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I have had my Ex for about a year and I'm now looking to make some changes. I've been lurking for awhile and found lots of great information here. I know nothing about working on cars/trucks, not a very handy guy, but I figured why not give it a try!? So, here goes...
I'm currently located in IN just north of Indianapolis. That will soon change as I'm moving to the mountains of NE Washington, about 15 miles south of Canada, at the end of the month! Yes, I'll be driving the Ex. Already made the drive to/from WA once in the past couple months!
I have the White/Beige 2005 Eddie Bauer EX. The previous owner added The Gear Vendor Under/Overdrive.
I have a lot of ideas but not 100% sure what I'll be able to do myself, or when. To get started, I've ordered some Plasti Dip so I can get rid of all of the beige. I HATE the beige. I'm planning on dipping the badges, honey comb portion of the grill, the wheels and running boards. The plan is to have my dipped pieces turn out as nice as Twitchyleprechaun's just with the white body and black dipped molding, trim, badges, bumpers, etc.
Originally Posted by Twitchyleprechaun
Upcoming Projects:
Plasti Dip - Gotta get rid of the beige ASAP!
Add 08' Tow Mirrors - This cannot happen soon enough!
Upgrade Front & Rear Bumpers - New bumpers depend on how I like the ones I have after dipping.
New Audio - I'd like to replace the radio as well as the stock speakers. I'm not looking for anything crazy, the sound just isn't very good at the moment. Suggestions welcomed!
Upgrade Wheels/Tires - I like black wheels. I've looked at a lot of different websites and they state they'll fit but I have lots of questions. Also, the front and rear tires are different sizes, looks strange to me.
Leveling Kit - The current rake annoys me to no end. It's exacerbated by the different tire sizes. Again, lots of questions.
Small Lift - Maybe?
I'll apologize ahead of time as I'm sure I'll use incorrect terms, be misinformed and in general a noob! That said, I'll also likely have tons of questions for you guys!
Assuming you don't boot me, I'll keep you updated on the progress as the changes take shape.
Welcome to the family Chad!
Rig should look good whited out. Running in 4 wheel drive with different sized front/rear tires can become a problem if the driving surface gets dry and doesn't offer some slip.
Any chance of a good picture or two of that gear vendors unit? What motor do you have? What are your RPMs at say 60 or 65 with the GV unit in OD?
Welcome to the family bud! Apoc is gonna be all over saying thanks and way to go for the location, perhaps you noticed his fetish for that lol. Only other suggestion I have is adding a signature line with your rig's basics, just makes it easier in the future and keep you from listing it every single post. On that note, d'you have the 6.0 or the V10?
Interesting on the GV OD, I had looked at doing it but at nearly $4000 it was a hard pill to swallow. That and them recommending against towing with it kinda ruled it out, plus I didn't really enjoy the one I had on the Chevelle for a while - not as smooth as I wanted and shifting in manually was massive PITA.
Based on the pictures I'm thinking there's been some mods done to the rear suspension already, it looks as high as mine sits on modded B codes. Even with the different size tires, I think there's something afoot back there.
For the bumpers, the 2008's rear bumper swaps right over so that's something to consider. Mark (mecdac on here) has one, I know there's others but I can't remember. Check out his gallery and see if you like it.
For audio, start with the head unit and go from there. I hated the stock audio setup, but once I tossed a good deck in there it made tuning things up a lot easier. You don't have to go ape-**** crazy on it, just something that has HPF and a 10-band EQ - those features alone with really change how the stereo sounds. I'm not a huge fan of giant subs, but a small sub will help a lot as well to round out the audio. It also allows you to use the EQ and HPF to divert any frequencies from 180hZ (just an example, personally I send 220 and down to the subs) and below to the sub, allowing the speakers to focus exclusively on mids and highs. That keeps the speakers from distorting and getting overloaded from trying to play bass notes as well. It really helps clear things up for audio quality.
Tom - pending axle ratios and transmission, the GV provides a final drive ratio between 2.06 (3.73's) and 2.38 (4.30's). Shoot me your RPM's and I'll crunch the numbers for you if you'd like
Welcome to the family Chad!
