2017 Plans for your Excursion
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
Well I found my 4 inch blocks for the rear (to replace the factory blocks not add to) and my lift shackles so that's on the list for this year 
Seems like I'm missing something to get the extra 2 inches but I can't think of what. Possibly a steering thingy or something. Oh, and I also need to get the Amp steps mounted at some point 
Seems like I'm missing something to get the extra 2 inches but I can't think of what. Possibly a steering thingy or something. Oh, and I also need to get the Amp steps mounted at some point
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
I have a long list but I want the maintenance items done, fluid changes and such. Since I bought it from a Chevy dealer I changed the oil as soon as I could, who knows what oil they put in there and that oil filter looked small.
Mirrors from 1a
Springs from ATS, actually I am going to visit junior tomorrow, since they are only 10 minutes away
Tires and wheels, I decided on Cooper AT3 in 285 75 17 and probably Ultra type 164 wheels
Shocks
Gears: probably go with 4:30s but have to decide on what type of locker or LS I want
Mirrors from 1a
Springs from ATS, actually I am going to visit junior tomorrow, since they are only 10 minutes away
Tires and wheels, I decided on Cooper AT3 in 285 75 17 and probably Ultra type 164 wheels
Shocks
Gears: probably go with 4:30s but have to decide on what type of locker or LS I want
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: FT Worth
Several major maintenance items for me.
Rebuilt front end- ball joints, brakes and rotors - only 247,000 miles
Find cause of continuing coolant use and miss on startup (no miss after running a few minutes)
Sag in rear end- replace or update springs?
Replace shocks
replace driver seat cover
Wish list- new head unit with backup camera
Rebuilt front end- ball joints, brakes and rotors - only 247,000 miles
Find cause of continuing coolant use and miss on startup (no miss after running a few minutes)
Sag in rear end- replace or update springs?
Replace shocks
replace driver seat cover
Wish list- new head unit with backup camera
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Big expensive list for me. Probably going to run about $8 or $9k all told. Or, as I look at it, roughly $61,000 less than a new truck.
- BTS transmission
- FRX (RR)
- Compressor wheel and turbo rebuild kit: Powerstroke 7.3L Turbo SPX 5+5 Billet Compressor Wheel & Full Severe D ? SP Turboost Company, LLC
- Billet intake plenums (RR)
- All intercooler boots and clamps (RR)
- EBPV delete pedestal (RR)
- Dorman up-pipes
- replace HPOP lines
- rebuild fuel bowl
- replace all o-rings
- flush power steering system
- finish $0.50 mod on other side
- GPR and plugs
- injector o-rings
- replace & paint fender from the parking lot incident of 2015
- replace front bumper
I'm sure there are a few more odds & ends.
- BTS transmission
- FRX (RR)
- Compressor wheel and turbo rebuild kit: Powerstroke 7.3L Turbo SPX 5+5 Billet Compressor Wheel & Full Severe D ? SP Turboost Company, LLC
- Billet intake plenums (RR)
- All intercooler boots and clamps (RR)
- EBPV delete pedestal (RR)
- Dorman up-pipes
- replace HPOP lines
- rebuild fuel bowl
- replace all o-rings
- flush power steering system
- finish $0.50 mod on other side
- GPR and plugs
- injector o-rings
- replace & paint fender from the parking lot incident of 2015
- replace front bumper
I'm sure there are a few more odds & ends.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 2
From: Flat Rock, MI
Simple this year...
Install my 02 Lariat 18" wheels once the weather breaks (no salt on the roads)
Apple CarPlay HU and back up camera
Last year the big "upgrade" was a good buddy and I undercoated the Ex and painted the axles/driveshafts etc...
Install my 02 Lariat 18" wheels once the weather breaks (no salt on the roads)
Apple CarPlay HU and back up camera
Last year the big "upgrade" was a good buddy and I undercoated the Ex and painted the axles/driveshafts etc...
