Yeah I run interference from time to time...
Anything's possible with a torch. Remember the shortened vans?

/hijack

 

The diesel Mercedes were fast compared to a Diesel Oldsmobile...

 

To each his own, but why not buy a diesel excursion and be done?

 

Probably LOL. My diesel mercedes had no turbo and was nothing quick.

Why someone asks not buy a diesel excursion off the get go? Mainly when I looked everything was high miles. If you found a clean gasser, and low miles cummins there is kits and help to get it in there. The cummins has a good reputation.

Also to note, a pulled 5.4 might be easier to sell after the conversion than a v10. But that is a might.. I feel it would be easier to sell it, as there is so many F150 out there with them.

 

What'd you do, the barn door to tailgate conversion?
Look anything like this?







I love the lumber in the last pic. Something about how it's trimmed down to fit into the drawbar.


Because Diesel Excursions around here are $10,000 for one in rough (rusty) shape, Closer to $15-20K for one that hasn't sat at the bottom of the ocean.

Gasoline Excursions are running $3000-7000, closer to the bottom end for V8s.


Also, Price out a set of injectors on a 7.3...
Price out a high pressure oil pump...
Then you've gotta have a Ford scanner to buzz test the injectors. (I don't even know what Buzz testing is for.)
Gotta make sure the coolant has anti-cavitation additive in it. (Went through that can of worms with my 7.3 IDI.)

F all that nonsense. Ain't nobody got time fo dat.

Cummins 12 or 24 valve injectors are like $200-300 a set of six.

VP44 injection pump is about a grand and will last 200K miles if you treat it nice. (Don't run dirty fuel or "alternative" fuels such as used engine oil, Install good fuel filters down to below 4 micron, add lubricity enhancers such as TCW-3 Two Stroke oil or Optilube to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel at about a 1:128 ratio, and have a good lift pump to supply the VP44 with fuel at 14-20 PSI at all times.)


So it's twofold... Mainly, it's a cost thing, but it's also a big unfamiliarity with the HEUI system used on the PowerStroke.

 

Walks out...

 

You guys do know any Excursion can easily hook up to a 5th wheel, right?

You just need the right equipment.



Stewart

 

PS - The above is tongue planted firmly in cheek. Not sure if the winky smiley face properly conveyed that or not, since I haven't heard good things about the Buddy Hitch, and I don't even think it's made anymore.

Stewart

 

Now that would be fun to park, with all the extra pivot points…

I had a tow dolly for a car behind my motorhome. The dolly had a turntable on it, and was narrower than the motorhome. I could have thrown out my reverse gear, as even if I wanted I could not back up. With an overhang of 10 feet behind the rear wheels of my class c and then the car was a short VW golf. I think I went insane trying to back out of a parking lot one night. I've never been the same since….

 

I believe the Buddy Hitch was solid through to the vehicle receiver hitch. No ball, no pivot.

From what I remember when I read about these things years ago, it was that design that made it work, but also caused problems.

Stewart

 

Lol, that 80's 1.6l VW diesel was great on fuel, but 0-60 in 30 secs. (n a 2200 lb vehicle).

 

Yes they dont make the Hitch-Buddy anymore but they make the new and improved version. Watch the videos first before coming to a conclusion especially the maneuvering video, pretty cool.


The Automated Safety Hitch | Trailer Hitch | Gooseneck Horse Trailers | 5th Wheel RVs | Flatbed Goosenecks | Fifth Wheel

 

That is awesome, See that's what I was talking about all you 5.4 Excursion fifth wheel pullers..