i just want to put this in the files so if someone does a search it shows up

i would NOT do the v mod without doing the b or f codes in the rear

i absolutely cannot tow like this at all

air bags will NOT balance out v codes
and i doubt ras will be enough either

the truck is a mess and i cannot use it for towing until i either do a kelderman kit rear or put the b codes on
even with the air bags running 100psi

so if anyone is considering doing that i would not recommend it
i do have v codes with 1 extra leaf out of the ex pack
and yes i have wd

 

Curious, why did you only want to do the fronts?

Stewart

 

it wasn't something we decided on, i just had not gotten the rear springs yet and the shop thought my ex springs did not look bad and that air bags would handle balancing the truck, etc

we were just wrong

so now i have to buy some b codes or go ahead and do a kelderman set up

actually i think a few people on this at one point thought air bags, radius rods and new shocks would handle the rear also, that most of my problem was in the weak front

anyway, it is what it is but it does not work even with the air bags all the way up

 

Thanks for the clarification.

Stewart

 

Hi. Just did the V and Modified B upgrade on my 2005 6.0L Excursion, LOVE IT)) It wasn't cheap, but in my opinion, "if you have the $$ and want results-IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY." I also put dual Bilsteins up front with a dual Pro-Comp/FOX steering damper,Bilsteins in the rear along with a F250 Sway Bar. Went with the Bridgestone Duravis Highway Tread Tires instead of the standard On/Off Road Mix. If interested give Cary at CT Performance a call: 775-835-3569. Good Luck, Jim-FLORIDA

 

did you get custom valved bilsteins?

and how did your truck ride before

and how does it ride now?
what is the difference?

is the 3/4 ton sway bar bigger than the hellwig?

 

The Excursion in STOCK suspension, is a bear to drive. It is a true truck, so we have to give it some leeway when we analyze it. I accepted my Excursion in stock form, till I heard all the reviews of the V and Mod'f B's upgrade. I never saw anything bad written about the upgrade.

The short travel of the front "stock" springs makes speed bumps a living hell at anything over 10-15mph.The truck did like to veer left or right following hard braking, and wander at highway speeds. The rear stock setup was just wrong. My stock steering damper was almost gone, so it had to be replaced along with the stock shocks front and rear.

I did V springs(F250) in the front and modified B's (F250) in the rear, and a rear sway bar off a F250(bigger than stock, I think about the same size as the Helwig).
Dual special valved Bilsteins in the front, and special valved Bilsteins in the rear. I also installed a dual FOX steering damper kit....Now for the results.

Like I said before, "alot of money and time/labor". WORTH EVERY PENNY OF IT, if you can spare the change Still a truck ride, but it handles the bumps like a truck should.....FIRM but not bottoming out like the stock setup did!!!!!!!!!!! Seems to track straight down the road during heavy braking. At highway speeds it seems to stay where you put it, not wandering left and right ALWAYS requiring a steering input. I'm not a test driver, so my report may not cover all the right topics. But I do know , I LIKE THE WAY IT DRIVES. I will be towing a trailer this weekend, I'll try to report back on that.

My friend has a bone stock 2005 Excursion, just like mine use to be. We parked them side by side. At first, it looks to be really taller. But, after multiple measurements and too our surprise, it only sits 1.5" higher after the mod's were done.

Jim
Florida

 

Jim, I disagree with your above statement.

Ford screwed the pooch when they DIDN'T put the truck suspension under the Excursion. Instead of using the same springs as the F250...the V code/B code mod most of us are doing...Ford used different springs they thought would soften the ride (which also lowered the stance) for all the Soccer Moms they thought would be buying the rig.

Once a true truck suspension is bolted on (the very same, OEM suspesnion found on the F250...a true truck! ), that's when the Excursion becomes a real beast, a "true truck" that can handle the highways and byways of America while pulling 10k lb+. trailers without any wander problems whatsoever.

Stewart

 

Stewart, isn't that what I said????????????????? I did bolt on the F250 suspension, front an rear! In stock form it works (Excursion), with the F250 parts it is a different(and much better) truck.

 

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear.

Your statement of us giving leeway when we analyze the OEM suspension because the Excursion is a truck, is what I was talking about.

To me, until we (you, me, and the others who have done the mod) change the suspension, the Excursion isn't a true truck because Ford screwed up and put that gawdawful OEM suspension on it.

Only AFTER we (you, me, and the others) do the mod does the Ex become a true truck, suspension and all.

I was splitting hairs and being precise for the sole reason of once again illuminating why we all do this mod.

I should have been more clear.

Stewart

 

Not a problem Stewart. The mod's make driving the Excursion a very enjoyable experience, I think all Mod do'ers can agree on that Although,I have run across Excursion owners that like it as is-guess they never drove one with the mod's

I was just trying to be fair to FORD and the Owners that like it as is. I find it hard to believe FORD never upgraded the suspension over the years.

Jim
Florida

 

I'm not familiar with many of the parts and pieces you guys are using for your mods.

I have a done some limited towing with my X pulling a 30' TT. It was not a pleasant experience.

I own and operate a Class 1 truck so I'm very familiar with towing and a little embarrased to mention how uncomfortable I am with the suspension set-up on my X.

Is there a thread with same pics and install advice for someone who needs some hints? I'd like to start with a Helwig anti-sway bar. It sounds like a bar off a F-250 suspension would also work. Is this correct?

Thanks for any advice you can send my way.

Dave

 

Welcome roadhammer dave to FTE.

Yes, the helwig bar is basically like the bar from the 250. It will help with some of the rear body roll. I think it is just a different mounting set up tho.
I ordered a helwig from fourwheelperformance.ca in Edmonton. They didn't list it on their site but were able to get me one. I have used them for my shocks, rear sway bar, and true trac diff, with very happy results.
Here is another link to LOTS of reading regarding towing and wonder that the X is capable of displaying.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/78...s-for-you.html

 

Thanks Wallz for the reply.

I`m in Edmonton every week so that solution works well for me. I`ll see if I can find a used F250 bar locally and otherwise I`ll take your advice.

Dave

 

Thats why we are all here. To help each other spend money on mods.