Hello,

I've had my 01 Ex. for over a year now. Put on the bilsteins when I got it & am not happy with the ride, very stiff and bumpy in town and highway. I have been looking at the rancho 9000 xl shock as a replacemant. Is there anything else I can do to smooth out the ride? 95,000 miles, no lift, all stock truck. I tow my camper 2 or 3 times a summer. I really like everything about my Ex. but the smoothness of the ride. All help is appreciated.

Regards,

Mitch

 

Hmmmm...you must have read my mind...

I was about to post a similar posting due to a broken front shock mount and needing new shocks. I pull multiple times a year and see a bit of off road use but I would still like to have a smooth ride WITHOUT spending $400 on shocks.

Suggestions?

 

Call JCW,
have them match the price many are getting for the shocks now ($82 per shock)
and use the $100 rebate from Rancho thru 8-31 ....
so $292 for 4 adjustables ain't bad....


OR you can come get the Rancho 5000's off mine

a couple of threads going on about it now...

here's one :
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...t-excited.html

 

I just ordered 4 9000xl and the front steering stabilizer which i believe is a 5000
I ordered everything from auto anything during the 4th weekend. They had a sale and I think they were in the low 80's each plus free shipping and there is a $100 rebate from ranchero as well. I had them in an F150 recently and they were nice due to the adjustably.
Once I get everything mounted I will let you know but I am sure you will just order them. There are so many happy people with them.

 

Thanks for the help,

I had decided to sale the Ex and buy a yukon xl denali, but after test driving my neighbors I'm just not ready to give up all the space. I have a tall family and it sure is nice on the long trips. So, looks like I will try another set of shocks as soon as I can find a good price.

Regards,

Mitch

 

Well I have a lot of cars, and have had a lot of cars! I an 04 yukon since new up till we had to give it to the ex sister in law in a divorce. it now has 120+k
6.0 liter runs great. we diffently would not have had the vehicle as long if not for the extended warranty! It was in the shop a lot! 3 trans,extra ,extra. everything was covered at least!

I recently sold my main towing vehicle 05 6.0 4x4 limited excursion that was prefect with low low miles. Family didn't like the diesel so be it. I then went out and looked and everything. I was planning on getting another new denial. Until they let me drive one over night and tried some towing!

There is absolutely no comparison even with the new motor there is no comparison!! the towing is so much better! I ended picking up an 2000 v10 for nothing. Tons of torque ,tows like a dream and the v10 is as quite as can be. I will continue to find a low miles 05 4x4 v10 which is my favorite excursion.

I am going to replace all the suspension ,brakes, bearings and tires. and drive it till I find the perfect 05! for the price excursions are going for and how easy they are to work on and get fixed I could not imagine buying any new GM product! I am still truing to work with a guy on a matching number original 67 convertible vette though!

 

I changed out my fornt shocks for Ranchos (5000) and that made a huge difference. Also suggest you might want to check the fornt springs just to see if you still have clearance between the "bumpers' and spings. I had already changed my stock front spings for V codes so that really improved the clearance and got rid of the "bottoming out" and jars from railroad tracks, dips, and speed bumps (not those that are natural - squirrls). I'd like to put 9000's on the back but it will have to wait on the 6.0 Tranny cooler which is next.

 

I thought about just changing the front shocks to the Rancho 9000xl's and leaving the Bilsteins on the back but there is a $100 rebate for 4 and none for 2 so will most likely get all 4. I will take a look at the front spring, don't know if I know what to look for but I's shure I can find some help. Anyone heard of a good sale going on? Thanks for the advice.

Regards,

Mitch

 

I'm surprised you don't like the Bilsteins, which series are they? 5100?

 

I just got finished replacing my original shocks on my 2000 4x4 with 89,000 with 4 Rancho 9000's. Awesome! I still have them set on #5 front and back. Great ride! I've driven over rail road tracks that used to throw the Ex all over the place and it stayed right on track! We are driving up to NH this weekend and may diddle with #'s. I have heard more stories about people returning other shocks than returning Rancho 9000's.

 

The bilsteins are OK on the highway but around town the just beat me up. Going through intersections you really have to slow down. I'm ready for something smooth.

Regards,

Mitch

 

How about the cheapest shocks from the closest auto parts store? That's what I so and they always outlast the vehicle and give a perfect ride. I don't understand why everyone wants to dump money into hype???????

 

Clearly you've never seen a shock taken apart. That's like saying a Yugo is just as good as a BMW.

 

If it's mostly the back (rear) then my guess is you're "suffering" from the very hard, high spring rate springs that are stock on the Excursion rear end (G codes I think). I suggest you might send a PM to CaryT (Over on the Powerstrokers Forum). He's and several others are considerd the Subject Matter Experts on the Excursion suspension.

I think that Ford over "sprung" the rear end and "under sprung" the fornt end on the Ex's looking for the "Socer Mom" ride (loaded w/ kids in the rear). You really notice the rear when there is no load in the vehicle. You might try loading 300 to 500 pounds of "stuff in the back and see how the shocks work then.

When I put my Hellwig on the rear, I checked my shocks and they were good but stiff (and stock). Someone here ought to have expereince with the 9000's and stock rear springs when the EX is empty.....................

Just MHO as always. I'm no mechanic or even a Mechanical Engineer.

 

Clearly they work just fine and have been for 50 years.