FordExcursions.com Forums
Godfather
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• Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 4/13/2003 |
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• 53 posts |
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 Posted:4/16/2004 12:29 |
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Hello X owners:
There's lotsa posts about the Firestone Steeltex recall BUT, nobody is posting the info I'm
REALLY looking for:
!. The Pirellis appear to be a soft/"performance" tire. How long will these last?? Did any of "youse guyz" run through a set of the Scorpions?
If so, how many miles did they go and were they reliable/trouble free?
2. Same question for the BFGs......
I refuse to put Jap Bridgestone/Firestone tires on my AMERICAN Excursion!!! I really don't want to use the BFGs, since that's now a French company so, I'm leaning towards the Pirellis. I'll bet that I find out Pirelli is now owned by the french too- LOL!!!!
BTW- What the f**k is wrong with GOODYEAR??????? Here's a great AMERICAN company who's product I would gladly put on my 2002 Ult P'stroke and they're not even mentioned. What's their deal?? Any Goodyear guys out there???
I wish Goodyear would make their G391 TRUCK tire in a size to fit the Excursion. I bet they would last forever!!
SCANDALOUS ADMISSION: My 2002 Ex P'stroke Ultimate turned TWO years old on March 25th. It has 99,866 miles on it!!! It still has the original Steeltex A/Ts which were only rotated once and the original brakes and rotors!!
The Firestone have never had a flat, and only one of the four is heavily scalloped and almost bald (semi-Kojak) !! The other three are still servicable and could easily go another 20 to 30 kmiles. As much as I hate to admit it, the A/T s are pretty damned good BUT, my luck is finally looking up- FREE TIRES!!!
The brakes do pulse now so it's probably pad/rotor time (no kiddin'). What do you guys recommend?? Should I do Bendix, Power Slot or the ATP brakes ??????
Good luck with your new tires and Excursions.
Ciao, Godfather gregrac@li-ny.net
Spark Plugs!! Spark plugs!! We don't need no steeenkin' sprkplugs!!!
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bryant loke
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• bakersfield, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/4/2004 |
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• 62 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:4/17/2004 14:04 |
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Sir Greg, how do you do? I hope well. I think you scared of a couple of guys with your harsh words. So if you dont get many replies, consider that the reason. Otherwise this forum will be good to you! 
Ok, you have to do the research pretty much yourself. Ford and firestone will not give you the time of day because they are both loosing money on this deal, and its just another hassle to deal with.
My question to you is this greg, do you use your excursion for off roading? I know its a huge truck, and it shouldnt be used for off roading, but I DO!!! lmao. If you dont use it for serious off roading, find a firstone dealer that will trade you for a another brand, something that they carry, and something that you wil like. i went with the nitto terra grapplers. They are a good road tire, they will give u supreme traction in all conditions, with the exception of snow...  , Im still sick about that. *grumbles to self* Try that, you are going to have to be your own gofer for this one.
have fun greg, and good luck on your tire excursion..lmao...no pun intended!!! ...ok, I will leave now...
*roflmao* bry |
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Godfather
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• Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 4/13/2003 |
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• 53 posts |
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 Posted:4/19/2004 00:21 |
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BRIAN- We're all BIG BOYS here, so to be honest, I don't think any of the faithful Excursion guys are scared . The problem is that few people had the Pirellis.
What I can't believe is how many people, even enthusiasts, keep a record of their MPG , oil changes, replacement parts or repair work. I stiil have mileage records from cars I sold and ALWAYS do teh MPG on everything I drive whether the Exc 99,860 miles , my 81 VW Rabbit diesel
222,740 miles or 2003 HD Night Train 313 miles!!!
So, only afew people have records for the BFGs, though i did get an answer in the main forum.
As for me putting NITTO tires on my AMERICAN Excursion, I'd rather wrap the rims with friction tape and drive like that before I'd give my money directly to a Jap company.
That's right, even though the Firestones (another American name stolen by the Japs) were very good for me I would NEVER use any Japanese (or French) product when I have my choice. I feel the same about Jap "cars"- none in my stable and as for their motorcycles, an old Harley riders tale says it all: Riding a Jap bike is like the practice of bestiality-
You think it feels good till someone you know sees you doing it!!
ROTFFLMAO- I love that one!!! The same goes for their home audio garbage- any serious audiophile rarely has anything Jap in their system (especially the speakers!!). I post on Audio Asylum all the time with the same moniker- do a search. I bet the BFGs or Goodyears would work just as well as the Nittos and more Americans would benefit.
This is not a personal attack on you Brian- just the way I (and lotsa Americans) fell about the
unemployment from MADE IN JAPAN !!
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NOW- here's my off road Excursion story (funny you should ask!):
Last November, I took my kids Stephi (now 14- just dumped by her 1st boyfriend after 2 weeks!) and Gregory (12- what a blast!) We were upstate NY by Woodstock in a town called Phoenicia and were sightseeing (got 20 mpg on trip up- 7.3) when I took a turn into a rest area to turn around. I didn't see it from the road but the rest area was up hilly path to the muddy parking lot.
I switched the Exc into 4wd and climbed the path with nary a wheelslip!! We drove right up with the Stevie Ray CD on- little Greg had "shotgun" and loved it. I whipped around the muddy lot a few times and had a blast. A "local" was coming up the path in a Ford Ranger 4wd, I waved him down & asked about any more trails. Keep in mind this is the Catskill Reserve Park and a beautiful area. He told me to try Peck Holler' Rd and said it goes to a trail and has a stream crossing!!
