring in St. Cloud as I have sold auto parts for nearly 10 years so i'll probably go new through them. They're pretty good to deal with, they might even put together a set of nodded B's for me if I ask them to.
Senior User
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What really helps my wobbling EX was actually not very expensive.
All rubber bushings out - and all changed to PUR bushings.
A doubled steering damper.
That was a huge different....and a very positive one for a small wallet.
Next points to aim I would say:
PUR Bodymounts/new Bolts
New Bilstein Dampers on all corners
New Balljoints
Hellwig Rear SwayBar
maybe in addition with a RAS (RoadMasterSuspension)
if your budget allowes maybe a RedHead Steering
Im not sure if you want to upgrade your brakes for improved performance
New discs, better pads and dont forget to change your brake lines to stainless steel braided ones. The last point is a really important one.
All rubber bushings out - and all changed to PUR bushings.
A doubled steering damper.
That was a huge different....and a very positive one for a small wallet.
Next points to aim I would say:
PUR Bodymounts/new Bolts
New Bilstein Dampers on all corners
New Balljoints
Hellwig Rear SwayBar
maybe in addition with a RAS (RoadMasterSuspension)
if your budget allowes maybe a RedHead Steering
Im not sure if you want to upgrade your brakes for improved performance
New discs, better pads and dont forget to change your brake lines to stainless steel braided ones. The last point is a really important one.
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V-Codes up front on a 5.4 will be complete overkill; if anything, I would go U-codes at the most up front. There's simply not enough weight with that 5.4 to warrant V-codes.
Hell, if the 5.4s have the same spring rates as the V10s and diesels do, I would probably leave them. An RAS would work perfectly in this case.
Hell, if the 5.4s have the same spring rates as the V10s and diesels do, I would probably leave them. An RAS would work perfectly in this case.
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