I am shopping around for an Excursion 4x4. It seems that the majority are V10's, then a lot of 6.0 diesels, I am finding some 7.3's around still with very high milage. I am not towing anything with it but do need the people mover capabilty.

How reliable is the V10? Can it handle a lot of miles? Most I am seeing now are at or near 100k.

 

I purchased the van in my signature with 134K on the clock and aside from needing a tune-up it has performed flawlessly. While reliability hinges on regular maintenance, these engines are very reliable overall. The main problems you will find with them are spark plug issues (which can be avoided) and exhaust studs breaking (nothing you really can do to prevent it). There are no nasty surprises like bad heads or oil sludge issues that you hear about in other engines.

Aside from an ignition coil coming unplugged (my fault...), it has never failed to impress me.

 

the V10 is basicly bulletproof other then plugs that can become unseated if not properly torqued to specs.

and exhaust studs that rot off over time. seems teh studs are simply to small in size.

but other then that theres no real weak link in the V10 triton.

im on my second super duty with a V10 and both have been great trucks..

 

Like these guys have said, not much to say about the V10's reliability, I had to look awhile to find a V10 Lariat, crew cab that I wanted, but I'm glad I did.

 

I'd go with either the V10 or 7.3l. Buying a 6.0l Ex is like playing russian roulette with 3 in the wheel. The 6.8l is very reliable with minimal maint.

 

I love my VEETEN... I did have a bad exhaust manifold leak... bad studs... dealer fixed it under warranty. I believe that the Excursions never got the 3v V10 (2005 and up)... I forget what year they discontinued production of the Ex... either way, you shouldn't expect anything other than whats already been mentioned unless the vehicle has been abused. The 2v V10 (Pre 2005)has some things that can be done to unlock its full potential with regards to MPG/HP/and TQ #'s.

 

This is my 2nd V10 and have never had problems.....

 

Correct. The 2005 MY was the last for Ex sadly and it never got the 3V 6.8l with the 5R110 behind it. It did get an updated grill for 05' however.

 

I've had my V10 for 6 years now, and I've only had the exhaust studs break, which I changed myself and installed headers. I've done the normal maintenance on it and changed the spark plugs at 60,000. I love it. It tows my racecar every weekend in the summer with no problems and gets decent mileage for all of the power it has. I hope it never dies, they don't make them new anymore in the 250/350 platforms.

 

As reliable as the sunrise!

 

Almost 6 years and no problems even though it sits a lot......

 

I'm on my third V-10. I have had a 2000,2001 and now a 2006. Great motor and never had any problems I will buy again !

 

This motor makes me a lil' horny on start up. My next truck will be another V-10.

 

Of the three engines the V10 is going to give you the most miles with the least maintenance $$$. You can replace a V10 for less than what it costs to fix a 6.0L but you won't need to replace the V10.

Perry

 

That's exactly why I own one. When I started researching stuff for my next truck a couple years ago, I knew I didn't want another Chevy of any kind. My Dad offered his Dodge diesel at a great price, but the Dodges suffer from ugly truck syndrome, and I knew I couldn't afford a diesel over the long-term. Ever price even minor diesel parts? So on another forum I visit, I posted a question to the truck guys over there about the V10 Ford Super Duty. About a third of them gave me the "get a diesel" speech, Some said it was too thirsty, and some said they had owned one and liked it. But nobody, and I mean nobody could say anything bad about the engine's reliability. As for the gas mileage, I find it gets roughly the same as the Suburban it replaced. But by the time my 'burb had the same mileage my Ford now has (94K and counting) , it had killed three of those horrid 700R4 transmissions, a fuel pump, two batteries, an alternator a steering speed sensor, a water pump, the A/C unit, the two-piece intake needed repair and the driver's seat broke. I wanted to sell it, but since I live in a small town, nobody would buy it. I love my V10!