Hello all,
I’ve been reading various posts and the tech folder for weeks. Thank you to all that contribute their knowledge.
I purchased a 2002 7.3 2wd with 87k miles for my family hauler and new hobby. I’m not only new to the EX, I’m also new to diesel so I’ve got lots to learn and looking forward to it.
My first of many questions to come…
I believe I read somewhere that a 35” tire on an 18” rim provides optimal ride quality. If that a fact or opinion or just depends on a number of other variables?
My EX drives much better than I anticipated and I don’t have any problems with it myself. I’m attempting to improve where I can for the wife and kids (3 girls). I plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time and constantly improving various things.
As a personal aesthetic preference I would like to increase the wheel size to 18” or 20” to fit the large vehicle better. I was also hoping to raise a couple of inches.

Sorry for the long post, I’m excited. I know everyone loves pics. Top is when I bought last month, bottom is current after I had some rust repair done and the plastic trim bedlinered.

 

Welcome, I cant help you with the diesel but enjoy my 2WD so much my Tundra sits for weeks while I DD "Bertha". Just my two cents but I prefer a stock look and yours looks good.

 

Thank you cocky

 

Welcome to the EX forum!
I don't think your lift options for a RWD are as wide open as they are for the 4X4s and I'm pretty sure that 35"s won't fit on a stock RWD wagon. But I do agree on think that 35" rubber just looks "right" on these big wagons, mine is on 35"s and 18" wheels.

 

Thank you for the welcome and reply! I found this leveling kit online but not much other info or reviews on it. It’s a 2.5”/1.5” kit. I’m not sure that would allow room for 35” but should allow to get closer. I may order the kit to check the quality out of the box.

https://thesuspensionspecialists.com...spacers-blocks

 

For 2wd, 285s will fit stock. Lift options are a 2 inch spacer to level it but a nightmare awaits you to align it without grinding the knuckle or a 6 inch lift also exists. *Cue the lifting a 2wd haters*

​​​I'm also in the camp of liking a good looking stock rig and I echo above that your X looks sharp. 87k mi is one hell of a find. If you're after filling the wheel wells more here's an option without touching the suspension...

 

Before changing ride height on the RWD Ex become familiar with the front suspension geometry and how changing the angle of the beam and radius arms affects your steering geometry and handling characteristics.

in the automotive world the Ford Twin Beam suspension is one of if not most difficult to modify and get right. 99% fail and there is no “kit” currently available that gets it correct.

 

I looked into lifting my 2000 7.3L 2wd a little bit too, but it seems more trouble than its worth to me. I was really looking to get it to a ride height comparable to current model F-250s so nothing crazy. Definitely check out the 7.3 PSD forum, I have learned a lot in the short time of being here. Did you paint the gold to black on the bottom trim? I have the Estate Green with gold trim on my Ex as well. My bumper is a little beat up and my headlights are really faded so I have been thinking of changing it to a black bumper, grille, dark headlights and maybe painting the gold trim to black.

If you don't mind my asking, what did you give for that thing? I imagine you had to fight off dozens of people to get your hands on a 7.3 Ex with 87k on it. I bought mine for $5,000 in November of last year for the same reason, family/dog road tripper. 367K on it now. You should have no problem driving that to each of your daughter's college graduations.

 

Thank you all for the input. I’ve decided to keep the stock height. No need overly complicating things. I guess this leads to topic/question #2.

With the original plan of slightly lifting, I had come across and planned to install the amp power steps. I like the idea of the raised steps when the doors are closed. But will these steps be too low with stock height? Has anyone seen or used them on a stock 2wd?

Persistence and good fortune led me to this one. I’ve been looking for a solid 18 months. When a promising lead was found, the vehicle was always out of state and someone showed up with cash before I was able to take a look. Same thing happened in June, sold on day 1 to local cash buyer. But this seller had a 2nd one that he had not posted yet. After speaking with him and reviewing pictures, I was confident in the deal. It did have some rust on the roof and hood that was fixed after I purchased. I paid 21k with the rust and had to fly over to get it. But I’m happy with the decision.

 

I may have figured out how to respond appropriately…
besides the last post I forgot to mention the trim color. Yes mine was the gold color but it had fading so I had my buddy that repaired the rust also spray that with bedliner. It’s actually a dark green but depending on lighting goes from looking black to close to the body color.
I also have some dents in the front bumper and may switch to a black or paint this one. I haven’t decided yet on wheel color but do like to match my grill with the wheels.

 

I determined the wheels I wanted in October and they finally came in late January. I ended up with Black Rhino 18”x9.5” -18 offset.

 

I just installed some factory 04 18" King Ranch wheels on the wife's Excursion. The 2wd actually has more room for bigger tires. I wrapped the wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Adventure with Kevlar 275/70/18 all terrains and could probably go bigger. This scenario picked the truck up about an inch. I plan on installing the same wheels...but in the Lariat edition...with 35's on my F350 4wd soon and plan on test fitting them on the Excursion just to see if they will clear. I had 285/75/16 tires on stock wheels on both trucks for years. We've been really happy with this setup for her buggy and I like the way these fill up the fender wells.

 

@bwguardian They look great! Do you have any rubbing? I had the tire shop try that first but was told they slightly rubbed so went down to the 65.

 

Thanks, as stated in my post above, there is no rubbing and actually have room I could go a little bigger. It's probably due to the wheel offset though...