I just got back from a trip to see a couple of Excursions for sale locally.

#1, Original owner 2000 Ex Limited 4x4, Green, with 91000 on it, V10, decent condition for a 10 year old truck. Needs a good detail job. The steering had a bit of play in it. That concerned me. My 99 F150 with 108k doesnt have any play in the steering. This Ex does have 22" wheels with 305/45 tires. They looked over inflated, riding on the center of the tread patch. Causing the play?? Trans fluid still red, engine oil not black.

Did light trailer duty, he pulled an ATV trailer he says, although it had an electric brake controller under the dash?? Feels like it needs shocks pretty bad. He had the service history from Firestone, trans service and coolant at 49K, frequent oil changes, etc.

I think this one said Eddie Bauer on the side but not sure. I didnt think the Eddies came out till 03?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2082436811.html

#2 is an 05 plain jane Ex 4x4 V10 Silver. It was a Govmnt sale vehicle sitting on a used car lot. No carpeting in the truck? Has a factory rubber mat. Thats odd. Has 87k on the truck. Felt very tight. No frills inside. Full power though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

What all should I look out for checking out a used Ex?

 

My advice, brother Keep-A-Lookin.

 

+1

What are you looking for exactly?

 

Try low balling the first one. Have it checked out thoroughly. Get a carfax and an oasis report. Still keep looking too. Good luck.

 

Impending doom. Or trying to avoid impending doom. Looking for an Ex that is not ready to die and cost me a ton as soon as I sign the title. I have seen a bunch of junk so far. Both of these are 7.3's.

An 02 with a lift. Interior and body beat hard. Looks good in the pic doesnt it. It was run hard and put away wet. Stinks inside to boot.
REDUCED!2002 FORD EXCURSION POWERSTROKE DIESEL!! A LIFTED 4X4 LEATHER

Another 02 with a lift that wanders all over the road. Body and interior not beat up but who wants to drive it if it wont stay in it's lane. What do you think of the price? Looks great in the pic.
2002 Ford Excursion Lifted 4X4 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel

The two in my first post are the bestI have seen so far.

 

And one more I almost forgot about. A V10 with a big lift and two sets of ugly wheels with bald tires. Interior trashed out. tranny and drive shafts replaced for some reason I didnt question because the truck was pretty much a money trap.

***Georgeous Excursion 2000 V10***

That is what I have seen so far.

 

Personall, I would avoid anything lifted, unless you personnally know the owner. Otherwise you never know if the work was done correctly, and how it was used (abused) since. Just my opinion.

 

The red one looks like a "Stump Jumper".
You would have a hard time weaveing through traffic where I live.

 

mine is actually a gov't vehicle as well (forestry, surveying crew to be exact). mine has the factory rubber mat as well. for me and my use of the Ex, i love the rubber mat!! easy clean up, doesn't show the wear and tear as much either. just don't use armoral on it, it will speed up the break down process and promote drying and cracking. i brush most of the dirt out, then use a hand cleaner (like go-jo) with moisturizer in it, and it cleans up nice and nice. and the moisturizer soaks into the material to help it keep from cracking.

as for what to check, drive it as much as you can, check the fluids, the handling, suspension components, and see if there is any kind of service records that come with it. i was lucky, mine had a folder with a couple years back worth of service records, so it gave me "some" idea of what was done. and of course a carfax wouldn't hurt anything, the dealer should give you one. one of the reasons i say drive it as much as you can..... they probably cleaned off the engine and undercarriage, so drive it for a good 20+ miles and re check everything, that will get everything up to temp, and if there are any little leaks, they should show up.

there is a definite possibility of the leaf springs being shot, that might not be a shock that your feeling. it might just be worn out leafs (along with shocks). not a bad fix with either some F250/350 or ProComp springs. much better ride and no side to side sashay.

 

I guess I was the only o e that noticed the Hyundai radio and back seat?

 

You saw that now didnt ya?

It's not been too easy finding a nice clean truck.

 

I would take an excursion with a mild lift on it already as long as you LOOK at the condition of things. Anything is better than original beat up factory springs. If the body looks nice, then you can be sure it was a mawl crawler, and no rednecks took it out for midnight trail ridin'. With the simplicity of the suspension, how can anyone mess up the installation? Its not like a leaf spring can be mounted upside down. Just make sure nothing is rattling , and you'll be fine. Just make sure they finished the job with extended brake lines ( easily identifiable as stainless braided) just get on your hands and knees and LOOK under there.

 

they could be mounted backwards.. but i wouldnt worry about it myself.. i would just get the one with a 7.3 diesel

 

Pretty sure there is a long end. But I usually mount my springs backward anyway to make the tires not line up with the wheel wells.

 

haha! i did that to the rear ones on my bronco to bring that rear axle towards the rear for a better approach angle backing up.. works like a charm