My 2000 Ex w/V10 stranded me on the interstate on July 4th - the #3 spark plug blew out. As I didn't appreciated being stranded and it has high mileage, I am looking at an '04 Ex 4x4 EB w/V10 with 45,700 miles in very good condition. The dealer wants $23,800. What's the good and the bad of the '04 Ex? I have been pleased with '00 until now! Any help is appreciated.

 

bumped...let's see if we can get you an answer!

From what I understand, the spark plug issue was addressed and corrected on the 02-04 V10s. But in case I'm wrong, I'll move this to the V10 forum to get you on the right track. Take Care.

 

If you like the 00 then you'll like the 04. if it is in your budget to "upgrade" then by -all-means, do it!

The 04 shouldn't have a sparkplug issues but it is always a good idea to think of verifying torque in them at least with every tranny fluid change. (30K)

 

This would probably be a good question for the Excursion forum.

There is nothing about the V10 that should concern you with that many miles on it. Of course, that's assuming it's been well-maintained.

 

Seems that's where it started from...

 

Ah, so if he hadn't mentioned "V10", he probably would have gotten a ton of responses.

 

Yeah...nobody wants us elite V10ers in their forum. Especially those diesel ownin' Moderators!

 

From Ex forum, I was aware of the spark plug issue with the earlier Ex's. After the fact, I read the V10 forum and saw it's not just limited to Ex's. I had hoped the spark plug blow out would never happen to me. I had an insert installed - finding someone who would do this was very hard around where I live. If it what not for these forums, I would have been out a lot of money!

I originally wrote wanting some feedback on the '04 Ex as I didn't see much mentioned on the Ex forum. I decided not to buy the '04 Ex and kept looking. Thursday night, I bought a '05 Ex 4x4 EB w/V10 and 21,500 miles, one owner/well maintained, and I love it! Plus, I kept the '00 Ex as a spare!

 

Congrats on the new ride!
Sounds like you found an even better truck.

Do keep in mind that for 2005, the pickups got a new 3-valve engine. The vans & Excursion still use the "old" 2-valve engine. Just keep that in mind when you see us talk about the different engines & model years as most of us here have pickups. It's not that we don't like vans & SUVs, it's just that we sometimes forget that Ford treats them differently.