Is it true that ford 4x4s cannot be driven on hard pavement. If you use the 4x4 setting on the street, the suspension could be damaged. If this is the case, should I get a 4x2 if I live in Los Angeles. I was thinking of getting a 2000 or 2001 excursion limited.

ryan

 

You can drive a four wheel drive vehicle on pavement all day without problems. Just don't put it in four wheel drive and you won't have a problem. You do not have to use the four wheel drive feature when you don't need it. It's selectable.

 

living in la,ca, would you get a 4x4 or 4x2

 

A 4x4 helps you accelerate when off-road or in bad snow, or in bad rain...
L.A. has very little of that... but I'll probably NEVER take my 4x4 off-road, but I just liked the stance of the 4x4 as opposed to the 4x2 I had...

Had an all-wheel drive Jeep 5.9 limited for 125K miles and took it off road twice... not really cost justified, but I liked the looks of it too...
And because I could, that's why I got them...

 

I owuld buy a 4x4 then find places to go use it. Take a trip skiing or go out to the dessert and go camping.

If you don't leave town then get a 4x2. The 4x4 costs a lot more.

 

get the 4X2 and put a lift kit on it to make it look like the 4X4. Check out the prices at "4 Wheel Parts" to see if this is a way for you to go....

just my $0.02

 

I live in San Diego and considered the 4x4 but decided on the 4x2 and am glad I did. The only place you can use a 4x4 here in So Cal is in the mountains in snow or the desert. You can only use it in teh mountains if you have snow tires. Just use easy on/off cable chains on the 4x2 and you can get in the mountains. And in teh desert where you need 4x4 you do not want to take a EX. I had a Jeep Wagoneer 4x4 which I took in the desert adn quickly got desert pinstripes adn other assorted desert badges each time I off roaded. You want to keep the Ex as simple as pollible and practicle. THe 4x4 is for people up north and east who need the ability to get through knee deep snow six months of the year. Here in paradise we do not have that problem.

 

Just keep in mind that the fwd suspension on the 4X4 has a leaf spring solid axle setup, while the 2X4 has a twin I-Beam with coil springs. I won't go into pros and cons, but take note there is a difference.

 

Please tell us teh difference and which you think is better and why. It never hurts to know more!

 

I'll start:
Look at this site for the details:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/util/ext...lectAcodes.asp

to compare 2003 4x2 Ex vs 4x4...
(funny that FORD doesn't have the 6.0L listed !!!!!!!!!)

But the main SPEC differences between 4x4 and 4x2 are:

1) 4x4 500 lb more weight- (transfer case, 2nd drive shaft, etc...)
2) 4x4 is 3" taller (in stock trim) (longer shocks, more travel ? )
3) 4x4 cost $2-3K more
4) Turning radius 2' more (but still GREAT for this large a bus!)
5) Approach angle 5 degrees more (result of being taller)
6) Departure angel 4 degrees more (result of being taller)
7) Ramp breakover .2 inches more (result of being taller)
8) Max towing 500 lb more
9) 100 lb less payload (more vehicle wgt and about same GVWR)
10) frt & rear leaf springs - 4x2 colis frt, leaf rear
11) frt and rear sway bar - 4x2, frt only

Subjectively:
My humble opinion is 4x4 has more 'attitude', more imposing,
expecially in all black with black bumpers, etc...

BOTH need the roof rack removed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to stop rubbing off of roof paint!

Stock rear sway bar on 4x4 is not as good as the Hellwig aftermarket I put on my 4x2, but it's acceptable until I can get it changed... (And they both NEED a rear sway bar !) At least in the sense that it will give you more confidence on the corners and lane changes... it's still safe without, but the rear sway bar makes it ALMOST a sports car --- well, maybe not THAT good!

The 6.0L-5 speed auto is LIGHT years above the 7.3L - 4 Speed I had in the '02 Ex AWESOME ! matched perfectly - kudo's to the tranny designer - it shifts at the right time for the engine's power curve...

 

Funny you would mention removing the roof rack. I did just that as soon as I realized the cross bars were resting directly on the painted surface. I understand they're designed lower than others to keep the overall height down.

Does anyone know if the "taller" Expedition and/or Explorer cross bars will fit the Excursion? I have not had an opportunity to measure the distance between the hard-mounted longitudinal rails.

Thanks in advance!
Ken

 

Going on the advice of others in the forum, I started researching Yakima's offerings. They make towers and crossbars for the Ford Excursion and look to be the ideal solution to this problem. I am waiting for a new set of crossbars from Ford and am curious to see if they are any different. Discussion here makes me think that I will be getting the exact same model back. (Others indicated that Ford applied a rubber strip beneath their crossbars. Mine already have that, so..)

 

All X's have front leaf springs.

No coils on the 4x2.

 

Look again.

 

I have a 4x4, so I can't look at mine.

I was going off of www.fordvehicles.com

Are you telling me Ford doesn't know what it is making?