Hey all,

Been lurking for a couple months while I was shopping for my Excursion. Became an official member last month and it's been an awesome time thus far! The community here is very welcoming and helpful...my hats off to the mods and members!

I found an 05 Limited X V10 with only 42k miles on it. It is stock except for a remote start. It will be many wife's daily driver for motherly duties and also the family truckster for Summer camp trips. It will haul our 34' TT (7442lbs dry) and the 4 awesome kids we have. It's gotta be 100% reliable and safe.

Already fixed reverse sensors, programmed fobs, fixed barn doors and bought longer struts for hatch. Thanks for all the useful info.

Mod list:
1: Suspension upgrades (buying tomorrow) X/C-xl springs, 30mm sway, bilsteins, steering stabilizer--maybe ride-rite bags down the road
2: Wheels/Tires - 33/34/35...not sure yet (needs to fit in the garage-84" tall)
3: Tuner - 5 star seems to be the most popular choice
4: eventually headers and complete custom exhaust - maybe true duals with crossover pipe (need to research more and talk to my go-to shop)

List goes on and on...

Only thing my wife wants right away is a factory spare tire cover (tan). The PO misplaced it. Along with the spare keys...now I get to spend $100 for 2 more.

 

For the keys, make sure you look at local locksmiths before going to the dealer. I found a couple local to me that could program them. I got 2 additional keys for $60.

 

Welcome to the EX family 208!
Can't get much more reliable than the V-10.
Once you have two good properly functioning keys you can self program any number of additional ones, blanks are available on eBay and a hardware store can cut them.
Oh, we do require pictures here.

 

Welcome! Sounds like a nice X. I found a spare tire cover at Pick n Pull in a Suburban that is the perfect shade of tan, fits excellently and was like $2.00! Just an option if you can't find an Excursion one reasonably. (Normally I wouldn't put inferior brand parts on my X, but I'm also cheap!)

 

Wooo! Welcome!

Did you name your ex yet? :-P

 

Welcome to FTE.

 

Thanks all for the warm welcomes.

I will definitely get some pictures posted this weekend when I'm back in town.

Thanks for the lead on the spare tire cover. I will have to check that out.

As for the locksmith...I called a local one and he never returned my call. I guess business is so plentiful he can just ignore potential customers. I'll have to try and locate another one that has the capabilities.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Sounds like a good plan on the Mod list. As mentioned though we do require pictures.

 

Update:

I had the X and C-XL springs from ATS installed yesterday. I also had an Icon adjustable trac bar, dual Bilsteins in front and bils in rear installed.

Prior to suspension mods...height from middle of wheel to bottom of cladding was 22.5" front and 24"rear.

After modded suspension: 26"front and 26.75 rear

I have before pics that I will share very soon. I need to snap some after pics...even though they are hideous with the tire/wheel combo currently installed.

I did however find a major vibration at 50 thru 68mph. It drones horribly at 54. U-joint on rear of driveshaft replaced by my mechanic (family friend). He suggested having driveshaft balanced as it's definitely a constant speed, mechanical vibration. Never felt it or noticed with stock suspension. After reading for 2 hours last night I found a few other threads that others had the exact same experience after their suspension mods. Likely had a vibration prior, but the new springs changed when/how/severity of it. Any other thoughts or suggestions besides balancing driveshaft?

Had the front windows tinted this afternoon. It is much nicer inside now, except for seeing big scratches on the exterior side of drivers window. PO lived on dirt road and didn't wash this truck very often. Now I get to try my hand at polishing glass, unless someone knows a better way or somewhere they recommend for getting this professionally done. Has to be cheaper than new glass . Pics coming

Spent the evening taking off the big chrome grill guard and stock steering stabilizer. I started the install of the PMF Steering stabilizer as well. Noticed massive paint chips kissing on front bumper and rust popping thru...so bumper needs to come off and get sand blasted and repainted. (PO lived in ND where salt is obviously abundant). Pics coming.

Fixed the rear windshield wiper arm. It would hit for first 3 inches and then skip for all but last 2 inches on both up and down stroke. After taking the whole armature off the truck and completely disassembling it...the hinge pin had uber amounts of dirt and rust. Used a heat gun, wd40, and some Ambertech 99 oil. (Amazing stuff...story for some other day, but it just plain works for extracting rust from internal assemblies) Wiper arm how's functions like new and has an 18" blade now. Fronts to be repaired shortly as well and have 24's installed.

Thanks all for the awesome information and assistance!

 

No. I already thought of that and a few people explained why it's a bad idea. I am way to sleepy to explain but trust me, you can't do it and get a better window.

 

I believe the SuperDuty front windows are a bit thicker and thus quieter as well. However that'd require retinting....

Vibration is most likely due to the driveline angle being out of whack, a set of shims out back aren't that expensive, 4° shims should bring things back to the happy spot.