Scott39
Adventurer
Nice! I hope it rides nice, can't wait to hear how the ride is before I figure out what suspension I plan on using.
Another Excursion
- Thread starter Mack4
- Start date
Nice! I hope it rides nice, can't wait to hear how the ride is before I figure out what suspension I plan on using.
We will see, I am putting the new Bilstein 5100s and steering stabilizer on this weekend. We are planning on doing part of Mr. Leary's Hill Country Route next weekend as a shakedown cruise, so we'll have a good mix of dirt/pavement.
Mini-Pack removed from F-350 front leafs, ready to install.
Mini-Pack removed from F-350 front leafs, ready to install.
Back from the dead! We got her all sorted out and she's running like a top. Suspension is a huge improvement over stock, no more wallowing through corners.
I gained 3 inches in the rear and 1 inch in the front. Going to see how much my drawers and slide settle the rear before I lift the front.
I forgot to take off the F250 overload spring and it was threatening the parking brake.
So, we cut it off, problem solved. I think the overload pack is why the truck is a tad bit higher than I planned.
Tomorrow the steering stabilizer, rear bilsteins and bed slide are going in. Next week the front shocks, rooftop tent and then we're off! A shakedown cruise to a buddy's wedding in the Hill ZCountry.
I gained 3 inches in the rear and 1 inch in the front. Going to see how much my drawers and slide settle the rear before I lift the front.
I forgot to take off the F250 overload spring and it was threatening the parking brake.
So, we cut it off, problem solved. I think the overload pack is why the truck is a tad bit higher than I planned.
Tomorrow the steering stabilizer, rear bilsteins and bed slide are going in. Next week the front shocks, rooftop tent and then we're off! A shakedown cruise to a buddy's wedding in the Hill ZCountry.
Installed the Bedslide today, I now have 46x76" of easily accessible cargo room!
Here is the buildup. Basically, I didn't want to use Rivnuts and Drill into the Ex. So, I tied the plywood to the factory tie down bolts and seat mounts of the Ex and then bolted the Bedslide to the Plywood.
I removed the factory tie down points and used them to secure the front 1/2 of the bedslide.
I used four J-Hooks to attach the back 1/2 of the bedslide. Two are tied into the middle seat frame and two more are tied into the third row seat mount.
The handle had to go, not enough room for it! I just use the handle to pull the slide in and out.
I am going to store my Hi-Lift jack on the underneath the BedSlide on the right side.
Done! Fully extended, very easy to access the items I place on the back of the slide. I stood on it and bounced up and down, seems pretty sturdy.
No front lift required, with a full tank of Diesel and the Bedslide, the Ex is sitting exactly where I wanted it.
Here is the buildup. Basically, I didn't want to use Rivnuts and Drill into the Ex. So, I tied the plywood to the factory tie down bolts and seat mounts of the Ex and then bolted the Bedslide to the Plywood.
I removed the factory tie down points and used them to secure the front 1/2 of the bedslide.
I used four J-Hooks to attach the back 1/2 of the bedslide. Two are tied into the middle seat frame and two more are tied into the third row seat mount.
The handle had to go, not enough room for it! I just use the handle to pull the slide in and out.
I am going to store my Hi-Lift jack on the underneath the BedSlide on the right side.
Done! Fully extended, very easy to access the items I place on the back of the slide. I stood on it and bounced up and down, seems pretty sturdy.
No front lift required, with a full tank of Diesel and the Bedslide, the Ex is sitting exactly where I wanted it.
Installed the Bilstein Shocks today, huge improvement over stock, if you have an Excursion, you need to go find some used F250 springs and install them immediately! Seriously though, truck finally handles like it should. No more wallowing and bouncing, corners with noticeably less body roll and I haven't even put the F250 sways on yet.
Also put the CVT Mt. Shasta, our home away from home, on the factory rails. I lucked out and the CVT mounting hardware fit perfectly in the factory crossbars. Still going to make a Roof Rack for it, just not right now.
Finally looking like an "overland" vehicle.