Rig should look good whited out. Running in 4 wheel drive with different sized front/rear tires can become a problem if the driving surface gets dry and doesn't offer some slip.
Any chance of a good picture or two of that gear vendors unit? What motor do you have? What are your RPMs at say 60 or 65 with the GV unit in OD?
Hey WE3ZS!
I honestly hated the difference in tires when I bought it. I even mentioned it to the dealer. Knocked off a few hundred bucks because I was going to have to buy new one, ha! The only reason I hadn't changed them yet was because they were new, didn't want to waste perfectly good tires. Although, I didn't realize they could be a problem.
I'm not 100% sure what to take pics of? Are you talking the actual mechanical addition to the truck? If so, how would I go about doing that? I can tell you that I can use the a manual button in the floor, or I can set it to auto and it kicks in at 55mph. I'll take pictures in a moment and post them up.
I don't recall the exact RPM's. I'll take a look tomorrow. I know it reads between 1.5 and 2 anytime I'm above 55 to 85ish.
Last edited by ChadTaylor; Mar 10, 2015 at 12:11 AM.
Reason: adding pics
Welcome to the family bud! Apoc is gonna be all over saying thanks and way to go for the location, perhaps you noticed his fetish for that lol. Only other suggestion I have is adding a signature line with your rig's basics, just makes it easier in the future and keep you from listing it every single post. On that note, d'you have the 6.0 or the V10?
Interesting on the GV OD, I had looked at doing it but at nearly $4000 it was a hard pill to swallow. That and them recommending against towing with it kinda ruled it out, plus I didn't really enjoy the one I had on the Chevelle for a while - not as smooth as I wanted and shifting in manually was massive PITA.
Based on the pictures I'm thinking there's been some mods done to the rear suspension already, it looks as high as mine sits on modded B codes. Even with the different size tires, I think there's something afoot back there.
For the bumpers, the 2008's rear bumper swaps right over so that's something to consider. Mark (mecdac on here) has one, I know there's others but I can't remember. Check out his gallery and see if you like it.
For audio, start with the head unit and go from there. I hated the stock audio setup, but once I tossed a good deck in there it made tuning things up a lot easier. You don't have to go ape-**** crazy on it, just something that has HPF and a 10-band EQ - those features alone with really change how the stereo sounds. I'm not a huge fan of giant subs, but a small sub will help a lot as well to round out the audio. It also allows you to use the EQ and HPF to divert any frequencies from 180hZ (just an example, personally I send 220 and down to the subs) and below to the sub, allowing the speakers to focus exclusively on mids and highs. That keeps the speakers from distorting and getting overloaded from trying to play bass notes as well. It really helps clear things up for audio quality.
Tom - pending axle ratios and transmission, the GV provides a final drive ratio between 2.06 (3.73's) and 2.38 (4.30's). Shoot me your RPM's and I'll crunch the numbers for you if you'd like
Hey Krazee Matt!
I hadn't noticed Apoc's fetish for location. Just lucky I guess!
I'll work on a sig. I think I need to have a certain number of posts first? I have the V10.
Regarding the GVOD - I've noticed sometimes, if I accelerate to 55 very quickly the shift can be fairly rough. No idea what that means, lol!
Thanks for info on the 08 bumpers, I'll check into that!
Awesome audio info. Noted and saved! Thanks.
I couldn't begin to tell you drive ratios, etc. If you only need RPMs at certain speeds, that I can do! I do have the booklet that came with the FVOD, any info in that I could share that would be of use?
Last edited by ChadTaylor; Mar 10, 2015 at 12:17 AM.
Reason: adding pics
I'm just curious as to what the actual GV unit under the truck at the transmission looks like, I have never seen one on an Ex before. I guess a pic of any controls for it inside the cab would be interesting also.
I'm just curious as to what the actual GV unit under the truck at the transmission looks like, I have never seen one on an Ex before. I guess a pic of any controls for it inside the cab would be interesting also.
I edited and added the pics I have of the controls to my original reply to you. Didn't want to make too many posts.
I may be able to get pics of the GV unit/transmission tomorrow when my brother-in-law stops by, he's little I'll make him climb under the truck!
Looks like you have the right attitude and sense of humor to fit right around here Chad.