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 1
From: Liberty, NC
Put some Paint on the front fenders since I still have the factory primer on them, stage 2(front axle to rear axle) undercarriage rust repair, new 22in tires to go along with the rims I've had for 6 months. And hopefully no major engine upgrades.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
I went to ATS today and spoke with junior, we decided on v codes up front and c codes in back. I need to decide on a gear ratio so I can take it to the 4x4 shop for gears, springs and alignment ,done in one visit.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I just bought mine and it seems bone stock. The dealer put on cheap crap tires that don't even have a load rating, so I'll probably swap bfg kos by the end if the year. The stock stereo has to go. I'll probably do the Pioneer with the android app that you can hack. Probably and amp and speakers, maybe a sub. It needs Bilstein shocks bad. Change all plugs, full transmission flush, brake fluid flush, coolant flush, etc. I'm an sct dealer, so I'll probably add some pressure on the shifts, maybe adjust the tc lockup, and defiantly enable open loop at wot. I might decrease some of the protective timers based on time at wot so they kick in sooner. My goal is reliability at full throttle for 10+ minutes pulling 5000lb up and over a 4000' grade in 11 miles. I've heard the tc doesn't lock at wot, so I'll look into that to. Maybe a trans cooler depending on the temps I see.
but first I gotta dig into the boat that I bought to tow with the ex. It's got low compression and "complicated" 5v / cyl, dohc. Once that is running I'll be towing it 3hr to the river, hopefully at least twice a month.
but first I gotta dig into the boat that I bought to tow with the ex. It's got low compression and "complicated" 5v / cyl, dohc. Once that is running I'll be towing it 3hr to the river, hopefully at least twice a month.
Last edited by Jgorm; Jan 24, 2017 at 08:26 AM. Reason: Load range
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,063
Likes: 1,573
From: Media PA
I just bought mine and it seems bone stock. The dealer put on cheap crap tires that don't even have se load rating, so I'll probably swap bfg kos by the end if the year. The stock stereo has to go. I'll probably do the Pioneer with the android app that you can hack. Probably and amp and speakers, maybe a sub. It needs Bilstein shocks bad. Change all plugs, full transmission flush, brake fluid flush, coolant flush, etc. I'm an sct dealer, so I'll probably add some pressure on the shifts, maybe adjust the tc lockup, and defiantly enable open loop at wot. I might decrease some of the protective timers based on time at wot so they kick in sooner. My goal is reliability at full throttle for 10+ minutes pulling 5000lb up and over a 4000' grade in 11 miles. I've heard the tc doesn't lock at wot, so I'll look into that to. Maybe a trans cooler depending on the temps I see.
but first I gotta dig into the boat that I bought to tow with the ex. It's got low compression and "complicated" 5v / cyl, dohc. Once that is running I'll be towing it 3hr to the river, hopefully at least twice a month.
but first I gotta dig into the boat that I bought to tow with the ex. It's got low compression and "complicated" 5v / cyl, dohc. Once that is running I'll be towing it 3hr to the river, hopefully at least twice a month.
Not to het too far off the thread topic but.....
I assume you meant Load Range E tires? With your described towing weight you should be fine if the tires are Load Range D and aired up correctly. But going with Es is always fine for the extra capacity, more is better, right?!
And not to knock your knowledge or goals but pulling a 5k boat up a 6.9% grade for 11 miles (long hill) at reasonable speed really shouldn't require WOT (at least for the majority of the climb) with a well setup V-10. How fast are you planning to make this tow? Being an East coast guy, I obviously haven't pulled that same long hill but we do have some shorter equally steep (and more) climbs back East. I haven't had to go WOT on a towing climb yet with my V-10. But again, nothing wrong with planning for reliability in that situation, choosing the V-10 was a good choice.
New User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Not to het too far off the thread topic but.....
I assume you meant Load Range E tires? With your described towing weight you should be fine if the tires are Load Range D and aired up correctly. But going with Es is always fine for the extra capacity, more is better, right?!
And not to knock your knowledge or goals but pulling a 5k boat up a 6.9% grade for 11 miles (long hill) at reasonable speed really shouldn't require WOT (at least for the majority of the climb) with a well setup V-10. How fast are you planning to make this tow? Being an East coast guy, I obviously haven't pulled that same long hill but we do have some shorter equally steep (and more) climbs back East. I haven't had to go WOT on a towing climb yet with my V-10. But again, nothing wrong with planning for reliability in that situation, choosing the V-10 was a good choice.
I assume you meant Load Range E tires? With your described towing weight you should be fine if the tires are Load Range D and aired up correctly. But going with Es is always fine for the extra capacity, more is better, right?!
And not to knock your knowledge or goals but pulling a 5k boat up a 6.9% grade for 11 miles (long hill) at reasonable speed really shouldn't require WOT (at least for the majority of the climb) with a well setup V-10. How fast are you planning to make this tow? Being an East coast guy, I obviously haven't pulled that same long hill but we do have some shorter equally steep (and more) climbs back East. I haven't had to go WOT on a towing climb yet with my V-10. But again, nothing wrong with planning for reliability in that situation, choosing the V-10 was a good choice.
