I am interested in either the LoadLifter 5000 or LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate for my 2005 rear-wheel drive.


I am getting mixed information. I reached out to Air Lift via their website contact form. I received an email from Corey stating that the model #57132 was the correct one. I called to ask if the Ultimate #88132 was right. The gentleman told me they don't make a "standard" or Ultimate kit for my 05 rear-wheel drive. Basically, he said #57132 was not compatible however I could try but I might need to modify it to make it - which contradicts the email from Corey.


So... has anyone actually install either "standard" or Ultimate on their 05 X rear-wheel drive? If so, what was the model #? How long did it take? Did you have to modify it to make it work? Any drilling? Pictures? Tips?


Thanks!

 

Welcome to the Ex family!

I went with a spring swap to handle my heavy TT towing chores so I don't have any air bag info for you, but we do have several users here that do use bags.
Hopefully someone will be along shortly to help you out.
While we wait you could fill in your location in your profile via the "User CP", there may be members near you that can lend a hand.
You also have to post up some pictures, we love pictures here and for some reason some of these guys love looking at Excursions.

 

57132 for my 01.... Shouldn't change for 05?

It could be because of the sway bar. I have added one to mine and can give feedback when I install mine in the next few weeks if any mods are needed to use bags and sway bars.

 

I have the 57132 on my 05'

 

@Michael - was your 05 a 4x2 or a 4x4?

 

Sorry, it's a 4x4... I just re-read your post

 

I went with the "ultimate" version since it had the bump stop inside the air bag. When I called them they said that was the difference - one version had no bump stops inside the bag itself, the other did.

But...I'm rolling a 4x4, so I can't swear up or down that it's right for a 2wd (although I thought someone on here said the rear suspension was all but the same for 2x4 vs. 4x4).

I have some photos in my thread here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ft-system.html

Maybe look at the axle pics and see if they look like yours.

 

I am no mechanic but I didn't think there was any difference in the rear ends between a 4x4 and a 2x4; plus, didn't think there was a difference between a 2004 and 2005 either.


@Robert - what was the model number?

 

I really apologize you are getting mixed information. To clear things up, Air Lift does not offer a kit for the 2wd unfortunately. The reason is, the 4wd sits a little higher than the 2wd so there is more of a mounting envelope to mount the bags and brackets. Trying to put a 4wd kit on a 2wd will destroy the bag, we already use the shortest bag we have available on the 4wd kit.

I hope this clears things up, let me know if you have any questions at all!
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Are you saying that there is not a kit for the 2wd Excursion at all or just not an ultimate kit? Is this for all years?

I went through the site and looked at 00-04 and then 05. It shows kits for 2wd all the way through 04 but not 05. Can you please confirm? Anyone know if there was a significant change in the frame/suspension for 05?

 

@Air Lift Company: Thanks for replying. Ok, I cannot use the 4WD kits on my 2WD due to the height difference. However, like Xplodn stated, is there significant changes between the '04 and '05 2WD so that I cannot use the 2WD kits (57132 or 88132)?

 

All year model EXs are the same as far as rear suspensions go, so ALL 2WD EXs have EXACTLY the same rear suspensions and ALL 4X4EXs have EXACTLY the same rear suspensions throughout the entire production '99 through '05.
This problem often comes up when shopping for aftermarket parts especially for the '05s as the rest of the SuperDuty lineup saw major changes in '05 but the EXs stayed the same as '04 models with the only change being the updated front bumper and grille.
If you find a product the manufacturer says will work correctly for a same optioned '04 EX it will fit correctly on the '05, the mighty '05 EXs just fell through a crack in the aftermarket because of their unique situation with not receiving the rest of the '05 SD changes.

 

I noticed that they had airbags for the front. Has anyone installed those?

 

So Tom: Your saying a 2WD X has the same suspension height & profile as a stock 4x4 does I've never seen a 2WD X

 

Sorry if I was less than clear. What I was trying to say is that all years and models of 2WD EXs are exactly the same rear suspension wise. Likewise all 4X4 EXs are the same as each other in the rear suspensions across the trim and engine options, the difference between the two is that the 4X4 rigs sit higher thanks to the 2" lift blocks and traction bars that the 2WD ones don't have.