Also put the CVT Mt. Shasta, our home away from home, on the factory rails. I lucked out and the CVT mounting hardware fit perfectly in the factory crossbars. Still going to make a Roof Rack for it, just not right now.
Finally looking like an "overland" vehicle.
Stoked to see what comes of this, sub'd for sure.
Regarding the coilover swap, that full traction kit is ridiculous. I have read really mixed reviews, but the primary take away being the better way to do a coilover swap is to first switch to 2005+ suspension. I thought really hard about that, mostly because I wanted the improved turning radius, but it didn't make financial sense.
I think a winch is a good idea as a first move. Looks like the 16,000# model is cheaper than the one you linked? Any reason you aren't going that way?
And regarding sway bar disconnects, I found a forum post that might be helpful...
Also, if you aren't opposed to running 37" tires you can pick up a set of hmmwv wheels super cheap from feltz tire and get adapters made. Probably cheaper than most new 33" options on the market.
Regarding the coilover swap, that full traction kit is ridiculous. I have read really mixed reviews, but the primary take away being the better way to do a coilover swap is to first switch to 2005+ suspension. I thought really hard about that, mostly because I wanted the improved turning radius, but it didn't make financial sense.
I think a winch is a good idea as a first move. Looks like the 16,000# model is cheaper than the one you linked? Any reason you aren't going that way?
And regarding sway bar disconnects, I found a forum post that might be helpful...
Also, if you aren't opposed to running 37" tires you can pick up a set of hmmwv wheels super cheap from feltz tire and get adapters made. Probably cheaper than most new 33" options on the market.
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justbecause
perpetually lost
I think you could find 450 axles, or 350 wide track axles for less if you just want improved turning radius.
justbecause
perpetually lost
All 450 axles will be dually, and I don't think wide track 350 is available as single rear wheel.
The 350 wide track was only an option one or two years. And I believe they were leaf sprung. 450 axles are always wider and makes a tighter turning radius. At least that's the info I have found while debating getting a 3 or 450.
The 350 wide track was only an option one or two years. And I believe they were leaf sprung. 450 axles are always wider and makes a tighter turning radius. At least that's the info I have found while debating getting a 3 or 450.
justbecause
perpetually lost
Looks like wide track was an 08 option. I thought it was much older than that. The 450 will likely be geared lower too, so you would need to regear one of the axles to match the other, which might eat up the costs difference.
Thank you sir! Setting these trucks up is half the fun!
I am with you, no way I am going to spend that much on suspension. An old saying about lipstick on a pig comes to mind. Also, the point of all this is to have adventures and that amount of money buys a lot of adventuring!
Still looking around at disconnects, I appreciate the link! I won't be taking it anywhere where it will need them until July or August. So, it's on the back burner.
Honestly, it's just about the weight. 65lbs vs 135lbs. I don't want to overburden my front suspension and I figure a snatch block brings a 12k up to 24k, which should be more than enough.
37" would be super sweet, not sure how my stock gears would handle them though. I would also need to add, what, 3 more inches of lift to clear them?
In regards to a wider axle, that does sound interesting, especially if I am going to put a locker in anyways. Would wheel spacers accomplish the same thing?
drobb
Adventurer
Rear Susperudty Suspension is on, front is next!
Cool old Honda in the foreground... What year?
I am running 3.73's with the 37's now and they are fine as long as I am running on the 80hp tune on my dptuner. They work on the stock mode but its a bit sluggish, and I imagine my crawl ratio isn't great. I am planning to swap axles when I upgrade the suspension to regear to 4.30. Junkyard axles are common and cheap, plus you can upgrade to a front Dana 60 instead of the 50 in the stock truck. Looks like you can find axles for about 1k for the set, way cheaper than even the gear set for a regear.
The 6.0 is a more powerful motor than the 7.3, right?
Not sure, it belings to my mechanic, but it's for sale if you want it!
That's what I hear, but I didn't replace my head studs, so no tuning for me!
How high did you have to lift your truck to get the 37s under it?