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Well here is my very FIRST post. I have been a long time fan of the Excursions and have finally found one to call my own! I bought an early 2001 Excursion Limited 4X4 with the V10. It has about 170,000 miles on it.
I am a Skydive Instructor at Skydive New England and spend most of the summer on-sight, so truck will be mostly for pleasure. Once the fall comes it will be the my work horse (and home) and pull the camper to Florida for the Winter.
I have done some much needed TLC and replaced the Alternator, Muffler & Tailpipe, Rear Axle Brake Lines, and some miscellaneous parts. I have also had a little fun with upgrades, New Kenwood Double Din Head-unit, 08+ Towing Mirrors, Added Running Lights on Running Boards, Vent Visors, Brake Controller...
...And of course added New Excursion Emblem!
I need some guidance on the next few items. When I had the truck inspected here in Maine the mechanic found that I had a broken rear leaf spring on both sides (bottom). I am looking to replace but not sure if I should replace with B or X codes. I tow a 28 ft 8,000 pound Camper Trailer (with WD Hitch) and not sure what is recommended.
Interested in added rear sway bar, where to buy?
Also looking to update the look of the front end and would love to do the 05 Grille and Headlights. Where is the best place for Quality and Price?
[QUOTE=Jpackard89;16158605]Well here is my very FIRST post. I have been a long time fan of the Excursions and have finally found one to call my own! I bought an early 2001 Excursion Limited with the V10. It has about 170,000 miles on it.
I am a Skydive Instructor at Skydive New England and spend most of the summer on-sight, so truck will be mostly for pleasure. Once the fall comes it will be the my work horse (and home) and pull the camper to Florida for the Winter.
I have done some much needed TLC and replaced the Alternator, Muffler & Tailpipe, Rear Axle Brake Lines, and some miscellaneous parts. I have also had a little fun with upgrades, New Kenwood Double Din Head-unit, 08+ Towing Mirrors, Added Running Lights on Running Boards, Vent Visors, Brake Controller...
...And of course added New Excursion Emblem!
I need some guidance on the next few items. When I had the truck inspected here in Maine the mechanic found that I had a broken rear leaf spring on both sides (bottom). I am looking to replace but not sure if I should replace with B or X codes. I tow a 28 ft 8,000 pound Camper Trailer (with WD Hitch) and not sure what is recommended.
Interested in added rear sway bar, where to buy?
Also looking to update the look of the front end and would love to do the 05 Grille and Headlights. Where is the best place for Quality and Price?
Love the forum! Thanks guys!
Justin
Great Looking X Justin & WELCOME to the world of XXXs
I would have to I think the guy looking at you X did not know an A from an H & I'm guessing the broken spring he noted ON BOTH SIDES was the SLAPPER Spring that is to help with the spring warp the stock X springs can suffer from. LMAO
Helwig is the source for the rear sway bar (NEW) and the yard from a F-350 is another rout.
X or V codes are the front & B or Cs are the rear
BOTH the springs & the rear sway bar will pay off in spades to add to your towing pleasure. You should call JR at ATS & talk about your spring needs.
ATS Springs Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs
Phone number: 1-888-943-8287
He is a site sponsor & has helped many here on the X side of things.
Well here is my very FIRST post. I have been a long time fan of the Excursions and have finally found one to call my own! I bought an early 2001 Excursion Limited with the V10. It has about 170,000 miles on it.
I am a Skydive Instructor at Skydive New England and spend most of the summer on-sight, so truck will be mostly for pleasure. Once the fall comes it will be the my work horse (and home) and pull the camper to Florida for the Winter.
I have done some much needed TLC and replaced the Alternator, Muffler & Tailpipe, Rear Axle Brake Lines, and some miscellaneous parts. I have also had a little fun with upgrades, New Kenwood Double Din Head-unit, 08+ Towing Mirrors, Added Running Lights on Running Boards, Vent Visors, Brake Controller...
...And of course added New Excursion Emblem!
I need some guidance on the next few items. When I had the truck inspected here in Maine the mechanic found that I had a broken rear leaf spring on both sides (bottom). I am looking to replace but not sure if I should replace with B or X codes. I tow a 28 ft 8,000 pound Camper Trailer (with WD Hitch) and not sure what is recommended.
ATS call Junior he is a site sponsor, tell him what you want, and what you are trying to accomplish.
Originally Posted by Jpackard89
Interested in added rear sway bar, where to buy?
Amazon: Helwig Sway bar
Originally Posted by Jpackard89
Also looking to update the look of the front end and would love to do the 05 Grille
You guys are awesome! I appreciate all the help. I was a little shocked when he said I had two broken springs, didn't quite add up. I'll give Junior a call tomorrow and get some much needed info.
Another question. Oil changes... what are your preferences? Conventional or Synthetic? What filter? Every 3000 miles or longer?
You guys are awesome! I appreciate all the help. I was a little shocked when he said I had two broken springs, didn't quite add up. I'll give Junior a call tomorrow and get some much needed info.
Another question. Oil changes... what are your preferences? Conventional or Synthetic? What filter? Every 3000 miles or longer?
