ExploringNH's 2000 Ford Excursion build

[Mountainhound]

If I'd of known. Ford truck enthusiust is a good resource. I think thats where I learned to do my 04 f350. Cant do the new ones.

 

[justbecause]

my wife hates this thread.
because every time it gets updated I start talking about wanting an excursion.

 

[tip]

Love the Reflectix idea... do the panels stay in themselves? Or do they attach somehow?

 

[ExploringNH]

Love the Reflectix idea... do the panels stay in themselves? Or do they attach somehow?

They just pressure fit. They are cut to just the right size where you can just push them into the windows and they stay. They are flexible, so even if you cut them too large, they still work.

 

[ExploringNH]

Packed up and ready for another weekend exploring. 43qt fridge temporarily installed. I'm going to rebuild the sleeping platform this winter and don't want to spend a bunch of time on getting the fridge permanently installed now. I like the placement because it can be reached while driving. You have to climb into the truck to get cooking stuff out or to load it, which is a pain, but priority goes to cold snacks and drinks while driving.

 

[ExploringNH]

 

[crazy]

Nice truck.

 

[dmolson92]

Do you have some better pics of how your roof rack is mounted? Looks really clean and well done! :bowdown: Similar to what I want to do, possibly just 35's for me though! Short wife problems. :sombrero: I am looking at buying a 2005 and build the same setup. The wife and I are planning a road trip up the east coast next fall, maybe we could meet up, if it all works out!

 

[ExploringNH]

Do you have some better pics of how your roof rack is mounted? Looks really clean and well done! :bowdown: Similar to what I want to do, possibly just 35's for me though! Short wife problems. :sombrero: I am looking at buying a 2005 and build the same setup. The wife and I are planning a road trip up the east coast next fall, maybe we could meet up, if it all works out!

Get in touch when you are int he area. The fall is a great time to spend out here.

I don't have any photos of the a-pillar mount. It screws with three screws at the bottom into the a-pillar. The reason for this is because of the length of the stock tracks. They don't go very far forward. The factory roof rails are incredibly weak and flex the roof a ton with any weight on them. This stiffens everything up a bit and allow weight to be placed forward. Without this bracket the entire front of the rack would move several inches up and down with normal driving and probably a lot more than that with rough off-road stuff.

It is very similar to this, only beefier and with no bends in the bracket.

 

[ExploringNH]

She's heavy, but not as bad as I was expecting.

 

[jdinevens]

Whats GVWR on the Xs? I'm at ~8400 with a full tank of fuel(51Gallons) myself and the dogs with no real overlanding equip.

edit: yours is a lot more balanced than mine too...

 

[xbox73]

It's a sports car, nearly perfect 50/50 F/R weight distribution.

 

[D45]

Ever have to use those Matracks?

I have heard a fullsize vehicle will crack/crush them

I have put off getting any for my truck

 

[98dango]

How do you like the zone lift. I'm looking for a 6" and very few used the newer Fords offroqd.

 

[ExploringNH]

Whats GVWR on the Xs? I'm at ~8400 with a full tank of fuel(51Gallons) myself and the dogs with no real overlanding equip.

edit: yours is a lot more balanced than mine too...

Factory GVWR is 8900. I'm surprised you are so heavy. I have a lot of extra stuff on my truck. I have removed all but the front two seats but they were replaced with a sleeping platform, full size mattress, fridge, and all the other stuff inside the truck including some heavy recovery gear. Add on the front 12k winch w/compressor, massive front bumper, steel rear bumper, 37" tires, and roof rack with accessories and I would expect to be quite a bit heavier than stock.

Ever have to use those Matracks?

I have heard a fullsize vehicle will crack/crush them

I have put off getting any for my truck

The MaxTrax are awesome. I have only used them two times. Once on my truck and once on a series of other trucks including a full size Titan and Ford 4x4 camper van. Both times were in the snow. One of them is cracked. I don't know exactly when it happened. Possibly with the camper van. When a winch isn't an option, they are amazing. I should use them more than I do but I never think they will do anything. Both times I have used them it was instant un-stuck. Just drive out. They really do work, and this is coming from someone who thought they were 100% gimmick. Highly recommended.

How do you like the zone lift. I'm looking for a 6" and very few used the newer Fords offroqd.

The kit is great, especially for the price. The back has sagged a bit but other than that, I have absolutely no complaints. The sagging would happen with any add-a-leaf setup. I'm going to go with a full replacement spring pack in the rear for 2015.