We're looking to purchase an Excursion under probably 12k maybe a bit more. 3rd vehicle, low miles driven per year, gas mileage not a huge concern, some towing-mostly golf cart-some 16ft trailer w/ loads, couple family vacations a year. What is recommended? I'm thinking diesel but in our price range the mileage is really high. I hear the V10 tows good but gas mileage is way less than diesel. Also hear the 5.4 is just not stout enough to be in this vehicle to begin with? Is the 7.3 as good as advertised, even over 200k miles? Is the 6.0 as bad as advertised?? I drove 2 6.0's today. One with 105k drove good but seemed to slip the torque converter when hammered at low speeds. The engine would rev to 3k but it took several seconds before it actually started accelerating. The other had a loose front end but the engine/tranny felt much smoother with better driveability and it had 212k miles. Just looking for some first time buyer advice. Thanks in advance!

 

At that price range, you're probably limited to the two gas engines unless you are comfortable with a high mileage diesel in which case you would probably have more issues with everything else on the Excursion aside from the diesel engine.

I have a 2WD 5.4 Excursion. I use it purely as a people hauler in South Texas which means lots and lots of flat land. It has done a great job over the past 11 years and 208,000 miles. It certainly isn't a speedster but that is not what I need it to be. If I want speed, I'll swap in a Lightning 5.4 into the beast. So, if you drive over flatland and don't care about speed, the 5.4 is plausible. You should be able to find them a lot cheaper than V10s. As for gas mileage, the V8 and V10 will be similar although the V8 can probably edge past the V10 by a couple MPGs on the highway.

The diesels, as most will tell you, like to be driven. If the Excursion is going to sit for extended periods of time, as is implied with being a third vehicle, the engine may experience some problems. I am pretty certain this applies more to the 6.0 than the 7.3 however. The diesel guys will be able to elaborate more on this.

The V10 seems to be the best bet for you simply because you will not be towing crazy loads and because you will not be using it often.

 

5.4 should have never even been an option for this truck. The 6.8 V10 is plenty capable of towing and can be lighter on the wallet than diesels in both maintenance and gas prices..but the flip side to that is gas mileage. I get around 12 mpg..

And although the 6.0 owners will argue and try to justify their purchase.. yes, the 6.0 is just as bad as you have heard.

The 7.3 is hands down the best option but most that you find on the cheaper side will be around 200k miles, if not more. While this isn't an issue as far as the mighty 7.3 goes, people forget that everything else on the truck will need to be replaced with that kind of mileage, and that adds up quickly.

 

For what you are describing a V10 is the perfect fit. I just picked up my third V10 X with 135k miles, loaded Eddie Bauer, in excellent condition for $7900. I couldn't be happier with it. A V10 will tow that 16' trailer like it isn't back there.

 

It's worth mentioning that the diesels will have insane ranges on the highway. 44 gallons of diesel at say 18mpg on the highway is close to 800 miles on a single tank. 18mpg is on the low side of what diesel Excursions are capable of on the highway too. Bump that mgp figure up by two and you'll be pushing close to 900 miles on a single tank.

 

It may not be driven daily but will be driven weekly at a minimum. I work a little over a mile from home so that's why I wasn't too concerned with mpgs. It won't be driven long distances daily just work, pick up my girls, errands, then go home. Will the 5.4 pull a 10 ft trailer with a golf cart well. I currently pull it with our 08 Tundra Crewmax w/ the 5.7 and get about 15 MPG over the 400 mile round trip we make. Will the 5.4 be close to that? I'll be keeping that Tundra si would still use it to pull a larger load if need be. What kind of reliability and life expectancy is to be expected from both the 5.4 and 6.8? At what mileage should u stay away from these engines used? 120,000-150,000-200,000????

 

My '01 has the 5.4 and 4wd (yes, it really does) and if I really try hard I can get 14-15 mpg on a highway trip. 2 weeks ago I drove from home to shippensburg, pa, about a 148 miles, and the truck used 10 gallons of gas. I wouldn't know if the 5.4 is any good for towing since I don't tow but I do haul my 4wheeler in the rear It feels like it has an ok amount of power, but the 7.3 diesel is hands down better for towing and power but I know they don't like to sit for long periods of time.

 

I own a 6.0L and love it...but would not recommend it for you. In fact, I would not recommend it for most except the hard-core trailer-towing fanatic. Once fully "fixed", it is excellent. But...most owners do not expect and should not be expected to make the mods required to finish what Ford and International did not.

You need the V10. Especially if you are only driving 1 mile to work in this thing.

 

I am not sure where you are going with the first statement??? I and countless other love ours with little to no problems, but there are areas that need to be addressed eventually.

Do you/have you own(ed) one or are you commenting on speculation?????

For the OP:
The second statement is spot on, with the chassis needing attention with high miles. Maintenance plays a large role, buy one with records or obvious sings of maintenance if you can.

When I was looking for an Ex I preferred the 6.0 but I considered the V10, 7.3 and the 6.0. I looked at several 6.0's with 200k plus in excellent shape then I stumbled on the 7.3 I have now. Great maintenance mechanically and cosmetically. Go with the one that you want with the best maintenance and enjoy it!


Cheers!

 

I'd say no on the 5.4, it wasn't that great in my expedition with a 5500 pound TT and mileage towing was definately not that good. Considering you are adding 2000ish pounds to the vehicle before towing weight the 5.4 in a excursion is going to be working harder already. If it were just across town, it would probably be tolerable but not for much more.

There are a couple of other recent threads on this topic as well. With all used vehicles you are going to get surprises, here's what I've gathered while looking for a ex this summer.

7.3 - Yes they can be that good, my understanding is that it takes some modification to get them really good but they have a long history of being dependable engines.

6.0 - No and yes, I fell into a 04 6.0 with 168k on it and have had no problems yet. I did as much research as I could before buying, talked to many 6.0 owners, a service writer and 3 shop guys. The consensus seemed to be that those who maintained them, kept them stock and drove them within the factory specs had no major problems. There was definitely issues, thats well documented and the changes needed are also well documented as well (head studs, egr cooler, etc). Do your homework and it is possible to find a good 6.0.


V10 - I've read of problems listed mostly in motor homes with the v10, can't say much more than that. My relatives have owned to mh's with v10's, they trucked them along pretty well. After towing with the 5.4, i wanted to try a diesel so I didn't dig much into gassers.

In any case, take your time, ask a lot of questions the ex is awesome!

 

Not only have I owned one, but so have most of my friends..which some still do (and hate them BTW) I am not biased, I am honest. Glad you are the minority that hasn't had any issues (yet)

 

Problem 6.0s are hardly the majority. The bottomline with the 6.0 is that if you want it to be completely bulletproofed, it will take some mods. If you have the wallet, the time, and the will to mod your excursion, go for a 6.0, otherwise stick with a V10.

 

here is another pee'ing contest on which motor is best......we had this discussion on another thread. anyways.......................

to the OP:

from your requirements it sounds like a V10 is the right fit for you. i wouldnt go with a 5.4 for just the lack of extra power and a little price difference on the sales market. there are some issues associated with the Excursions but this is what this site is for. motor wise and my experience (im on my second V10) as long as the maintenance was kept there should be no problems with the longevity of this motor.

 

Neither the 5.4 or the 6.8 will be able to match the Tundra in terms of fuel economy. The 5.4 will not be as powerful as the 5.7 but the 6.8 should be.

Like I've mentioned previously, I am at 208,000 miles in my 5.4 and I feel the engine will outlast the rest of the excursion. These engines, if maintained properly, will rack on the miles with breeze.

 

Ultimately, the 6.8 sounds best for you.