Problems with excursion and want inputs on more mods for excursion???? - Diesel Forum

famous182 · 02-27-2003, 11:21 PM

Hey guys,
First timer here!!! Also love the site!!!!Anyway..
I bought my excursion in Aug '02 I have 9500 miles on it. I have acouple of problems with it! 1. Vehicle seems to wander at highway speeds and if you hit a bump it seems like you almost can lose contol of vehicle I have firestone tires on vehicle do you think this could be part of prob? 2. My fuel mileage stinks! Its on avg 20 degrees here and the vehicle is garaged I do almost all highway driving and I'm getting 13.5mpg Ihave ran fuel additives and fill up where all the big boys tell me to get the best diesel.It also has seem to loss alot of power as well, any suggestions??
Last but not least...I have a super tuner on the excursion and an k&n filter I want some guages for it, wheres the most reasonable place to buy?I also want exaust from mainfold all the way back 4" or 5" What would be the best route to go? and the best place to get it? I would install the stuff my self!!!!
Any way sorry for the long post Thanks
Jon L

CHPMustang · 02-28-2003, 01:20 AM

Welcome and congrats on the new 2002 EX [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

I opted for the Walker BTM muffler due to I don't tow more than once a year,total cost installed less than $100

Exhaust system wise you'll be looking at around $400 up for a 4" system(behind the downpipe)

For a 3 gauge set,around 300-400 with or without the A pillar 3 gauge mount. Diesel Injection Service is a reputable dealer of everything Diesel and then some.

Our local driving gets around 16-18 mpg's and the freeway pulls down 20 mpg plus.We just turned 10k miles.

Check my signiature at the bottom for mods and I have most of them in my photo album as well.

Lates,BILL

swhitney · 02-28-2003, 08:06 AM

There are pretty good truck combo packages here.. Egauges.com

The mileage is a little low, but it may be blended fuel there too, which hurts.

COngrats on the new X [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Stan

PSDExcursion · 02-28-2003, 08:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
2. My fuel mileage stinks! Its on avg 20 degrees here and the vehicle is garaged I do almost all highway driving and I'm getting 13.5mpg Ihave ran fuel additives and fill up where all the big boys tell me to get the best diesel.

[/ QUOTE ]

Chances are with those temps the pumps there are running winter diesel, which is a blend of #2 and #1. It's notorious for low power and poor fuel economy. However, it doesn't gel, so ya gotta take the bad with the good. Wait 'till summer for pure #2.

For the steering wander, try inflating your tires to 65 psi and see how that feels. You might want to replace the steering damper with a Rancho version.

I got my gauges/pod at egauges.com. Good folks, one stop shop and decent prices.

For starters, ya can't go with a 4" exhaust from the manifold all the way back. The manifold feeds the turbo and is not aftermarket replaceable. However, you can get 4" turbo back exhausts. For aluminized steel, that will run you $425. Banks now has a all stainless system that is 4" for $660, which I think is a screaming deal. I think that's the one I'll be getting. Whichever exhaust you get, make sure it is EXCURSION SPECIFIC. F-250/350 exhausts WILL NOT FIT our vehicles.

Michael

anoxic · 02-28-2003, 08:45 AM

No control when you hit a bump? Ride quality stinks? How about throwing away the black crap they call shocks and replace with high quality aftermarket (Rancho). Get that sucker off of the bounce stops (replace springs). And gain control of the rearend (swaybar).

This is my first three mods I tell every new X owner I see out and about. These three fairly simple things really make a day and night difference. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Is your mileage from the overhead or calculated by hand. The reason I asked is if this is from the computer, then you have got something wrong going on. Cold temps and blend will hit your mpg hard, but if these are the numbers from the overhead, then the added mileage improvement from the Tuner is hiding a problem.

BadAndy · 02-28-2003, 10:58 AM

Jon,

I also have a 2002, purchased in Sept. 02. PM me and I'll tell you what you need to do to address the front spring issue with your dealer. No need to clutter the board with more spring stuff.

Andy

jnmarshall · 02-28-2003, 12:00 PM

For your handling problem, 2 big things to do... Invest in a Hellwig antisway bar, and replace the factory shocks. Even the Monroe Reflex shocks at NTB will make the biggest difference.

As for fuel economy, I'm getting about 19-20, and 17-18 towing. I replaced the exhaust with a 4" system from the turbo back. I'm using the Motorcraft 1750 air filter instead of the K&N. I had all kinds of problems with the K&N, not that it's a bad product, just not the best for the PSD. I'm also using the SCMT with the Towsafe setting.

As for guages, I saw the coolest set, I think they're called X-Guages which is a single guage that installs on the a-pillar with digital readout and memory. I personally didn't bother with the guages yet, I felt taking care of the exhaust will help enough.

rxbike · 02-28-2003, 12:06 PM

SCMT with guages, 3.5" downpipe to breathe her a little better, I put Monroe reflex and a hellwig swaybar to bobble along a little smoother, and a monroe 5404 steering stabilizer.
Next week, mag-hytec tranny pan to cool my tranny some more for the summer towing months ahead. Kids still too short to 6" lift the rig [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

coldair · 02-28-2003, 01:42 PM

use the Bilstien shocks instead of the Rancho's I just pulled my RS9000's off after only 8k and when I pushed them in it was too easy like pinky pressure. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

dmftoy1 · 03-01-2003, 09:38 AM

Welcome to the board!!

Looks like everyone has covered most of your questions. I'd check your fuel filter too, that mpg seems really bad to me. That's about what I get driving ONLY in town with extended idling and racing mustang GT's and ricers . . .(on approved dragstrips of course) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Have a good one,
Dave

roofeditor · 03-02-2003, 09:45 AM

The bilsteins I put on to replace the cheap black shocks ride firm but not rough. I recommend them. Tire pressure is important. MY Ex came with 90 pounds in them!!! It rode rough and was twitchy in winds until I checked the pressures. 60 pounds on the EX appears to be good!

jschira · 03-02-2003, 09:46 AM

I went to 55 psi in the front and 60 psi in the rear at the same time I put the Ranchos on. Like the ride. Firm, but not harsh. Wife likes it too. WAY better than my 99 SD. Can't wait for my first tow.

A Rusch · 03-02-2003, 04:15 PM

Off topic, but I had to comment - Jeff, I was wondering why you had so many more hits on your pics @ bogginfreaks...... thought I was being ignored - I see you cheated and put a link in your sig - guess I'll have to do that too to keep up [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

jjtproperty · 03-16-2003, 09:46 PM

What are "U-Code" Springs?

yellowman · 03-17-2003, 02:11 AM

this is my rig with the mods that I have done. check my sig for the pictures. good luck with yours.