First tow with the Excursion
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Kenna,wv
First tow with the Excursion
03 4X4 Ex V10 4.30's, 305 70's, V code front F350 block rear.
Towed my Mustang on an open trailer (+/- 5000 lbs) to the dragstrip 70 miles away. This included interstate and back roads. As far as power, I must say as far as getting up to speed, My 03 F150 with the 5.4 pulled the same combo up to 70 mph as fast. That shocked me. The benefit of the V10 was how it held interstate speeds once it got there. It downshifted on the hills (as it should), but i must remember the Ex is quite a bit heavier to begin with from an f150. I noticed the rear sway with not having a swaybar and stock springs, but it wasn't too bad. If I towed more, i would upgrade. My driveline vibes changed. They were quieter in the cab but much rougher in the gas pedal. This is the make or break issue with me on whether or not I keep it. I have done a lot of work to eliminate it and nothing has helped. The saga continues.
Towed my Mustang on an open trailer (+/- 5000 lbs) to the dragstrip 70 miles away. This included interstate and back roads. As far as power, I must say as far as getting up to speed, My 03 F150 with the 5.4 pulled the same combo up to 70 mph as fast. That shocked me. The benefit of the V10 was how it held interstate speeds once it got there. It downshifted on the hills (as it should), but i must remember the Ex is quite a bit heavier to begin with from an f150. I noticed the rear sway with not having a swaybar and stock springs, but it wasn't too bad. If I towed more, i would upgrade. My driveline vibes changed. They were quieter in the cab but much rougher in the gas pedal. This is the make or break issue with me on whether or not I keep it. I have done a lot of work to eliminate it and nothing has helped. The saga continues.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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drive-lines are VERY "fussy" about angles. ANY change to riding height MAY induce drive line vibrations and "harmonics" where there were none before. Some of my buddies think "raising" a vehicle makes them "look cool". Some have had grotesque drive-line issues, some have had a little, and some have had NONE. None of us have ANY idea why the experiences vary so much !
My '05 V-10 is completely vibration-free. I use rear air-bags to keep the riding height at "stock design" levels regardless of load (our EX was purchased to tow our boat and car "box" trailers, both of which involve around 11,000 lbs., or around 1,500 lbs. "tounge load" at the ball).
Of course there are things I would change if I was on the design team for the 2010 Excursion, but....well...not being a design engineer, think I will leave well enough alone.
My '05 V-10 is completely vibration-free. I use rear air-bags to keep the riding height at "stock design" levels regardless of load (our EX was purchased to tow our boat and car "box" trailers, both of which involve around 11,000 lbs., or around 1,500 lbs. "tounge load" at the ball).
Of course there are things I would change if I was on the design team for the 2010 Excursion, but....well...not being a design engineer, think I will leave well enough alone.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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It is my understanding that the "double carridans" provide a wider latitude of operating angle without generating vibrations. You see them on some heavy rear-wheel drive luxury cars from the 60's - 80's for just that reason.
So it would seem to me, that if someone has drive-line vibrations induced by changing the angle of the drive-shaft, changing over to double carridans would solve the problem. Most every medium sized city has a drive-shaft shop that should be able to fabricate a drive-shaft using CV U-joints at a moderate price.
Incidentally, mine is a LIMITED, and, from the info. I obtained from this site, appears to be one of the very last ones manufactured before all EX production ceased in Nov. 05.
As a side-note, some parts are marked "made in mexico" ! How's that for a guy who THOUGHT he was supporting AMERICAN workers by buying what he THOUGHT is an AMERICAN car....!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
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From: SEVA
FWIW, my '01 Limited had the double carridan joint at the forward end of the rear driveshaft.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Kenna,wv
cficare- is your EX a V10 4X4?
From what I have gathered, the only ones so far with a double cardan joint are EB or Limited versions. Not all per se. That tells me that Ford knew there was an issue as the springs, wheelbase, etc are all the same.
From what I have gathered, the only ones so far with a double cardan joint are EB or Limited versions. Not all per se. That tells me that Ford knew there was an issue as the springs, wheelbase, etc are all the same.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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[SIZE=3]a "rear" drive shaft ? I did not know there was that much difference between the earlier EX production and mine. As I noted, mine has a conventional drive-shaft (one piece) with conventional U joints. Interesting.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: SEVA
My '01 WAS a V10 4WD ... sold it 3 years. After my wife brings it home, I'll have to look under my '05 E.B. to see what it has.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Kenna,wv
I have an appointment Friday at a local 4X4 shop to check / shim pinion angle. After that, it will be a custom driveshaft, although I do not feel I should have to with a basically stock X. I am tired of throwing money at this thing. If I didnt love the vehicle, it would have already been traded as I do majority highway driving and it sounds like a bunch of bumblebees inside.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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now I am curious. Again, my '05 V-10 Ltd. ( 4wd) has a standard one piece drive-shaft, with standard "spicer type" U joints. Looks like pretty rugged stuff.
Obviously, the diesels with their VASTLY greater power, have much stronger transmissions than we poor V-10 folks get. But what about the rest of the drive line ?
Was there a production change at some point earlier in the EX "run", whereby two - piece drive shafts with double carridan (constant velocity) U joints were used? And if so, which models ? Gas or diesel ? Or both ?
Obviously, the diesels with their VASTLY greater power, have much stronger transmissions than we poor V-10 folks get. But what about the rest of the drive line ?
Was there a production change at some point earlier in the EX "run", whereby two - piece drive shafts with double carridan (constant velocity) U joints were used? And if so, which models ? Gas or diesel ? Or both ?