What Have You Done to Your 4th Gen This Week?

[5280tunage]

Finally got an appointment with my exhaust shop. They spent a couple hours on my rig. We weren't able to get the 22" CGS muffler to fit with the SPD Stage2 resonator. But I have to say, we added the SPD Stage2 resonator in the correct place, in front of the muffler, and even before it completely breaks in, it has made a great difference. The sound outside the rig is much better (I don't feel embarrassed to drive it now), the sound inside is a little better but it's still a tad noisier in the rear of the car than I want, but still better. For anyone doing the SPD downpipes, I'd either recommend leaving the factory catback in place, or start with the SPD resonator. I'm now running the SPD resonator and the 14" CGS muffler. The shop welded it up much nicer than just the clamps. I've seen the muffler wraps, anyone know if there's something similar for the tailpipes since most of the sound inside is coming from near the tip?

On a side note, this crap with Cat's being stolen is nuts. My exhaust guy has had to dedicate a bay in his garage to cat replacements, he gets 10-12 calls a day for cat replacements here in Denver. What a S&it show! He had over 40 cats in his shop waiting to go into cars.

Also, if there's anyone in Colorado that wants the entire MagnaFlow Catback (it does include the extension piece for a Max). It was used for less than 2 weeks, and truly I bet it will sound pretty good without the SPD downpipes. That seems to be the big issue. I have considered shipping it but the cost of shipping (being that I'm not a high volume business shipper) is pretty high, my test shipments were over $125 but depends on destination. Because of that, I can be very flexible on pricing.

 

[expeditiondriver]

I’ve been toying with the idea of some kind of exhaust mods to hear a bit more turbo whistle. But these experiences sound like a real buzzkill. What would you do if you could start over?

 

[5280tunage]

So first, let me say, I have no idea what the CGS or MagnaFlow sound like normally. The real issue is the combination of the SPD and aftermarket catbacks. If I had it to do over, I would start with the SPD downpipes and turbo adapters, leaving the factory catback. See what that was like, then move on. I probably would have then bought the resonator and maybe even muffler from SPD, and had my exhaust shop cut/weld/install the piping. For some reason, SPD doesn't make a catback for this yet, but they do for many F150's. Wish they did. Even my exhaust guys commented on how well the SPD components were made/welded. Their welds are some of the best I've ever seen.

The power and turbo response is much better, no question. And every little bit helps at altitude. Finally, I'm back to a point where the exhaust notes don't **** the turbo wine. Love it.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

Towed the toy for some dirt therapy then blacked out the rest of the front end finally.

 

[Bandroid]

Wheel set-up.
Magnetic cell holder.

Magnetic cell holder. How you find a fit for the coin holder. Im looking at something similar

 

[5280tunage]

Spent a few minutes putting some thermal and acoustic shielding under the rear, will continue up to the front as time permits. Also add some titanium infused heat shields on the catback portions, I've noticed the high flow, high quality stainless stuff seems to run a little hotter, so I wanted to make sure things were a little more protected. Have a couple more to install, but so far those things seem to be well made (from design engineering). Also, eventually will do some good sound deadener on the inside of the rear compartment, but that will involve removing all of the trim.

 

[BlackedOutFox]

Swapped out the puddle lights for these aftermarket lights. Also added crossbars, LED reverse lights, and removed the bumper air dam.

 

[John I]

Compliments of a drunk driver who apparently didn't recognize that 15+ vehicles across a 3 lane street were slowing/stopping for a red light while he accelerated.

 

[DWs-TTEB]

Compliments of a drunk driver who apparently didn't recognize that 15+ vehicles across a 3 lane street were slowing/stopping for a red light while he accelerated.

Is everyone okay? Sad to hear this happened to your awesome ride.

 

[bwhinnen]

Well it was last week. Drove it from San Diego to DFW with a 6x12 uhaul packed to the roof. it towed really well I have to say. 11 - 12MPG through CA to NM then 12 - 14MPG from NM through parts of TX. Sitting at ahem 65 - 70MPH depending on speed limits. I would go up to the speed limit if overtaking.

