I'm getting a 2000 Excursion xlt 4wd V10 this friday. Went looking yesterday for a cheap 4wd truck, since we got our first snow, and my little car sucks... Found this on craigslist 2 hours away.


Talked to the guy tonight, and busting a move on research today and tomorrow. Needs a new battery, I'll see what you guys say is tops(I like interstate, but we'll see) and hasn't been on the road since March. Looks like some rust around the rocker panels- not too bad.

Mainly using it for bad weather family mover(4 kids, myself and wife), toy hauler and a little off roading maybe...

Thank you for an excellent forum- I'll enjoy the reading up tonight on the new beast.

 

Look it over REALLY good for rust. I see you are in NY...

 

She has a little- rocker panels mostly. For the price, she'll work out for what I need this winter, and in the spring, I can pretty her up. Picking up a cheap 65 series walmart value power battery to take with me. Not a done deal yet, but if I buy her, we'll put in a megatron battery- no sense in shelling out the 100+ dollars extra for the moment. Other than rust, which she has a little, anything that if I see it I should walk away from? We're talking I'm spending 2k on this truck... so unless she won't run, its probably driving home under her own power

 

Just remember that it will do great in the snow, but not on ice.

 

I can't think of anything I would walk away from on a $2k Excursion. The parts on it are worth far more than that to the people on this forum.

 

You could get $2k parting out the glass alone. Great score! Get er' goin'. Congrats!

 

You scored! It is funny how it's so easy to buy whole vehicle for parts now, that "cash for clunkers" is a distant memory!
I felt as excited buying a '05 F250 w/6L 4x4 for $2650 in July. Of course, mine doesn't start! Updated In dash Cupholder for my 1999 F350, and 4x4 parts for my Ex, priceless!

 

We had to postpone the pickup- Syracuse got some snow, and my wife didn't feel good driving back in our car alone. He's out of town next week, but I'll get it soon enough! And it gives me some time to look at parts to make it a really amazing rig. Sounds like a hellwig sway bar is a great start!

 

Don't listen to all these spoiled guys from the south talking 'bout "watch out for rust" they wouldn't know rust from RUST

Seriously though, I live in the north where we salt roads and rust WILL be there on any truck that sees winter weather.

I have a pretty rusty ex and seeing as it's a full frame vehicle rusty rockers aren't that big of a deal compared to a unibody vehicle

 

Rather than start with the Hellwig, address the fluid changes and brakes. Next, spark plugs, boots, & any bad Cops. Great Christmas gift for the family!

 

I will get right on those one I get her home. I've read some of the discussions on the v10 spark plug issues and will inspect those and torque them correctly. Also looking into ss brake lines, as I've had Rangers in the past that rusted through. Never good!

 

Well, she is home. Today, no start, battery at 60 percent. On the way home, my dad remarked the brake, tail, and turn signals were very dim. She did run well home yesterday- time to chase electrical gremlins. She's on a charger tonight with the battery disconnected. Also, cruise doesn't work. Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, so let the search begin.

 

So yesterday it sat. 20 degrees or something- last night, got home wouldn't start. Today same thing after charging, just wouldn't start- shame on me for buying a cheap mart battery that the CCA probably is close to nothing at sub freezing. I will fix that- I sense a trip to napa in my future. Good news(maybe) checked out the air filter and fluids- air filter is a K&N- of course its too cold to give it a good scrubbing(it needs it) and reoil- i do have the kit. I may replace that with a Napa gold anyway. The drivers side front locker works, the passenger side, not so much, but it looks like it is stuck on auto. Warn locking hubs going in the budget to fix that too. I should probably start my own rebuild project thread too!

 

I would look into a good quality battery if you can. I like Northstar batteries but I have Optima Blue Tops right now because I got a killer deal on 4 of them. Once it is running remove the positive cable to see if the alternator is charging. If it dies then you know its toast. Also clean the terminals and check the ground wires. I had to replace my ground wires due to poor connections that were killing my batteries. Good luck!

 

I spent last night looking up cable upgrades due to the ground... I will check out some batteries today, NAPA legend and Interstate Megatron were on my list, but I will look into the two you suggested.