I plan in maintaining 65 up the grade. I've done it once and I used 3rd gear about 50mph and 3/4 throttle for the bulk of it. It was my first trip and I didn't want to push it real hard without checking everything first. Many times the issue is trying to pass a semi truck. If I lose any speed, acceleration is difficult, hence the need for sustained wot. If I have to slow enough to require a down shift, getting back to 4th is going to be a challenge. Big grades are way different that small hills. It's always the second half that is the killer.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,063
Likes: 1,573
From: Media PA
the tries don't have any load rating! They are some Asian brand I've never heard of. 55psi max.
I plan in maintaining 65 up the grade. I've done it once and I used 3rd gear about 50mph and 3/4 throttle for the bulk of it. It was my first trip and I didn't want to push it real hard without checking everything first. Many times the issue is trying to pass a semi truck. If I lose any speed, acceleration is difficult, hence the need for sustained wot. If I have to slow enough to require a down shift, getting back to 4th is going to be a challenge. Big grades are way different that small hills. It's always the second half that is the killer.
I plan in maintaining 65 up the grade. I've done it once and I used 3rd gear about 50mph and 3/4 throttle for the bulk of it. It was my first trip and I didn't want to push it real hard without checking everything first. Many times the issue is trying to pass a semi truck. If I lose any speed, acceleration is difficult, hence the need for sustained wot. If I have to slow enough to require a down shift, getting back to 4th is going to be a challenge. Big grades are way different that small hills. It's always the second half that is the killer.
Yeah, I think those tires are a little light duty.
You need deeper gears.
The difference between the factory 3.73 gears in my rig vs the new 4.88 was night and day while towing heavy. With the 35"s and the effective 4.39 ratio they give it is still a much more capable tow wagon. I have held OD on long (not your 11 mile climb) 6%-ish grades at 60/65 MPH at 60/64% throttle opening with the 11k TT in tow. My custom 89 Perf tune will downshift at 65/66% opening in those conditions and the MPGs drop like a rock. I do keep an eye on my MPGs, that is part of my motivation to not just hammer it on a grade.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 182
Well, I originally posted this to the 2016 version...I can't read this morning apparently...
Hi All! I'm new around here so bear with me but here goes....2017 Ex plans:
New tires, not settled on any specifics
12V Cummins Swap (the 6.0 has treated me VERY well, but it's time for something a little different)
NV4500
That's all I had "planned" but after reading some other modifications that have been done, I may add a few more things between now and when she goes down for the swap.
Hi All! I'm new around here so bear with me but here goes....2017 Ex plans:
New tires, not settled on any specifics
12V Cummins Swap (the 6.0 has treated me VERY well, but it's time for something a little different)
NV4500
That's all I had "planned" but after reading some other modifications that have been done, I may add a few more things between now and when she goes down for the swap.
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I need to fix/replace:
Replace the antennaFix the drivers side second row grab handleFix the lock rod for the barn door (need to do a new thread on that)Inspect and replace bushings- Upgrade the radio and speakers
- Address the sticking door lock actuators....again
- Some minor rust repair
I did the 4 strike through bullets above, but the remaining three take money I aint got, so they are on the 2019 "list" for things to do.
So, how about you guys? Anything on your previous lists that are still being put off?
Stewart
Last edited by Stewart_H; Sep 12, 2018 at 01:46 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 182
Well, I originally posted this to the 2016 version...I can't read this morning apparently...
Hi All! I'm new around here so bear with me but here goes....2017 Ex plans:
New tires, not settled on any specifics
12V Cummins Swap (the 6.0 has treated me VERY well, but it's time for something a little different)
NV4500
That's all I had "planned" but after reading some other modifications that have been done, I may add a few more things between now and when she goes down for the swap.
Hi All! I'm new around here so bear with me but here goes....2017 Ex plans:
12V Cummins Swap (the 6.0 has treated me VERY well, but it's time for something a little different)
NV4500
That's all I had "planned" but after reading some other modifications that have been done, I may add a few more things between now and when she goes down for the swap.
Cummins swap is coming along...sort of. Block is done at the shop, have 2 heads in varying forms of complete, and about ready to bring it all back for the build. Still need the rod bushings checked for serviceability and replacement if necessary and the crank was good, just needed a polish. Will have to purchase a new camshaft and lifters or get my cam reground. Also, decided against the NV4500 and will be going with the ZF6, provided I can find one reasonable. At this point though, a warranty on a rebuild is probably worth the extra grand on the purchase price.