time for a new look!
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Berryville, VA.
time for a new look!
Hi folks, I am a new member to this forum, great place! I have an 04/05 EX which I bought in 2012 with 182k miles.(It was a Maryland St. Police vehicle) She now has 285K and runs like a dream. The 6.0 was "bullet proofed" and more. Early on I added Bilstein 5100s, Redhead steering box, and a rear sway bar.New tires were added (Michelin 285/75/16) and it has driven very nicely. To the point. Its time for new tires and I am bored of the current look. Drive ability and the ability to tow are a must and factor first but I think would love a little lift/bigger tire/wheel look. I don't really go off road and prefer to run a "quieter tire" The current suspension is stock 24/23 inches with the stock aluminum 5 hole wheels. Would you kindly give me your recommendations to add a little lift and a bigger wheel/tire package that wont hurt the ride?
Thanks in advance,
Rick
Thanks in advance,
Rick
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,266
Likes: 150
From: In the field...
4 X 4?
You won't find much quieter than a Michelin, possibly a Bridgestone.
Little Lift = ATS Springs a featured vendor. Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs
18" 2004 SuperDuty "SVT" or "Harley-Davidson" or "Lariat" or "King Ranch" factory wheels. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...excursion.html Start scouring Craigslist
5 hole wheels....maybe Five spoke
You won't find much quieter than a Michelin, possibly a Bridgestone.
Little Lift = ATS Springs a featured vendor. Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs
18" 2004 SuperDuty "SVT" or "Harley-Davidson" or "Lariat" or "King Ranch" factory wheels. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...excursion.html Start scouring Craigslist
5 hole wheels....maybe Five spoke
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Berryville, VA.
4 X 4?
You won't find much quieter than a Michelin, possibly a Bridgestone.
Little Lift = ATS Springs a featured vendor. Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs
18" 2004 SuperDuty "SVT" or "Harley-Davidson" or "Lariat" or "King Ranch" factory wheels. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...excursion.html Start scouring Craigslist
5 hole wheels....maybe Five spoke
You won't find much quieter than a Michelin, possibly a Bridgestone.
Little Lift = ATS Springs a featured vendor. Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs
18" 2004 SuperDuty "SVT" or "Harley-Davidson" or "Lariat" or "King Ranch" factory wheels. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...excursion.html Start scouring Craigslist
5 hole wheels....maybe Five spoke
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,266
Likes: 150
From: In the field...
Tell Junior what you are trying to accomplish and he'll set you up.
While you can do modded X's modded C's and just about any other alphasoup you can actually talk to some one.
Is it cheaper to go to the salvage yard and pull off some 300,000 Mile super duty springs from a rusted F-350?
Probably not,when you consider your time.
While you can do modded X's modded C's and just about any other alphasoup you can actually talk to some one.
Is it cheaper to go to the salvage yard and pull off some 300,000 Mile super duty springs from a rusted F-350?
Probably not,when you consider your time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
The procomp spring 22210/22415 setup will eliminate the rear block and get you 26 front 27 rear and cost about $125 per spring. Ride and handeling with a Bilstein 5100 is crisp but you would want airbags in the rear to tow at GCVWR. You should get an adjustable track bar but you shouldn’t need a drop pitman or track bar mount. Will fit up to a 35” tire without trimming and a 37” with trimming on a 4.5” backspace rim of your choice.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Berryville, VA.
Thanks Pirate. Will I need any additional hardware? Which track bar do you suggest? Any specific Shock I should buy? My 5100s have about 100k miles on them and my 1/2 mile long driveway is a goat path with potholes lol.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Additional hardware,
If you want airbags then we will need to solve for that since the standard Excursion kit will need some mods to work.
you would likely get the F250 kit and add a Daystar mount. If you decide to go this route I can look it up and work through the issues with you.
Track bar, I like the heavy duty one PMF offers. ( they can also supply you the shocks ) there are other acceptable options that are popular but I am not familiar enough to recall the name of them.
Individual Components and Upgrades
You will want new Ubolts front and rear, aside from that, maybe new shackle bushings depending on the condition of yours.
Shocks, see the current thread on the front page were we are discussing this spring combo but if it were me I would get the 10/12” 5125 with 255/70 valving over the vehicle specific ones listed on the chart on this list.
https://cart.bilsteinus.com/Portals/...g-2018-WEB.pdf
fwiw.....amazon has the best deal on the procomps I have run across recently.
Plenty of folks here run the ATS Springs But I am not that familiar with them or know the spring rates other then the rear is a dual rate spring. The procomps are 430/380
If you want airbags then we will need to solve for that since the standard Excursion kit will need some mods to work.
you would likely get the F250 kit and add a Daystar mount. If you decide to go this route I can look it up and work through the issues with you.
Track bar, I like the heavy duty one PMF offers. ( they can also supply you the shocks ) there are other acceptable options that are popular but I am not familiar enough to recall the name of them.
Individual Components and Upgrades
You will want new Ubolts front and rear, aside from that, maybe new shackle bushings depending on the condition of yours.
Shocks, see the current thread on the front page were we are discussing this spring combo but if it were me I would get the 10/12” 5125 with 255/70 valving over the vehicle specific ones listed on the chart on this list.
https://cart.bilsteinus.com/Portals/...g-2018-WEB.pdf
fwiw.....amazon has the best deal on the procomps I have run across recently.
Plenty of folks here run the ATS Springs But I am not that familiar with them or know the spring rates other then the rear is a dual rate spring. The procomps are 430/380
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Best I've found on springs is ~$130 for the 22210 and ~$140 for the 22415. Amazon. Happy to hear of better deals.
