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Ford Excursion: Accessories & Modifications
dustytruck
Member Posts: 1
in Ford
So far for my 2000 v-10:
Tinted darker all around: $120
Kelly AWR 285-75-16: $548 installed out-the-door (they ride very nice)
PIAA hi-intensity bulbs
Bilsteins shocks all around
Hellwig rear anti-sway ($148 w/o labor)
K&N air filter
running Mobil 1 oil.
Tinted darker all around: $120
Kelly AWR 285-75-16: $548 installed out-the-door (they ride very nice)
PIAA hi-intensity bulbs
Bilsteins shocks all around
Hellwig rear anti-sway ($148 w/o labor)
K&N air filter
running Mobil 1 oil.
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Edelbrock shocks at 7k
Pro-comp steering stabilzer 6k, replaced at 10k
BFG AT KO 265's 17k($750 at Sears)
Timbren load boosters on front
K&N air filter
Last 2 oils changes Mobil 1
Fog lights behind grill
Larger Bosch wipers front and rear
Higher intensity headlight bulbs
Any ideas?
Thanks.
AS
I highly recommend the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs (9007 size for the Excursion) if you want an excellent bulb that is both brighter and whiter than stock. At the same time I would suggest getting rid of the crappy stock wiring harness and going with one from www.suvlights.com (you can get the bulbs there too). You would be surprised what a difference going with the stock bulbs but upgrading the wiring harness can make.
While you are there check out have the harness setup so that when you engage the high beams, both the high and low beam filaments go on at the same time. What a huge improvement in the lighting of my truck for under $100. If you go with higher wattage bulbs, the stock wiring harness is a real drain (pun intended). There is a pretty big voltage drop across the wire indicating a lot of resistance so your stock bulbs don't even their full voltage let alone your newer higher wattage bulbs. Another handy little device is a set of auxiliary lights that bolt on to the rear hitch that add a lot of light when you are backing up but don?t interfere with your hitch.
Some other mods worth considering are getting rid of the stock crappy shocks. I have a diesel "X" (Excursion) and the stock shocks are miserable. Even new they were pathetic. If you want to be amazed, go look at the clearance between your axle and springs and the bump stops (little rubber bumpers above the springs). The bump stops are the last line of defense for your stock suspension to prevent severe damage if you hit a big bump. It helps control the suspension when it "bottoms out" so you don't feel it slam really hard.
If your truck is like mine, there is less than an inch (closer to half) of suspension travel!!!! Most cars and trucks have 3-4? of suspension travel. Brand new, my truck had less than an inch. What this means to those of you who don?t understand suspension systems is the truck rides like crap compared to what it should do. There is no suspension available to absorb the bumps. I think Ford put a very soft spring to make it feel better on some freeways but its WAY too soft and causes problems. Ever wonder why your Excursion wallows like an elephant in the river when you go around turns? Three reasons: crappy shocks, no rear sway bar and too soft of springs.
After replacing my shock I couldn?t believe the difference it made. Much ?crisper? handling AND better ride both. I drove an X with a rear sway bar and I gotta have that. There is no mistaking that it is still a truck but what a difference. It?s a lot closer to a sports car than it is a truck after these mods.
For those of you looking at improved power AND mileage for your diesel, run, don?t walk, and buy a SCMT programmer for your rig. SCMT is Super Chips Micro Tuner that reprograms your ECU (engine?s computer) for more performance and better mileage. It makes the truck run like it should have from the factory and it also improves the transmissions shifts (both quality and smoothness) and reduces the temperatures too.
Now for the really bad stuff about the truck (but easily fixed). Ford in their crappy design of the diesel?s fuel system cut a lot of corners. It makes the engine much louder than it should be AND sacrifices both fuel economy and performance. The stock fuel injection system loves to suck air. This air is bad for the fuel injectors. There are many places this truck can suck air in the fuel system. Rather than bore you all with a lot of technical descriptions, go to www.ford-diesel.com (if you have a diesel) and browse through the forums for the ?7.3L Power Stroke Engine and Drivetrain? and look for fuel mods or the h/x mod or the pre-pump mod or the tank mod.
Believe me, after you do some of the things, you will be amazed at the difference in your truck. My 4WD diesel X will routinely get close 20 mpg on the highway with the AC on at 70 mph and a pretty full load in the truck. When I started out, I was only getting 16 mpg under the same conditions. Check out some of the mods before the damage is done to your truck. If you have a diesel, I highly recommend getting a set of gauges (boost, EGT, tranny temp) as well as a turbo time or turbo nanny. This will add years of life to your engine.
