I must say I've had some sympathy pains while reading this thread. Picked up mine (2000 ltd v10) 2nd week of June long distance (although I had a brother swing by and look it over before making offer, trip, purchase, etc).

I got it for what I felt was a great deal ($8k w/84k miles). I knew it needed tires. I've since found the suspension issue (nearly riding on the bumpstops up front). It tracks pretty straight (good alignment - doesn't pull) but does toss around a bit with bumps and wind/sway. The sway bar linkage was bent and tapping the frame on the passenger side (looks like it took a good hit on the bottom of the sway bar) and the bottom half of the steering stabilizer was flat. The shocks were shot.

I made a trip up one of the local canyons to 9000 feet...and once you get on the bump stop it would hold pretty tight going around sharp turn.

I put in Bilstein stabilizer and front shocks. Trip up two canyons this past Sunday evening and the ride was considerably better. I have purchased RAS and Hellwig sway bars (front and rear). Planning to obtain V or X codes (looking like X codes to balance out) for front and do modded B with RAS in rear. Also install the Bilstein rear shocks. Figure that will hopefully resolve all the suspension issues. Steering seems fairly tight so I can procrastinate the RedHead for awhile.

Also looking to do probably Banks kit for intake/exhaust/chip. Probably have to do the Amp running boards to make it easier for pregnant wife and kids to climb in and out (was missing running boards when I bought it).

 

The exhaust on mine ends right under the second row seats.

Still leaking oil.

Had to jump it today, but I haven't driven it but 2 times in a week (didn't have plates) and if you turn the key to accessory on position, you heard an on, very fast electrical click/buzz sound. Something isn't right.

not a whole lot has been right other than price. It does run, though.

 

Yeah the battery was another thing I had to replace within days of getting my X (along with the tires). Only two of the six cells were good.

 

His advice will most likely be, drive it till the head gasket blows or get ahead and fix it now.

 

No BS he's more like a genius than a mechanic. Plus he will charge you half what Ford's labor charge would be and you will know it will be done right! Peace of mind is worth a lot with these things and I have had so many people stop and ask me about the engine. Oh yeah, and he painted the engine purple and gold for my beloved LSU Tigers!

 

It sounds like he is a one stop shop for everything I could need. I need suspension and steering work, I need engine work, I need routine maintenance stuff - I was thinking I might do this at three different shops but if I could just leave it with him and say 'build it how you would want it' that would be great.

If I could afford it......

 

Will he order parts for you? Is it at cost or does he markup? Is he OK with you bringing him parts to install?

I am taking it to him next week, I am nervous he tell me something is beyond repair but excited about him being able to fix it up like new.

 

He would not mind you bringing stuff to him I don't think. Everything he put on my truck was the same price I found on the internet. Ford parts were what was unreasonable. I wanted to use the OEM head gasket and we had to buy the head studs (which we were not going to use) along with it. My ford bill was more than anything else. Like I said before he will save you a crap load in labor charges and the dude really wants his customers to be happy. He takes a lot of pride in what he does. Take a look at the engine in his truck....Pure art! His wife has forgot more about these trucks than I will ever know. Tell them Wes said hi when you stop in!

 

Well, it's dropped off at Empire Diesel as of today. He definitely was bragging on your X, Wes - he said you should post some pictures.

Really nice guy and I'm putting my complete trust in him.

 

well, it needs some work - the standard bulletproofing and a couple other things -but it's fixable. The filter wasn't full of metal or anything, which I was afraid of. I feared the worst.

So now it's on to the bulletproofing and maybe some performance upgrade. Suspension and steering will be addressed as well.

 

Well, the truck has been in the shop for bulletproofing and other goodies for nearly 8 months.

EIGHT months.

I hope to get it back soon.

It must be some kind of record.

 

I must have got lucky. His business must have blown up even more after he finished mine. He's going to have to find more good help. The guy works 7 days a week as it is.

 

I am still excited though - excited about getting the Excursion, which is perfect for my needs, and excited about the upgrades because I know the guy doing the work is great at this stuff. I probably could a been a bit more of a hard *** with the shop but that's not my style, so I had to be patient.

I did offer to sell the truck to them at one point though.

 

Any idea when you are going to get it?

 

"Next week"

Jeremy got a burn that set him back, then the wrong exhaust got shipped. It's been moved backed many times last couple of months but they truly do have the hard part done now, engine is back in