I am looking at buying a excursion is there anything I need to look for or a certain year that I should get. The only real things I want with it is 7.3l psd and third row

 

Welcome, Tom! We can help you with that. Look on the right side of this page toward the top. You will find a "search this forum" box when back in the "Excursion Forum". Click on that and type in "buying an excursion tips". You will then have much reading to do!

 

The model '03 had two different engines. The first half of the year had the 7.3, the last had the 6.0. The latest updates Ford did were in the '03 year model, but not much different than any of the first 4 years. Just a little tweaking of the interior and a few exterior differences. '02 models had the option of captain's seats in the second row. Like was mentioned, do a search and you can find lots of reading to do. Good luck in your search. All of us here love our X's..

 

Or would it be better to get a v10

 

Why don't you tell us how you will be using your Ex to better understand your needs..

Towing, soccer mom, short trips to work, long highway trips?

My first Ex was a V-10 sold it with 228k miles absolutely loved it!
My current Ex is the 6.0 PSD and absolutely love it!

They are both very different, but it comes down to how are you going to use it.

 

Daily driver to and from work and to the store off and on and trips from ky to pa and lite towing

 

The things I like about the V10:
I went over 100k with only oil changes every 3k miles, 1 replacement battery, I time injector cleaning, 2 air filters.
At 150k, I did a full tuneup (plugs).
At 154k I found a few exhaust manifold bolts that had cracked off... I opted for headers and full new exhaust (only because I like to spend money) most others would have just done the repair. Basically around that time I installed a cold air intake again ( only cause money burns a hole in my pocket).
From reading this forum so much, I installed a heavy alternator and a higher capacity battery replaced all battery cables and at that time did serpentine belt (Again not because it needed it but I thought what the hell. I may have been bored that week).

As far as towing with the V-10:
I never towed more than 5k lbs, did this easy.
With the gasser you turn the key and go, no problems, no drama!
Repair cost are cheap, but gas mileage is poor. 8 round town 14 hwy not towing is common.
I guess what I'm saying here is, cheap to buy cheap to maintain great engine as long as you change the oil every 3k miles. $29 at Ford Dealer.

My 6.0 PSD, I've only had for 2 months now oil changes are $139 at Ford Dealer. Since I purchased it from a small dealer with very little history found. I just did coolant flush, injector cleaning, fuel filters etc.

I do love the power my diesel produces but that's because of tuner and thousands in performance upgrades. My fuel mileage set on stage 3 of my tuner is giving me an incredible 22.3 mpg's on the flat florida hwy's with a respectable 12 mpg's city.

One draw back of the diesel is I need to warm her up, specially at first start of the day before taking off ( she feels funny if I just take off cold). Diesels are not designed to run cold or to drive a couple miles to work.

I looked for the perfect 7.3 for almost a year and gave up because I could not find one near my market even with my 30k budget. Everyone has there opinion on perfect, some were ****!

I purchased the bad reputation 6.0 but purchased a late build, because ford had figured out a few mistakes with earlier models and had done some Small Changes by then. Also, the 2005's have a much better transmission, although my 02' transmission never had any issues from my occasional lite tows.

I just talked about engines here, these trucks regardless of power plant need some modifications to suspension to make them great trucks but that's a different thread.

Im sure more will chime in with there .02 or some Canadian brothers with there .05

Good luck with your choice and welcome to FTE!

 

Speaking strictly to reliable fuel mileage...the 6.0 is capable of 22 hwy, the 7.3 can get 20 hwy, and the 6.8 can get up to 15 hwy. Around town, those numbers drop quite a bit across the board depending on driving style. I see 16.5 in my 7.3 around town driving like a sane person who doesn't want to spend any more money in the fuel budget than necessary.

 

Based on what you said ( light towing and daily driver to work) I would recommend the v10. It's what I have and it's PERFECT for my daily driving and people hauling. I don't tow, but you could easily if you want to.

I REALLY REALLY wanted a diesel, but based on the info in this forum as well as my wife not wanting one I opted for the v10 and couldn't be happier. It's perfect for my needs.

I hope this helps you.

Good luck
Karl

 

V-10...cheaper and more suited to around town hops and light towing

PSD is awesome. wicked power and good MPG's...but it's not a happy camper with short driving distanced and zoom zoom driving.

If you can get a decently priced PSD I'd jump on it. I love love my V-10. But I also miss the power of my old 6.0 F-250. She'd spin 35" tires without thinking twice. My V-10 has 4.30 gears and I've only been able to chirp the Michelins once. Nothing wrong with her, just a heavy beast

 

i'm on my thrid V10 for a reason! they are fantastic!!....and i think it would fit the bill for you also.

 

I love my 6.0 PSD. Plenty of power towing and who doesn't love the whistle of a turbo. I got a GREAT deal on a 1-owner EX from a guy who HAD to sell it because of a divorce (victory ME). That being said, my next vehicle will be a V10 EX. Mostly for the short trips. I hate starting the Diesel only to drive 5 miles. But if the fiance isn't home with her F150, thats what I have to do... go out start the Diesel, warm her up a couple minutes, gingerly coax her to my destination.. and about the time I get home... shes all warmed up! Simply a waste for an amazing engine/truck.

But like others have said, the V10 is perfect for those short trips. No Fuss. And the Diesel WILL cost you 3-5 times the cost of a Gasser in Maintenance.... Like Michael said... $29 for an oil change in V10 versus $140 in Diesel.. and thats just going with Motorcraft... I put Royal Purple in mine and its $130 just for the OIL!!!! 15qrts

Someone on here wrote one time... "V10's are vehicles... Diesels are Equipment"... or something similar to that... but so true either way. Just keep that in mind

Welcome and you will be thrilled no matter what!

-The Great

 

You guys are killing me with this oil change stuff. I change the oil in mine for less than $80. I buy the filters in bulk, and I only buy the oil when it is on sale or with coupons. Motorcraft filters and Rotella 15W-40. Anybody paying $130-140 for an oil change needs to reconsider their strategy. I also only change my oil once a year, so $80 isn't bad at all. I just got a coupon in the mail today from the Ford dealer offering to change the oil in my 7.3L for $54.95!

 

Mike, you are forgetting how temperamental the 6.0 is... it is a MUST to change between 5000-7500. Ask any of the 6.0 guys and they will say the same. Too many guys paid the price by not doing so. And the HPOP on the 6.0 just shears the oil too much, any alot of guys use a Synthetic just to help combat it. THe 6.0 just take so much more regular maintenance than the 7.3

-The Great

 

On my trip to Hatteras this past weekend, I saw 16.9, calculated. Yes, I was driving gently, but the route we take is full of stop and slow/stop and go, so I'm pretty pleased. This is definitely not the norm. I've also seen single digits when just running around town. It's quite thirsty.