Fixing usual suspects
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Austin, Tx
Fixing usual suspects
Is there a good writeup for taking a excursion , diesel or gas, and hitting the usual suspects to make it a good long lasting tow vehicle? I see the rear sway bar, and changing springs, then there is "bullet proof the 6.0" which I'm not always sure whether that means literally from the bulletproofdiesel.com guys or if thats just saying to give it some attention.
I want to get an excursion to tow our TT and need a plan for what I need to expect cost wise to address the "usual suspects". I'm one to usually do my own work, may be the diesel is more than reasonable for such a thing.
I have a v10 F350, have done the exhaust manifold bolts, and lots of the little stuff which translates to the excursion, so I feel like I kinda know what I'm getting into on the v10 side. I don't have a huge budget, but I'm not writing off a 6.0 quite yet, not sure whether its a 3rd vehicle for towing or a replacement of one of our current vehicles. The 6.0 don't seem to be so scary that people are dumping them for v10 prices yet.
I want to get an excursion to tow our TT and need a plan for what I need to expect cost wise to address the "usual suspects". I'm one to usually do my own work, may be the diesel is more than reasonable for such a thing.
I have a v10 F350, have done the exhaust manifold bolts, and lots of the little stuff which translates to the excursion, so I feel like I kinda know what I'm getting into on the v10 side. I don't have a huge budget, but I'm not writing off a 6.0 quite yet, not sure whether its a 3rd vehicle for towing or a replacement of one of our current vehicles. The 6.0 don't seem to be so scary that people are dumping them for v10 prices yet.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 25
From: Chino, California
It all depends on which motor you get. There are a ton of info in the forum. In addition to what you've mentioned:
With a V10, I'd say get the 4.30 gears if you don't have it already. Swap out the transmission cooler with one from a 6.0L. Y-pipe and headers are what I read a lot about. There's the aluminum diff cover(s), Redbox (not sure if that is the correct name) steering box, SCT tuner. Some folks here use either RAS or airbags instead of changing the springs.
Can't tell you much about the diesels. I'm sure others will chime in.
With a V10, I'd say get the 4.30 gears if you don't have it already. Swap out the transmission cooler with one from a 6.0L. Y-pipe and headers are what I read a lot about. There's the aluminum diff cover(s), Redbox (not sure if that is the correct name) steering box, SCT tuner. Some folks here use either RAS or airbags instead of changing the springs.
Can't tell you much about the diesels. I'm sure others will chime in.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
like everything, condition is king. You find a 6.0 that was maintained properly and you are set. Find one that was beat on...I'd give you 50/50 odds that it'll need some work.
The 6.0 hates to sit. The turbo vanes corrode and causes the unison ring to freeze. So if you are using this as a 3rd vehicle, I'd pass. V-10.
If you are going to use as a daily driver, 6.0 would be a very good choice. Unlike the 5.4/V-10, the 6.0 gets the 5R100 trans. The 5.4/V-10 still have the 4R100 trans. That alone is reason enough to get the PSD IMO. The 5R100 is probably the best trans Ford has made IMO.
As far as "common" fixes, here are some I've discovered in the past few weeks of looking at X's. These are issues I've seen on every one of them
The 6.0 hates to sit. The turbo vanes corrode and causes the unison ring to freeze. So if you are using this as a 3rd vehicle, I'd pass. V-10.
If you are going to use as a daily driver, 6.0 would be a very good choice. Unlike the 5.4/V-10, the 6.0 gets the 5R100 trans. The 5.4/V-10 still have the 4R100 trans. That alone is reason enough to get the PSD IMO. The 5R100 is probably the best trans Ford has made IMO.
As far as "common" fixes, here are some I've discovered in the past few weeks of looking at X's. These are issues I've seen on every one of them
Door locks are tired
Rear hatch struts weak
Front leafs are weak...bottoms out on moderate to large bumps (4x4 only)
crap on roof underneath the roof racks
funky old lights
ball joints
Rear hatch struts weak
Front leafs are weak...bottoms out on moderate to large bumps (4x4 only)
crap on roof underneath the roof racks
funky old lights
ball joints
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,885
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From: Ohio
I have a 2wd which apparently aren't very succeptible to the infamous "steering wander". If planning for 4WD, read up on wander in the forum. Make sure the front end is in good shape. (ball joints and various bushings)
I feel like mine is a rock solid towing platform. I added a sway bar, RAS, and 4.30 gears and good tires. Gears aren't mandatory, but sure help even here in Ohio. V-10 has plenty of power IMO, we were just in WY and MT and it pulled the grades just fine. Many use the 6.0 trans cooler, it's still on my wish list.
