Some of you know the history of my Excursion and have followed along in my sporadic build thread. For those that don't, my Ex was the victim of the dreaded cruise control fire, but the previous owner was able to get the fire put out before the entire beast went up in flames. It did torch the driver side of the engine compartment pretty good though.

I have been playing with the engine compartment harness, trying to build a new one from various harnesses, but the wiring issues grow as I dig into it. For example:

1) I still can't locate decent battery cables that aren't damaged or hacked on.
2) There is damage to the dash harness from a very poorly installed aftermarket alarm.
3) The transmission harness is burned where it enters the engine compartment.
4) The taillight/fuel pump harness is burned where it enters the engine compartment.
5) The PCM doesn't seem to power up.

In addition to those electrical related items, I still need to address the following:
1) The hood is junk- not usable at all. So is the hood latch and cable.
2) The grille support is toast- not usable at all.
3) I need a radiator.
4) Anything made of rubber or plastic from the middle to the driver side is gone.
5) I apparently need the driver side caliper- it doesn't always release.
6) Throttle body, MAF, ECT, CHT all need replaced.
7) I question the driver side valve cover. It's seen some heat. Still feels solid, but the fibers are showing.
8 ) Some of the fan blades are melted on the ends.
9) PS pump and PS gear likely have water in them.
10) AC line has a hole in it.
11) Front shocks (especially the left front) needs replaced.

The following are cosmetic, but enough to bug me:
1) Driver side fender has a huge dent- right where the paint burned off
2) The cowl panels are distorted from the fire's heat.
3) Plastic cover over radiator is gone.
4) Left front inner fender is gone.
5) Blower motor box is distorted where the harness rides against it (heat).
6) Front bumper rusted out on bottom (remember, I swapped with my truck).

I'm sure there's a lot more I'm not thinking of right now. Additionally, my SD truck needs some stuff like the radiator support, passenger side front door and misc other small stuff.

SO HERE'S WHAT I FOUND FOR $2200: A 2002 Excursion with the V10 that was hit pretty hard on the left rear quarter panel and rear door. It runs and drives fine, was well taken care of and actually goes down the road quite nicely considering the damage. Pics are below.

I'm thinking, since the labor would be mine, I wouldn't have a problem doing it from that standpoint. I know there are differences in the engine and electrical from 2000 to 2002, so the idea is as follows:
1) Remove the body from the wrecked 2002 and set my 2000 body on the 02 chassis, keeping the 02 engine, trans, running gear and underhood electrical.
2) Transfer the complete 02 dash and wiring to my 00, so all the electrical components match up.
3) Use all the front end sheet metal, plastic, rubber, radiator- basically everything forward of the windshield- from the 02.
4) Put the extra radiator support and the 02 front doors on my truck, along with whatever else my truck could use.
5) Sell everything left over, which would include the 00 engine, transmission, transfer, axles, RR door, all rear doors, a complete set of seats. some glass, etc.

My question is- not counting labor, would this be worth it at $2200?

Pics of the 02:







What do you think?

 

Thank God Brents not here...

 

Or he would say, " 2 rolls of duct tape will do it"

 

my opinion is that 2200 is too much for that totaled Ex. That being said, swapping bodies can definitely be done by you. My first two vehicles were both totaled, one involved a cab swap on a rolled over chevy p/u. If that is the cheapest candidate you can find...... go for it, and take lots of pics.

 

It's worth it! You have all the spare parts you need until your ex is finished - anything you need you just pick from the other. Once you're done you sell the rest or scrap to recoup a few dollars.

 

You would have a VIN number problem IMHO. Can't switch VINS from one vehicle to the next.

 

Unless both titles are usable..... If you have the space to do it and the tools and time, its a good idea. A swap of this nature takes a lot of room. Like 4 cars worth while you are swapping things over.

 

I paid $300 more for my *not* totalled Ex? I'd low ball him on it.

 

Before you buy that, check the prices for intact v10 Excursions on Ebay, Even with cheap gas prices, they aren't fetching high prices. 7.3's are.

 

Don't forget the parts left over and what they are worth. Hard to figure but there is at least a grand in easy to sell parts left over, plus some scrap metal...

 

I think it's a solid plan.

 

If you have the will and the know how, I say go for it.

As far as a VIN issue...Whatever VIN plate is at the windshield is the VIN of that vehicle. (Not a lawyer or LEO, just was in the collision repair industry for many years) The VIN shows up throughout the vehicle part mostly on parts that can be replaced after a collision. The VIN plate is what you go by.

If you ever have the truck in a shop for repairs, make sure they know about the other VIN so they don't search for parts for one and needed it for the other.

 

Sounds like a solid plan to me, the VIN should not be an issue since you have a clear title on the burned Ex, right? if not you'll have a salvage title which, at least in my state is a non-issue.

 

Yes, my Ex has a clear title. The wrecked one does too. The guy selling it also has the rear section that is damaged on this one, but I'd be worried that the door post is crunched in too far to make trying to fix it worth the effort.

 

A good body shop would cut out the post completely as far back as needed top and bottom and put in a new section. I would just do a body swap as I am not a good body shop.