What did you do to the X today?
Installed Toyo Open Country AT2 tires on the rear. I already have the same on the front but they are almost ready to be replaced. THE WORST HUNKS OF CRAP TIRES. Why? Let see. After the rears were replaced my Excursion wonders like crazy. To the point of dangerous to drive. Towing is all out bad. I hook a 32 foot camper with two slide outs and its basically white knuckle driving. With wind is flat out un-driveable. My friends in the truck could hardly talk due to the dangerous nature of a vehicle wondering all over the lane. When a normal SUV passes in the fast lane my camper and truck move 3-5 feet towards then away from the passing SUV. In short I cant say enough bad about these tires. What tires did I have before? Michelin LTX streets. In fact I have a decision to make. Either install some michelin LTX's on my original rims (16 inch that I store out back) and swap to those if I have to tow or just eat the cost of these crazy, crappy, expensive, toyos and install LTX's on my current 18inch EOM rims.
AND to add a bit more...if you haven't upgraded your suspension from stock...on a vehicle this old...yikes.
Did some work, wont bore you with the pickup and hutch mod details. My truck, a 2001, had the small hitch hardware, replaced with the big stuff. As you can see from the pics, this truck spent its whole life in Michigan. It is crusty, no surprise. I need to replace the tank tub but dont have time to wait. I need the truck next week so the crappy tub goes back in. I'll be going to Florida (Gainesville area) on Memorial day weekend to pick up a car so I may seek out an option between here and there. Holiday weekend is the issue. I'll be going south from the Ann Arbor area, so if you know of a place, let me know. Just need the steel tub but will take the tank if I have to. Ok, time for hockey and a drink.
The rear is soooooo smooth now. Big expansion joints on a bridge near home used to buck the EX something fierce. Feels like a sedan now. For sure a combination of the stock rear spring a block combo and the stuck bushing/bolt combo.
Edited to add, rear measures 27-1/4 on both sides from center to lip of wheel well. Was 28-1/2 with the old block setup. Anyone want a 5” lift!?!?
This is not a huge deal, just thought I would try to get something while in the southern states to get a good part. If I have to get one shipped or have a buddy cut mine up and Frankenstien something back together, so be it. Come to think of it, thats not a bad idea.....hmmmmm, the extra features are for manufacturing and assembly so I just need the straps and protection.....hmmmm.....
So basically, cut everything away from the straps, after making a jig of course, and reproduce using patched together steel plates. I'll have to check clearances in vehicle but this could work......my welder will love this...lol
Well, after calling 4 places and them giving me the next guys number, Im waiting to hear back from a guy in the Knoxville area. My issues are time I have on this trip and the fact that its Memorial Day weekend. Im hoping they'll be there on Saturday so I can get it before we have a car in the trailer, just want to stay on the highway at that point.
This is not a huge deal, just thought I would try to get something while in the southern states to get a good part. If I have to get one shipped or have a buddy cut mine up and Frankenstien something back together, so be it. Come to think of it, thats not a bad idea.....hmmmmm, the extra features are for manufacturing and assembly so I just need the straps and protection.....hmmmm.....
So basically, cut everything away from the straps, after making a jig of course, and reproduce using patched together steel plates. I'll have to check clearances in vehicle but this could work......my welder will love this...lol
This is not a huge deal, just thought I would try to get something while in the southern states to get a good part. If I have to get one shipped or have a buddy cut mine up and Frankenstien something back together, so be it. Come to think of it, thats not a bad idea.....hmmmmm, the extra features are for manufacturing and assembly so I just need the straps and protection.....hmmmm.....
So basically, cut everything away from the straps, after making a jig of course, and reproduce using patched together steel plates. I'll have to check clearances in vehicle but this could work......my welder will love this...lol
https://www.hollanderparts.com/