FordExcursions.com Forums
garygoing
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• great barrington, MA, USA |
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• Registered on 3/3/2009 |
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• 2 posts |
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 Posted:4/2/2009 13:00 |
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Just purchased my ex with 160,000 miles on the 7.3 litre powerstroke diesel engine. I'm formerly a chevy suburban driver. I can't believe how great this truck is!
Well...like most others here I was disappointed with the stock suspension. In fact this is how I found this amazingly informative forum.
I've already installed the rear sway bar and I'm considering doing the f-code, v-code suspension mod. A few questions to those of you who have some experience with this...
1. Can I use the stock blocks in the back or should I use the pitched blocks that come stock on the superduty 250?
2. If I'm not using this truck for towing is it necessary to add the extra leaf?
3. I've read that the front and rear spring mods will raise the truck between 1-1/2" to 2". Will the regular rancho 9000 xl shocks work? I ask because rancho tech support says no higher than 1" above stock for their 9000 xl on an ex. |
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benwa
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• woodstock, VT, USA |
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• Registered on 1/13/2009 |
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• 12 posts |
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Posted:4/2/2009 13:32 |
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I have b codes in the rear and v codes in the front both off f250's. I used the stock blocks in the rear. I got about 1" of lift all around and use Monroe Reflex shocks for the X with no mods or problems.
I have to say the swap was the best thing I could have done! The truck drives so much better now and when I get the Helwig SB Ill be set. The truck also tows my 10k #RV and 3500# cargo trailers much better with the heavier springs, I didnt add any leafs and have no sag or towing issues. Its a tough job but worth every penny |
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garygoing
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• great barrington, MA, USA |
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• Registered on 3/3/2009 |
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• 2 posts |
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Posted:4/2/2009 17:55 |
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Thanks for your response Benwa. Why did you choose the b-code over the f-code? |
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benwa
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• woodstock, VT, USA |
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• Registered on 1/13/2009 |
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• 12 posts |
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Posted:4/2/2009 19:22 |
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To be honest, just because that seemed to be the most common swap. I has "g" codes and they were a disasterso the stiff "b" codes seem to not wrap as much as softer springs. |
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FrankD
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• Broadview Heights, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 12/18/2009 |
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• 7 posts |
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Posted:3/18/2010 21:54 |
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I'm buying an EX this weekend and thought it was bone stock. Come to find out it has a lift package. I know nothing about lift packages and the dealer says its 3". I want to be able to return this to stock but don't know how much money it will cost.
Can anyone help me understand this?
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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FrankD
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• Broadview Heights, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 12/18/2009 |
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• 7 posts |
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Posted:4/5/2010 21:30 |
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Eric,
Thanks for the response and I apologize for my late reply. I didn't buy the EX w/3\" lift - rather bought a 2001 w/7.3L and bone stock. I've had it two weeks and love the truck but you're right, the stock suspension leaves a lot to be desired. I'd love to find a way to get better handling on my EX but need to get a few mechanicals out of the way first.
BTW, I've some of your posts on the forums - awesome work, it really helps educate me on many areas I have no clue about. Keep up the contributions, they're really appreciated, especially by a greenhorn like me.
Frank D. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/11/2010 22:57 |
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| Quote: | Eric,
Thanks for the response and I apologize for my late reply. I didn't buy the EX w/3\\" lift - rather bought a 2001 w/7.3L and bone stock. I've had it two weeks and love the truck but you're right, the stock suspension leaves a lot to be desired. I'd love to find a way to get better handling on my EX but need to get a few mechanicals out of the way first.
BTW, I've some of your posts on the forums - awesome work, it really helps educate me on many areas I have no clue about. Keep up the contributions, they're really appreciated, especially by a greenhorn like me.
Frank D. |
Frank, start here: http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/fordexcursions/articles/article_2/index.php
Also, I now run different springs than stock so LANDYOT Radius Rods no longer fit. You can read the information about the V-Code springs in front and F-Code springs in rear in the link referenced in the above post I made.
Enjoy your X!
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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FrankD
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• Broadview Heights, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 12/18/2009 |
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• 7 posts |
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Posted:4/13/2010 19:07 |
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Thanks Eric - always appreciate the advice.
My front end is really where I'm getting some handling issues. There seems to be a lot of play in the steering wheel. To keep my EX straight, I have to drive with the steering wheel turned about 1/4 to the right and then I really have to manage the driving as the EX wants to wander.
I'm not sure this is normal. The Ford Truck dealership I had look at my EX noted that I need a new power steering pump but this was not in response to my truck wandering and the steering wheel being off center. If you get a few minutes, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this one.
Take care,
Frank D. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/17/2010 21:12 |
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| Quote: | Thanks Eric - always appreciate the advice.
My front end is really where I'm getting some handling issues. There seems to be a lot of play in the steering wheel. To keep my EX straight, I have to drive with the steering wheel turned about 1/4 to the right and then I really have to manage the driving as the EX wants to wander.
I'm not sure this is normal. The Ford Truck dealership I had look at my EX noted that I need a new power steering pump but this was not in response to my truck wandering and the steering wheel being off center. If you get a few minutes, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this one. |
If you're having to do this while driving on a smooth road, have the dealership check the wheel bearings and the ball joints. These will introduce slop into frontend handling if they have high miles on them.
Worn/bad ball joints will cause top-to-bottom "play" in your front wheels (with the X's front end jacked up, grab the tire/wheel at the 12 and 6 positions, and push/pull to see if there's any play). If there is, your ball joints are worn. Here are the pics & videos: http://www.supermotors.net/registry/9/22952-2 I replaced my ball joints at 130,000 miles.
Grab the tire/wheel at the 3 and 9 positions and push/pull to see if there's any play -- if there is, your wheel bearings are worn. These can be replaced with relative ease in your own garage, here are the pics: http://www.supermotors.net/registry/9/54748-2 I replaced my wheel bearings at 176,000 miles.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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