'04 Expedition EB upgrade

[PHIL CLACK]

When I did my leveling kit I decided to do springs and shocks all at the same time while I had everything out. I was pushing 200K miles so figured I was probably overdue on the shocks. Went with the Bilstein 4600s because others talked highly of them. Was wanting something a bit firmer than stock. They seemed a bit soft at first but have firmed up over time. I really like the way they feel now. Handling is great even when she's loaded up.

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Wow! Bob this looks so good!
Definitely moved away from the soccer mom stock look. [emoji12]

Thanks Bob, were those in a kit or separate buys?

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[Vancouver Bob]

Wow! Bob this looks so good!
Definitely moved away from the soccer mom stock look. [emoji12]

Thanks Bob, were those in a kit or separate buys?

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Ha ha... yes, the soccer mom days are over!

They were three separate buys. Got the shocks from Tire Rack, the springs from A1 Auto, and got the leveling kit off eBay.

Sounds like you're pretty happy with the exhaust and intake mods you did. I've never really considered those but you've got me curious.

 

[PHIL CLACK]

Ha ha... yes, the soccer mom days are over!

They were three separate buys. Got the shocks from Tire Rack, the springs from A1 Auto, and got the leveling kit off eBay.

Sounds like you're pretty happy with the exhaust and intake mods you did. I've never really considered those but you've got me curious.

Love the intake kit and the magnaflo is mildly aggressive sounding, but not absurdly annoying like the trombone fart can exhaust systems the younglings are putting on these days.

However....that last heat wave made me think about better isolating the intake flow. Sucking hot air from the engine compartment on a 110 degree day was no bueno.



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[Adieu]

Moog? KYB? Rancho?
So many choices!

My bucket has about 110k mikes on our delightfully well paved California roads, now so I'm looking into fresh springs and struts.
I want a good ride but not too stiff for my passengers [emoji12]
Any recommendations?

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Just bought Ranchos, for 3rd gen at least Rockauto has em for ~600 shipped (after rebate) for all 4 corners.... thats 4 complete preassembled coilovers (w/ compressed springs, perches, bumpstops etc) 9000XL series, with firmness adjustment and quicklift ride levelling

Stamped "Made in USA", colors aint too ridiculous... and, tastefully, they put the stickers IN THE BOX not on the shock.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Just bought Ranchos, for 3rd gen at least Rockauto has em for ~600 shipped (after rebate) for all 4 corners.... thats 4 complete preassembled coilovers (w/ compressed springs, perches, bumpstops etc) 9000XL series, with firmness adjustment and quicklift ride levelling

Stamped "Made in USA", colors aint too ridiculous... and, tastefully, they put the stickers IN THE BOX not on the shock.

Something to be said for the preassembled coilovers... way easier. Had to change my shorts after one of the spring compressors popped open on me . Never should have used that set I borrowed from NAPA, it was in bad shape.

 

[PHIL CLACK]

Just bought Ranchos, for 3rd gen at least Rockauto has em for ~600 shipped (after rebate) for all 4 corners.... thats 4 complete preassembled coilovers (w/ compressed springs, perches, bumpstops etc) 9000XL series, with firmness adjustment and quicklift ride levelling

Stamped "Made in USA", colors aint too ridiculous... and, tastefully, they put the stickers IN THE BOX not on the shock.

600? Wow
Was the lift gained from these sufficient to accommodate 35" tires?
If so I might be inclined to forgo the eBay kit I bought.

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[PHIL CLACK]

Something to be said for the preassembled coilovers... way easier. Had to change my shorts after one of the spring compressors popped open on me . Never should have used that set I borrowed from NAPA, it was in bad shape.

Yup, always have spare shorts on hand when using borrowed/rental tools. [emoji12]

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[Adieu]

600? Wow
Was the lift gained from these sufficient to accommodate 35" tires?
If so I might be inclined to forgo the eBay kit I bought.

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No clue, I think they claimed it would though... go to their site they have info

mine are 33's and I'm dumping a bigger front lift that seems to have been 3" though

 

[Adieu]

Something to be said for the preassembled coilovers... way easier. Had to change my shorts after one of the spring compressors popped open on me . Never should have used that set I borrowed from NAPA, it was in bad shape.

Truth.

Even a totally blown and short to begin with kinda wimpy BMW lowering spring that barely held up a far lighter car gave me the slip and sailed off for greener pastures into the bushes 20 feet away...would NOT wanna find out how far a still-viable long thick and strong expy spring can fly, much less have one take off towards me not away from me

 

[GAINMOB]

Don't do Jet programmer... put that money towards a good custom programmer from 5startuning @ 5startuning.com who is also a vendor on this site... contact them and tell them ur a member and receive a discount... they will make up to 5 custom tunes for u depending on what u have and what u want to do in the future

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[PHIL CLACK]

Truth.

