I sold my beloved X two years ago and have been missing it ever since. Well yesterday I came across another blue Excursion at a deal too good to pass up on. I’ll post pictures later on when I get a chance. I already ordered new mirrors, sway bar, and headlights. It’s a 2003 6.0 unmolested engine. It’s lifted with XD wheels but haven’t had a chance to assess the lift components. If it’s all on blocks I’ll be hitting up Junior at ATS for proper upgrades.

 

Welcome home, post them pics up of NewBlue

if your going to change the suspension why not go with a setup that eliminate the rear block, has the correct spring rates and doesn’t require a rear sway bar or anti wrap bar ? Plus it rides and handle better since the shocks actually match the spring rates, oh and it cost a fair bit less then the old X/mod setup. Just sayin...

 

Wait, what happened in the last 2 years with the old way? I was going to do the X/C spring upgrade plus sway bar. Have things really gotten better since? I loved the way my old one handled after those mods.

 

some folks still do the X/mod setup but to be honest I am not certain why.

what happened was all these years I have been on FTE and I didn't realize people were paying silly money for the old ju k yard fix which back in the day worked ok but mainly because it was the only option available back then (early 2000's) and it was out of the junk yard so it was super cheap, Since realizing this I have spent a fair amount of time sorting out many old setups and letting people know of a better option that has been around for quite some time but apparently hadn't become popular on FTE but is certainly well proven elsewhere.

fwiw, the front 2* shims are optional but set the front caster to 5.5* which will give a slightly heavy feel to the steering but not only cures wander it provides a rock solid straight as an arrow highway tracking. the 2* rear shim is to correct driveline angles if you have a single joint each end driveshaft.

and for the first time in public I will share a secret, the Bilstein 5100 are decent but pretty far from excellent, to that end I am working with the top shock tune guy in the country and Fox shocks to make a Excursion Fox IFP shock available that. ( I have been working on this for a year now and have a version of them on mine)

I have provided links to all the parts you need and narrowed it down to 2 vendors. ( shocks will likely be a 3rd vendor when they are ready )

Total cost $1074 complete

Front Procomp leaf springs 22210 $90 each


Rear Procomp Leaf 22415 $106 each


Zone adjustable Track Bar $100


Bilsteins 5100 shocks

Front $180 pair


Rear $156



Ubolts

Front $54

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/Front...ts/19732/16883

Rear 8’’Ubolts x 3.5” round $47

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/WFO-I...ts/19732/16924

3’ Spring Plate rear $38 pair

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/3-Lea...rd/16828/17035

Front 3’ wide 2* shim $35 pair

Rear 3” wide 2* shim $35 pair

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/cr/3-Inch-Axle-Shims/4384

 

some folks still do the X/mod setup but to be honest I am not certain why.


what happened was all these years I have been on FTE and I didn't realize people were paying silly money for the old ju k yard fix which back in the day worked ok but mainly because it was the only option available back then (early 2000's) and it was out of the junk yard so it was super cheap, Since realizing this I have spent a fair amount of time sorting out many old setups and letting people know of a better option that has been around for quite some time but apparently hadn't become popular on FTE but is certainly well proven elsewhere.

fwiw, the front 2* shims are optional but set the front caster to 5.5* which will give a slightly heavy feel to the steering but not only cures wander it provides a rock solid straight as an arrow highway tracking. the 2* rear shim is to correct driveline angles if you have a single joint each end driveshaft.

and for the first time in public I will share a secret, the Bilstein 5100 are decent but pretty far from excellent, to that end I am working with the top shock tune guy in the country and Fox shocks to make a Excursion Fox IFP shock available that. ( I have been working on this for a year now and have a version of them on mine)

Ride height with this setup as measured from the center of the hub straight up to the bottom of the fender arch is 27". with an air bag setup recommended for level towing if you have more then 800-900lbs tongue weight, You can lower the ride height to 25" front and 26" rear ( stock is 23" front 24' rear ) requires air bags for any towing more then a tent trailer or so..

I have provided links to all the parts you need and narrowed it down to 2 vendors. ( shocks will likely be a 3rd vendor when they are ready )

Total cost $1074 complete

Front Procomp leaf springs 22210 $90 each


Rear Procomp Leaf 22415 $106 each


Zone adjustable Track Bar $100


Bilsteins 5100 shocks

Front $180 pair


Rear $156



Ubolts

Front $54

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/Front...ts/19732/16883

Rear 8’’Ubolts x 3.5” round $47

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/WFO-I...ts/19732/16924

3’ Spring Plate rear $38 pair

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/3-Lea...rd/16828/17035

Front 3’ wide 2* shim $35 pair

Rear 3” wide 2* shim $35 pair

https://www.wfoconcepts.com/cr/3-Inch-Axle-Shims/4384

 

Pirate,

How much lift do those procomp springs provide on a stock Excursion?

 

last paragraph is ride height info. 27” is the sweet spot.

 

great info. That should save me close to $500. Thank you Pirate

 

You are welcome
truth be told, the cost savings is the least cool thing about it, the performance you get every time you drive your Ex is the best part.

Do you do any heavy towing ?

my next project is building a air bag setup specifically for this application (if all goes well WFO will be the vendor as I am not in the parts biz, I just want Bitchen stuff for my Ex and with my connections in the industry if I make 1 I can just as easily have them available to my fellow Ex enthusiast

 

well s@#t, when you put it like this, makes me want to trade out my c codes that are bone jarring when not towing

 

Pirate, are the new 3" rear spring plates really needed? Aren't the old ones reusable?
How would you lower your recommended setup down to 25" & 26" from the 27" all around? Not that I would, just curious about the how.

 

I really need to start a comprehensive suspension thread one of these days ... BigBlue sorry for highjacking your welcome back thread

new spring plates are not required if yours are not bent but I have seen enough that are that I just suggest replacing them from the get go. If yours are not bent then use them.

lowering the 22210/22415 combo
it is as easy as removing the bottom leaf from each pack that is the HOW

disclaimer I have not done it personally and you know how I hate discussing or at least recommending things that I do not have personal experience with. the measurements are hers and I followed up with her years after she did it to verify how it was doing.
going to help a friend do his “Camo suspension” and when we do I will at least measure the bottom leafs to calculate the spring rate with them removed. However I have built enough spring packs to feel OK discussing the mod.

The WHY is simple enough, the weight of the excursion compresses the lower spring rate more. Simple enough.

 

start a new thread for your suspension and include your ride height as measured from the center of the hub straight up to the bottom of the fender arch at all 4 corners, also include a pic of the front and rear springs.

lets see if we can fix that without going to a whole new suspension.

 

Just noticed I have wheel spacers. Not too happy about that. I just hope the offset wil be the proper one for this model year.

 

That would be nice!

Wait, whuuuut? You needed a rig for a suspension beta test and you didn't PM?

Can't wait for the results. It's always good to have options for these beasts, whether it's WE3ZS Modded X/B's, Carry's suspension setup from CT Performance, the various setups our vendor Junior at ATS sells, or the setup you're putting together.

Stewart