Ihave been looking for some time for what the best way to lift myExcursion. I have look at a complete set from CTS, I have looked at a 4link set up, and I am still not sure what the best way to go. I have readabout doing the X/C Code spring swaps. I will like to have all the adviceI can get on this. I will start by listing what I know I want.



Iwant to:

Run18x10 wheels with 35's tires

Bestride on the road, Daily driver.

Beas low as possible, have wife and 4 kids. A 6” lift or great is not a good for me.

Beable to take off-road and handle a moderate trail.

Beable to still have towing ability.


2005 Ford Excursion Limited, 6.0 Powerstroke

 

Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs

 

From my experience, you will need nearly 4" of lift over stock to safely clear true 35" tires. I am riding 3 7/8" over stock on my front modded X codes and that allows room for my Nitto Dura 305/70R18s (35.28" tall) on 8" wide '04 Lariat 18"s with only some rub on the springs at full steering lock. With a set of 10" wide rims you will have contact at either the springs, bumper or fender liner that will need addressing.
With only 4" of lift you can keep the stock pitman arm, an adjustable track bar will keep the springs from getting pushed to one side.
A set of B or C codes on the rear with the typical mods and the taller tapered F-350 blocks in place of the 2" EX blocks should get you back to pretty close to the stock rake with whatever method you use to get the 4" or so up front.

 

Thanks Mark for sharing your Rudolph build thread. It is good to see someone have the same ideals as I do. Being in Arkansas I enjoy a good timber duck hunt and tossing a fly on the Little Red River. I need to build my Excursion to handle my hunting trips. I enjoyed your build.

 

Thanks Tom, I was worrying about the rubbing of the leaf springs if I went with 10" wide wheels, that part I am open to drop down in size. I also figured I may have to do some body massaging to keep the bottom of the cab form rubbing when turning. I guess I will need to reach out the ATS for a quote on springs.

 

I have a similar setup as Tom (X code front C code rear from ATS) with the 2004 18x8 SuperDuty rims with Toyo 295/70 R18 tires. I believe this tire size is about as large as you can go (with X/C springs) on the 2004 SuperDuty rims without any rubbing.

 

Iwant to:

Run18x10 wheels with 35's tires
that combo will be tough to keep from rubbing with less then 4" of lift, you will need to figure out the best offset and likely deal with some spring rub

Best ride on the road, Daily driver.
ride quality will be determined by what shock you choose.

Beas low as possible, have wife and 4 kids. A 6” lift or great is not a good for me.
4" will clear a 35" but probably rub with a 10" wheel

Be able to take off-road and handle a moderate trail.

hard to know what your idea of a moderate trail is but in my experience the limitations are the open differentials and not the amount of lift you have.

Be able to still have towing ability.


towing ability is generally limited by the tires,axles,gears and cooling capacity more then a lift amount. with a 6.0 a you should be ok with 35"s and stock gearing, ( ok being relative to the 6.0 durability )

 

Private4x4_Camo,


This is basically Phase I for my EX. Decided to go with a 18x8 wheel or 18x9 if I can get the offset right.


Other projects that will be done:
Replace the Dana 50 with a built Dana 60, including locker
Lockers for the rear
Finish Bullet Proofing, have stud in place, just needs a few other items I want to help.


I can keep going and going on my ideals I want to do. Thanks for the help.