Hope this helps some of you. I love my truck but I am aware of its shortcomings too.
Additionally,I was unhappy with the towing performance and fuel mileage. I pull a 5500lb (loaded weight) "V" nose, fully enclosed snowmobile trailer. I got 7-9 mpg while towing at 65-70 mph during the last two winters. I would get 13-15 mpg highway with just the truck. Not the kind of mileage I expected when I bought a diesel. I looked into the performance chips/programmers and decided to try the Super Chips Mod #1705. What a difference! The truck is way more responsive, extremely powerful and I picked up 3-4 mpg highway. I have yet to tow with it but hope that I can at least hit 11-12 mpg. My combination city/highway is 12.5-14.5 mpg.
As far as the axle bumpers in the front, does anybody know why the Xs have such sort travel and the identical chassis in a P/U has 4"-6". I have asked Ford via email and gotten no response. Since no one will talk about this I have a theory. I think that Ford must have had a roll-over problem during development and solved the problem by limiting the front suspension travel. If the front-end can't dive excessively in a turning/avoidance maneuver then you decrease the chances of a roll-over.
I would be very curious to hear some other figures on mileage, oil consumption, performance, problems, etc. The buddy who's oil stays so clean (02 X, 7.3) has let me program the 1705 into his truck for comparison. I was shocked to find out that the power increase was obscene in his truck. Not only that, but after de-programming his truck and driving it, I was disgusted to find out that his X ran as good in stock tune as mine does with the full high performance tuning from the 1705. We then installed a temporary boost gauge first in my truck then in his. Mine would boost no higher than 15-16 lbs in stock tune while his would boost 18-19 lbs in stock tune. I called International and they said that they like to see 19-20 lbs. That tells me that something is wrong with my truck but three dealers have said that nothing's wrong.
Any suggestions!!
those fog lites..behind the grill?
http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/index.php?vID=2305&- profile=1brens.
When towing a travel trailer weighing about 9500# I will get between 8 and 12.5 mpg. The average is close to 10 mpg. This is at speeds up to 70-75 mph. When I slow down to 60-65 mph it is at the higher figure above. With the Banks kit I can pull in OD on all but the steepest grades.
I have yet to figure out the wide variance but speed, winds, outside temperature, and road grade all playing a part. Our trips have been from NC to CO and WY. Last year we hit temp up to 109 degrees.
When not towing I will not add a quart in 5,000 miles. I use Amzoil 15w-40 synthetic oil. When towing, I'll add a quart about every 2,500 miles. My oil does not get really black unless I am towing. I've had car diesels before and was very surprised at this. I was use to pitch black oil in 500 miles.
THANKS,
after our 1993 E-150 van was totalled. We love it and get about 600 miles to the tank.
I would also like to increase that MPG and would love to know how you all did yours.
I have a 2000 V10 "X" and have enjoyed it , it's a 2wd but i wanted the lifted look, not lifted it just looked like a staion wagon on steroids
We have a 21' Ultra Jet boat and the "X" tows her like nothin', i'm getting 10 and sometimes 12 mpg if i keep out if the throttle. Had to replace the tranny while still in the warranty time, was towing from Laughlin Nevada back home to Fontana Ca. and the tranny just died, that was a long afternoon/evening, but the dealer took care of it no problem, Thanks to Citrus Ford in Ontario CA.
Mike
Does anyone have any advise on the "wondering" the front end does on the Excursion?
and I am very happy about everything except the mpg, I knew
better than to expect great mileage but we have not gotten better than 8.7mpg no matter what we do... it has the vortex valve already, it came with it... what else can we do??
Thanks for the help
You see, the Ford Excursion is one of the biggest suvs/ residential vehicles on the road- meaning it has one of the biggest appetites for gas on the road-that's not bad if you don't mind. My suggestion/question to you is- Is your Ford a two wheel or four wheel drive model? That sometimes can make or break your fuel economy. Of course if you need four wheel drive(unlike me who has lived in the
Atlanta area), you'll be paying more at the pump. I guess it's your call.
Also, any trouble with Ford replacing your tranny with the lift on it? I've heard that can be a touchy subject at the dealer? Thanks
I've recently bought a 5.4 2005 with 154miles on it. 1st registration. Loving the car but it does 'wander' long the highway! Have you managed to solve the problem??
Cheers,
Doug
Also, what are Timbren load boosters and does Helwig rear sway bar require major work or simply bolts into exits holes?
Thanks,
Tom
Thanks
Thanks