Spring advice
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
I’ll see what I can do about getting a measurement tomorrow.
I figure the shocks were 3 years old if the receipts i found in the truck are correct and I figured on replacing them anyways. So if it isn’t the whole solution its at least one piece of it done.
I’m guessing these shocks will work with the v/b code spring mod
Unrelated question how do you like the banks power pack kit?
I figure the shocks were 3 years old if the receipts i found in the truck are correct and I figured on replacing them anyways. So if it isn’t the whole solution its at least one piece of it done.
I’m guessing these shocks will work with the v/b code spring mod
Unrelated question how do you like the banks power pack kit?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 285
Likes: 12
From: Fort Gordon
I haven't seen any signs of the shocks being worn out. On my land Rovers worn out shocks cause a lot of things but bottoming out is usually a sagging/snapped coil spring.
Good to know on the banks parts it's on my want list along with a 5star tune
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
why would you return them ?
your Ex is stock height, if you ordered the correct shock for the Excursion then they will fit perfectly,
the F250 truck shocks have noting to do with your ex and are not what you want as the valving inside would be wrong.
your Ex is stock height, if you ordered the correct shock for the Excursion then they will fit perfectly,
the F250 truck shocks have noting to do with your ex and are not what you want as the valving inside would be wrong.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
if your shocks are not damping the road impact your axle is going to slam into the bump stops, which sounds exactly like what you are saying happens.
new shocks WILL dampen and control the axle speed, this WILL keep the suspension from bottoming out.
put it this way, does every stock vehicle that enters your driveway bottom out ? if not the neither will your excursion if you restore the suspension to its proper function by replacing worn out shocks.
the kyb monomax being valved slightly stiff then stock would in fact allow your excursion to hit your driveway slightly harder the a brand new factory fresh excursion with stock shocks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
the excursion is what most suspension designers would consider a “short travel” travel suspension.
for normal street use and even gravel road type offroad adventures at slow speed this is perfectly suitable setup for a excursion.
if you want to do be able to hit larger obstacles at a higher rate of speed then you should design a “mid travel” suspension ( the V - B code setup i see on FTE is not that )
there are benefits to going to a mid travel suspension but also draw backs just as there are pros and cons to the stock short travel setup.
I fully recognize cost is part of that equation but for a $200 shock cost it really should be the very bottom priority.
for normal street use and even gravel road type offroad adventures at slow speed this is perfectly suitable setup for a excursion.
if you want to do be able to hit larger obstacles at a higher rate of speed then you should design a “mid travel” suspension ( the V - B code setup i see on FTE is not that )
there are benefits to going to a mid travel suspension but also draw backs just as there are pros and cons to the stock short travel setup.
I fully recognize cost is part of that equation but for a $200 shock cost it really should be the very bottom priority.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
I'm confused. Did you order shocks for your Excursion? Or shocks for a pickup? If you ordered the correct shocks for the Excursion, I'd give them a shot. Ours had KYB gas-a-justs on the front and monomax on the back. They made quite a difference. I would try what Pirate recommends, he's very knowledgeable.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
I'd try them then. I only had 1/4" of clearance at the bump stop, so mine kept bottoming out. It was so bad I took the bump stops off after checking to make sure nothing would hit metal to metal. You have a lot more clearance under the bump stop than I did. I finally bought the Procomp set up Pirate recommends. I was hoping to get close to finishing our EX next time I'm home, but we need to make a trip to Phoenix the end of the month. My daily driver needs some love when I get home also. I have a new turbo for it and some new trailer tires. I hope the new shocks work for you. I really like KYB. They are on all of our vehicles except the KW and the EX will have the Bilsteins now.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 285
Likes: 12
From: Fort Gordon
New shocks are in and It’s an improvement but I don’t think I’m at the solution yet. The shocks in it were Monroe Reflex nothing fancy they seemed to still have life in them but who knows what the valving was in them. The KYB is a much firmer and controlled ride. Thursday I’ll have a chance to take it down a decent trail that is more like what I normally do. Friday I will be doing a short pull with the trailer to see how it does with that as well.
Did think it was awesome that I could change the front shocks without having to pull a tire. That was a serious time saver lol
Did think it was awesome that I could change the front shocks without having to pull a tire. That was a serious time saver lol
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 285
Likes: 12
From: Fort Gordon
No serious trails but it will get flexed and the suspension will have to utilize its travel, however I feel like this is becoming an argument somehow. So I appreciate the advise that all have given
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
no argument from me.
the reason i stipulated gravel/dirt road is i recommend the KYB monomax was based off your description of the type of off roading you stated in your first post.
had you stated something other then that I may have recommended a different shock or even a entirely different spring package.
the mono max and your current suspension should do just fine until you start wanting to go fast over rougher terrain.
the reason i stipulated gravel/dirt road is i recommend the KYB monomax was based off your description of the type of off roading you stated in your first post.
had you stated something other then that I may have recommended a different shock or even a entirely different spring package.
the mono max and your current suspension should do just fine until you start wanting to go fast over rougher terrain.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 285
Likes: 12
From: Fort Gordon
I think we have different pictures in our head for forest service roads lol. I probably should have attached pictures not that they really ever do a Terrian justice. They can work a suspension pretty well. I’ll see how it does Thursday on the trail and Friday towing evaluate from there.
Most of it will be slow progress at any rate as I am loaning the Excursion to my parents to tow the travel trailer to Orlando for their vacation next week.
I’ll be off before they get back to Maine in the LR3 to enjoy Winter Romp. As soon as I get back from that I’m traveling for duty for 10 days so March will be when I will have time to turn wrenches a bit.
Most of it will be slow progress at any rate as I am loaning the Excursion to my parents to tow the travel trailer to Orlando for their vacation next week.
I’ll be off before they get back to Maine in the LR3 to enjoy Winter Romp. As soon as I get back from that I’m traveling for duty for 10 days so March will be when I will have time to turn wrenches a bit.