First I checked stickies, and search was not helpful.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Best years, worst years, bad blocks..make sure you check this, known issues. etc.

My appreciation in advance.

 

I just give them a quick look over and leave or buy. The early models weren't bad because they already were tried and proven by the f 250's.

 

Depends on the motor really. If it's a 5.4,v10 or 7.3 I wouldn't worry about engine issues. 6.0's are a whole other can of worms.

 

Agree with previous posts. The trade off with the gassers and 7.3 is the transmission. The 6.0 are great powerful and come with the stout 5 speed transmission but in my experience look for one already bulletproofed. You can easily tell if it has the ARP studs as they are stamped "ARP". Price wise, you cannot go wrong with one of the gassers. Diesel trucks come with a premium price.

In the pic below you can see how easy it is to spot the studs. The Ex is one of a kind and there is nothing out there that can replace it. An addictive vehicle as you can tell by all the forum topics around here. Hope to see you get one of these fine trucks!

 

Why do want an Excursion?
What are you going to do with the vehicle?
2WD or 4WD?
Tow?
School runs?
Soccer Mom?
Commute? How far?

Where are you?

Do you want gas or diesel?
IOW, Brunette? or Blonde?

What are your mechanical capabilities?

How much initial investment?

 

1. Daily Commute and take the whole family camping. 4 Adults, 2 Kids, 3 Dogs and a ***** ton of gear

2. 4WD

3. No School runs planned.

4. Commute - TBD, we have an 12' F150 and wife has Jeep

5. Texas Panhandle

6. 7.3L Diesel is what I am looking for

7. IOW?

8. Better than shadetree, not ASE, done heads, turbos all sorts suspension, this will be my first oilburner.

9. 10 grandish

 

I would stay away from a 5.4 if you want 4wd. We had one and felt it was not enough power for this vehicle. The v10 excursions and superdutys we have had get basically the same mileage and has a lot more power.

 

The biggest issues the 7.3 Excursions have are,

The 4R100 transmission is hit or miss. Some people get 300,000+ miles out of them and some get 100,000. They hold up pretty good with regular maintenance.

The Front leaf springs on every Diesel Ex lose their arch over time and will give the truck a roll feeling when turning. Most people swap the springs with actual F250/350 springs. Since you are in TX rust shouldn't be an issue. I would look in the 02-03 range for a 7.3.

What Mecdac was getting at is diesels need to be driven far to get everything up to temp. The rule of thumb with any diesel is 8-10 miles minimum one way or about 20 min of driving. There is lots of oil and coolant to warm up.

 

1. Get a carfax, it is not the answer but a part of the answer.

2. '01 + were tuned a little differently (more hp) and had larger bolts to mount the hitch to the frame.

3. Since you are interested in 4WD check the ESOF (Electronic Shift On the Fly) system.

For the price you mentioned ($10K) you should be able to find a 4WD with approximately 200,000 +/- miles. If the vehicle is not from the NORTH and has not been wrecked, it is like any other vehicle with 100,000~ miles.


Enjoy.

 

Forget carfax...........just the dealers story.........m,aybe, waste of money

 

How is it the dealer's story?

 

It only shows what a dealer did and some people like me never go to a dealer. There could be lots of things done or not done to it that don't show up. I can look at a vehicle for a half hour and know all I need to know. A car can check out fine and then fall apart in a month. A lot of it is a gamble, and it all can be fixed anyway..............I don't like those carfaxs.

 

The thing I like about carfax is you can see where the vehicle has been. Not so much an issue in texas but up here in michigan if you see its spent a lot of its life out of the rust belt it adds value to me. Just my 2 cents though.

 

Ever read one?

 

I know there is more to it than that but it mainly tells you if it was it a wreck but doesn't describe the wreck and I can tell that by looking at it. I have read about them and I would never bother with it. They leave a lot out and could be inaccurate anyway.