4WD Highway Wander
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
4WD Highway Wander
I owned a 2001 Excursion with 4WD. I sold it because it wandered all over the highway. You could not take your eyes off the road or you were in the ditch.
I am looking at a new 2016 SD PSD 4WD at a really good price. I do not need 4WD, but the truck I am looking at has it (I am talking a $56k MSRP truck for $40k brand new).
I am told that the front suspension in a 2016 is heavily revised from 2001 and the trucks do not wander like they used to.
So tell me, do the newer trucks still wander?
I am looking at a new 2016 SD PSD 4WD at a really good price. I do not need 4WD, but the truck I am looking at has it (I am talking a $56k MSRP truck for $40k brand new).
I am told that the front suspension in a 2016 is heavily revised from 2001 and the trucks do not wander like they used to.
So tell me, do the newer trucks still wander?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,142
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I have an '03 F-350 and it does not wander, I have driven several others from a '99 to a '16 and the only one's that wander have something worn out/ out of adjustment in the front end or under inflated tires. I do know of 1 '06 that was so far out of alignment from the factory that wandered badly untill it was realigned.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
I ask the question because I read a similar post a while back. Someone complained of wander in an earlier SD and someone else replied that the front ends were different on newer models and the wander had been fixed.
I was constantly sawing on the steering wheel on my Excursion. The truck was just very tiring to drive for 8-10 hours at a time.
My '99 SD, '00 SD, '06 Dodge and my 2010 SD (all 2WD), I could take my hands off the wheel and go 1/4 mile or more before I would drift over the line.
I was constantly sawing on the steering wheel on my Excursion. The truck was just very tiring to drive for 8-10 hours at a time.
My '99 SD, '00 SD, '06 Dodge and my 2010 SD (all 2WD), I could take my hands off the wheel and go 1/4 mile or more before I would drift over the line.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Mine was scary as hell to tow with until I added a Hellwig rear sway bar, Timbrens, HD shocks and added a Hensley Arrow hitch to my trailer.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,146
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From: Maryville, TN
I was aware of the soft rear end in the excursion, but the op didn't mention this was while towing.
The biggest issue that can cause front end problems on the newer trucks is the ball joint end on the trac bar. When it wears, it can cause the front axle to have side to side movement. It's easy to replace, and easy to fix with an aftermarket eliminator. But most will not have issues until high mileage.
The biggest issue that can cause front end problems on the newer trucks is the ball joint end on the trac bar. When it wears, it can cause the front axle to have side to side movement. It's easy to replace, and easy to fix with an aftermarket eliminator. But most will not have issues until high mileage.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The wander in '99 to '04 trucks can be fixed by replacing worn out components.
Yes the Excursion suspension is too soft for towing what it's rated for. That's why most people upgrade the suspension. I have V/B code springs, a Hellwig, and Bilstein shocks. I use a WD hitch with a friction anti-sway bar. I don't get any wander, unloaded or not. The steering might be a little loose but a Redhead gearbox will fix that if it starts to bother me enough.
Yes the Excursion suspension is too soft for towing what it's rated for. That's why most people upgrade the suspension. I have V/B code springs, a Hellwig, and Bilstein shocks. I use a WD hitch with a friction anti-sway bar. I don't get any wander, unloaded or not. The steering might be a little loose but a Redhead gearbox will fix that if it starts to bother me enough.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
I bought the truck brand new. So nothing was worn out.
Toe-out can cause wander, but tires did not show any usual wear patterns.
Like I said, I do not need 4WD, the truck is just a really good deal.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I'm not doubting your statement or your experience, but my truck doesn't wander. Many others have trucks that don't wander. There must have been something about that truck that caused that behavior because it's not normal.
The front axle and suspension has been dramatically improved in newer trucks, there is no doubt about that.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Yes but how? What is different?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
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Curious jschira did your Excursion have Goodyear Wrangler tires on by chance? I know on my 2000 Expedition it had Wranglers on it and they were awful about "wondering" all over the place... If felt like the sidewalls were just way to soft to support the weight of my Expedition..........
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Coils vs. leaf springs is the biggest visual change, but I would expect to see hundreds of minor improvements if you compared them side by side.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: SW ON, Canada
Obviously it was never repaired. However, was it ever properly diagnosed?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
I forget the brand, but as the Excursion was a tank and I towed with it, I used Load Range E tires.