OHHH CRAP
FULL Syn all the way, 10 to 15K on oil & filter ( looking at color to know when to change). Mobil One filter
PS: I use 1 qt Lucas oil stabilizer per change & do not burn more than 1qt oil between changes. I also have a large magnet stuck on the bottom of my filter
I've jumped out of a plane 3 times (2 tandem and one solo) and that was enough for me!
It is quite addictive, but not for everyone. I Skydive, Wingsuit, and Base Jump, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else!
Originally Posted by harley4jcs
OHHH CRAP
FULL Syn all the way, 10 to 15K on oil & filter ( looking at color to know when to change). Mobil One filter
PS: I use 1 qt Lucas oil stabilizer per change & do not burn more than 1qt oil between changes. I also have a large magnet stuck on the bottom of my filter
I was thinking the same, I need to switch to FULL Syn and Mobile 1 filter. What weight oil do you use?
It is quite addictive, but not for everyone. I Skydive, Wingsuit, and Base Jump, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else!
I was thinking the same, I need to switch to FULL Syn and Mobile 1 filter. What weight oil do you use?
Take me out in a WINGSUIT & I'll tell you TOO COOL
I'm where it's in the 100s 6 months out of the year so I use 15-50 in most everything with 100K or more. HOWEVER with all the reading I've done on the forum that is probably not best for the mod motors. I went to 10-30 With LOS last change.
Welcome! Whatever oil you decide to use, check it more often than usual until you get a feel for its consumption. Some V10s have a healthy appetite for oil and can go through a few quarts in a 3k period, especially when towing. I personally use a motorcraft filter and their semi synthetic oil in 5w20. Change it every 3k or every 6 months whatever comes first. Take a picture of the broken springs for us if that turns out to be true. I haven't seen a broken one on an Excursion yet. Again, welcome to the best forum on the web.
I'll snap a couple photos tomorrow of the springs. All I know is the mechanic that looked at it said that the rear portion of the bottom spring was broken on both sides. Makes me think he might not be up to date on his excursion suspension
Thanks for the warm welcome
I run the recommended weight oil 5W-20 (Mobil 1 full synthetic) and I only use the Motorcraft FL-820S oil filter. I keep to a 5,000 mile change cycle and sometimes need to add a quart by the 3,000 mile point. The FL-820S filter has a very good silicone anti-drainback valve in it that many other filters do not have, this helps with initial startup oiling. I buy these supplies from Walmart for about $35 when needed.
The Hellwig rear anti-sway bar is a nice upgrade for any EX that didn't come with one originally. Swapping in a set of the Super Duty pickup springs really transforms the EX into a much better tow rig, so much better than stock!
Yeah, that mechanic doesn't realize what he is looking at, the bottom front half only leaf is actually a factory installed slapper style traction bar Ford added to control the axle wrap from the weak rear springs. The EX got shorter and weaker springs than it's cousin pickups to make it more friendly to the targeted Soccer Mom audience, now we have to undo that great idea to make them into what they should have been.
I run the recommended weight oil 5W-20 (Mobil 1 full synthetic) and I only use the Motorcraft FL-820S oil filter. I keep to a 5,000 mile change cycle and sometimes need to add a quart by the 3,000 mile point. The FL-820S filter has a very good silicone anti-drainback valve in it that many other filters do not have, this helps with initial startup oiling. I buy these supplies from Walmart for about $35 when needed.
The Hellwig rear anti-sway bar is a nice upgrade for any EX that didn't come with one originally. Swapping in a set of the Super Duty pickup springs really transforms the EX into a much better tow rig, so much better than stock! :-X
Yeah, that mechanic doesn't realize what he is looking at, the bottom front half only leaf is actually a factory installed slapper style traction bar Ford added to control the axle wrap from the weak rear springs. The EX got shorter and weaker springs than it's cousin pickups to make it more friendly to the targeted Soccer Mom audience, now we have to undo that great idea to make them into what they should have been.
The things you learn. Thanks. I'll be checking into new springs tomorrow from ATS and already ordered a Helwig Kit. The previous owner installed new shocks before I bought it, I believe they are Skyjacker Nitro 8000. Any idea if I should keep or replace them?
If the shocks are working I don't see a need to get rid on them. Shocks are a personal choice depending on how you like the ride. Good decision on the Hellwig, just don't expect the instructions that come with it to be much good. It is easy install though once you lay it all out. I would also not be surprised if you are missing some of the locking hardware for it. I had to double nut a few locations that they shorted me.
From everything I have read on here and the reviews online I'm excited to get the Helwig installed. Next on the list is to fix the 'loose' steering. Ford didn't do any good with the stock steering box. I am very happy with the X so far. Took me almost 3 years to find one that was right place and price.
Tom, would you mind posting a pic of what the upgraded springs look like when installed? As you know this is on our "to do someday" list.
I also need to refer to the tech folder when on my computer but as the OP would also like to get a list going of steering components to eventually replace. Ours is still fine for now but on the ever so slightly loose side.
TOO COOL
