My New (Old) 04 V10 in Black, with 200K miles...

I don't even know were to start, I'm new to the X , as an owner, but I drove one overseas for years and fell in love with it.

I want this thing to last, so what should I do first on it...On my list to do !

New Plugs (might have these done at the dealer I hear the issue with blown plugs)
Full oil Changes (Trans and filter, P/S, Diff)
New Serpentine Belt and Pulleys
Clean the injectors ??
Fuel filter
Radiator Flush

Im having a bit of wondering , so i figure it needs some ball joints or even a steering box ??

Any other ideas ?? this is also my first Ford so Im a bit lost what should I worry on this beast ?

Also any good mechanics by Daytona Beach....would be appreciated

 

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to FTE!

Sounds like you have a good list to do. Don't rush on the steering box just yet, lots of things you can do for wandering.

 

Congratulations on having the most fun full size SUV/Truck on the planet!!

First thing to do: READ.

Then read some more.

Then, when you are finished, read some more.

Then start figuring out what you want to do.

By the way, did I mention you need to do a lot of reading?

 

Will second that, type "steering wAnder" in the thread search box then read, read, read....then read some more. Don't start throwing money at it until you climb under the truck, measure everything you can find, take a picture of everything from every angle, figure out what you have and what your options are.....then you can start spending money.

 

Congrats on your purchase.


Figure out what it needs before putting money in what you want, a few suggestions.

1.) Improve ride quality with aftermarket shocks


The OEM shocks on the Ford Excursion are less than adequate. There are simply no if's, and's, or but's about it, the OEM shocks need replacing. New shocks will run anywhere from $40/ea to $150/ea, depending on how outrageous you go. The easiest, first step of improving the ride quality on the Excursion is to upgrade to aftermarket shocks. Rancho, Bilstein, and Edelbrock are great aftermarket options, and there are other brands as well. Anything but OEM!
Related Links:

• View Excursions with aftermarket shocks in the registry
• View forum posts with the term "shocks" in them
• View all pictures in the gallery with the term "shocks" in them

2.) Improve handling with a rear anti-sway bar


After a couple weeks of driving, you'll notice that the Excursion feels like a really wobbly vehicle when you turn corners, switch lanes, enter/exit highway ramps, pull into your driveway, etc. Ford started including rear anti-sway bars on 2004 Excursions as a result of this. But for 2000-2003 Excursion owners, you have no such luck. (There may be a few late model year 2003's with rear sway bars, be sure to check!) All Excursions come with a front anti-sway bar. Hellwig is a great aftermarket rear sway bar and can be purchased through Summit Racing or JEG's for somewhere int he ballpark of $135 including shipping.
Related Links:

• View Excursions with aftermarket sway bars in the registry
• View forum posts with the term "sway bar" in them
• View all pictures in the gallery with the term "sway bar" in them
• Discuss this article in the forums

3.) Bigger windshield wipers!

Ford, in its infinite wisdom, equips stock Excursions with really short windshield wipers (both front and rear). Upgrade to 24" wipers for your windshield and an 18" wiper on the rear for increased viewing area during the rain and snow. Bosch makes both a standard and premium-grade wiper in these sizes -- available at any local parts store like Napa, Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.
Related Links:

• View Excursions with aftermarket wipers in the registry
• View forum posts with the term "wiper" in them
• View all pictures in the gallery with the term "wiper" in them

4.) Remove the roof-rack sliders to save your paint

The roof-rack sliders on every Excursion will scratch the paint on your roof over time. Remove them when they're not in use to preserve your paint and to prevent rusting where the paint is rubbed away.
Related Links:

• View Excursions with aftermarket roof racks in the registry
• View forum posts with the term "roof rack" in them
• View all pictures in the gallery with the term "roof rack" in them

5.) LANDYOT Radius Rods


If you've done items #1 and #2 and are stil not happy with the way your Excursion handles over bumps, daily driving, and highway driving, then you may need a set of radius rods to prevent axle wrap and rear-axle-induced steering.
Related Links:

• Excursion steering wondering/tracking article
• LANDYOT Radius Rod installation article
• View Excursions with aftermarket radius rods in the registry
• View forum posts with the term "radius rod" in them
• View all pictures in the gallery with the term "radius rod" in them
• Discuss this article in the forums

 

steering wander can be caused by many things, loose steering box which is common, worn out front end parts, or even the stock leaf springs which are very soft for such a heavy vehicle.

 

This is going to be a informational thread I believe.

 

Thanks guys for the info, will get right in to it, specially the normal or cheap stuff.
Im not sure about the shocks the X looks a little higher so I will need to take it to a shop to make sure its not lifted.

Will also take a look for the rear sway bar...and YES the roof rack was the first thing off, those things are TERRIBLE..

Been reading and searching on the forum for awhile now, plenty of info.

I found some of sammie0126 DYI , very helpful.

 

Like all these guys said, read read and read some more. I joined this forum when i was 16 with my first truck and didnt even really know how to change my own oil. I was always mechanical, just never worked on trucks. Now, 3.5 years later, ive done about everything there is to do on these aside from major engine/trans/diff rebuilds. All just from having tools and reading damn near every how-to thread on here...

Spark plugs are cake btw, just have a good torque wrench

 

Congrats...

Change the diff fluid, tranny and filter, transfer case....engine oil and filter...and drive it for a bit. Change the belt...if it looks suspect.

After that drive for a bit.

The steering wander can be several things. Steering box, joints, tires(condition, width, etc etc)

Once you get more familiar with your new machine then things will start showing up that you should give attention to.

Good luck and enjoy

 

Welcome to owning the most CAPABLE SVU on the planet! And by that I mean, she will be capable of almost anything you want her to do!

 

I'm excited.

A new EX that hasn't been modded yet and is a fresh clean slate of "to do's" to come.

 

Or get RAS and take care of #1 #2 and #5, also raises it up a bit for more clearance.

 

Welcome to the EX club!
With 200k on the clock your Ex may already have some mods done to it by previous owners. Before going too far too fast take a good look around and evaluate what exactly you have. You said it looks like it might be a little higher than stock, take some measurements, (ground to top of wheelwell arch), (distance from top of front axle to rubber bumpstop, if it's still there.) And maybe a picture or two, we love pictures! Also list your tire size and load range (should be load range E, especially if you plan to tow at all). With this info we can help you figure out if your suspension is stock or has already been modded.
Oh, and in case you missed it earlier, you should do some reading here.

 

I don't even use a torque wrench but after you change a couple thousand plugs you don't really need one if you have a good feel for it. For many people it is a hindrance anyway because they "add a little for good measure" and then they compound it by putting semi-liquids on the threads which gives you even more "good measure" and now they are headed for a blow out.