New Member

[Brad Sneed]

I had a Xpedition 2023 first gen production 2024 none HVAC. Had lotsa bugs LOL but we got those fixed... wanted to make the switch to NorthStar so I am picking that up today 2026 XP5. The old unit had the clutch change out hunter belts added normal AJK racks that could be found at the time nobody was building accessories for the Xpedition at that time.... I ordered the polaris roof rack but it stayed on back order for 2 years so I gave up on that... with the first Xpedition I guessed at preload and probably got that wrong on the fox shocks because my ride was very tippy so if anyone has information about that I am all ears... I added 3" wheel spacers which helped alot... I will be doing the same on this machine...

 

[JTBarlow]

I had a Xpedition 2023 first gen production 2024 none HVAC. Had lotsa bugs LOL but we got those fixed... wanted to make the switch to NorthStar so I am picking that up today 2026 XP5. The old unit had the clutch change out hunter belts added normal AJK racks that could be found at the time nobody was building accessories for the Xpedition at that time.... I ordered the polaris roof rack but it stayed on back order for 2 years so I gave up on that... with the first Xpedition I guessed at preload and probably got that wrong on the fox shocks because my ride was very tippy so if anyone has information about that I am all ears... I added 3" wheel spacers which helped alot... I will be doing the same on this machine...

Howdy and welcome to the Forum.
And congrats on the new machine!

My XP5 Ultimate was the second Xpedition my dealer got in after their release, and it’s still going strong. For being a first year machine, the bugs were fairly minimal. The only big issues it had still haven’t been fixed on the ‘26s. Namely the lack of good brakes, and poor cabin insulation. Every owner knows how crappy the brakes are, and the heat and dust getting into the cabin area is annoying.
We’ve done insulation and sealed all the air gaps inside on our own Xpeditions (and 17+ others), and did the Slingshot Master Cylinder upgrade on my brother’s and my Xpeditions. The Slingshot upgrade helped the brakes a little, but not nearly enough. TPR is coming out with a big brake kit for the Xpeditions. No word on pricing yet.
We’re also looking at possibly switching out the front knuckles and calipers from the Ranger XD1500.

Since we got them early on, we also had to make some of our own mods. Rugged didn’t have their Xpedition kits so I made my own dash adapter and headset hangers.

As to setting the preload for ride height, every Xpedition has been different. Even same year and model. The least adjustment was 5/8” added to the front and 7/8” on the rear the worst was 2 3/8” on the front and 2 1/4” on the rear (way beyond the maximum recommended preload)… just to get them to factory spec ride height. Best suggestion I can make is get aftermarket springs. And if you use Shock Therapy, tell them way heavier weights than you typically run (they like to be heavy on the preload too)

My favorite mods to date are the Clutch Kit and ECU tune ( it really wakes up the machine),
Packard Performance 3.5/3.5 offset wheels (expensive, but puts me at 2” narrower than mid travel, at considerably lower cost)
Rugged Radios (I’m always in a group so communication is key)
The RBO Bed Rack (I pack way too much stuff everywhere)
And the Polaris Low Profile Rock Sliders. (They’ve saved me from having to buy new skid plates and rocker panel plastics quite a few times!)

 

[attakracer]

Howdy and welcome to the Forum.
And congrats on the new machine!

My XP5 Ultimate was the second Xpedition my dealer got in after their release, and it’s still going strong. For being a first year machine, the bugs were fairly minimal. The only big issues it had still haven’t been fixed on the ‘26s. Namely the lack of good brakes, and poor cabin insulation. Every owner knows how crappy the brakes are, and the heat and dust getting into the cabin area is annoying.
We’ve done insulation and sealed all the air gaps inside on our own Xpeditions (and 17+ others), and did the Slingshot Master Cylinder upgrade on my brother’s and my Xpeditions. The Slingshot upgrade helped the brakes a little, but not nearly enough. TPR is coming out with a big brake kit for the Xpeditions. No word on pricing yet.
We’re also looking at possibly switching out the front knuckles and calipers from the Ranger XD1500.

Since we got them early on, we also had to make some of our own mods. Rugged didn’t have their Xpedition kits so I made my own dash adapter and headset hangers.

As to setting the preload for ride height, every Xpedition has been different. Even same year and model. The least adjustment was 5/8” added to the front and 7/8” on the rear the worst was 2 3/8” on the front and 2 1/4” on the rear (way beyond the maximum recommended preload)… just to get them to factory spec ride height. Best suggestion I can make is get aftermarket springs. And if you use Shock Therapy, tell them way heavier weights than you typically run (they like to be heavy on the preload too)

My favorite mods to date are the Clutch Kit and ECU tune ( it really wakes up the machine),
Packard Performance 3.5/3.5 offset wheels (expensive, but puts me at 2” narrower than mid travel, at considerably lower cost)
Rugged Radios (I’m always in a group so communication is key)
The RBO Bed Rack (I pack way too much stuff everywhere)
And the Polaris Low Profile Rock Sliders. (They’ve saved me from having to buy new skid plates and rocker panel plastics quite a few times!)

I agree with the clutch and ECU upgrade, I also added the AA exhaust as well and I think it's the first upgrade everyone should do to this car !!!

 

[DogRunner2]

Howdy and welcome to the Forum.
And congrats on the new machine!

My XP5 Ultimate was the second Xpedition my dealer got in after their release, and it’s still going strong. For being a first year machine, the bugs were fairly minimal. The only big issues it had still haven’t been fixed on the ‘26s. Namely the lack of good brakes, and poor cabin insulation. Every owner knows how crappy the brakes are, and the heat and dust getting into the cabin area is annoying.
We’ve done insulation and sealed all the air gaps inside on our own Xpeditions (and 17+ others), and did the Slingshot Master Cylinder upgrade on my brother’s and my Xpeditions. The Slingshot upgrade helped the brakes a little, but not nearly enough. TPR is coming out with a big brake kit for the Xpeditions. No word on pricing yet.
We’re also looking at possibly switching out the front knuckles and calipers from the Ranger XD1500.

Since we got them early on, we also had to make some of our own mods. Rugged didn’t have their Xpedition kits so I made my own dash adapter and headset hangers.

As to setting the preload for ride height, every Xpedition has been different. Even same year and model. The least adjustment was 5/8” added to the front and 7/8” on the rear the worst was 2 3/8” on the front and 2 1/4” on the rear (way beyond the maximum recommended preload)… just to get them to factory spec ride height. Best suggestion I can make is get aftermarket springs. And if you use Shock Therapy, tell them way heavier weights than you typically run (they like to be heavy on the preload too)

My favorite mods to date are the Clutch Kit and ECU tune ( it really wakes up the machine),
Packard Performance 3.5/3.5 offset wheels (expensive, but puts me at 2” narrower than mid travel, at considerably lower cost)
Rugged Radios (I’m always in a group so communication is key)
The RBO Bed Rack (I pack way too much stuff everywhere)
And the Polaris Low Profile Rock Sliders. (They’ve saved me from having to buy new skid plates and rocker panel plastics quite a few times!)

About 3k for the brake upgrade.