How much better is it?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 829
Likes: 22
From: Florida
How much better is it?
Hello friends!
As I stare down my Excursion and wonder about iteration 3.0, what would you change on your truck if you could do a 300,000 refresh, besides drivetrain (that's already in the planning stages). I was particularly interested in changing the front suspension over to the newer coil spring setup. Is it better? In what ways? I am interested in a smoother ride and such, and I'm sure my decades-old front b code-modified leafs are weary...what would you do? Thanks for the help!
As I stare down my Excursion and wonder about iteration 3.0, what would you change on your truck if you could do a 300,000 refresh, besides drivetrain (that's already in the planning stages). I was particularly interested in changing the front suspension over to the newer coil spring setup. Is it better? In what ways? I am interested in a smoother ride and such, and I'm sure my decades-old front b code-modified leafs are weary...what would you do? Thanks for the help!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,057
Likes: 1,413
From: Oologah, OK
for me, two things.
a softer ride, and a PSC power steering setup.
the steering on mine is much stiffer than it should be.
I am comparing this to our other vehicles.
'07 Pontiac Vibe
'01 K1500 Suburban
'10 Ford Raptor
all of those can be maintained in the center of the road with one finger,
and they return to Center easily.
I have had mine aligned 3 times, and the last time I had the entire front end replaced with the XRF kit.
it made a huge difference for me, the last guy used Moog crap, when I complained, he said they are 'the best'... not by a long shot.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eo-review.html
a softer ride, and a PSC power steering setup.
the steering on mine is much stiffer than it should be.
I am comparing this to our other vehicles.
'07 Pontiac Vibe
'01 K1500 Suburban
'10 Ford Raptor
all of those can be maintained in the center of the road with one finger,
and they return to Center easily.
I have had mine aligned 3 times, and the last time I had the entire front end replaced with the XRF kit.
it made a huge difference for me, the last guy used Moog crap, when I complained, he said they are 'the best'... not by a long shot.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eo-review.html
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 829
Likes: 22
From: Florida
That sounds great...I'm defeinitely wanting it to turn in/out with ease, my bride hates cranking the wheel on parking lots and such. Looks like you are elbows deep in finding the right solutions. Is there a difference in the 2005 Ex power system for steering or are they the same as the 7.3L?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,057
Likes: 1,413
From: Oologah, OK
That sounds great...I'm defeinitely wanting it to turn in/out with ease, my bride hates cranking the wheel on parking lots and such. Looks like you are elbows deep in finding the right solutions. Is there a difference in the 2005 Ex power system for steering or are they the same as the 7.3L?
I have no clue, but my 4x4 does like to turn the wheels on dry pavement.
BUT, I learned 60 years ago, to never try to turn the front wheels,
UNTIL AFTER the vehicle starts to move....
that is something that is hard to teach the newer generations.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 829
Likes: 22
From: Florida
hope that was not directed at me.,
I have no clue, but my 4x4 does like to turn the wheels on dry pavement.
BUT, I learned 60 years ago, to never try to turn the front wheels,
UNTIL AFTER the vehicle starts to move....
that is something that is hard to teach the newer generations.
I have no clue, but my 4x4 does like to turn the wheels on dry pavement.
BUT, I learned 60 years ago, to never try to turn the front wheels,
UNTIL AFTER the vehicle starts to move....
that is something that is hard to teach the newer generations.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 927
Hello friends!
As I stare down my Excursion and wonder about iteration 3.0, what would you change on your truck if you could do a 300,000 refresh, besides drivetrain (that's already in the planning stages). I was particularly interested in changing the front suspension over to the newer coil spring setup. Is it better? In what ways? I am interested in a smoother ride and such, and I'm sure my decades-old front b code-modified leafs are weary...what would you do? Thanks for the help!
As I stare down my Excursion and wonder about iteration 3.0, what would you change on your truck if you could do a 300,000 refresh, besides drivetrain (that's already in the planning stages). I was particularly interested in changing the front suspension over to the newer coil spring setup. Is it better? In what ways? I am interested in a smoother ride and such, and I'm sure my decades-old front b code-modified leafs are weary...what would you do? Thanks for the help!
Turning radius is only an issue on the leaf springs with either really large tires (like 37inch plus) or incorrect offset wheels. With 35's and the correct wheels I can go full lock -to lock on the steering without rubbing the springs (of course the larger the OD of the tire, the closer they would get to springs at full lock and there is a point at which they would rub and limit turning radius, so if you're looking to stuff 40's it'd probably be an issue).
...
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
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From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by Peace2Peep
That sounds great...I'm defeinitely wanting it to turn in/out with ease, my bride hates cranking the wheel on parking lots and such. Looks like you are elbows deep in finding the right solutions. Is there a difference in the 2005 Ex power system for steering or are they the same as the 7.3L?
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From: SE Georgia
Multiple Excursions and Superduty owner here. and I routinely get to drive newer Superdutys at work
so overall, it's more "what do you want?" for the price of a whole set of new leafs (front/rear), you can buy an entire 2005+ donor truck
-ride isn't that different between leafs and coils. coil is "better". but air pressure alone can change that ride quality.
-turning radius with coils is "better"...but we aren't talking groundbreakingly better. It's just tighter. and you won't scrub 35's on the leaf lol
-steering effort will be nearly identical unless you buy upgraded components.
effort wise, converting to coil springs is barely more effort than replacing the front leaf springs. the hardest part of the endeavor is getting the 20+ year old rivets off the donor truck (hint: buy new 4x4 buckets)-turning radius with coils is "better"...but we aren't talking groundbreakingly better. It's just tighter. and you won't scrub 35's on the leaf lol
-steering effort will be nearly identical unless you buy upgraded components.
so overall, it's more "what do you want?" for the price of a whole set of new leafs (front/rear), you can buy an entire 2005+ donor truck
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