Sway Bar Recommendations
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Sway Bar Recommendations
I am a new owner of my first Excursion, a 2003 Eddie B 7.3 4wd. The truck is great and I'm looking to upgrade the quality of the ride. First order of business is to replace the ball joints and next is to upgrade the front sway bar and to add a rear sway bar.
What suggestions on brands and sizes for the front would y'all recommend? 1.5" in front and 1.25" in back?
Also any suggestion on other things to better the handling and smooth ride?
Thanks!
What suggestions on brands and sizes for the front would y'all recommend? 1.5" in front and 1.25" in back?
Also any suggestion on other things to better the handling and smooth ride?
Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
you not mention what handling issue you are trying to fix or change so hard to recommend what size bar to use but in general We start with the lightest bar possible and work up in size until the desired result is achieved. again generally speaking if we can avoid a rear bar that is best so start with the next size up front bar. as bar size goes up suspension travel goes goes down and so does ride quality.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
i strongly suggest you start with shocks to get the ride quality you desire. good chance once yoy find the shock that suits your desired ride quality you will not need to change bars.
also, get your alignment and tire air pressures dialed in before changing bars.
also, get your alignment and tire air pressures dialed in before changing bars.
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Thanks, that's sound advice. I'm using this truck as a family ride mostly, and some trailer towing. I'd like to try and achieve a forgiving/non-stiff ride as much as possible. Any suggestions on shocks? I was looking into the Belltech OE shocks. Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
Belltech shocks, hmmm thats a first for me. i have used their spindles but didn't know they offered shocks.
looking at them they look to be a typical twin tube shock, Belltech almost certainly buys them from a supplier and puts their own sticker on them. BellTech manufactures spindles.
here is what i know, the twin tube design is cheap to make and rarely used as a performance shock. performance wise Belltech gives it a name “street performer”. i don't know if i am supposed to guess if that performance is good performance or poor performance. buy some and let us know.
ford ( and other Manufactures ) use twin tube shocks on most model vehicles with the exception of their high performance vehicles like the ford raptor which uses mono tube design. you will only find mono tube shocks on sports cars like porsche ect.
my preference is the mono tube design like Bilstein, Fox, KYB and other high performance shock manufacture offer.
that said, for stock ride height and stockish tire size the KYB monomax is a good performer and excellent value.
looking at them they look to be a typical twin tube shock, Belltech almost certainly buys them from a supplier and puts their own sticker on them. BellTech manufactures spindles.
here is what i know, the twin tube design is cheap to make and rarely used as a performance shock. performance wise Belltech gives it a name “street performer”. i don't know if i am supposed to guess if that performance is good performance or poor performance. buy some and let us know.
ford ( and other Manufactures ) use twin tube shocks on most model vehicles with the exception of their high performance vehicles like the ford raptor which uses mono tube design. you will only find mono tube shocks on sports cars like porsche ect.
my preference is the mono tube design like Bilstein, Fox, KYB and other high performance shock manufacture offer.
that said, for stock ride height and stockish tire size the KYB monomax is a good performer and excellent value.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
as soon as you mention family i assume they will be in the second snd third row seating.
the reason ford did not use a rear sway bar when they tuned the ride quality on the excursion is the rear seat passengers will be jarred around when you encounter uneven road surfaces with a rear sway bar. the third row is horrible with a rear bar. like wear a helmet because you are going to slam your head on the window horrible. not to bad for the front row passengers though
the reason ford did not use a rear sway bar when they tuned the ride quality on the excursion is the rear seat passengers will be jarred around when you encounter uneven road surfaces with a rear sway bar. the third row is horrible with a rear bar. like wear a helmet because you are going to slam your head on the window horrible. not to bad for the front row passengers though
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 331
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as soon as you mention family i assume they will be in the second snd third row seating.
the reason ford did not use a rear sway bar when they tuned the ride quality on the excursion is the rear seat passengers will be jarred around when you encounter uneven road surfaces with a rear sway bar. the third row is horrible with a rear bar. like wear a helmet because you are going to slam your head on the window horrible. not to bad for the front row passengers though
the reason ford did not use a rear sway bar when they tuned the ride quality on the excursion is the rear seat passengers will be jarred around when you encounter uneven road surfaces with a rear sway bar. the third row is horrible with a rear bar. like wear a helmet because you are going to slam your head on the window horrible. not to bad for the front row passengers though
Do what is recommended above and then come back....even then you would likely be better served changing all four springs vs. just installing a rear sway.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: CSRA, SC
I put a sway bar on the back of my Ex about a year ago and was pretty happy with the handling as it flattened out predictably in turns. I ended up putting it on the stiffest of 3 settings and was happy. Recently I finally replaced the miled out Bilsteins with KYB Monomax shocks and in that install I noticed I had lost a bolt that connects the end link to the end of the sway bar which meant it wasnt even working! I had to think about it as I hadn't even noticed the sway came back...
Once I finished the shocks I threw a spare bolt I had that fit it back on and I have been meaning to go back and dial it back to the softest setting as the new shocks really made a bigger difference in the handling. I still like the feel of the rear bar being there but I definitely don't need the stiffest setting and I could see a lot of people being satisfied without it if they have the shocks they like especially if they don't have 3rd row passengers as I don't.
Once I finished the shocks I threw a spare bolt I had that fit it back on and I have been meaning to go back and dial it back to the softest setting as the new shocks really made a bigger difference in the handling. I still like the feel of the rear bar being there but I definitely don't need the stiffest setting and I could see a lot of people being satisfied without it if they have the shocks they like especially if they don't have 3rd row passengers as I don't.
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I agree with the Bilstein and KYB. I've had both and both were great, I got a better deal on the KYB so I'd give them the edge for that reason.
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