I would like to improve the ride but I REALLY don't want to add to my Beast's COG. What is the smallest amount of lift that I could add or does it need a 2+ to be a noticeable difference?

I do intend to add bigger tires as well either 305 or 315 on a 16" rim.

 

Contact Cary at CT Performance. Nobody better on Ex's suspension questions

 

Agreed.

Spring swap with upgraded shocks etc will probably improve your ride the most with only a slight lift.

I second the recommendation of Cary. He is awesome and provides an incredible level of service.

 

Noticeable to who and what for?

 

As I asked for a noticeable improvement in ride. The question was directed at those who have done such a project to improve the ride. I'm sure at least someone else has wanted improvement without a huge lift

 

I just added 1-1/2" front shackles, and an RAS on the rear, plus 4 KYB shocks. Don't have the fenderwell figures in front of me, but do know that the front end went up at least the 1-1/2" (maybe a bit more!!) and the rear is a good 1-1/2" higher than before. I didn't adjust the RAS to the max setting, waiting to see how the EX feels towing our 7K trailer.

In town, ride is great: firm, but not harsh. Directional stability seems better, but (again) have to wait for a final verdict after a towing trip or two.

To me this was very cost effective, and less heavy work for an "old fart". I am pleased with the results. I hope this helps with your decision.

 

Ride improvement and lift don't go together unless you use shackles. I know of nothing that will retain the rear ride. Why the lift?

 

I've seen numerous people on this forum state that the ride of their vehicles have improved with a lift. That is pretty much the entire reason I would like a small lift.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a set of Rancho 9000 that I plan to throw on. Seaching their site it appears that as long as I don't go any higher than 4" the shocks should be fine.

 

I have two Excursions, first project vehicle was a 2000 4x4 with the 7.3. Tried to fix the ride by replacing the front springs with ProComp leaf springs, ProComp reported little or no lift 0-2". Front lift was every bit of 2", rode better in town but worse at highway speeds. Got with Cary at CT Performance and was going to follow his recommendations and change out the ProComp with Ford V-Code, do the Modified B-Code in the rear with Bilstein shocks and rear sway bar. Ordered all of the parts and before I could install them on the 2000 located a 2002 4x4 with 7.3 with 45K miles. Installed Cary's Suspension Parts and also replaced the front sway bar bushings and end links with Moog sway bar end links. No more knocks under the floorboard with Moog sway bar end links. The ride is greatly improved on both the highway and in town. No more sway problems. Ended up going with 2" shackles in the front to fit the 20" Rims and 34" tires, we have put almost 10K miles on the vehicle over the summer, some towing and some without. Impressed with the result. Wish I had known about Cary before wasting money on trying to fix the ride on EX#1 myself. I am going to sell EX#1 otherwise I would be swapping out the suspension with same parts used on EX#2, i am very pleased with the result. Cary knows his stuff and will spend as much time as needed explaining and making sure his recommendations are correct for each project vehicle.

 

I guess we are calling improving different things. Rougher is worser to me. The higher it goes the more it sways, I have no sway problems at stock height and I did install 1 1/2" shackles in the front.

 

Then you are not at "stock" height, right?
Stock springs with shackles gives you additional distance between the bump stops and raises center of gravity 3/4" +/-.

 

I am now.

 

I should of mentioned in my previous post that my before and after ride is night and day. My Ex rides so much better now than it did before. I spent hours on the phone with Cary before deciding to give him my money over the much cheaper competitors. I can tell you hands down there is no comparison between his suspension upgrades and the competitors lift kits. I have ridden in several other "lifted" x's and mine rides so much better. I have very little body roll (almost not noticeable) when going through corners, even at speeds I know I shouldn't be going.

 

Right, that's been my argument against rear sway bars but nobody has agreed yet. I guess they have to justify adding them.
There is a twisty road to Redding 55 miles away where everyone goes 60-70 and I tried taking all the curves at over the suggested limit one day but never experienced any noticeable roll and I was looking for it.