Fixing the Excursion Suspension

gavan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2005
Location
Houston, TX
I meant to do this as a upgrade thread, but I forgot to take pictures, so now it is just an "after" thread :shaking:

I bought a 2000 Excursion 7.3, and I had heard the suspension left something to be desired.

Boy, were they right.

Even on a stock, unloaded, low mileage truck, you could move the wheel at highway speed and the rear end steered for you. Every bump hit the front bump stops, and big bumps produced a wonderful waterbed feel. It was borderline unsafe.

I dont have any before pictures, but they sit 2-3 inches lower than a F-250.

Based on the recommendations of several forum members on thedieselstop and powerstroke.org I purchased V code front springs, B code rears (modified with Excursion leaves and spacers), a F250 rear swaybar, custom valved Blistiens and Icon dual shock front setup.

The install went great, about 8 hours on my friends lift. Everything is stock from Ford, and everything bolted right in.

The difference is unbelievable! I don't know why Ford did not sell them this way.

I took the Jeep for a shakedown tow, and the Excursion handled it great.

ai97.photobucket.com_albums_l235_gyoung13_excursion_DSC03887.jpg


ai97.photobucket.com_albums_l235_gyoung13_excursion_DSC03889.jpg


ai97.photobucket.com_albums_l235_gyoung13_excursion_DSC03890.jpg
 
Looks good! would look better if you clean the front wheels :flipoff2:
 
Excursions turn brake pads directly into brake dust. Even (just about) when standing still!
 
gavan said:
Excursions turn brake pads directly into brake dust. Even (just about) when standing still!
Click to expand...


So does my CTD but it only seats 2:poop:
 
Bad ass tow rig. It's got a really good stance with the new springs. BTW how long is that trailer? 22' or 24'?
 
gavan said:
Excursions turn brake pads directly into brake dust. Even (just about) when standing still!
Click to expand...

powerslot rotors and hawk pads. They will be louder than stock but they will STOP you. I too am getting ready to do the V/B swap. Did you use the F250 tapered block or the stock Ex block? Also are your shocks valved for the Ex or F250?

Thanks!
 
I just picked an Excursion about a month ago. I only tow around 6k with it, but man does it tow like a dream! I have noticed the suspension does suck. Gonna be looking into this upgrade very soon.

Any chance that you could include some part numbers and cost of all of these upgrades?

Thanks
 
I used Ford brake pads on our Excursion and had very minimal brake dust. Same on my F350 as well. Good info on the springs as well.
 
The trailer is a 20 foot 10k equipment trailer.

I used the same part numbers that are shown in the other thread.

I used powerstrokeshop.com, took awhile to get shipped, but it is a big order. It came in a box, in a pallet, to my door. Cant beat that. Good prices, too.

I got a 6.0 trans cooler and a 6.4 rear diff cover, 40 bucks for a finned aluminum rear cover! I also got a "rear sway bar kit". which supposedly works better than the Helwig bar. I had to trim my shock skid plate, but nothing too bad.

I reused the stock Excursion 2 inch block. I also used the Excursion spring centering bolts and U bolts.

The Modified B code is a little hard to find, but after looking across alot of forums, I think I got it down:

B code springs, with Excursion aluminum leaf spacers, and the lower 2 leaves from the excursion pack. I also used the B code overloads. The trailer, with the Jeep, comes close to but does not touch the overloads.

I got the bilstiens and front dual mount from caryt on thedieselstop.com, he has a company called ctperformance. He was very helpful, and claims his shocks are specially valved for the Excursion. His prices were competitive, and his shocks work very well. ctperformanceinc@yahoo.com

There are cheaper ways to go about it, but I bought everything new because I expect to keep the pig around for awhile. I spent ~1600ish when it is all said and done, for suspension, sway bar, shocks, diff cover, tranny cooler....


Hawks/Powerslots are on the list, but I have to

a. save up some more money
b. wear out the current stuff

It really is a huge difference... if any one wants to "try before you buy", I would be more than happy to give you a ride in it.
 
the excursion looks great, i have an 02' and i might take you up on your offer for a test ride sometime. the stance looks a lot better than mine does even with my WD hitch. do you not use a WD hitch? what size tires are you running?

looks like money well spent, congrats
 
Kegcrawler said:
the excursion looks great, i have an 02' and i might take you up on your offer for a test ride sometime. the stance looks a lot better than mine does even with my WD hitch. do you not use a WD hitch? what size tires are you running?
looks like money well spent, congrats
Click to expand...

I do not use a WD hitch, never have, probably should.

I am guessing there is around 800-1000 lbs tongue weight, based on towing it with my old truck. Trailer tows very straight, no sway, no porpoising. Rear drops about 1.5 inches, evens out the Ex.

Tires are cheapie 265/75/16's, Nexens, brand new. Thinking of 285's or 305's when they wear out.
 
My suspension also sucked so I just got a 6" BDS lift. I love the way mine rides too. I ordered a Heavy duty 6" drop down hitch, this thing is so beefy. I have never seen one as beefy as what it is either.
 
Also if you want to update the bumpstops to F350 which are a harder duromater and fit in the stock location the Ford # is F81Z-3020-DA, $17.45 ea
 
I had 285 bfg at's on my old excursion and man it looked good!
 
Truck looks great! Do you mind giving front and rear top of wheel to bottom of fender measurements? Im thinking about going with front X codes on my Ex and custom rears with helper air bags.
 
BLUERUNNER said:
Truck looks great! Do you mind giving front and rear top of wheel to bottom of fender measurements? Im thinking about going with front X codes on my Ex and custom rears with helper air bags.
Click to expand...

Top of wheel to bottom of fender arch?

V code fronts/modified B's with Ex blocks rear, 265/75 16's

Front - ~9.25"
Rear - ~11.5"

X codes should get you another inch or so in front.

The rear does very, very well without airbags. Here is some recent towing. I dont know the tongue weight exactly, but its not light!

2wd diesel truck

ai97.photobucket.com_albums_l235_gyoung13_DSC03891.jpg


It made me miss my 80hp tune, manual tranny and exhaust brake, but the suspension handled it just fine.
 
Sorry I should have clairified, wheel as in rim for the measurement. I need to come check it out, sent you a pm.
 
Gavan,
Did you use the 2" hanger kit with your front v-codes? Does the rear sit a little higher than the front with no load?
Thanks
 
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