Okay:
So, we have a Excursion issue

I thought I wanted a diesel, I pull a 10,000# camper
Right now I have a 6.8L Excursion and have just in the past 5,000 miles done:
All 4 brakes; calipers, brackets, rotors, pads
Front Hubs, U joints, Wheel seals, Ball joints, etc.
Always Mobil 1 a Motorcraft filter
Tires have 11k on them
just rolled 170,000 miles on it
Need to to Door lock actuators, Exhaust manifold studs and gaskets (headers)

Found a
2005 Limited with DVD
6.0L with MBRP T back exhaust
Has replaced T pipe
214K miles
Extremely clean underneath, no rust, etc.
No programmer, intake, etc.
Has EGR deleted, not sure on what/how
Kit/Pipe welded/ etc

I'm so on the fence.
I think I can get the 6.0 for $10k

I'm so up in the air

 

You really need to put a monitor on there (scangauge)... Check oil/coolant deltas at 65mph over a 10 mile hwy drive. Let's see engine compartment pics, can usually tell a few things from that too.

 

Is the Ex used primarily as the camper tow rig, or does it see daily use? If it's a daily, what kind of commuting does it see? Overall costs of a diesel are higher across the board, oil changes for example on my 7.3 using Motorcraft filter and Rotella T6 from Walmart (cheapest I can find it) run on average $103 and I change every 5000 miles, plus a new fuel filter every other oil change.

Just asking about other usage, as you may end up spending more overall for the 6.0 compared to your current V10 to the point that the added benefits, power, and mileage while towing won't offset the rest of the normal maintenance.

Michael is a far better judge on this than I am, considering he has owned both a V10 and now his existing 6.0 back to back.

 

I'd stick with the V10, but that's my own personal opinion.

 

170k Truck you know vs 214k truck that you don't know.... The v10 just runs literally forever and the 6.0 isn't really the disaster the it was made it out to be but will be more expensive in the long run with for maintenance. It really comes down to how much you want the truck and how much you trust the new used truck vs your current truck.

 

There isn't anything wrong with going to a diesel if that's what you want, but you have to want really want it and not be wishy-washy about the choice or it will haunt you. They do bring more to the table power wise and are much more upgradable than the gassers, but they also require a certain level of care, monitoring and maintenance. (Much more specific and critical than a gasser). So if the 6.0 checks out OK and passes muster with the PSD crowd here and you are willing to commit to being a diesel guy, then go for it!

OR........Install the headers on your current V-10, regear it to get around 4.30 to 4.50 effective ratio and have 5Star write you a set of custom tunes. Then pull that big travel trailer and enjoy the reliability and simple maintenance of the modular motor.

I was faced with the same choice just over 5 years ago, for me and my situation I chose gas. After a few well researched upgrades, some cash and multiple wrenching sessions my V-10 Ex is a pretty capable tow rig for our 11k lbs TT. I am very happy with our EX's performance, it's a good fit with our heavy trailer and it doesn't ask for too much of my free time.
My next RV will be a diesel. (Pusher)

 

Diesel vs. Gas

 

Having just put all those parts in your X and not knowing if the 05 will need a lot of that same stuff I'd say keep what you got.

There's no doubt it's cheaper to maintain an older gasser than an older diesel. If diesel was $.040 a gallon cheaper than gas (like when I bought my F250 in 01) it would change my thinking.


The 6.0 diesel is the best motor ever put in an Excursion.

 

I love my 6.o excursion, but I think I'd have a hard time trading a lower mileage v10 that I've done a bunch of work on for and unknown 6.o with higher mileage.

 

Can you keep the one you have and buy the new one? Then keep them both. I mean sell the one that doesn't trip your trigger as much.

 

I was thinking this as well

-The Great

 

Yeah two! Every excursion owner needs two excursions!

 

Here here...

I have two at the moment and i'd love to keep them both. But I'm only keeping one and selling my "old" 05 eddie bauer. I only put a max of 5k a year on it as it is. But damn it would be cool to keep them both..

 

Wait, you are selling what?

Okay, after sleeping on it for the weekend. I have decided to stick with my gas machine. Invest some dollars in the body and put exhaust on it.
Head studs are missing in 5 spots. So pull off manifolds and install new headers and get rid of that rat race of an exhaust system.
I still have the option to pull the trigger on the excursion today but I'm not sure I will. I like the idea of having 2 of them. And I'm sure that I could drive this one and sell it for more money. Unless injector, ppump, etc etc etc goes out and then well my $ margin is spent in maint.
I like my old pig and I'm going to stick with her for now.

So, exhaust and tune?
Keep the options coming! Likely just factory exhaust unless you have a better idea. But headers, yes.

 

I meant front wheel bearings not front hubs, but yes!