Confused...which mods/upgrades?
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, OH
Confused...which mods/upgrades?
Guys and gals,
This is a great site and I enjoy reading all the posts. However, I'm confused about which mods/upgrades would work on my Excursion. I have a 2003 5.4L RWD Ex. I'm assuming most of what I read on here is for a 4x4 but can't really tell. Specifically I'd like to know about spring swaps, rear sway bars, gear swaps, tuners, steering dampers, and steering box adjustment. Are these for the RWD versions too? Sorry if I should know this already but I don't.
This is a great site and I enjoy reading all the posts. However, I'm confused about which mods/upgrades would work on my Excursion. I have a 2003 5.4L RWD Ex. I'm assuming most of what I read on here is for a 4x4 but can't really tell. Specifically I'd like to know about spring swaps, rear sway bars, gear swaps, tuners, steering dampers, and steering box adjustment. Are these for the RWD versions too? Sorry if I should know this already but I don't.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 7
From: Lago Vista, TX
Most of your modifications are not necessarily 4x4 specific, but they are all covered extensively in this forum. Dig around with the search feature and if one of the appropriate modification threads doesn't specifically answer your questions, then ask for clarification in that thread. I think that will net you the best response.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, OH
Most of your modifications are not necessarily 4x4 specific, but they are all covered extensively in this forum. Dig around with the search feature and if one of the appropriate modification threads doesn't specifically answer your questions, then ask for clarification in that thread. I think that will net you the best response.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Yeah, what the heck is wrong with you bud! You weren't born outta the womb just knowing all this?!? 
No worries, and welcome to FTE! Pull up a chair and sit a spell. We'll get you learned up on what you need to know!
When you say you have a RWD Excursion, please know they were all RWD from the factory. Not a single one was front wheel drive. But I do believe you mean you have a 2-wheel drive Ex, not a 4-wheel drive.
So, in that case, anything front suspension wise for the 4x4 won't apply to you, since you have coil springs up front on your 4x2.
Your rear suspension is all the same tho, so any mod you see for the rear end will still apply to you, along with the rear diff.
Stewart
No worries, and welcome to FTE! Pull up a chair and sit a spell. We'll get you learned up on what you need to know!
When you say you have a RWD Excursion, please know they were all RWD from the factory. Not a single one was front wheel drive. But I do believe you mean you have a 2-wheel drive Ex, not a 4-wheel drive.
So, in that case, anything front suspension wise for the 4x4 won't apply to you, since you have coil springs up front on your 4x2.
Your rear suspension is all the same tho, so any mod you see for the rear end will still apply to you, along with the rear diff.
Stewart
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 17
So long as you keep it to a fairly recent thread you'll be fine 
Spring swaps you are kind of on your own. A lot of the 2wd crowd is diesel or V10, both of which weigh more than the 5.4 so the heights referenced after installs won't be accurate for yours. You're also on coils up front compared to the 4wd solid axle leaf springs. The rear springs are the same throughout the drivers in configurations - leafsprings. The B-mod or similar should bet you around 4" out back. Swaybars should be the same as well.
The 5.4 is similar to the V10 in that it likes to rev and its power and is higher up that is oil burners. As such, deeper gears will do wonders for performance and will honestly be the most noticeable thing. The difference between a 3.73 V10 and a 4.30 V10 is huge, the same will apply to your V8. Depending on intended useage, that'll dictate more where you want to look for ratios (as well as oversize tires as they change the effective ratio).
Tuners, most people work with 5Star here for the gasser crowd.
As far as I know, steering stabilizers are steering stabilizers - the mounts differ per application. Bilstein 5100's are very popular here.
Spring swaps you are kind of on your own. A lot of the 2wd crowd is diesel or V10, both of which weigh more than the 5.4 so the heights referenced after installs won't be accurate for yours. You're also on coils up front compared to the 4wd solid axle leaf springs. The rear springs are the same throughout the drivers in configurations - leafsprings. The B-mod or similar should bet you around 4" out back. Swaybars should be the same as well.
The 5.4 is similar to the V10 in that it likes to rev and its power and is higher up that is oil burners. As such, deeper gears will do wonders for performance and will honestly be the most noticeable thing. The difference between a 3.73 V10 and a 4.30 V10 is huge, the same will apply to your V8. Depending on intended useage, that'll dictate more where you want to look for ratios (as well as oversize tires as they change the effective ratio).
Tuners, most people work with 5Star here for the gasser crowd.
As far as I know, steering stabilizers are steering stabilizers - the mounts differ per application. Bilstein 5100's are very popular here.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, OH
Yeah, what the heck is wrong with you bud! You weren't born outta the womb just knowing all this?!?
No worries, and welcome to FTE! Pull up a chair and sit a spell. We'll get you learned up on what you need to know!
When you say you have a RWD Excursion, please know they were all RWD from the factory. Not a single one was front wheel drive. But I do believe you mean you have a 2-wheel drive Ex, not a 4-wheel drive.
So, in that case, anything front suspension wise for the 4x4 won't apply to you, since you have coil springs up front on your 4x2.
Your rear suspension is all the same tho, so any mod you see for the rear end will still apply to you, along with the rear diff.
Stewart
No worries, and welcome to FTE! Pull up a chair and sit a spell. We'll get you learned up on what you need to know!
When you say you have a RWD Excursion, please know they were all RWD from the factory. Not a single one was front wheel drive. But I do believe you mean you have a 2-wheel drive Ex, not a 4-wheel drive.
So, in that case, anything front suspension wise for the 4x4 won't apply to you, since you have coil springs up front on your 4x2.
Your rear suspension is all the same tho, so any mod you see for the rear end will still apply to you, along with the rear diff.
Stewart
So long as you keep it to a fairly recent thread you'll be fine
Spring swaps you are kind of on your own. A lot of the 2wd crowd is diesel or V10, both of which weigh more than the 5.4 so the heights referenced after installs won't be accurate for yours. You're also on coils up front compared to the 4wd solid axle leaf springs. The rear springs are the same throughout the drivers in configurations - leafsprings. The B-mod or similar should bet you around 4" out back. Swaybars should be the same as well.
The 5.4 is similar to the V10 in that it likes to rev and its power and is higher up that is oil burners. As such, deeper gears will do wonders for performance and will honestly be the most noticeable thing. The difference between a 3.73 V10 and a 4.30 V10 is huge, the same will apply to your V8. Depending on intended useage, that'll dictate more where you want to look for ratios (as well as oversize tires as they change the effective ratio).
Tuners, most people work with 5Star here for the gasser crowd.
As far as I know, steering stabilizers are steering stabilizers - the mounts differ per application. Bilstein 5100's are very popular here.
Spring swaps you are kind of on your own. A lot of the 2wd crowd is diesel or V10, both of which weigh more than the 5.4 so the heights referenced after installs won't be accurate for yours. You're also on coils up front compared to the 4wd solid axle leaf springs. The rear springs are the same throughout the drivers in configurations - leafsprings. The B-mod or similar should bet you around 4" out back. Swaybars should be the same as well.
The 5.4 is similar to the V10 in that it likes to rev and its power and is higher up that is oil burners. As such, deeper gears will do wonders for performance and will honestly be the most noticeable thing. The difference between a 3.73 V10 and a 4.30 V10 is huge, the same will apply to your V8. Depending on intended useage, that'll dictate more where you want to look for ratios (as well as oversize tires as they change the effective ratio).
Tuners, most people work with 5Star here for the gasser crowd.
As far as I know, steering stabilizers are steering stabilizers - the mounts differ per application. Bilstein 5100's are very popular here.
Primary use is my daily driver and occasional towing of a 2500# popup.
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