Will the sway bar(s) ends need to be upgraded to extended versions?
Will the rear axle require a degreed shim to correct the new driveshaft angle?
Also listening on the adjustable track bar recommendations.
Will the sway bar(s) ends need to be upgraded to extended versions?
Will the rear axle require a degreed shim to correct the new driveshaft angle?
Also listening on the adjustable track bar recommendations.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Near as I can figure, the Bilstein 5125 for the front with the ProComp 22210 is the 33-185552 (15.91/25.93" 255/70Nm).
For the stern with the ProComp 22415, it isn't as clear and I still have to do some measuring... but I *think* the 33-185576 (20.75/34.90" 255/70Nm) will work, though it may be around 1/2" too long when compressed - requiring some addition to the bump stop.
For the stern with the ProComp 22415, it isn't as clear and I still have to do some measuring... but I *think* the 33-185576 (20.75/34.90" 255/70Nm) will work, though it may be around 1/2" too long when compressed - requiring some addition to the bump stop.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Best I've found on springs is ~$130 for the 22210 and ~$140 for the 22415. Amazon. Happy to hear of better deals.
Will the sway bar(s) ends need to be upgraded to extended versions?
Will the rear axle require a degreed shim to correct the new driveshaft angle?
Also listening on the adjustable track bar recommendations.
Will the sway bar(s) ends need to be upgraded to extended versions?
Will the rear axle require a degreed shim to correct the new driveshaft angle?
Also listening on the adjustable track bar recommendations.
Degree shims... depends on what type rear shaft you have.
I have a single joint at each end and if I wasn’t switching to a Double Carden shaft I would need a shim.
As much of a PITA it is to take apart it’s best to do the install and spec out your angles to see exactly what shim you may need.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Near as I can figure, the Bilstein 5125 for the front with the ProComp 22210 is the 33-185552 (15.91/25.93" 255/70Nm).
For the stern with the ProComp 22415, it isn't as clear and I still have to do some measuring... but I *think* the 33-185576 (20.75/34.90" 255/70Nm) will work, though it may be around 1/2" too long when compressed - requiring some addition to the bump stop.
For the stern with the ProComp 22415, it isn't as clear and I still have to do some measuring... but I *think* the 33-185576 (20.75/34.90" 255/70Nm) will work, though it may be around 1/2" too long when compressed - requiring some addition to the bump stop.
Regarless of what shock length you do end up on you want the shock body to be 1/2 to short on compression. The way the f250 and Ex mount the shocks if there is enough room on compression you will have a few inch extra on extension.
think about it... those 5” springs are going to net about 8” of total travel so a 14” shock is not going to be using the entire stroke.
I’d have to sit down and do some figuring but with my 7” spring I am using a 12” rear shock, it just clears on compression and has like 3” extra on extension.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,057
Likes: 1,565
From: Media PA
Suspension options are endless, the above mentioned ATS and ProComp offerings are popular, personally I did a set of modded X codes up front and modded B codes on the rear several years ago for a 3 7/8" front lift and 5" on the rear.
I have had my Nitto Dura Grapplers in 305/70R18 (35.28" X 12.8") on '04 OEM Lariat 18"x8" wheels for 5+ years and over 30K miles. These highway tread tires are the quietest truck tires I have ever used and they are wearing very well. When towing (most of the EX's miles) the rear axle sees over 6K lbs and these tires handle that weight with zero issues and continue to feel and sound as they do unloaded.
Being a former Police rig is your EX a SSV (Special Service Vehicle) model? Does it have carpets, third row seating and rear heat and AC? Mine is a former Army Corps of Engineers vehicle but is a standard issue XLT with all cloth seating, carpets and rear HVAC.
I have had my Nitto Dura Grapplers in 305/70R18 (35.28" X 12.8") on '04 OEM Lariat 18"x8" wheels for 5+ years and over 30K miles. These highway tread tires are the quietest truck tires I have ever used and they are wearing very well. When towing (most of the EX's miles) the rear axle sees over 6K lbs and these tires handle that weight with zero issues and continue to feel and sound as they do unloaded.
Being a former Police rig is your EX a SSV (Special Service Vehicle) model? Does it have carpets, third row seating and rear heat and AC? Mine is a former Army Corps of Engineers vehicle but is a standard issue XLT with all cloth seating, carpets and rear HVAC.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Berryville, VA.
Thanks for the wealth of info!! I have some work to do on my end. As far as the process of building/deciding on a suspension goes I guess I should start with the wheel/tire combo? WE3ZS, my EX has carpet, rear HVAC but came with no 3rd row seat. I sourced one locally for when we vacation and need it. Specifically, I believe my EX was used to work accidents. It has a rocker switch at the rear, excess wiring harnesses (cut) under seats, and 3 roof mounts of sorts that must have been sirens.
Rick
Rick
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Okay... I'll take your word for it, I just have no idea of how much a leaf may extend when air suddenly appears under the tires. I was going to install the springs and look at the unweighted travel and add a margin of error.
Regarless of what shock length you do end up on you want the shock body to be 1/2 to short on compression. The way the f250 and Ex mount the shocks if there is enough room on compression you will have a few inch extra on extension.
think about it... those 5” springs are going to net about 8” of total travel so a 14” shock is not going to be using the entire stroke.
I’d have to sit down and do some figuring but with my 7” spring I am using a 12” rear shock, it just clears on compression and has like 3” extra on extension.
think about it... those 5” springs are going to net about 8” of total travel so a 14” shock is not going to be using the entire stroke.
I’d have to sit down and do some figuring but with my 7” spring I am using a 12” rear shock, it just clears on compression and has like 3” extra on extension.