curtiskline
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• Tulsa, OK, USA |
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• Registered on 7/25/2005 |
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• 12 posts |
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 Posted:8/5/2005 09:54 |
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Two questions for the experts around here:
- I just bought a 2001 X and it has non-towing mirrors that the previous owner stuck some cheap convex stick-ons onto. That's just not going to cut it for towing my travel trailer 3400 miles in a few weeks. What are my options? Can I buy and install factory towing mirrors? They must be hideously expensive.. Will the install be a pain?
- The factory fog lamps seem pretty puny. Are there easy replacements that are much brighter? I'm headed to some pretty remote areas and would like much better lighting out front.
Pictures below.
Thanks!
Curtis
2001 Excursion, 7.3L PSD, 2WD
Log: http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/detail.php?id=9507&showlog=1#log |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/5/2005 10:27 |
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Howdy Curtis,
Sure you can upgrade to the Extendable tow mirrors from the paddle type mirrors. The easiest swap will be the power/heated mirrors but if you desire the 2004 heated/lighted ones they'll cost abit more with additional electrical work involved but many truck owners have done this swap.
PowerStrokeShop stocks both the older version and the newer lighted models,ask for Dale 
For the lighting when the wife sold her 99.5 F250 and purchased the 2002 Excursion the headlights are much brighter than the 99. I'd suggest upgrading the 2001 headlights to the 2002 up style and install Sylvania Silverstar bulbs as they are highly regarded as bright clean legal bulbs.
The bulbs in the bumper mounted driving lamps can be upgraded as well for better light on the road.
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:8/5/2005 11:10 |
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A less expensive route with the mirrors is to buy a pair of slip-on extensions. I think they're made by "Cipa"(?). Most RV shops will have them, or access to them. I had a set on my paddle mirrors until I installed the moose-ear mirrors.
I installed higher-output bulbs for my fog lights. I think they were Sylvanias. Now they're almost too bright.
BTW, welcome to the "X-Files." |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:8/5/2005 21:35 |
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A common upgrade is to change head and fog light bulbs to Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. They provide a very noticeable improvement. To change the fog lamps, you will have to drill out or remove the plastic keepers for the license plate bracket. Instead of using those cheap plastic clips in putting the license frame back on, I used plastic wall anchors--they've done well and I can easily remove the frame if I need to. I have seen several sites that carry the telescopic mirrors--don't know anything much beyond that. They would appear relatively easy to change.,..course I've said THAT before!! 
Good luck!
David |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:8/5/2005 21:48 |
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BTW --I hope you have a 7.3 PSD if you are towing that many miles. The V10-which I have--will surely tow it but you know what happens to mpg  You may want to think about reprogramming the computer chip. Hypertech has a nice reprogramming module--very easy to do--15 minutes at max and it's cookbook follow the screen instructions. They have them for the V10 and the PSD. My hp jumped significantly-probably about 25 horseys. A buddy of mine used oneon his PSD and it took the dead spot out of the acceleration curve. You can remove the program just as easy if service requiring an engine diagnostic computer is required. If you don't take the program off and store it until later to reinstall it, the diagnostic computer will reset everything to factory standards and you just lost your program. As I said, it's real easy to do--hooks up to the OBDport. I would strongly consider it if towing. I tow very little and very little things when I do. However, I know that the pros on here can tell you about transmission coolers,etc. etc. which may be relevant depending on the size of your trailer. You probably know all that anyway but thought I'd throw it out just in case.
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:8/6/2005 11:24 |
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I have the "dumbo ear" mirrors too and got me a set of these that work REALLY well:
http://www.autobarn.net/xxxblindspotz.html
Pep boys had them for $5.99 a pair
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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curtiskline
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• Tulsa, OK, USA |
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• Registered on 7/25/2005 |
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• 12 posts |
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Posted:8/8/2005 10:43 |
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| Quote: | | BTW --I hope you have a 7.3 PSD if you are towing that many miles. |
Thanks for the advice, David. I do in fact have the 7.3 PSD, and I ordered an Edge Evolution programmer for it yesterday. I've also ordered the Helwig sway bar and am having new Rancho shocks installed tomorrow.
My trailer weighs about 4000 lbs, but I will also have 3 extra people and lots of gear. It will be a relatively heavy load, but nowhere near GCWR max.
I'll look for the Sylvania bulbs... Do you have a part number or online resource? I will take off the front license plate bracket and store it, as Oklahoma doesn't have front plates.
Think I may try a junkyard for the telescopic mirrors... They are probably the same as F250SD trucks, right?
Curtis
2001 Excursion, 7.3L PSD, 2WD
Log: http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/detail.php?id=9507&showlog=1#log |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:8/8/2005 14:54 |
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Good luck finding them in a salvage yard. The reason I say that is even if you find a good pair, most yards will not sell parts off of a door. They'd much rather sell a complete door ... typically brings them $400 to $500 per door. |
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Matt Cawson
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• Caledonia, MI, USA |
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• Registered on 10/20/2004 |
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• 82 posts |
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Posted:8/10/2005 15:18 |
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Doesn't look like anyone commented on the install procedure for ya Curtis. It should be just like my buddy's F250. Open the door and remove the three rubber plugs on the inside. That'll give you access to the nuts. Careful taking them off, if they drop down in the door you just opened up a can 'o worms  That's it. Remove all three of them and the mirror will come right off. Good luck  |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:8/12/2005 05:50 |
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Curtis,
You can pick up the Sylvania Silverstars at Advance Auto. Pep Boys carries them too-although my local one had a limited selection. ANyway, most of the chain parts stores have them--I just tried a couple til I found them.
David |
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