Here's a good thread from a guy hauling more weight than me and he was happy. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...7-800-gcw.html
I feel like mine is a rock solid towing platform. I added a sway bar, RAS, and 4.30 gears and good tires. Gears aren't mandatory, but sure help even here in Ohio. V-10 has plenty of power IMO, we were just in WY and MT and it pulled the grades just fine. Many use the 6.0 trans cooler, it's still on my wish list.
Here's a good thread from a guy hauling more weight than me and he was happy. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...7-800-gcw.html
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Austin, Tx
Thanks guys. As much as I'd like the diesel the more I learn about them the more I just can't roll the dice that I'd be lucky and have one that gives little to no problems. Pretty much fatal for me if I had to do any real work to one.
It looks like sway bar, RAS, and gears are the common things non-engine specific. Gears are the gotcha for me, certainly non-trivial as I usually do work myself. I have done manifold bolts on my F350 V10 and I'm not sure if that makes me comfortable or hesitate to get another V10.
Been reading about a 3/4 ton suburban as a possibility, but keep coming back to the Excursion as the "and be done with it" solution.
Again thanks everyone.
It looks like sway bar, RAS, and gears are the common things non-engine specific. Gears are the gotcha for me, certainly non-trivial as I usually do work myself. I have done manifold bolts on my F350 V10 and I'm not sure if that makes me comfortable or hesitate to get another V10.
Been reading about a 3/4 ton suburban as a possibility, but keep coming back to the Excursion as the "and be done with it" solution.
Again thanks everyone.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
consider the V-10 X I'm trying to pry out of a guys hands here locally. a little beat up, 133,000 miles. It's a XLT with leather and a few mechanical issues....just mainly dirty. Purchase price of $4k. I've got about $2k in mechanical fixes and tires to perform with lots of cleaning
So $6-7k total for a huge rig that can damn near tow anything. even if I blow the trans, it won't be horribly expensive.
I'd love another PSD, but I refuse to pay that kind of $$$ for a PSD X that's 7-12 yrs old. Especially since they run in the $15-20k range and will still require some reconditioning
you already know the V-10 and your Superduty. The X is (flame suit on now) a F-250 with a bed capper. They share almost everything. I don't think you can go wrong with one
So $6-7k total for a huge rig that can damn near tow anything. even if I blow the trans, it won't be horribly expensive.
I'd love another PSD, but I refuse to pay that kind of $$$ for a PSD X that's 7-12 yrs old. Especially since they run in the $15-20k range and will still require some reconditioning
you already know the V-10 and your Superduty. The X is (flame suit on now) a F-250 with a bed capper. They share almost everything. I don't think you can go wrong with one
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 262
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From: Austin, Tx
consider the V-10 X I'm trying to pry out of a guys hands here locally. a little beat up, 133,000 miles. It's a XLT with leather and a few mechanical issues....just mainly dirty. Purchase price of $4k. I've got about $2k in mechanical fixes and tires to perform with lots of cleaning
So $6-7k total for a huge rig that can damn near tow anything. even if I blow the trans, it won't be horribly expensive.
I'd love another PSD, but I refuse to pay that kind of $$$ for a PSD X that's 7-12 yrs old. Especially since they run in the $15-20k range and will still require some reconditioning
you already know the V-10 and your Superduty. The X is (flame suit on now) a F-250 with a bed capper. They share almost everything. I don't think you can go wrong with one
So $6-7k total for a huge rig that can damn near tow anything. even if I blow the trans, it won't be horribly expensive.
I'd love another PSD, but I refuse to pay that kind of $$$ for a PSD X that's 7-12 yrs old. Especially since they run in the $15-20k range and will still require some reconditioning
you already know the V-10 and your Superduty. The X is (flame suit on now) a F-250 with a bed capper. They share almost everything. I don't think you can go wrong with one
Was just telling the 10 yr old last night when he was sitting front middle (4 kids) I was going to start putting his allowance towards an X so he could beat-box and make noises in the back seat rather than shoulder to shoulder with mom/dad. He said he liked the front seat, then thought about it, and decided his own space in the back would be desirable, but didn't agree on the allowance garnishing.
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