Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and you guys are great. I wish I'd searched this place before I bought my 2000 V10 4x4 Limited. I pull 11,000 lbs. of cargo trailer regularly (low ratio limited slip). I had the tranny rebuilt at 75,000 miles, fabbed an auxiliary tranny cooler with fan and sender/guage and I have 95,000 now on the truck. Like so many others, I have "wandering" problems and I've got a pretty good list of improvements pulled from this forum. But, I still have a question ...
For those of you who have replaced the stock springs with higher rated V-code SD springs, are you replacing just the fronts, or the rears or both? Are there some issues I should be aware of? I'm willing to dump some $$$ into this beast because, except for the steering, it's a darned good truck and I've kept it nice. And buying a new truck costs sooooo much. Any guidance would be appreciated ...

Steve

 

Let me have the honor of being the first to say ( I won't be the last!)

"Land Yot Radius Rods"

Just ordered a set for my 2005 EB 4X4 PSD...

Do a quick search here...

...and welcome.

quietman
www.roenation.com

 

The wandering comes more from the rear than the front as you will find from the link in the post above this one.

As for springs. If you want a little front lift - I would add a 2 inch mini pack from Donohoe Racing, Bilstein shocks front and rear and be done with it. If you prefer Rancho shocks go that route, but they are softer with less gas pressure. This combined with the radius rods will cure your wandering and be easier on your back than V code springs.

I've been through three lifts, different springs, etc.. The Excursion is never going to drive or ride like a GMC. It's a plain old solid axle truck.

 

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. The truck is at the Ford dealer today. There will be story from this and I'll be happy to share it. Stay tuned ...

 

Hello people as you can see it is my first post here. i have read up to page 40 or so of past posts trying to find out all I can about the Excursion. I bought a 2000 V10 this past weekend it has 88000 miles 4x4 I paid 12100.00 for it which I think was a pretty good deal. Body has a couple minor scratches interior is perfect. I figure I saved about 5 grand on the Ex by buying it out of state so i am going to put some of my savings back into it. I am going to do the super duty grill swap and I want to put a lift as well. I have learned some by reviewing past post but an up to date answer is always the best. How hard are 36inch tires on the Excursion will the ride quality go way down? Also I know this is a questoin that may have alot of answers but i will ask who has the best lift for the Excursion and what about it stands out. I figure from what I read in the past post I may have to go with a 6inch lift is this correct? My last SUV was a Land rove Discovery and I loved that one but now after I drive this vehicle it stands head and shoulders above my Discovery. I look forward to any help you can give me and I thank you for it ahead of time. Spartan you say you went through 3 lifts can you tell me your favorite of the three and why? Thanks again

 

...Welcome VodkaMan, to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.

We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!

Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.

 

Short story - first lift 5.5 inch all spring Fabtech, second 6" all spring Skyjacker - both worked great off road, but the road ride was too harsh for me and I got tired of the attention big lifts and tires attract.

The current lift is DR Edge 4.5 inch hanger lift. It rides smoother and the rear lift I used is only three inches making the truck much easier to get in and out of - especially for kids and shorter people. If I had it to do over again I would stick an Edge 2" mini pack in the front, change shocks. add 295 tires, rear radius rods, rear sway bar and be done with it.

Be advised that lifts on Excursions are notorious for causing driveline vibration problems. I had to lengthen and balance my original drive shaft for the two spring lifts to get rid of high speed vibration and I now run a very expensive double carden custom rear drive shaft - and had to replace a FACTORY differential flange with bad runout ( balance) to get everything working properly again.

Over the courese of time I also put in three sets of steel shims in the rear to correct differential / driveshaft angles with less than positive results. Alot of of sweat, dollars and busted knuckles.

Think before you lift and unless you have plenty of cash plan on doing it yourself if you want it done right. The 4WD shops just sling the lifts on and leave you to figure out the rest. And rest assured " yours will be the frist one they have ever had any problems with ". That's the standard line they use with every truck.

 

Spartan - I seem to be heading for the same solution you recommend if you were to do it over. Could you tell me exactly what tires you are running? And, have you looked into the Timbrens? Do they conflict with any of the other of your recommendations?

 

So if I'm reading this right, for a mild lift and in order to maintain the ride and driveline longevity you guys would recomend using the shackle lift as opposed to the springs.
I just want a tad more height, but want to maintain my load rating.

 

I just installed a DR 3" spring bracket lift in the front of my Ex. In the rear I installed DR/Deaver 5" rear springs. I installed them without the factory block which is about 2.25" and ended up with about a 4" rear lift. I can't say enough about the Deaver springs. They cured the highway wander, but kept my ride as close to stock as possible. I also have bilstein 5100 shocks and BFG all-terrains. I just towed a 4500 lb car on my 16' car hauler 400 miles and was worry free about wandering. I could actually drive one handed on the interstate, something I would never have done, even unloaded when stock. My Ex is a 2001 V10 limited and has the dual cardon (double u joint) rear drive shaft. I have no vibrations at any speed.

 

Rcmoneypit may I ask what size tire are you running? I know this might come back to bite me in the a$$ but I think I am going to try and lift mine what is a good source to buy the kit from (price and customer service). I am really shooting for 36s or 35s will they fit with this lift? Again thanks for the past responses to my question.

 

Rcmoneypit thanks for the detailed post I think your set-up will the direction I will follow.