Which Excursion is the best?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I've got a 2001 with the straight-axle in front, but I think I would have preferred the 05, since it was the latest one built. The coil-spring front suspension would be a definite upgrade.
But, I've got the reliable 7.3, and the nice thing is these trucks have so much available, it's easy to customize. If I wanted to, I could swap in a coil spring suspension, among many other things.
But, I've got the reliable 7.3, and the nice thing is these trucks have so much available, it's easy to customize. If I wanted to, I could swap in a coil spring suspension, among many other things.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
2000 7.3 PSD Limited. Forged rods and wider front leather seats. It just suffers from sub-par cupholders, but they can be updated 
.
You can build one hell of a truck for under 20K. Once you find a truck, add intake, exhaust, gauges, and a custom chip and you'll love it NEVER look back.
.You can build one hell of a truck for under 20K. Once you find a truck, add intake, exhaust, gauges, and a custom chip and you'll love it NEVER look back.
i agree
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
Best ones in my opinion: 03 or 05
If you want miles per-gallon get the 6.0 diesel.
If you want miles per-dollar get the V-10
If you want to change head bolt studs get the 6.0 diesel.
If you want to change exhaust manifold studs get the V-10
The above is an age old story and history supports the above facts.
If you want miles per-gallon get the 6.0 diesel.
If you want miles per-dollar get the V-10
If you want to change head bolt studs get the 6.0 diesel.
If you want to change exhaust manifold studs get the V-10
The above is an age old story and history supports the above facts.
Times two. Based on your tow weight of 3K you don't need the diesel. The reliability is in the V-10. Exhaust studs are the only worry but I think the 2003 or newer has fewer issues with that. So look at 2003 or newer since Ford started fixing some of the early model issues. Don't be afraid of 150K miles on the V-10. That's only the middle of it's live and if it's a third vehicle, the mileage will creep up slowly.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
The only other thing to consider, is if it doesn't get run often enough
some things will wear out/break from just sitting too long
- especially if you have cold weather.
I'm thinking Air conditioning and hoses mostly.
some things will wear out/break from just sitting too long
- especially if you have cold weather.
I'm thinking Air conditioning and hoses mostly.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,440
Likes: 1
And this problem will be worse on a diesel, specifically the 6.0. They don't like to sit.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 4
Which Excursion is the best?
Mine!!!
50,000 miles and not one problem to lose sleep over. Except the usual and customary exposed wiring (from rubbing on metal parts) in the steering column. Should have been a simple inexpensive repair, but stupid me, I let the stealership fix it. $300+ dollars, most of it labor.
Mine!!!
50,000 miles and not one problem to lose sleep over. Except the usual and customary exposed wiring (from rubbing on metal parts) in the steering column. Should have been a simple inexpensive repair, but stupid me, I let the stealership fix it. $300+ dollars, most of it labor.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 5
From: Kansas City, Mo
I think all the years were good! They all had pluses and minuses. But the fact is no matter how old they are or which engine they have it is still the King of SUV's!! 
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall, TX
I think my top choice would be a 2005 4x4 Limited or Eddie Bauer Edition with under 75k on it. Red. v10 based on all of your suggestions. Don't ask me how I got the "red" out of your suggestions lol.
I don't think it would be driven enough to have a diesel. As I hear diesels don't like to sit.
On another note. Gas will be going up to $5 a gallon soon, so I should be able to buy one pretty cheap by next summer. Everyone will ditch their Excursion, except the diehards like you guys.
I don't think it would be driven enough to have a diesel. As I hear diesels don't like to sit.
On another note. Gas will be going up to $5 a gallon soon, so I should be able to buy one pretty cheap by next summer. Everyone will ditch their Excursion, except the diehards like you guys.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall, TX
Shoot I'd sell ya my 2000 7.3 D 4x4 with 107k Miles for 20k 
You need 8 seats or 7?
Prefer Bench or Captain in Back?
Looking for one with bells and whistles or plain jane?
How many miles you willing to pay for?
Lots of option's to choose from. Can check here for people selling theirs or Autotrader.com
Bought both of mine from the web and made dealers drive em 300+ miles for me to look at them before I bought
Gluck tho either way!
Personally I prefer the 7.3 D and 4x4, but then again I pull a 30ft camper and love the life on a 7.3 if you take care of it (plus gas usage)
You need 8 seats or 7?
Prefer Bench or Captain in Back?
Looking for one with bells and whistles or plain jane?
How many miles you willing to pay for?
Lots of option's to choose from. Can check here for people selling theirs or Autotrader.com
Bought both of mine from the web and made dealers drive em 300+ miles for me to look at them before I bought
Gluck tho either way!
Personally I prefer the 7.3 D and 4x4, but then again I pull a 30ft camper and love the life on a 7.3 if you take care of it (plus gas usage)
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Elmira New York
I wish I had never got rid of my 2001 V-10 limited never towed much with it, but it could easily, Way better seats than our 05, more support and the 3rd seats back adjusts back. Our 05 EB had been good too, deisel and it tows 10k like nothing. I need to find some 01 seats to go in the 05 and it would be perfect.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I've got a 2001 with the straight-axle in front, but I think I would have preferred the 05, since it was the latest one built. The coil-spring front suspension would be a definite upgrade.
But, I've got the reliable 7.3, and the nice thing is these trucks have so much available, it's easy to customize. If I wanted to, I could swap in a coil spring suspension, among many other things.
But, I've got the reliable 7.3, and the nice thing is these trucks have so much available, it's easy to customize. If I wanted to, I could swap in a coil spring suspension, among many other things.
I would say the best year would be a 2005 with the V10. I'm not a fan of diesels.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
No captain's chairs for me. My 2nd row is never up...my 3 dogs ride there. My 01 has 65K miles on it.....I'll probably be worm food before it's broken in. Not one problem so far, not even minor ones.