I just sold my 5.0L Cobra to pay off some bills and have a little $ left over. I'm seriously considering grabbing a fixable salvage title high mileage Ex or Super Duty for a project. I was set on looking for a Super Duty pickup but I keep coming back to the Excursion... Main reason is that, while I really like my 2003 Expedition, it is consistently not big enough for cargo or our dogs or a bunch of furniture etc... Even today just picking up some square stock I had to fold the seats and one of the pieces bounced and put a pinhole in the leather of one of the seats that was not folded down next to one that was...grumble... If I do get a project Excursion or Super Duty it will have to be a 4x4 and that is really the only requirement besides dirt DIRT cheap.

One big reason I keep looking at the X is that we do have 3 English Mastiffs and in the Expy we have to fold two of the second row seats down as well as the third row for them to be comfortable leaving little room for my daughter and any luggage. You will not realize how small even a "large" SUV is until you have 500lbs of dog in the back lol. One big reason I am considering not getting an X though, is that we do not travel long distance with those dogs hardly at all and I would like to be able to just throw anything and everything into a rhino lined bed and not worry about anything getting messed up interior wise... But having an Excursion really makes one stand out, it does turn heads where even a nice lifted Super Duty is relatively common and if we ever do want to go camping with all our dogs and luggage and family/friends we can do it, I'd probably just want to get a beater pickup on the side or a trailer I suppose...

I know this forum is going to be biased but I also know there are plenty on here who have BOTH which would be ideal but not doable right now for me, plus I figure a project is going to take a year or two to get how I want it anyway.

 

Saw this rat on CL the other day.

2000 Ford Excursion XLT V-10

 

I'll say this, I was in the "should I get a truck or an suv" internal debate with myself for about a year while I was saving up for one. I ended up getting the Ex when we found out we were pregnant for # 4. But since then have never found the need for a pick up even though I do alot of stuff that people do with their trucks. Hauling lumber, going hunting, moderate off roading. I have found that people who don't yet have a pick-up and are thinking "what if I need a pick-up" don't actually need a pick-up, and an suv will do everything you need. I also have dogs and travel often up to NY and I LOVE this "truck". But it comes down to you, and be realistic about what you need / want / expect. Yes get the 4 x 4, but as far as V10 or diesel you have to weigh some things which there are at least 50 threads on gas vs diesel so I won't talk about that here. Either way though I don't think you can make a bad choice here.

 

I say x and "beater" pu!

 

I'd go with the X based on your stated needs/wants. Also, for "cheap" rigs, generally the PUs in that price range have been really beat hard, usually as work trucks. Not sayin Xs can't be beat, they are GENERALLY used a little gentler. Just my opinion, good luck!

 

I would vote the X for you.

I have 4 kids and let me tell you, it's tight inside the F-250 Crewcab with all 6 of us...but it does work. No way in hell I'd ever do a long trip that way though. We'd show up with fewer than started.

Now my Expy EL (think baby X), is perfect for us...and based on your needs...you would be well served by an X. The rear cargo area is huge, and you can easily fit a piece of plywood inside with seats folded down.

best of luck. that salvage link is pretty nifty as well

 

I agree on the ex, I to have large dogs, great Dane/ st. Bernard crosses, weather tech mat and a couple old blankets and the back with out the third row is plenty of room, they also get there own AC vents in the summer, its great!

 

I'll warn you, the salvage Ex's still go for a good chuck of change, especially if they're driveable or at least start. I have such an attachment to my Ex's but really want a diesel, so I've been watching them for doing an engine swap. I bid on one this past February, '02 7.3 Limited 155k with some rear axle/spring damage. They expected it to go for between 5-6k, but I was hoping for the lower end of that range. Well, some people got in a bidding war and it went for almost 8k. Granted that one could certainly be repairable and when I looked up the Autocheck report recently, that's exactly what they did with it.

Now I'm focusing on looking for one with more damage but still has a clear title. I'd have to have a repair business license to buy a salvage title one. It is kind of hard to do, and from what I've heard, the public still can't buy clear title vehicles in California and Nevada due to state laws.

Jon

 

Whoa seats 9 in that link wow... that is still a bit much, I'm talking dirt cheap like $1500 or less, blown motor/trans even bent frame is ok as I know a few good shops that can straighten them out to factory specs. That guy actually might take $1500 for it... hrmm... There is one ending in a few days on copart with no bids yet and a super duty also as well... Again, I am really on the fence on another big suv because I already have a very nice Expy and the dogs DO fit right now and I can always go nuts on the mods with that if these salvage/cl ads do not work out...

 

I would say keep an open mind based on what you find available. I doubt there are a ton of suitable trucks that fit the bill just right and are going for cheap. I'd say you are better off picking the right candidate rather than being too picky about which model.

 

I'm not concerned as far as the model with the Excursion, just 4x4 is the only thing. I don't care if I get the basest model XLT there was, just as long as the body is sound or if the frame is bent it would be relatively simple to straighten.

Just debating my need for another SUV vs a pickup, like I said, I am kind of sick of always worrying about removing/folding seats, nicking the interior, having to put down plywood or liners etc... a rhino lined pickup bed=throw in and not worry about any of that.

 

I just happen to have a 2000 v10 Excursion LTD 4X4 180+K miles, as with a ford the engine runs like a top gobs of power, engine, trans, axles all original, I trust this thing more than I probably should. Needs a few things, dented front fender from 65 mph deer hit, some bearings, bushings etc... I can give you an exact list of everything if you like. There is NOTHING as good as a Ford truck in existence anywhere, ever. I know of more ford trucks/suvs/ cars with over 200K miles and no problems than any of those other cheap imitations. I can do just about anything a pickup can and even more with the excursion , ive had everything from goats, dogs, an entire deck worth of 12 foot lumber (inside) with doors shut out of rain) i've pulled, 520c backhoe, r40 ditchwitch 304 cat mini hoe, plus 4-5 man crew and tools. as far as leather interior goes, you cant hurt it, maybe scratch the finish but we would get out of the river, pile in about 8-12 people on a sunday afternoon sopping wet, let her sit with doors open while we had supper then pile in and go to chuch with dry seats. packed with luggage , bikes and family cross country, this thing is the best. Anyway, the kids are grown, the wife has an escape now i got f150 for work. Soo if your interested Id be willing to let old starla go to a new good loving home. Time for a big fat motorcycle.

 

How about a stretch EX with 7.3 L Diesel, 14 passengers

Excursion Limo 14 passenger 7.3L Diesel Best Offer