Hey every one. I am looking to buy an Excursion sometime after the first of the year to kind of upgrade my wifes 97 Suburban to something that is around the same size and just a tad newer and she has gotten Excursion fever. I dont really know a best year or really much about them but am looking price ways of under 12k. We have a 2005 F250 Lariat CC with a 6.0 already and was looking to get one of the other engines in one whenever we get one. What are the pros/cons of the 5.4 vs the V10 vs the 7.3. I personally like the longevity of the diesel but I dont think the wife would like having anything louder dieselwise than the 6.0 weve got so that pretty much narrows it down between the 2 gas engines available. I know we cant get a decent 04-05 in that price range so I guess 03 or older would be more in view. 4x4 would be optional but hey if could find one in the price range that had it then Id consider that a win. Interior options arent really a factor although she has became a fan of the leather in the 05 F250. Basically just looking for what engine setup for longevity and fuel economy. Now I know you dont go buy basically a house on wheels for the fuel economy but does one fare well over the other. We can hit around 20 in the suburban. Thanks.

 

I don't believe you're going to get the fuel economy at 20 mpg with any of the 3 engines. My Sienna van gets on average 23 mpg.

Both gas engines will last if properly maintained.

How will you be using the Excursion? Will you tow much? If so, then a V10 with 4.30 gears would be ideal.

Only the 6.0 diesel has the 5 speed tranny like your F250.

 

Mainly daily driver and kid hauler would be its use. I know not to expect 20 mpg but if one does better than the other that would be something to consider. I have seen alot with the 5.4 way cheaper than with the 7.3 or V10. Didnt know if the 5.4 was not as good or not. Obviously it wouldnt have the towing capacity as the other 2 but didnt know longevity wise how it fared. She has had the Suburban for about 8 yrs and loves it but it is starting to show a few minor issues and shes wanting an upgrade. She had already stated a couple years ago that she would never own anything smaller than a Suburban, shes not really into vans and then I had a pic of an Excursion up one night and it was love at first sight. I guess we kind of live by the rule its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. She wants everyone to have enough room to do their own thing and to have the room to plan on if more people came along and what not and the only 2 vehicles big enough other than full size van are the sub and ex. 4X4 is not really important as it wouldnt be an many situations that need it BUT like someone once stated that they had owned a 2wd and wished it was a 4wd but never had a 4wd and wished it was a 2. Basically if the price is right on a good reliable vehicle then that is the most important. She doesnt drive a whole lot, the sub had 127k on her when we got it 8 yrs ago and now has 180k.

 

Before I had my 6.0 I had a 01 with the 5.4. It was no problem. Towed my small jet boat with no issues. The trans went but it was under warranty. I just sold my 6.0 and now am Excursionless. :-(

 

I've got the V10 in my Excursion. It pulls my boat (dual axle, 20' Ranger) down the highway like it's not even there.

I've also got a 5.4L F150. I just turned 192,000 and is still going very strong. But it's not the towing machine that the V10 is.

Take care of these motors and they'll be fine. Just keep 'em cool and lubricated.

 

I have a '00 Ex with the 7.3 and have had vehicles with the v10 and the 5.4 v8. The 7.3 pulls the ex and an 18' trailer with a vehicle loaded on it without much problem. There isn't much road or engine noise in the Ex as opposed to my '00 F350 Lariat with the same engine. I wold imagine that a 6.0 would give better mileage and a quieter engine.