Then I proceeded to get TX license plates on it.

It still needs a post drive bath though.

I can’t believe the number of Expys here, most of them either EL or Max.

 

[John I]

Is everyone okay? Sad to hear this happened to your awesome ride.

Thanks for asking. I was driving alone and, except for some neck/back soreness, am feeling okay. The drunk was fine, of course, even though he ricocheted off the Expy, across the sidewalk, and into a wrought iron fence. Things could have been a lot worse for him, as he narrowly missed a bicyclist.
I am feeling like a marked man though. Second rear-end collision by a drunk driver in 2.5 years. First one totaled my MDX.
Be safe out there.

 

[bill_b]

Tow rig to Hatfield Mccoy!

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

Finally pulled the trigger on the ready lift showed up today hoping to get it installed in the next few weeks. Spent about 2 hours clay barring the entire vehicle getting it ready to ceramic coat it but sure does look good for 10 minutes.

 

[expeditiondriver]

Always enjoy this thread.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Well it was last week. Drove it from San Diego to DFW with a 6x12 uhaul packed to the roof.

Then I proceeded to get TX license plates on it.

I can’t believe the number of Expys here, most of them either EL or Max.

View attachment 69607

I promise not to Seattle your Texas if you promise not to California my Texas. It really is surprising how many Expeditions (and other full size SUVs) there are here. I only saw one or two gen 4’s in my part of Seattle (pop 115,000+), and yet there’s a Stealth Max two doors down and a Navigator L a couple more doors down. Overall, more houses on my street have BOF suvs than not.

 

[bwhinnen]

I promise not to Seattle your Texas if you promise not to California my Texas. It really is surprising how many Expeditions (and other full size SUVs) there are here. I only saw one or two gen 4’s in my part of Seattle (pop 115,000+), and yet there’s a Stealth Max two doors down and a Navigator L a couple more doors down. Overall, more houses on my street have BOF suvs than not.

Let‘s keep Texas, we’ll, Texas We seem to have moved into minivan central, mixed with trucks and lifted Jeeps.

We moved here to escape some of the costs, the taxes, the idiots (yes, each place has it’s fair share of them) and some of the asinine rules. Plus, I’m an ex-pat Aussie, so I come here to experience, not to push my way of living

One thing I will miss, is being able to lane-split on the motorcycle.

Expy related: so glad we got the cooled/seats with a fan in them, makes it much nicer in the heat. Plus, I’m searching out shading parking spots again, reminds me of growing up in the Northern Territory…

 

[shane_th_ee]

Expy related: so glad we got the cooled/seats with a fan in them, makes it much nicer in the heat. Plus, I’m searching out shading parking spots again, reminds me of growing up in the Northern Territory…

Yeah, the ventilated seats were kinda useless in Seattle, but they're awesome here. That and the remote start phone app, which I thought was a stupid gimmick. But walking back to the Expy and having it all cooled off is awesome. Off-topic: we were expats in NSW (Port Stephens) for a couple years. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Texas; there are aspects to the culture which are very similar to Australian culture and which are not shared with California.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

Got her ceramic coated if anyone is interested in doing it I had great results with Blackfire Pro ceramic black edition. 5 minute working time made it very easy to fully apply an entire panel let it cure and wipe it off. Won't know how well it holds up but has 9H hardness and says good for 5 years.

Link to the kit I ordered. Side note they regularly run sales on the site or parent site Autogeek.net so don't pay full price.

BLACKFIRE BLACK EDITION Ceramic Coating and Care Kit

BLACKFIRE BLACK EDITION Ceramic Coating and Care Kit - Everything you need, but the car! The BLACKFIRE Black Edition Ceramic Coating and Care Kit brings you everything you need for a car worthy of envy. The BLACKFIRE Pro Ceramic Coating Black Editi...

www.blackfirewax.com

 

[BlackedOutFox]

I swapped all the halogen bulbs for LEDs and installed Rough Country 2” CREE LED 18W Flood Lights on SDHQ Pillar Mounts.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

Finally joined the ready lift club!