Thanks for the pics, it's pretty amazing that someone would invest that kind of money for the extra gear. And that was before I read Matt's comment about GV cautioning about towing. You have a pretty rare unit there!
Apoc, the GV unit is actually a secondary transmission added to the drivetrain after the stock one, it allows for a second set of gear ratios in all trans gears, can drop the final drive ratio from our normal .71 (or so) OD to low .6-ish to high .5-ish ratios, great for highway MPGs.
What kind of MPGs did you see on your long highway trip so far? Was the GV in OD?
Oh, and this is for Chad if Apoc doesn't come across with one.
Looks like you have the right attitude and sense of humor to fit right around here Chad.
Thanks for the pics, it's pretty amazing that someone would invest that kind of money for the extra gear. And that was before I read Matt's comment about GV cautioning about towing. You have a pretty rare unit there!
Apoc, the GV unit is actually a secondary transmission added to the drivetrain after the stock one, it allows for a second set of gear ratios in all trans gears, can drop the final drive ratio from our normal .71 (or so) OD to low .6-ish to high .5-ish ratios, great for highway MPGs.
What kind of MPGs did you see on your long highway trip so far? Was the GV in OD?
Oh, and this is for Chad if Apoc doesn't come across with one.
Thanks WE3ZS!
I'm a bit of a smartass but usually pretty light hearted!
The sales guy said it was rare but I figured it was a sales guy being a sales guy. I think I did pretty well for myself, picked it up for $11K w/140K miles.
I ran it at 75+ the entire trip. The OV kicks in at 55mph. I made the drive 2 days. I ended up with a little over 14MPG when it was said and done.
Thanks for the even though I'm a non-drinker, I appreciate the sentiment!
That's some pretty good mileage for that speed, that overdrive gives you another mpg and a half over my stock V10. I'm hopeful that when I get the banks exhaust on and open up her airway, and tune I can get some mpg closer to 14. We'll see. Another thing before you decide on a lift, check your springs. My fronts were shot, bumpstops were gone and had ubolt marks on the frame at 140K, a lift would have been a waste of money without changing springs, but then again, I beat the crap out of mine. Good luck with yours.
Based on the pictures I'm thinking there's been some mods done to the rear suspension already, it looks as high as mine sits on modded B codes. Even with the different size tires, I think there's something afoot back there.
For the bumpers, the 2008's rear bumper swaps right over so that's something to consider. Mark (mecdac on here) has one, I know there's others but I can't remember. Check out his gallery and see if you like it.
For audio, start with the head unit and go from there. I hated the stock audio setup, but once I tossed a good deck in there it made tuning things up a lot easier. You don't have to go ape-**** crazy on it, just something that has HPF and a 10-band EQ - those features alone with really change how the stereo sounds. I'm not a huge fan of giant subs, but a small sub will help a lot as well to round out the audio. It also allows you to use the EQ and HPF to divert any frequencies from 180hZ (just an example, personally I send 220 and down to the subs) and below to the sub, allowing the speakers to focus exclusively on mids and highs. That keeps the speakers from distorting and getting overloaded from trying to play bass notes as well. It really helps clear things up for audio quality.
Even though Matt and I hardly ever agree on anything with the exception of diesel powered trucks, 4WD, WE3ZS, NFL cheerleaders/strippers, SBC, Living Large, mooseknuckle sandwiches, the designated hitter, old people with technology, the infield fly rule, Stewart, artificial turf, Apoc, Mutually Assured Destruction, PNWer's, and .45 ACP. He is absolutely correct in his assessment.
I believe you already had some suspension work in the rear (looks nice). Throw a new head unit in the dash and roll on.
So...you want to see my a$$?
New cover comes with notched holes for parking sensors
With F-250 brackets, Excursion brackets are short(er)
CT: WELCOME to the world of XXXs
DANG NICE RIDE, looking at what people are paying now a daze you have a great find.. The GV unit is freaking cool & EXstreamly rare. Your X could have belonged to the sales rep Good luck in your new move
Welcome! That gear vender unit is way cool. I have only driven one other vehicle with one and it shifted hard as well. I am looking forward to pics of it under the truck. Two things you can't have enough of here, quality posts and pictures.
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Upcoming Projects:
