I’ve already messaged pirate4x4 and of course he was nothing but informative and super helpful. Here is what’s a stake. I hate how my Excursion drives. I love the idea of it and want to keep it but something needs to change. With only 59k miles I’d hate to give it up.

There was a recent thread similar to what I am faced with. I bought my truck with a big lift and want to bring it down. I measure hub to bottom of fender about 30” on the front and 30 1/2 on the rear. I HATE how it drives. I’ve got my caster at around 4.2 in the front (adjustable ball mount nuts). I’ve also installed the larger Hellwig rear sway bar and also the roadmaster active suspension in the rear too. It’s not confidence inspiring to say the least. I won’t take it to my in-laws about an 1 1/2 down the interstate. I’m running 20x10 method wheels on 37x13.5 Toyo Open Country MT’s. I’ve played with all kinds of air pressure too. The truck is an 05 6.0 with only 59k miles. Moog ball joints etc. Bluetop rebuilt steering box too. The lift appears to be an older Fabetech setup with Danohue springs and Bilstein shocks. Dual fronts and single rear with side mount reservoirs. I can’t tell if mine are the same as the recent owner that posted his setup but was wondering if they’re very soft being the stated “plush ride” or something like that. I don’t have a sticker on mine anymore. I like the idea of going with the setup of procomp springs 22210’s and 22415’s with bilstein 5100’s. I understand I’ll need to take on some trimming which I’m ok with that. I’ve attached a few pictures to see if a few questions can be answered as it looks like my new path.

I have Firestone airbags. Will this be useable as far as just bolting back on with new springs. I was concerned it the height is different. I think the rear u bolts are larger as well. Can I and should I put the RAS back on the rear springs? I’ve attached a picture of the “rear block” not sure it’s considered a block or not. It has the brake line bolted to it. Is this reused? I took pictures of the front to see if I’ll need a new track bar etc.

Any further help is greatly appreciated!

 

 

 

Thanks for the kind words and postings the pics.

1. Me thinks you will need a new track bar drop bracket which means you will also need a matching pitman arm.
reason being your looks like it is a 8” and would make contact with the drag link at full compression with the PC setup.

2. Air bags are sitting on a spacer, Should work when you remove the space.
3. That is not a block but the welded on perch or mount.
4. You are going to ditch the RAS, it is just a fancy Add a leaf in the form of a coil spring, it adds spring rate but that is also what the air bags do.. seems the PO was just bolting stuff on hoping something would fix it.
5. Those shocks are rebuildable meaning they can be valved to work correctly in a dual shock setup with your new setup.
( I would still do what I said in the PM but now that I see which shocks you have no need to drill, just take them apart and pull the shims out.
6. I will start looking around for a suitable track bar mount. But once I can get a stock Ex on the rack and measure some stuff to confirm I am hoping a stock track bar bracket and pitman arm will work the way I want. The problem with fabricated brackets is they come loose and often crack. Stock ones are cast and Very stout.


Great looking Ex, I dig it.

oh ya, what tire pressures are you running on all 4 tires and what is your current toe setting ?

 

“Plush Ride” is just a dumb marketing gimmick, If anything it probably had more to do with Donahoe being a kiddie **** creeper then then anything the springs actually did.

 

I am ordering all the new parts listed in your other thread. Pro comp springs (22210 and 22415) and just going to order new shocks too. It will pain me but I’m going to put dual 5100’s up front and I guess drill a hole in one on each side...




The only matter left unknown is the track bar mount. Any idea on what will work best? I will get all my cutoff tools ready for trimming too!

I was juggling the idea of knocking this out myself but don’t think I have the time. I’m assuming I’ll pay about 600-800 for labor. I’ll setup an alignment as well. I’ll leave the ball joint camber/caster nuts on and let the alignment guys do what they need.

I think I settled on about 42 psi all the way around. I don’t remember toe but I feel like I wanted more adjust but 0 seems to sound accurate.

 

the 2* shims in my parts list will put your caster at 5*

take front shock off snd find the part number stamped into it.
let me see whst i can do about getting them valved correctly for you..... should come out the same $$$ wise but the ones you have now ARE a better shock and it will be worth your hassle to send them out to be valved. the part number is around the base if you look closly.

look on ebay for a used stock track bar mount and Tascapsrts.com for a stock pitman arm.

 

or take off a front and a rear shock smd get me some measurments if you cant locate the part number


extended length from eye to eye center and the length of just the shaft fully extended

 

I see why you said look for a used stock track bar mount. Wow!

I was thi thinking of going with the new shocks as the current ones are old and have some surface rust on them and not excited about downtime with rebuilding then needing to refinish them too. Not sure if I’m being too lazy.

 

I don’t need the 3’ Spring Plate for the rear correct? My airbag plate will cover that need?

 

correct.

if you decide to go with new shocks will you sell me your current ones ? I would like to try some diffrent valving on them and use them for testing, i am currently working with Fox shocks on a custom Excursion shock that people can buy off the shelf but would luke to also develop a Bilstein option.

 

also, can you post a picture of your rear upper shock mount, i am almost certain it has been changed and i want to make sure it is going to work with your new ones.


if you can not find a stock track bar mount then you can use a procomp 4” drop track bar mount and a 4” drop pitman arm, probably less expensive the a new oem mount.

 

i am hesitant to say you can reuse your current spring top plate because all the flat ones i have seen bow, look at the pmf or stock plates, that bent lip on the ends keep them from bowing..... if yours are still perfectly flat then you could use them but i woulnt

 

I’ll give you the shocks. You’re too helpful and it’s the least I could do.

Can I run the same track bar if I get the pro comp 4” drop bracket and 4” pitman arm?

 

thank you, they will be used to help the excursion community, i will pay gor shipping !

i cant be sure without measuring but i would think yours has enough adjustment in it to work, if it doesnt then order the other one.