How to set up Excursion for towing - Diesel Forum

legendlc · 11-18-2008, 01:34 AM

I am in the marine business and need a tow vehicle for business and personal use to haul the family as well as our boat. I like the 650 but think the everyday unloaded driveablity is not what i need. so several questions on how to set up a Excursion. I am new to trucking and towing so please bear with me. I had a salesman tell me i can swap a complete F-550 rear end under a X and they sell custom Fiberglass X dually fenders. Does anyone know if this will work? if not i need a set up that will run great unloaded but then again will tow 15,000 when needed. any ideas on how to accomplish this? I do plan on converting the X to a dually they have the adapters and fenders looks pretty cool.

Racer-X · 11-18-2008, 09:36 AM

There are some threads in this forum, that speak specifically to solving the soft ride of the stock Excursion. They aren't too far down the list as this particular forum has a very slow turnover...
I do not tow a lot of weight, so the truck, as it sits, is A-okay!

Now if I were going to build a cool dually monster.... I would say to myself that I would need FRONT springs to match those rear springs from that 550 rear end.... so are the fronts compatible, or are the springs that will match nicely? Then look at the shocks that will be required.

I think the dually flares are the least of your worries.

Also are you going to do a 2WD or 4WD? Either way, go for it and POST PICS!

cafercr35 · 11-18-2008, 01:13 PM

This is how I would do it

dually x.jpg

**Beast** · 11-18-2008, 04:06 PM

Are you saying you already have an X? Because if not I would not go this direction. You say you need this for business and personnel use. Note that you will be way over the listed weight limits on the truck. Maybe you can get away with that for personnel use but business? Don't do it unless a company will change your weight ratings. Just my opinion.

Yes most of the components are the same. But, just changing the springs and axles don't cut it in my book. The X DOES have a different frame section then the trucks. It is a lighter than the trucks.

legendlc · 11-18-2008, 07:52 PM

thanks for the input i think i will take your advice and look for something bigger. What is the tow capacity for a x that is built right, sway bars, reinforced hitch/frame, dually, springs, brakes, etc.

Bruce1954 · 11-18-2008, 09:21 PM

Making an x into a dually is not a practical option in my opinion
Even if you changed the rear axle you still have a 250 frame at best

I have done extensive work on two Xs to get them up to towing with out killing the ride.

As far as what they will tow the rated 11000 pounds is no problem after a few spring mods. Many have hauled more and so have I but as far as what works well 20,000 pounds or so total. Be aware that an empty X scales in at 7850 or so.

Take a look at my mods done on the 02 and the 05

Also exactly what are you hauling on a regular basis??

A little more info here will help.

Bruce

**Beast** · 11-18-2008, 09:29 PM

Also note that my X weighs in at over 8000 pounds. Also, the X has a short wheelbase compared to a crew cab. This alone will make a big difference. As far as I am concerned these dually Xs are for show. Again, note sure how I would deal with it as a business vehicle as well. Wouldn't have to go through scales as a commercial hauler?

carringb · 11-20-2008, 12:55 AM

I would also think the Ex may not be good for 15k. It's sprung too soft, and weights too much.

An F550 rear axle I'm pretty sure will not be directlty compatible with your ABS. You would have to find a tone ring that would fit, and then convert the signal so the frequency matches that of the stock axle for a given speed.

I'd suggest looking at an E350 if you need passenger space. Payload is high (4,000 pounds), and it's easy to convert to DRW (which I did, so my payload is ~5500 pounds. One constraint on very heavy weights though... the rear diff. My van came with a Dana 70 housing, but Dana 60 internals. So I swapped the carrier and gearset out. I tow 18,000 pounds no problem. And I also have over 230,000 miles on it, so it's proven it's durability at very heavy loads. Only non-scheduled maintenance has been o2 sensors and the starter relay.

BTW - my receiver is good for 20,000 pounds and 6,000 pounds tongue weight.

boatpuller · 11-20-2008, 11:43 AM

I've not driven an F650, but others who have said they are not bad - tight turn radius, and with proper springs pretty comfy. Are you sure you don't want one?

If I was new to trucks or trailering, I'd not want a pulling vehicle that is at it's max to learn on. There is not much room for error when you are maxing out a pulling vehicle.

jogiba · 11-23-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Have towed both a 42' Sonic Offshore boat around 12,500 and a 45' Sonic triple engined Offshore boat around 17,000 no problems with the Excursion. Did trade up to a dually for the 45'. It was more stable but pulled the same.

X's Gone Wild...Towing!!!

Blue Water Runner · 11-28-2008, 08:46 AM

If you need to tow 15k I would suggest a F450 pickup or F550 Crewcab with a aftermarket bed. Making a Ex into a dually will do nothing to strengthen the F250-Excursion frame. A F550 rear axle/springs will not swap under a Ex frame due to the Ex frame is wider across the back than a F450-F550 would be. The spring pads would have to be moved out and re-welded. The spring lengths may not be the same either. None of these additions will fix the door sticker that states the max gross on the Ex. It will not fix the problem you will have with your auto insurance company either if you were to have an accident. I would look for a 7.3 powered F450-F550.