Initial Upgrade Options
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Initial Upgrade Options
I'm entering week 2 of the Excursion 7.3 experience. My first upgrade was to do the Riff Raff "6637" kit. Now I'm at a crossroads as to what I should do next, Tires, gauges, or exhaust.
It has Bridgestone duelers on it right now. The front tires are new, the back are needing replacement. They're 285's, load range D. I'm considering parting with the $600+ for an entire set of Load range E's.
If I do the tires, I'm out of cash for the exhaust and Gauges until next year.
Another option is to put two affordable tires on the rear and run an unmatched set. This would allow me to get the gauges or exhaust.
Sorry for the stream of consciousness, but I'm really torn as to what I should do. I want to maximize economy over performance for the time being.......if that helps.
Thanks,
Joe
It has Bridgestone duelers on it right now. The front tires are new, the back are needing replacement. They're 285's, load range D. I'm considering parting with the $600+ for an entire set of Load range E's.
If I do the tires, I'm out of cash for the exhaust and Gauges until next year.
Another option is to put two affordable tires on the rear and run an unmatched set. This would allow me to get the gauges or exhaust.
Sorry for the stream of consciousness, but I'm really torn as to what I should do. I want to maximize economy over performance for the time being.......if that helps.
Thanks,
Joe
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Liberty, NC
How you answer the towing question will decide what you should do. If you don't tow, I would get 2 more bridgestones( I hate mismatch tires) and find a cheaper mod if your cash is burning a hole in your pocket.
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I tow a 17 foot speedboat on a regular basis in the summertime. It's not a huge trailer or anything....I used to pull it with my GMC Acadia.
Assuming I don't do any tuning right away, would you guys go with the exhaust or the gauges right away? From what I've been reading the gauges are absolutely necessary when you start into performance tuning....but I'm a ways away from that.
Assuming I don't do any tuning right away, would you guys go with the exhaust or the gauges right away? From what I've been reading the gauges are absolutely necessary when you start into performance tuning....but I'm a ways away from that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Chino, California
I would go with the new tires over the gauges and exhaust. Just remember tires are the only thing touching the ground that controls your 4 ton vehicle. Tires are probably the most under-rated safety feature IMHO. It's not flashy like gauges or a shiny exhaust. After new tires, an alignment is in store.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Everyone has different opinions, but I asked if you tow with your Ex for a reason. IMO, since you're towing with it, I'd go with a set of E rated tires. Others may say you're good to go, but not me.
Gauges are a must, in my opinion, if you're towing, and even moreso if you tow with custom tunes.
If money is tight, and since you're basically stock, you can get by with just a trans temp gauge for now, if you can swing it cash-wise.
Stewart
Gauges are a must, in my opinion, if you're towing, and even moreso if you tow with custom tunes.
If money is tight, and since you're basically stock, you can get by with just a trans temp gauge for now, if you can swing it cash-wise.
Stewart
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and another opinion yet again 
I have never put gauges on either of my 3 excursions because others here have done it and based on their reports I basically knew the results of their 'testing'....
So instead of measuring the problem, I corrected it....
high egt's from tuning ?
didn't do anything to my 02 7.3
put turbo back exhaust on my 03 6L
replaced stock muffler with Walker BTM since others reported 250 degree drop in egt's
so far (106k miles towing and not) worked out fine....
Tires?
definetly go with e's even if NOT towing.... Tried d's at Discount tire suggestion and
made it too squirrley for me...
good luck....
I have never put gauges on either of my 3 excursions because others here have done it and based on their reports I basically knew the results of their 'testing'....
So instead of measuring the problem, I corrected it....
high egt's from tuning ?
didn't do anything to my 02 7.3
put turbo back exhaust on my 03 6L
replaced stock muffler with Walker BTM since others reported 250 degree drop in egt's
so far (106k miles towing and not) worked out fine....
Tires?
definetly go with e's even if NOT towing.... Tried d's at Discount tire suggestion and
made it too squirrley for me...
good luck....
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Sorry for butting in but i have the same question. I have a 05 X PSD 4wd completely stock, just got it on April 10 2010. I have $1k to put into it but have no idea what to do. I do not pull anything yet. any suggestions?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
We love "helping" people spend their money!!
Stewart
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
and another opinion yet again
I have never put gauges on either of my 3 excursions because others here have done it and based on their reports I basically knew the results of their 'testing'....
So instead of measuring the problem, I corrected it....
high egt's from tuning ?
didn't do anything to my 02 7.3
put turbo back exhaust on my 03 6L
replaced stock muffler with Walker BTM since others reported 250 degree drop in egt's
so far (106k miles towing and not) worked out fine....
Tires?
definetly go with e's even if NOT towing.... Tried d's at Discount tire suggestion and
made it too squirrley for me...
good luck....
I have never put gauges on either of my 3 excursions because others here have done it and based on their reports I basically knew the results of their 'testing'....
So instead of measuring the problem, I corrected it....
high egt's from tuning ?
didn't do anything to my 02 7.3
put turbo back exhaust on my 03 6L
replaced stock muffler with Walker BTM since others reported 250 degree drop in egt's
so far (106k miles towing and not) worked out fine....
Tires?
definetly go with e's even if NOT towing.... Tried d's at Discount tire suggestion and
made it too squirrley for me...
good luck....
EGT's I can see going by "feel", especially if you're stock. But stock or not, you can fry your transmission EASILY if the wrong set of circumstances appear, and no amount of gut instinct can let you know there's something wrong until it's too late.
A trans temp gauge can give you plenty of warning to keep that from happening.
250 degree drop from just a muffler change?? Wow!
Stewart
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Thanks for ALL the great advice.
Turns out we had budgeted for new tires on the POS GMC that we sold, so I've got some room to work on that. I found a great price on a set of Michelin LTX tires....so I'm going to do all 4 and sell those two nearly new Bridgestones.
AFter that I'm going to contact Clay at Riffraff and see about an exhaust.
Turns out we had budgeted for new tires on the POS GMC that we sold, so I've got some room to work on that. I found a great price on a set of Michelin LTX tires....so I'm going to do all 4 and sell those two nearly new Bridgestones.
AFter that I'm going to contact Clay at Riffraff and see about an exhaust.
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Joined: May 2010
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I would go with the new tires over the gauges and exhaust. Just remember tires are the only thing touching the ground that controls your 4 ton vehicle. Tires are probably the most under-rated safety feature IMHO. It's not flashy like gauges or a shiny exhaust. After new tires, an alignment is in store.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Tuning and appearance later
Thanks for ALL the great advice.
Turns out we had budgeted for new tires on the POS GMC that we sold, so I've got some room to work on that. I found a great price on a set of Michelin LTX tires....so I'm going to do all 4 and sell those two nearly new Bridgestones.
AFter that I'm going to contact Clay at Riffraff and see about an exhaust.
Turns out we had budgeted for new tires on the POS GMC that we sold, so I've got some room to work on that. I found a great price on a set of Michelin LTX tires....so I'm going to do all 4 and sell those two nearly new Bridgestones.
AFter that I'm going to contact Clay at Riffraff and see about an exhaust.
