Recommendations for Excursion Aftermarket Improvements - Diesel Forum

MelloMike · 10-05-2003, 03:03 PM

So far I've installed Bilstein Shocks and mounted the PSD 6.0L Badge on both sides. However, my X is still pretty vanilla (see my photos).
I'm interested in some aftermarket improvements to make my rig look more sporty and cool. What improvements have you made to your X or what do you recommend that I do??

Lifting is one I'd like to do but I tow a travel trailer so driveability is a concern.

rxbike · 10-05-2003, 03:47 PM

You could acetone your badges, add a billet grill insert or replace out the grill completely, tint your windows 5% limo tint, add a Surco Roof rack 60x80 "; 7" in dash DVD player and four headrest monitors and 13" overhead monitor; decorate your interior with billet knobs wherever you can mount them, billet stubby antenna, new welds wheels and a little fatter rubber. Pull the bumber and put a Reunel on it with a winch. Edge Juice or BullyDog powederhound chip, 4" exhaust, Big air intake from AFE or Bullydog.......
How much money you gotttt !!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

crumm · 10-07-2003, 11:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm interested in some aftermarket improvements to make my rig look more sporty and cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

I removed the roof rack and the running boards. It gave the X a much sportier look. I also installed s/s rocker panels and fender trim which also helped. A front grill also helps out a lot.

MelloMike · 10-08-2003, 10:11 AM

Sounds good, Crumm. Can you post some pics??

jdadamsjr · 10-08-2003, 11:18 AM

By all means !
remove the roof rack scratching the top of your nice Ex !

And maybe I'm being redundant here, but here goes:

Wasn't sure if I wanted the door badges on the doors of my all back Ex, but the 6.0L door badge sure looks GOOD on the right rear door under the Ford blue oval !!!

The dealership had put their little advertisement there and I pulled it off, cleaned up the spot and measured and centered the NICE chrome and red badge there...

Besides, that's what most will see when I pass them [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]
************
And do you have a rear sway bar - mandatory as far as I'm concerned !
**********
PIAA Superwhite replacement headlamps,
black westin bull bar, not 'over the top' like some frontbars for Exs.
Piaa 520's in front of the stock fogs on the bars...
relocated the stock fogs to the bottom of the bull bar
put 65w bulbs in the fogs...

55 Watt replacement backup bulbs in place of stock...
55w additional wide angle lights on the bumper ends wired into the reverse lamps....

Garmin 2610 Streetpilot gps system...

Straight piped after removing muffler on diesel...

now that i've gone thru the piggy back,,,
will wait on some other stuff !

**Snug** · 10-09-2003, 01:34 AM

JohnBoyToo, do you have any photos of your stock fog lights. I mounted a front hitch and need to remount mine.

Thanks
Doug

crumm · 10-09-2003, 02:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds good, Crumm. Can you post some pics??

[/ QUOTE ]

I will as soon as I get a chance. The wife suggested I was it first since its all dirty but it is cold outside. It may be a day or two.

jdadamsjr · 10-09-2003, 09:20 AM

Snug,
No pics....
Only been doing computer software for 30+ years -
had my own hardware company when it was profitable...
but still don't do a lot of the NEAT things on these here compooters!
Just enough to get my paycheck [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

************************
Actually the relocation of the factory fogs was pretty easy -
hardest part was getting the factory fogs off...
and if I have $5 in brackets and bolts, I'd be shocked...
They are actually pretty good lights once I put the 9005 lamps in them

I pulled them off the 'backing plate' / support...
and also demounted the supports just to make it a cleaner 'look'...
on the underside of the westin bull bar there are bolt holes for three more lights to be mounted...

used the L brackets from a pair of lamps I mounted on the back for reverse lamps to mount the fogs to these bottom holes...
Had to use some spacers and washers to mount them properly to the L bracket, but they don't move at all !
At first I thought I'd be 'smart' and mount them 'sideways' so they wouldn't be so low and possible hit anything IF I went four wheeling..

But the first night run I made I realized these things have a GREAT light pattern for fog lamps - real wide and low... when I mounted them sideways they did a FINE job of lighting up the tops of the trees !
Now they are mounted with the "Top" down and really put out a lot of light...

Now that they are SO low, they actually work very well as fog lamps...
or even as driving lamps when it's just dusk and not night yet... With the black X I like to have the parking lights on and these as somewhat DRL's to let the doofuses see me before they pull out in front of an 8000 lb vehicle that doesn't have the best brakes in the world [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif[/img]

When I run in the back country now I have six bright lights to show the way!
Will try to get some pics... but don't hold your breath - I'm not motivated enough yet - apologies !

jdadamsjr · 10-09-2003, 06:13 PM

OK Snug,
you "motivated" (shamed!) me into uploading some pics....
They are on another site, but this should work...

John's Ex

Let me know if this doesn't work since I'm a rookie at this !
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]
John

Dentman · 10-09-2003, 07:20 PM

John,

Very nice! Did you do the woodgrain kit yourself? If you did, would you do it again?

jdadamsjr · 10-09-2003, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the kudos !
I REAALY like this truck...
so does my wife, my grown children, my Bro-in-laws, and my neighbors... Somehow they all need to 'borrow' it !?!

***************************

No, didn't do this wud kit... it was part of the purchase...
(And I know where the supplier is here in DFW near 360)
reasonable prices...

I did do my '02 Ex and have done others,
but the '03 has a redish tint that I hadn't seen before and wanted it to match...

they are actually pretty easy to install...
The large one piece over the main dash is the only tough piece,
but if you save it for last you can get the hang of it on the smaller, easier, pieces in the less conspicuous places first ! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

**Snug** · 10-10-2003, 01:35 AM

Man your X looks good. I like thelight combo. That is exactly what I needed to see to get me started. Thanks for taking the time to load the photos.

Doug

jdadamsjr · 10-10-2003, 08:43 AM

Thanks Snug !
Good luck with your light project.
Our '02 7.3L Ex was a dark green - almost black - 'limited ultimate'

but it was a 4x2 and I 'needed' a 4x4 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

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I know you need more light in AK !
Our nights are a LITLLE bit shorter in the lower 48 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

But our scenery can't compare to your's I'll bet !

rock_doctor · 10-10-2003, 01:44 PM

The first thing to do is get a good quality brush guard for the front. The front bumper is made from some type of metal (tin I think) so a good steel brush guard will save you some money someday and may even save you life.

mark

jdadamsjr · 10-10-2003, 05:06 PM

Good point Rock, but I think it's tougher than we think -
especially with the 1000 lb [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] blocker beam right behind it...

I was leaving a strip mall, watching traffic come from the left and made a right turn to go to the mall exit at the street at the end of the lot and SCREECH !!!
There was a post right at the corner like a metal fence post but there was no sign on it... it happened to be right where my right front door pillar was - NEVER saw it until I heard a faint noise and then saw this thing being pushed over like a wet noodle !
I wasn't giving it gas, and slammed on the brakes as fast as I could, but the beast had already just pushed it over to the ground...

Backed up to see what it was... got out and went around front to pull it back up since I had pushed it out into the traffic lane and, I know I'm not the 'power lifter' I used to be, but I couldn't straighten it out !!! So I got the malls leasing companies name and number then left...

Really struck me as how sturdy this thing is...
even at idle, it never even hesitated when it pushed that thing over!
Makes you feel a little better about your families safety ... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]