Hey all, I'm in the beginning stages of looking to buy a truck. I was thinking v10 as I already have a 6.0 Excursion and hear the v10 is a beast. What are a couple of things to look for when looking at trucks and what to look for in these engines as far as miles and changes through out the years. The truck will be used to carry a Camper in the bed with the occasional towing. Please school me

 

Ideally you want a truck with a 3 valve V10, so 2005 or newer. They make considerably more power. ALL of the modular gas engines have spark plug issues, 2 valve engines like to spit them out and 3V engines like to keep them in. Expect to find broken exhaust manifold studs on the 2V.

 

Thanks, I'll look for 2005 and up. As for 3.73 gears, what would be the axle code on the door?

 

maybe my memory is incorrect but I've been on this forum for 5 years and I thought the spark plug issue was the opposite of what you typed.

 

The later 2v 03 job 2 and 04 had 8 threads per plug to prevent the spitting of plugs and and pretty much solved the problem. The 05 and up came with the tourqeshift 5 spring auto trans like is in your excursion which is an upgrade for sure. Lucky for you your in California and that was where a lot of these v10 trucks went compared to the rest of the country except up north where they got more than there far share as well but now they are all rotted out. Here's a list of axle codes. Finding a truck with factory 4.30's is pretty much like finding the winning powerball ticket on the ground so if you find a truck you like and it has 3.73's don't let it keep you from buying you can always have it regrared. From when I was looking it does seem like more 05 and up trucks got 4.10's than the previous generation trucks though.
Axle Codes
31 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-250/Excursion
C1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
32 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-250
C2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
33 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-250
C3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
36 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-250
C6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-250
41 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
42 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
43 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
46 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
61 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
62 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
63 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
66 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
81 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
82 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
83 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
86 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
88 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
EW — 4.88 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
G3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
73 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
78 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
G8 — 4.88 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
75 — 5.38 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
G5 — 5.38 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
GW — 4.10 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
98 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
K8 — 4.88 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
95 — 5.38 non-limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
K5 — 5.38 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
KW — 4.10 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab

05-07 axle codes
37- 3.73

3L- 3.73 LS

41- 4.10

4N- 4.10 LS

43- 4.30

4L- 4.30 LS

48- 4.88

8L- 4.88 LS

53- 5.38

5L- 5.38 LSTransmission Type
E — Four-speed automatic overdrive (4R100), gasoline engines, F-Series/Excursion
9 — Four-speed automatic overdrive (4R100), diesel engine, F-Series/Excursion
6 — Six-speed manual, Dana ZF (M6HD-6), F-Series
5 — Six-speed manual, F-Series (5.4L, 6.8L Gas)
2 — Five-speed manual, F-Series (5.4L, 6.8L Gas/LPG), Mexico only

 

The earlier 2v's had a habit of spitting them job2 03's and 04 2v's got 8 threads per plug hole and were pretty much good. The 3 v's up to 08 job 2 the plugs were a 2 piece design and prone to breaking on removal. 08 job 2 got a 1 piece plug and replacement plugs were switched to 1 piece as well not sure on when that happened but I believe it was well before the factory made the switch.

 

If you're looking for an Excusion, they only ever came with the 2-valve V10 like the E-series. The F-series got the 3-valve beginning in 2005.


Correct.