Excursion Suspension Upgrade
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 103
From: TN
Ok, just saw this. I'd regear my Ex immediately if I was planning on keeping the V10/4R100/3:73 combo with stock size tires.
I have a Passport Ultra-lite Grand Touring 2810BH TT that weighs in at 5289 dry, so very much like you're talking about.
With 5 star tunes, SPD y-pipe, etc etc, and the 3:73's I can tell you for certainty you will be crawling and the Ex will be leaving you begging for mercy if you get into any good grades. Did mine do alright, yes, was it a bit of a dog, yes.
It's entirely fine with those gears and loaded about 6600 weight TT, but the hills and mountains are really needing a taller gear by far. Go deep on the gears for peice of mind and don't regret it if you're keeping the V10.
I have a Passport Ultra-lite Grand Touring 2810BH TT that weighs in at 5289 dry, so very much like you're talking about.
With 5 star tunes, SPD y-pipe, etc etc, and the 3:73's I can tell you for certainty you will be crawling and the Ex will be leaving you begging for mercy if you get into any good grades. Did mine do alright, yes, was it a bit of a dog, yes.
It's entirely fine with those gears and loaded about 6600 weight TT, but the hills and mountains are really needing a taller gear by far. Go deep on the gears for peice of mind and don't regret it if you're keeping the V10.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
If you measure from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender arch you can compare your ride height against what it was when new.
Front = 20.5”
Rear = 21.5 “
At curb weight any sag more then an about inch front to back or 1/2 side to side you should consider new springs.
the rear springs have a spring rate of 430 lbs inch. meaning if you put a payload ( like trailer tounge weight ) in the rear of 860 pounds the back will sag 1”. The Excursion was designed to 1” rear low at full payload and level at 1/2 payload.
Tow capacity is 10,000 lbs so with a typical 15% tounge weight of 1500 lbs that would “sag” your rear suspension almost 2” or about 1” below level.
if you want a ride height that differs then that air bags are by far the best solution since you can adjust the spring rate and ride height to match the payload.
Front = 20.5”
Rear = 21.5 “
At curb weight any sag more then an about inch front to back or 1/2 side to side you should consider new springs.
the rear springs have a spring rate of 430 lbs inch. meaning if you put a payload ( like trailer tounge weight ) in the rear of 860 pounds the back will sag 1”. The Excursion was designed to 1” rear low at full payload and level at 1/2 payload.
Tow capacity is 10,000 lbs so with a typical 15% tounge weight of 1500 lbs that would “sag” your rear suspension almost 2” or about 1” below level.
if you want a ride height that differs then that air bags are by far the best solution since you can adjust the spring rate and ride height to match the payload.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
... the rear springs have a spring rate of 430 lbs inch. meaning if you put a payload ( like trailer tounge weight ) in the rear of 860 pounds the back will sag 1”. The Excursion was designed to 1” rear low at full payload and level at 1/2 payload.
Tow capacity is 10,000 lbs so with a typical 15% tounge weight of 1500 lbs that would “sag” your rear suspension almost 2” or about 1” below level. ...
Do these spring rates/sags apply to both 2wd and 4wd models?
The tow capacity of the 2002+ is 12,500 lbs with a tongue rating of 1250 lbs.
Our TH is 7k and initially the tongue weight was 1450 lbs which I've lowered to 1350 lbs and can get it down to 1300 lbs when I move the battery off the tongue.
I'm guessing the hitch tongue weight rating is conservative.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Do these spring rates/sags apply to both 2wd and 4wd models?
The tow capacity of the 2002+ is 12,500 lbs with a tongue rating of 1250 lbs.
Our TH is 7k and initially the tongue weight was 1450 lbs which I've lowered to 1350 lbs and can get it down to 1300 lbs when I move the battery off the tongue.
I'm guessing the hitch tongue weight rating is conservative.
The tow capacity of the 2002+ is 12,500 lbs with a tongue rating of 1250 lbs.
Our TH is 7k and initially the tongue weight was 1450 lbs which I've lowered to 1350 lbs and can get it down to 1300 lbs when I move the battery off the tongue.
I'm guessing the hitch tongue weight rating is conservative.
doh, my bad, rear spring rate is 410 not 430. The RWD and 4wd use the same rear spring, however the 4wd has a anti-wrap bar and uses a block. Fwiw the anti wrap bar was installed on the 4wd model to control spring wrap in 4 low.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
New User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
ExSwap mentioned KYB MonoMax shocks earlier. I agree 100%. I put them on a 4WD 6.0L Ex and the ride was *fantastic*. They're just what this truck needs.
Now I tend to prefer something a bit stiffer than Bilsteins and these were spot on. Also, they're red, and I like red.
While you're at it, shoot some penetrating oil in all the leaf spring linkages. I did this and starts and stops suddenly became so much smoother.
Now I tend to prefer something a bit stiffer than Bilsteins and these were spot on. Also, they're red, and I like red.
While you're at it, shoot some penetrating oil in all the leaf spring linkages. I did this and starts and stops suddenly became so much smoother.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
2002 Excursion tow capacities taken from https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...s/2002_All.pdf ....
Here's a pic of our 2002 hitch sticker -
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Good question. I wish I had the actual data that is used to determine but my observation is it is a combination of government classification for road tax purposes, license restrictions for intended buyers, and finally vehicle configuration such as gear ratio, cooling system , brakes, transmission, spring rate, wheel base ect.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 7
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I would always determine towing capacity based on the lowest rating of: manufacturer recommendation, hitch, tongue, ball. It's easy to equip a 15000lb hitch on a vehicle that can only tow 3000lbs.
Safe towing capacity is based on wheelbase, frame strength, transmission capacity, brakes, tires, suspension, and (of course) the local government's opinion on how much is needed for any weight.
Safe towing capacity is based on wheelbase, frame strength, transmission capacity, brakes, tires, suspension, and (of course) the local government's opinion on how much is needed for any weight.
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