My offroad appetite was whetted so off we went. After we FINALLY found the damned thing, we started. We were all pumped up and started on the paved road. After a beautiful 1/2 mile, including deer (kids loved them) there was the ROAD ENDS sign. I switched into 4wd again and we were on gravel!!! Before long, the incline really started and gravel changed to grassy trail with mild tire ruts. No problem for the HUGE Exc but the foliage was starting to get closer and this truck's True Blue paint is mint so I was a little concerned, but the Exc loved it and kept on truckin'!!
Then, the ruts deepened, the trail got rocky and we started driving up a circular path around the mountain with incredible small waterfalls on the right and a STEEP dropoff to the left. The kids eyes were WIDE OPEN- they couldn't believe it!! Me neither, a 50 thousand dollar truck up on Jeep trails plus, I'm scared of heights! I couldn't believe how non-chalantly the Exc took the trail- even with almost 88k on the original Steeltex A/T s. The powerstroke didn't even burp but I was gettin' concerned about the taller rocks maybe kissing an oil or tranny pan.
The path straightened, narrowed and steepened after the mountain and the Exc's mirrors were rippin up lotsa foliage!! Soon, we saw the stream!! I got out first to take a look. It was a rock bottom fass stream about 4 inches deep and 15 feet wide. NO PROBLEM- the wheels got wet but didn't slip. I felt like I was ina Land Rover ad!! The kids couldn't believe it. I did take pictures which I'll develop soon.
Once we crossed the stream, teh path was OK and easy for a 1/4 mile but then got really narrow. All kings of vines were hanging off the mirrors (damn the foliage, full 4WD ahead!!!) and as we rounded the next turn ( i was going slow, 5 mph) a group of hikers were on the path and freaked out to see the HUGE Exc on the trail. Their eyes were wide open and they said in amazement- " you got that truck up here??". They actually had to step into the brush to let us pass- nice people. The scenery was amazing- I wish I had my Husqvarna '86 250 Enduro up there.
Once we passed the hikers, teh trail was really rocky and muddy so I switched to 4WD Low as a precaution but it was too low so I went back to 4WD hi. We kept climbing and went about another 3/4 of a mile when my brain cells/better judgement kicked in. By then the trail was way too narrow and the rocks and mud really getting serious!! The scary part was if I slashed a tranny or oil pan, we were screwed- it was a no cell phone service area. We found a small clearing that I backed teh Exc into , turned around and started our descent.
I couldn't believe how TOTALLY CONTROLLABLE the Exc was!! i've never driven it offroad before and was shocked at how good it was. I could have had a cocktail party in it and enjoyed the scenery with the Swedish Bikini Team while the Exc took it all in stride!!
The ride down was awesome with nothing but beautiful scenery. The hikers moved over again
(still freaked that the Exc made it) we "FORDED" the stream and got to the main road where I stopped to rip the branches off the mirrors. WHAT A BLAST !!!
The gauges didn't even move (well, the useless tranny gauge NEVER does) and the Exc handled it all without a problem and didn't bottom out or hook anything. As soon as I have pics, I'll post them.
Needless to say the kids and I were stunned at what we were able to do with the truck- WOW!!!
GOOD THING no other 4WD was on the path, especially at the top. I wouldn't want to have to back down!!!
Remember- this is a totally stock 2002 PSD 7.3 Ultimate that had 88,000 mles on ALL original tires, shocks, brakes and suspension. TALK ABOUT NO BOUNDARIES !!!! GOOD JOB FORD !!
Try it- you'll have a blast!! Ciao, Greg/Godfather |
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wct_ny
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• Rochester, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 3/4/2004 |
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• 22 posts |
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Posted:4/23/2004 11:34 |
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Greg
I bought a 2002 X with 17K miles 3-4 weeks ago.. In the meantime, I read alot of posts regarding the tire swap on this and other forums.. I also did a bunch of internet research.. After all that, this is my personal conclusion..Tomorrow I have an appt. to have the original steeltex swapped out and for an upgrade fee of $35/tire, I am putting on Bridgestone Revo's load E -265's
I could have walked in and out with spending a dime and left with steeltex, BFG or Pirelli.. But when I did consumer research and performance comparisions as well as exchanged ideas with other forum users.. I went with the REVO's... They fit my needs and intended use.. I have heavy snow and a long winters, do a good bit of highway driving throughout the year and wet raod traction was important.. and I tow a Travel trailer and can get myself into some sticky situations when on dirt (mud) roads in more primitive campgrounds. It took me about 15 phone calls and follow ups to get what I wanted.. but Firestone came thru for me..... FYI my Ford dealer recommended BFG's above all tires including Revos, but they are not necesarily objective given their point of view with Firestone..
on an unrelated note, I also just recieved my Hellwig AS bar and full set of "catch-all" floor mats including the storage area... My new Rancho's should be here in another day or 2.. THis forum has been a great source of information.. I cant wait to get everything installed..
Have fun
Bill
Bill T
Rochester NY
2002 "X" V10- 4x4
3 teens, 1 wife, 1 great dane, 2 cats |
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