First, hello all. I'm new to this forum but not to blogging. I realized FTE has one of the most active sections for Excursions and that is why i'm here.

Some back ground. The wife is driving a 08 Yukon, I absolutely hate it, no *****, poor MPG, GM garbage etc etc but it's paid for. We don't want to get back into a note but really want to move on from the Yukon. Long story short, a project X is on the top of the list. I've been reading and researching for the last couple of months and have a tenative plan in place.

Now keep in mind my goal for it is to be a family hauler, safe, reliable, good MPG, and good looking. No towing, that is what my truck is for.

I'm thinking of picking up a gasser 2wd, putting a 11+ front clip on it with a 12V cummins. I think I can do the entire project for what the yukon is worth. That said, i'm open to learn from other people that have been down a road simlar to this before. I do intend to address steering wheel wear and interior issues, seat covers, new carpet etc.

1. 2wd or 4wd? I don't need 4wd and can probably get better mpg w/o it. I'm thinking suspension upgrades will be easier than swapping in a 05+ front setup... That said I will still lift it slightly for the "truck" look.

2. gasser or Diesel? I can get a decent body gasser for $3500-$5000. It's going to cost me more than double to find a 7.3 and in the end i think the Cummins will be a better choice. I refuse to go down the 6.0 road.

3. year preference? Anything to watch for that might throw me a curve?

4. Transmission? Do I stick with a rebuilt 4R100 or try to find a 5R100 or even go with something new altogether, Allison etc? Need to keep it an Auto.

5. suggestions on rear end ratio? I'm sure i'll end up with something between 33" and 35" for tires.

6. A bit further down the line, and probably need to research more cummins specific than Excursion specific, but what upgrades would be best, HP/Torque target, for MPG. Turbo upgrade to reduce lag?

And i'm open for discussion on anything above. Ridicule, suggestions, thoughts, dreams, etc. What would you have done differently if...

Yes I am capable of the swap.
Yes I am a Ford man, but smart enough to recognize that the cummins is superior.

 

87 looks and no comments, not even a verbale thrashing?

 

I guess we are all thinking some of the same things...why insult our lovely truck with a Cummins engine?

I know that there are some out there making the swap, but you would save yourself a TON of issues and cash by just dealing with the 6.0 weaknesses and then building it up to rock star status. There's no way a Cummins swap is cheaper and more reliable that a fully built and upgraded 6.0 beast motor.

I would take a 6.0 with all the right upgrades with a built tranny over any engine swap!

At least then a mechanic will know what He's looking at...so will you!

 

Nah, we don't do that here, better to welcome newcomers and help 'em out, so eventually they'll do the same in time.

So, welcome. I think the Ex will meet your needs. Most here don't have the coin to swap in a Cummins, so you may end up teaching us if you go that route. For your needs, I agree, get a $5000 gasser V10 that looks nice and fix it up the way ya want. Pocket that change for a future mod; we've got lotsa ideas.

 

Since you are going to toss the engine anyway, go with the 2005. If you want good gas mileage the 3.73 gears would be your best choice. The 5R110 is a solid transmission and would serve you well. I believe it can be mated to a Cummins. I don't think many folks have gone this route in the world, much less this forum. Sounds interesting.

 

short of using a 6.0, you are not going to be able to use the 5R110 transmission. Mark (our resident trans expert) has talked about stand-alone trans controllers in other threads. Summary is, they suck and the trans won't operate properly.

transmission alone would drive me to buying and building a 6.0 just to get the 5R110. It's that good a trans. In stock form, it will hold 500 HP at the wheels and over 800 torque. STOCK! It blows the 4R100 away so badly it isn't even funny.

Motor wise, the 6.0 needs a little TLC...but when she is happy, hold on. Tuned, deleted, and "bulletproofed" and you are looking at a reliable turn-key motor that will lay down 450 rwhp using nothing but factory components. Change a turbo, better sticks and more aggressive tuning and you have a true 500+ rwhp monster



Cummins motors are good and all, but I can't fathom the hassle being worth it. The expense alone would drive me to avoid. If nothing else, I suggest you buy a cheap gasser Excursion and then grab a wrecked F-250/350 with 7.3 in it. Do a swap with the donor truck sitting right there. Then you get reliability, more power, and the 7.3 does get pretty good mpg's.



btw, converting a 4x2 to 4x4 is kind of a joke. A guy in the F-250 forum just did his swap using OEM components. it literally bolted right up. you don't get the fancy electronics and whatnots...you'll instead have a vehicle with 4x4 exactly like those from the 70's and 80's.

 

As for the gearing, I wouldn't worry about it till you get the rig running down the road. Then take note of rpms at different speeds and adjust the gearing from there. No need in guessing and hoping you hit the right gear before it even runs.

I wouldn't mind seeing a cummins swap.

 

I dont get it. If you replace a few parts in the 6L you have a awesome diesel that is very reliable with the option for all kinds of upgrades.

 

Ok, i'm a firm believer in rebuilds, powerplant should match the body maker, but it's a double standard when it comes to Diesels. Hands down, the Cummins remains supreme.

