If it were my truck more than it is my wife's than I would give you a list of items that I want done to it. For starters I think I will convince her to get the PM stuff knocked out then move on to possible HELLWIG sway bars. Shocks seem to be good and maybe talk to ATS about getting some springs as well. I don't want to make the ride rough my wife already says she enjoys the ride a lot better than my F350.....I think the kids about had it with the constant feeling of your teeth about to come out of your head riding in a truck!!!


Unfortunately we have spent some money lately on debt and other items and this truck so until I sell my 1994 F350, hopefully soon,,,, any mods will have to be put on hold. I will update though as we move along and either start another or turn this into a build and continue to update it. Expect changes to come but money is always a factor.


Anyone got suggestions on tunes for these V10's like what are the pros and cons of any computer modifications or is that something not really worth on a V10? Just not sure how much more you can wake them up and eventually she will be pulling my 8x16 trailer around in the hills to go 4x4 so might help down the road. I can always take my truck but when I got the kids and they want to ride I'm sure we will take the Ex.

 

When we got our 2002 V10 Limited PI heads with 104k I thought I had time to collect parts to change the plugs/boots and reroute hoses. Blew #3 at 108k - original OEM plugs. Do yourself a favor and at least check the torque on the plugs. All the passenger side plugs were just a bit loose, except of course for #3 which had blown out. The driver's side torques were fine. The plugs at 108k weren't that bad, but it does run smoother with new ones. Some of the boots had cracks. I agree with Bently_Coop and change plugs/boots at 50k. After researching it seems to me most plug blow outs are on the passenger side and the plugs had not been touched for over 100k. With a lot of miles one might just be working loose to the point it blows out. Ours did not exhibit the "ticking" some have heard just before it blows out. I changed plugs/boots again on our 5.4L 2003 Exped at 150k and a couple of them needed it. I will recheck the torque after 10k. It was running fine and idles smoother now.

 

Irish- Looks as though your Excursion has had some suspension work done. You may look into the RAS though. 5star tuning is the go to for V10 and Tunes.

 

R&T,

Thanks for sharing your experiences. So without digging in the garage write ups what is the exact torque spec for the plugs? If I do change them shall I expect difficulties removing them or just take it easy backing them out?

Bently,

As for suspension I'll take another look and you might be right I do know the tires are 285-75-16 but I'll look closer for any spring changes or anything that doesn't look OEM. I'm gonna play dumb and the RAS you referring to Rear Air Bag? Or is RAS something else?

 

Roadmaster Active Suspension. 285/75/16 is F250, F350 stock size. You may already have a V/B setup, I would suggest taking measurements and using the guide in the Tech Folder to compare.

 

Thanks I'll check on that V/B setup and the guide in tech folder. As for tire size and that being stock I'm surprised. Knowing my 2005 F350 Dually stock is 245/75/17 just find it odd for a Ex or F250 to run a larger tire.

Sure I get one has 16" rims and the other 17" but still ....

 

The EX came from the factory with 265/75R16 tires.
Custom tunes from 5Star Tuning are a great wake up for the V-10 (and 4R100 trans!).

 

Okay I misread what Bently_Coop had said about tire size, I thought he said the Ex and F250 were 285/75/16 stock. It is late and I'm working the night shift so my eyes are playing tricks on me. After being up all day it sure don't make it better.


That does explain why my spare in the back is 265/75/16 and not 285/75/16 which is what is sitting on the ground.


I'm going to look into the 5Star Tuning I know my buddy who lives across the street from me another member here (Tmpst) he is the one who I sold my last V10 Excursion, who may just be interested in that advice as well.

 

I don't think you will have any problem removing the plugs, it's the 2 piece plugs used in the 3v V10s that have problems. There is a nice write-up in the Tech section under Gassers for changing the plugs. I only used compressed air instead of a vacuum and have been using 15 ft/lbs of torque. Some are going to 20 or 25 ft/lbs. The plug gap on the latest ones I bought needs to be opened to spec - on ours I think it is 54. Also, inspect the coil casings for cracks and be careful with the connectors, the coil side can break at the base. Main thing is to clean everything well. It's amazing the crud that gets down in the plug chambers. If you see any rust you might have a water leak above the engine in the plastic cowl or one of the plastic heater hose tees or heater control valve or PVC heater lines.

 

Thank you everyone for all this very useful knowledge I do have one more question well maybe not one more but for now

From your experiences what are the best brand and type of plugs to install? What has had the best success rate if you will?

 

Stick with Motorcraft for the plugs and COPs, for the boots either Motorcraft or Delphi who I think makes them for Motorcraft.

 

Okay perfect on the plugs and I had a feeling like most parts can't go wrong with motorcraft

 

I used one set of Autolite AP103 and at 50k they looked fine.
I get the Motorcraft SP479 on ebay for $2.93/ea, no tax, free ship.
The NAPA Belden 702418 boots work great. Prices seem to vary on region - $6.55/ea including tax in Socal.

 

we want updates! don't tell me you're leaving it stock!!!! mod this for your wife. lol.

 

I was just talking to my wife the other day that I need to shift focus on her truck for a little. Last night I ordered HID bulbs as the ones in her truck headlights suck I don't know if it's housing or the bulbs but for now I'll try bulbs as I run HID in my truck and I love them.

That and I was telling my wife we defiantly need to do this dreaded spark plug and coil pack job and boots. Going to start sourcing those parts and get that done hopefully on this three weeks I'm off work.