Most Important X Mods
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New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
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Most Important X Mods
I've been reading the posts here for several weeks now and I would like to get a comprehensive list of the mods that are 1) Absolute must haves 2) Would do in the near future mods and 3) These mods can wait until down the road a little
I have an '00 X LTD 4X4 V10 bone stock from what I can see and I plan on using it to tow a 6000# travel trailer. I've test-towed the trailer once and the power of the X is awesome, but I did notice that there was more sway than even my '96 Dakota presented when towing the same trailer. There was about a 1" difference in height between the front and rear of the trailer when towing with the X (1" lower in front of the trailer). The Dakota was hooked up by a seasoned professional where I picked my new trailer up (I'm new to towing ANYTHING, let alone a 6000#er)...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
-Jim S.
I have an '00 X LTD 4X4 V10 bone stock from what I can see and I plan on using it to tow a 6000# travel trailer. I've test-towed the trailer once and the power of the X is awesome, but I did notice that there was more sway than even my '96 Dakota presented when towing the same trailer. There was about a 1" difference in height between the front and rear of the trailer when towing with the X (1" lower in front of the trailer). The Dakota was hooked up by a seasoned professional where I picked my new trailer up (I'm new to towing ANYTHING, let alone a 6000#er)...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
-Jim S.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 451
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From: sw mich
I'd check over your hitch set up first. I towed my 6500# trailer with my bone stock EX plenty of times. It was easy to forget it was back there after you'd gotten down the road a little while.
There is an excellent sticky in the Towing forum at rv.net that explains a Weight Distribution Hitch setup very well. If setup properly, the trailer should be level, and the truck should settle evenly front to back when you snap up your spring bars. Also look at the different types of sway controls. The dual cam and the HP Dual cam setups are definitely the best..
There is an excellent sticky in the Towing forum at rv.net that explains a Weight Distribution Hitch setup very well. If setup properly, the trailer should be level, and the truck should settle evenly front to back when you snap up your spring bars. Also look at the different types of sway controls. The dual cam and the HP Dual cam setups are definitely the best..
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 751
Likes: 11
From: May Township, MN
There have been no aftermarket parts put on my wifes X and the current mileage is 174K. To my knowleadge the springs and shocks are original. It towed around 20k lbs once on a 50 mile trip. My wife and I were in it when my friend dropped the 6+ ton of crushed rock into the dump trailer. It felt like the back bottomed out. This Spring I used it for my roofing business to haul the 15k dump trailer and it did ok, on three jobs. For some reason it gets better fuel mileage all around than the F250. With the air bags in the F250 it pulls the trailer much better.
If I were to use the X for towing air bags would be added with driver adjustable controls, top quality shocks, Hellwig(sp?) sway bar, and the better rated Ford rear leafs. For about a grand it could tow as good if not better than the F250. To compare it to the F350 in terms of towing is like night and day.
Never had any issues with the Ford factory hitches on any of the trucks but have heard of them breaking.
If I were to use the X for towing air bags would be added with driver adjustable controls, top quality shocks, Hellwig(sp?) sway bar, and the better rated Ford rear leafs. For about a grand it could tow as good if not better than the F250. To compare it to the F350 in terms of towing is like night and day.
Never had any issues with the Ford factory hitches on any of the trucks but have heard of them breaking.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Must do's. (for good towing performance)
1. WD hitch
2. Good brake controller
3. Rear anti-sway bar
Near future:
Starred item could be considered as "waiting until down the road a bit" but is up to you and your towing performance desires...if that makes any sense
1. Shocks with better dampening rates than stock.
2. Radius rods*
3. Airbags*
4. Stronger spring pack*
5. Tow mirrors (if you don't have them)
6. Better brake pads (at least)
7. Better rotors (debatable)*
8. Supercharger...yum!
9. Aftermarket transmission valve body for improved shifting or even shift valves (to save $$)*
1. WD hitch
2. Good brake controller
3. Rear anti-sway bar
Near future:
Starred item could be considered as "waiting until down the road a bit" but is up to you and your towing performance desires...if that makes any sense
1. Shocks with better dampening rates than stock.
2. Radius rods*
3. Airbags*
4. Stronger spring pack*
5. Tow mirrors (if you don't have them)
6. Better brake pads (at least)
7. Better rotors (debatable)*
8. Supercharger...yum!
9. Aftermarket transmission valve body for improved shifting or even shift valves (to save $$)*
Last edited by Monsta; May 23, 2007 at 06:38 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 751
Likes: 11
From: May Township, MN
Originally Posted by western star
an do it right now must have IMHO is the PRODIGY brake controller --- I took everyone here's advice and installed one --- worth every penny 
It works but doesn't have the power like the other two. Perhaps there's something wrong with it?
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: Elk Point; Alberta
try increasing your sensitivity --- i found with mine when i first set it 5.3 seemed to be the magic number but after using it for a few days it worked better set at 5.8 --- since then its been awesome
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Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
The number 1 mod is a Hellwig rear sway bar! then check and adjust slack out of the gear box. add air bags to the rear of the X. OH yeah, also make sure the ball joints aren`t excessively worn!
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Outside Boise, Idaho
With a 4x4 the most important mod is the rear struts for the tail gate. The 4x2 struts are longer so you don't whack your head. I did it out of order and am now a believer.
C-Betrs for your mirrors are also a must have. I rely on them more often than not.
C-Betrs for your mirrors are also a must have. I rely on them more often than not.
