The trans went out on our burb this morning and i have come across a 2003 excursion eddie bauer I know nothing of these vehicles so anything anyone can tell me good or bad would be greatly appreciated. common problems mileage pros cons etc

Thanks

 

They are great trucks/suvs whatever you want to call them. The V10 is one of the best motors you can get IMHO. Sure.. It has some issues, but its a heck of a motor. Expect to get 8-10 MPG day in and day out.. maybe have to replace some exhaust manifolds.. but other than that she should be right as rain.

 

More room than the Burb but heavier and sucks a little more gas. Got room?.............you have to pay for it.

 

I love my V10 X, I don't do very long trips very often, and haven't towed yet. But with 4 kids, it surely comes in handy.

Pros:
-Superior towing capability
-More room, for both people and stuff
-V10 is an excellent power plant and cheaper to maintain than a diesel
-Eddie Bauers look awesome
-You shouldn't have to worry about your trans again(stress on shouldn't)
-Mostly just regularly scheduled maintenance items are biggest concerns.
-It's a super duty chassis, so it shares many parts with pick-ups.
-It's a Ford

Cons:
-Fuel economy, but you don't buy a V10 for that
-If towing big for long trips, suspension mods are almost a must(what vehicle doesn't)
-Steering boxes seem to get sloppy(common)
-It's not a diesel

Keep your spark plugs, wires, coils and boots in check, MAF sensor clean, air filter clean, tire pressure right, oil and filter changed regularly, and give her TLC and she'll treat you great!
Did I say I love my V10?

 

It's only the ultimate tow vehicle and people mover, nothing too serious....

Whether it's a V10 gas or 7.3 or 6.0 diesel, these trucks have plenty of room and power to do whatever you want.

I've pulled 8k and 10k loads behind me on the highway at 65 and 70 mph and never knew I had a trailer behind me until I looked in the mirror to pass someone or make a lane change.

Labor day weekend, I was volunteered to drive for the bachelor party of a good friend (no surprise) and 7 guys who looked like a football team sat comfortably in my truck, even in the third row.

Whether you're hauling people, pulling your TT on vacation, or cruising around unloaded an Excursion will not disappoint you. I've had mine since new; 10 years and 319K later, I would never trade her for anything.

So uh, could you give us some details on the one you saw?

 

Mine has 145k miles on it and the steering box is tight with 0 steering wheel play.

 

Love my 03 V10. I tow a 30ft Sea Ray and it does a great job. The V10 is a great engine with the only drawback being the mileage. I get 10.5-11.5 around town, 13-14.5 on the highway and 7.5-8 when towing - hand calculated not using the console.

I'd recommend a full fluid change - diffs, transmission, transfer case (assuming 4x4) and coolant. The 4R100 is a great trans and does well behind the V10. Brakes can be an issue but plenty of opportunity for upgrades later if you need them - pads and rotors need to be of high quality to avoid warpage and accelerated wear - especially if towing.

Suspension, tires and steering are big items and subject to a lot of opinions. Any and all problems are fairly easy to resolve. I've replaced my shocks with Rancho 9000's to get the adjustability, replaced the front sway bar end links and the steering stabilizer and have no issues. For tires I'm running 285/75 Mickey Thompson ATZs at 65psi and the thing rides great either solo or when towing. Coming from a Burb you will most likely find the ride firmer than you are used to but composed.

Not a whole lot of weaknesses on these things - ball joints can go, exhaust manifolds like to pop studs and can be a bit of a pain to replace. Good luck - hope it works out for you!