Soften Excursion Suspension
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Soften Excursion Suspension
Well the title says it all, I repair Limousine's for a living and from time to time I get customer with Excursions. They all have the same complaint, that the ride it to hard for the customers. I know we could install different shocks, but I don't think that is going to do it. Does anyone have suggestions as to a way to soften these things up some?
Thanks RWI
Thanks RWI
FTE *******
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: McAllen, Texas
We work on quite a few Excursions and I personally have owned a few. We have found that the ride quality issues related to them are not due to overly stiff spring rates but rather lack of suspension travel. If you note the position of the bump stops you will see that the trucks only have a very short amount of suspension travel before bottoming. We suggest spring relocation hangers and upgraded shocks to address this issue. However this will raise the ride height which may not fit well with your requirements. Feel free to drop me a line for more information.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
The spring rates are very soft already, they lack adequate dampening and the travel on the front axle until it hits the bumpstops is less than an inch in some cases (4x4)!
Where do they feel the most harshness, front or rear?
What tire pressures and brand/rating are they using?
How long are they typically and what does the limo maker normally do to the rear suspension? Do they "beef" it up at all?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
I think these guys are on the right track.
My experience is that 90% of the time, when driver complains of harshness in a stock vehicle, it is either suspension bottoming or the shocks.
First thing would be to get more travel. Can the stops be cut down in the Excursion, or is a lift the only solution?
Next, shocks.
For some reason, the American tradition/desire is to have grossly overdamped compression circuits on shocks in trucks. Rancho shocks (especially the 5000 series) are a classic example. Just painfully harsh.
I prefer suspensions that absorb bumps. OME (Old Man Emu) and other Australian companies have bucked this trend. And now with off road racers and rock crawlers discovering the benefits of suspension, nicer shocks are becoming available. Not cheap, but are getting available. A really nice riding shock requires far less compression damping than rebound, so it requires some extra parts and engineering.
I will be trying the Edelbrock IAS shocks next.
My experience is that 90% of the time, when driver complains of harshness in a stock vehicle, it is either suspension bottoming or the shocks.
First thing would be to get more travel. Can the stops be cut down in the Excursion, or is a lift the only solution?
Next, shocks.
For some reason, the American tradition/desire is to have grossly overdamped compression circuits on shocks in trucks. Rancho shocks (especially the 5000 series) are a classic example. Just painfully harsh.
I prefer suspensions that absorb bumps. OME (Old Man Emu) and other Australian companies have bucked this trend. And now with off road racers and rock crawlers discovering the benefits of suspension, nicer shocks are becoming available. Not cheap, but are getting available. A really nice riding shock requires far less compression damping than rebound, so it requires some extra parts and engineering.
I will be trying the Edelbrock IAS shocks next.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Raising the height and putting softer springs can help.
What spring codes do these things come with?
Which helps keep it from rolling over 
What spring codes do these things come with?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Well I worked with Marty@ TruckToyz today and ordered a small lift as suggested, I will post back after install with results. Marty was terrific to deal with, answered all my questions and is getting my order out asap.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
You always have to add something don't you. 
He's got a great reputation on this board and I'm sure you won't have any ride issues after. 
Nice that he has owned Excursions, too!
Well I worked with Marty@ TruckToyz today and ordered a small lift as suggested, I will post back after install with results.
Nice that he has owned Excursions, too!
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