I can't prove it yet, but i'm fairly certain the cost is about the same, perhaps more headache with the swap but in the end a more fuel efficent motor with the same potential for less cost, though I'm not worried about potential.

And the mechanic is me. The only time I bring my vehicles in is for alignments and ring/pinion installations.

Now that's a powerplant!

What about the 2005 makes it a better platform?

Thanks for the heads up, i will look more into teh stand alone controllers.

But again, i'm not looking for max hp, i'm looking for mpg and the 6.0 won't compete.


Well i've been known to get in over my head on project but usually come out ok. I have considered the 7.3 heavily. The issues were availablity. While the 7.3 doesn't get quite the mpg of the cummins it's close enough that i would go this route, IF i can find the right deal and/or a donor.


I'm still not convienced I need 4x4. I THINK going w/o will give me more mpg. I fear that the resale won't be there in the end w/o it, but plans are to keep this thing till the wheels fall off.

You are probably right. with an odd configuration like this, it will be hard to predict.

Few parts? My old man's 6.0 has 185K on it. Now he hasn't spent a ton on it, but it's on it's last leg w/o major attention. He drive, well like an old man and still can't muster better than 17mpg. If he were in a cummins, he would be low 20s, from what I can find.

All that said, I love my 6.4, which is ultimately and 6.0 w/o the issues. But I can't better than 17mpg either. For the end goal of mpg over hp i think my best bet is the cummins followed by a 7.3.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...excursion.html

This is for me to go back and read over when I get home.

 

1. 2wd or 4wd? I don't need 4wd and can probably get better mpg w/o it. I'm thinking suspension upgrades will be easier than swapping in a 05+ front setup... That said I will still lift it slightly for the "truck" look.

Here's my rule of thumb when it comes to 4wd: "You'd much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it". I have a 2wd Excursion while I don't have a need for 4wd often, I've needed it quite a few times when either on the beach or in a situation that called for it. If I had to do it all over again, I would've bought a 4wd Excursion to begin with.

2. gasser or Diesel? I can get a decent body gasser for $3500-$5000. It's going to cost me more than double to find a 7.3 and in the end i think the Cummins will be a better choice. I refuse to go down the 6.0 road.

I'd say get a diesel up front, here's why:

-You get most of the components you need up front without having to custom fab and fit other components (fuel system, vaccumm pump, fuel lines, fuel tank.

-You get a trans that's already built to handle the power of a diesel

You can find them at a good deal, it may need some love, but you can always sell the complete motor and come out at about the same price as if you bought a gas truck and converted.


3. year preference? Anything to watch for that might throw me a curve?

2001 MY Excursions. Diesel Excursions built between July 2000 and March 2001 have a mechanical diode in the trans that causes it to self destruct after awhile. No telling when it'll do it, but unless you plan on a built trans up front, this would be one year to be weary of unless the transmission has already been rebuilt.

4. Transmission? Do I stick with a rebuilt 4R100 or try to find a 5R100 or even go with something new altogether, Allison etc? Need to keep it an Auto.

The 5R110 is the best bet, it is far superior to the 4R100 and can handle a serious amount of power without any modifications.

5. suggestions on rear end ratio? I'm sure i'll end up with something between 33" and 35" for tires.

If you plan on running 35" tires, your best best is 4.10 gears. With the 35s, it gives you an effective ratio of 3.73 yielding the best power and fuel economy.


6. A bit further down the line, and probably need to research more cummins specific than Excursion specific, but what upgrades would be best, HP/Torque target, for MPG. Turbo upgrade to reduce lag?

Can't speak for this, but the Holset H2E is the turbo of choice when it comes to good spool on both the cummins and the 7.3.

 

I dont think anyone commented on the 11+ front clip yet, but if you're set on doing this id go with an 08 style. I think its easier for one, and the wheel wells didn't change. If you do an 11 front end on an X, you'll have to weld the newer fender skins off a newer bed to match the fronts

 

I must add that my truck sees 19 mpg all the time on the highway riding at 65-70mph. I have not changed rear gears from 3.73 stock and I'm running 35" tires and 22" HEAVY rims. If I was running 16" stock wheels and even just some 285 65 16 tires I would easily be at 21+ at that speed. You can gear yourself into good mileage with nearly any diesel.

I'm not trying to talk you out of your idea, I just want you to be informed...definitely read up at the 6.0 forum. There may be a reason why people aren't throwing Cummins into a Ford Chassis largely for daily drivers...more for performance and racing if you ask me...either way, I'm definitely subscribing to watch your build! GO BRO!

 

keep looking...plenty of deals out there...It took me 3 or 4 months before I found mine at the price I wanted!

besides, if you get it cheap enough...you can pay a reputable shop to lift the body off and do all the important stuff and still come out well ahead!

 

Don't be afraid of the 6.0 especially if you can get an 05' with the better trans. I stayed away from them for years, now I wish I would have bought one years ago.

I'm running a few goodies, and see 22.3mph at 70-75 all hwy. here in flat florida.