I currently own a 2004 6.0l Eddie Bauer Excursion with 130,000 miles. It is in good condition with the following mods/repairs all done within the last year:

2' leveling kit
17" wheels
295/70/17 Toyo MT tires
All new ball joints replaced
new alternatior
2 new batteries
RAS
Bilstein Shocks
Helwig rear bar

When I took it into the dealership to have the oil, trans fluid and coolant changed, they discovered some coolant residue around the bottle so they changed the oil cooler, egr cooler and head gaskets and had them put in ARP studs at the time. They did this even though my temp differences never exceeded 15* as monitored on my Edge insight. It runs great, although it always did. I also have free oil change for the life of the truck through this dealership and the Ford DieselCare warranty is still good through November of this year.

Now my dilemma. I used to use the truck everyday and owned a small handyman business so I towed and hauled quite a bit with it. I no longer am running the business and don't need the truck for everyday use. I have only put about 2,500 miles on it in the last 6 months. I still want an Excursion to tow my travel trailer in the summer months but am considering selling this one and picking up a V10 to replace it. If it wasn't for the problems that these trucks seem to have when they sit, I wouldn't even consider it, but I have no use for the diesel for most of the year. What would you do if you were in my situation? Thanks for the responses and I look forward to your opinions.

 

i have no personall experience with the 6.0, just read about the issues here on the site. the issue i see with buying another, even if it has a v10 is that you may still encounter all the other things that wear out, specifically the front end. you seem to have done quite a bit of work to your truck which from my understanding eliminate most of the 6.0 issues. is it not possible to use the truck daily or on weekends to keep it from sitting? you may also want to test the waters. see what you can get for your truck. if you can do well on your sale, maybe it worth the risk for you, if you have to take a bath on it why bother....

 

I would say keep the truck (even though my brother had horrible issues with his 6.0) because you haven't had any issues with it. You already have a lot of money invested, and I bet that in the long run, you would make some of the same mods to a new-to-you Ex.

Keep the truck and drive it for the pure enjoyment of it every once in a while.

 

Keep it. Just make a point of driving it to the store once a week. I agree with the others, you have invested a ton of money and addressed the issues that you might run into if you got another one that has not been taken care of.

Besides, if you sell it you will miss it.

 

Since you've already put it the studs, the only other thing that you could do is do the egr delete to make it nearly bulletproof. The diesel should pull the trailer better, however don't want to start a battle of gas vs diesel. Like was stated above, if you sell it you'll miss and regret it. You've done most of the expensive stuff with the engine. I'd keep it. If you ever did see/have the need for a diesel again, you'd kick yourself! Good luck with your decision.

 

keep it you know the history why trade for a V10?

 

The main reason would be reliability and the fact that I don't drive it nearly as much anymore. If the warranty would not have covered my last repairs, I would be out $4,500.00. I guess with the lack of use, I'm worried about it happening again out of warranty. Thanks for everyone's opinion so far.

 

I understand your concern, but I think you've taken care of the items that could bite you. I just doubt you'll have any problems with it. You never know what you might get if you buy another. Shoot, you could buy a sweet looking V10 X and have the transmission go out a week later. That would probably be a $2K bill. Not to mention you'd probably get a cramp in your leg from kicking yourself.

 

I feel your pain brother. I am a Contractor too. For years I have had 4wd diesel. Started with an 01 F250 then on to an 06 cummins then back to a 08 F250. I am a huge diesel fan and totally believe they have there place. However, I just sold my 08 and bought a V10 Ex. My 08 was awesome too. Power everything, full audio/video, lift, wheels & tires. I went through that truck and filled it full of goodies and yes I was even a fan of the 6.4. Like you though I came to a crossroads. I have purchased a "company" owned hauler and did not need a daily driver diesel. My warranty was up. I bought the truck new so I knew all the history and where it had been and was not planning on a grenade any time soon but you still never know. Diesel trucks are not a weekend in front of the garage type of repair. No friend will come help you change a diesel tranny for a pizza and a six pack. Hell your even hard pressed to find a good used part at the local yard that you can trust so you will always justify just buying new or paying to have yours rebuilt. I figured it up and with payment, fuel, oil changes, fuel filter changes, brakes, tires and even wiper blades it cost me $25,000 a year to drive that truck. Now throw in a $5000 trans or even a $1500 injector pump computer. It gets costly fast. I searched and found a clean V10 Ex. I can still haul when I need to. I can get a buddy to help turn a wrench when needed. Gas is way cheaper than diesel. It's paid for!!!!!! Still no warranty but look at the parts cost difference. Plus Ford, even with as much as I love them, has had four diesels in the past 10 years with countless factory recalls and modifications. Even Ford is telling us they don't like their diesel. Never once I have not had the dealership stand behind their product but please, look at the expense it takes to own a diesel when you really can't justify needing one. $150 oil changes, $300 for fuel filters, $100 air filters. It's all ok if you use it everyday, which I did and never complained about but once I started looking at the cost to keep it going when I really didn't need a diesel anymore the answer became clear. Sale and don't look back. Someone will appreciate all that has been done to your ride and will give you top dollar for it. Take that money, find you another one and start over knowing that you could replace the entire V10 motor, trans, front end and even rear for the same money that a dealer would charge for that 6.0 alone!

 

 

Personally I'd keep it at this point - you've done the important things to correct the issues. If you do decide to sell, I'd try to move over the wheels/tires and suspension parts to the new truck. How large is your travel trailer? The V10 makes a great tow vehicle - it's just thirsty - plan on 8-8.5mpg towing with the gasser. I get 8 towing my boat which is about 10,500lbs loaded up.

 

My vote is for you to keep it! I have a 03 v10 in my work van great engine
only advantage is heats up faster, and fuel stations get to see you more often. I get 8-9 mpg with the v10 & 13-15 with the 6.0 in the winter. Make time to run it up to temp & then stomp on it. I believe the 6.0 has a bad rap, and was advised not to buy one by more that 1 person. I glad i didn't listen to them.

 

I agree, since all the work is done I would keep what you have.

 

My opinion...SELL IT ASAP.....6.0 are junk, everybody hates them...AND because I feel sorry for you for having a 6.0, Ill take it off your hands!!!LOL
Really though, Id say keep it. Ive owned a hand full of diesels in the past few years, and I have always regreted it after I sold them. I dont think you can ever go wrong with a diesel in a big truck! But IF you do decide to part with it, shoot me a pm!!

 

My Vote: Keep the Truck.