Even a totally blown and short to begin with kinda wimpy BMW lowering spring that barely held up a far lighter car gave me the slip and sailed off for greener pastures into the bushes 20 feet away...would NOT wanna find out how far a still-viable long thick and strong expy spring can fly, much less have one take off towards me not away from me

So... I decided on the Rancho 9000 kits. I like the idea of " pre-assembled" units vs parts. Got enough scars already. lol
Came to 600 after the rebate.[emoji41]

Now to scout out some tires....

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[Vancouver Bob]

So... I decided on the Rancho 9000 kits. I like the idea of " pre-assembled" units vs parts. Got enough scars already. lol
Came to 600 after the rebate.[emoji41]

Now to scout out some tires....

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Have you decided on tire size? After I put the leveling kit on my Expy, the original tires just looked way too small. Or perhaps that was just me trying to justify putting on 35" tires . I do love the way it she looks. I still find myself glancing back after parking.

 

[PHIL CLACK]

Have you decided on tire size? After I put the leveling kit on my Expy, the original tires just looked way too small. Or perhaps that was just me trying to justify putting on 35" tires . I do love the way it she looks. I still find myself glancing back after parking.

Jury is still out on the size. I'm going to check the measurements after I install the Ranchos...then reexamine the piggy bank.
Been looking at the Falken AT3Ws as they seem to have good reviews and some cost savings vs KO2s.



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[Adieu]

Jury is still out on the size. I'm going to check the measurements after I install the Ranchos...then reexamine the piggy bank.
Been looking at the Falken AT3Ws as they seem to have good reviews and some cost savings vs KO2s.



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Look for takeoffs if you're staying with a big tire small rim setup... lotsa kids buying trucks and ditching the wheels for something flashy and often ridiculous, there's a glut of lightly used and even practically new tires and tire+rim sets out there in them smaller sizes

Last year killed a rim on my sport sedan, got sticker shock at prices for matching one wheel and tire.... ended up with immaculate BMW 650i takeoff made-in-EU wheels, Bridgestone made-in-Japan runflats (not my first choice - but that there some EXPENSIVE-azz rubber!) with literally just dealer lot test drive mileage on em, heck even german-made BMW tpms sensors that synced right up with no action from me required.... all for $500.

Judging by where and who I bought em off, they weren't even stolen or anything

And its that MUCH only cuz it's like $4k worth of stuff --- Ford wheels and truck tires be much more reasonably priced

 

[PHIL CLACK]

Yeah, I've been trolling Craig's list for months....some tempting deals on occasion but I'm in silicon valley and some of the posts are kinda shady. I'm looking at larger than stock tires too. Stock 20" come with 285x50x20 so I'd gain .3" in height but lose 1.5" in sidewall.18" is the largest I'd go with wheels as I want a tall enough sidewall take the off road punishment as well as the crap bay area roads. All of the 18" takeoffs I've seen have 265s anyway.

So I've kinda decided to go with my stocker 17s and a 285 or 305 tire.
But alas all of this is going to be on the back burner for a bit as I now have to redirect funds to cover a surgery for my daughter.[emoji41]

Joys of parenting

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[Tdh777]

I got the nitro terra grappler g2’s 285 70 17. Couldn’t afford wheels to so I kept the factory. The pic is after 30,000 miles on em. They are quite, rude great and handle well off road. E rated 10ply. Will definitely be buying more when these are done or if I decide to lift and go bigger

 

[Tdh777]

Nitto*

 

[Rockclutch]

Finally updating my post-
So I did get quite a bit done this year:

K&N Cold air intake- fairly straightforward installation, love the look and sound

Magnaflo muffler installed has a subdued aggressive tone that is not overpowering in the cabin.

Rancho 9000 XL quick lift coil-overs: incredibly happy with this choice. Adjusting on the fly takes about a minute and the ride is excellent.

Had a caliper fail so I upgraded the front with Powerstop calipers while doing the Ranchos. No complaints.

My PCU fried while calibration for the larger tires was going on. Total PIA experience. Got a warrantied remanufactured unit for about 500$.

Falken AT3W LT 10-ply @ 285/75 17.
I'm in love.
These are the best truck tires I have ever driven on. Quiet, sure and very capable.
And they look good too!

2018 goals- upgrade from the 3.73 gears



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[The Lucidor]

I dig those tires. Looking for a set myself.

 

[scoot0073]

Hey Rock u got a Link to where u got those coil Assemblies from? Thanks brother

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