Hey everyone - happy new year (if not too late)

I'll jump right in - have my 2002 V10/6.8L Ex that has been good at towing the boat, hauling everything from gear, game, sheetrock, mulch, and my most precious cargo - the wife and 3 kids (and the hairy one).

Always loved the size and space paired with the power - the things we all appreciate here.

Rust is eating it up, and I mean BAAADDD!! Talk about having chunks of what used to be metal falling off when you close the doors kind of rust. I'm not worried about appearances - this was primarily a work truck, and I took my crap out and vacuum/clean before carseats and family went on.

We got a camper (32') last year that we intend to use more and more (airfare for 5 is insane and I want my dog to come as well) and I'm getting to the point where I'm not sure the Ex is the right vehicle.

Especially when:

Trans line leaked one day all fluid - rust eat thru it

Lost complete brake ability one day after a hard stop 1/2 mile from home - rust got those lines as well; thank god I was close and made it to my driveway.

Power seems to be slipping - just feel like ridding a horse with legs tied sometime, though tires and joints and bearings and brakes are all good. When pulling a camper all over the country as we like to do, you feel like having a bit more of that Uuummphhh that drove us to the Ex in the first place.

Definitely need new suspension - shocks are rusted and bottom, springs have started to sag (my Ex needs an a$$ lift bad) lol

I have developed a battery drain problem that I haven't had a chance to investigate yet, but give it 5 days in the driveway and I need the booster to get it cranking. Maybe rust ate the wires too some places...

I need another monthly payment like another a$$.... as it goes, but I see the newer Expedition with their Turbo V6 and impressive mpg and towing ability and wonder if is time to bite the bullet. Please understand - I love the newer things with their smell and all kinds of gizmos, but at $40-50K this market is crazy and I'd take that pill only bcs of having my family in the Ex. Think about my brakes going out with the camper in tow and everyone in the truck going downhill somewhere...

Sorry for writing a novel - any thoughts and opinions are welcomed. Love the sight and have learned a ton.

Best regards
Dante

 

You could always look for another Excursion. It will be cheaper than a new Expedition.
Keep in mind that the Expedition is not a 3/4 ton so even though the specs say it can tow 10k lbs., doesn't mean you can with all your gear and passengers. That top number assumes just the driver...and a skinny one at that.

I would say go with a new vehicle if Ford still builds Excursions. There really is no replacement for the legendary Excursions.

 

I just bought a rusty excursion with some issues- but a trip to the body shop and local garage and for a bit of $$ you can have it back up to snuff and ready to go again. Thats my plan, get rid of the electrical demons, remove the rust, corrosion X it and rock n roll. Might be an option- make a list like you did and price it out!

 

I would dump the clapped out rusty X, and pick up a clean and happy one from somewhere down south.

I'd suggest either an earlier one with the 7.3 or stick with the v10. If you stick with the v10 put some 4.56 or even 4.88 gears and forget the trailer is even behind you.

Do your steering components, bearings, brakes, and bushings all the way around, which is really not all that much money, and you'll be right as rain. Yes it's some money up front but a hell of a lot less than a new expedition and more capable too.

 

My sentiments exactly. DUMP IT. I make my living turning the clock back on rust. Trust me, there are too many good ones out there to justify saving what you described.
Start over with a nice southern version and save a ton of money and lots of heartache.

 

I'm with these guys, go find a rust free EX from the less salty areas of the country and EXcursion on! The EX can't be matched in the SUV world, the Expy may have decent looking tow ratings but in reality it struggles with the heavier trailers. We have some members here who have moved into an EX from Expys due to the better TT handling the EX provides.
If your current EX is as bad as I imagine from your description, I doubt that it has much value to sell or trade it, maybe look to keep it as a parts car to cannibalize, there are lots of EX specific parts that you may need for the new EX and you might be able to make a buck or two off the rest to some folks here.
If the new EX is used as a daily along with the boat and TT towing chores, then try to find one with the 4.30 optional gears (assuming you go with another V-10 EX). The 4.30 gears will deliver better towing and general performance than the standard 3.73 gears. I am assuming your 32' TT weighs around 7/8k lbs, so with stock sized tires and 4.30 gears it will do very well with that kind of weight in tow. If it is a more or less dedicated tow rig then even deeper gears are something to consider, 4.56 with stock rubber would make for a serious V-10 tow rig!

 

Welcome! Thinking about ditching the Ex in your first post...Lol. that's heavy! You won't find another SUV that tows as capable as the Excursion. The Expedition is nice when you don't tow heavy things with it though, but the mileage isn't what they say. I have friends with an Ecoboost expedition EL who get 15-16 mpg regularly. I wouldn't jump ship for that. I would find one without rust and try my best to keep it that way. Good luck!

 

REPLACE it.
Remove and store spare parts (barn doors, seat belts, seat belt anchors, interior trim, switches, alternator, etc.
THEN dump it!

I've got a growing list of parts I'm going to save off my donor '05 F250 for reuse in my '99 F350 (better dash cup holders, spare alternator, roof clearance lights and harness, seat belts and brackets, power seat controls, swing-out 2nd row window latches and hw, rear tail lights, rear bumper). For my Excursion (4x4 suspension axles,, brakes, man transfer case, 8 fuel injectors [at least] to use as cores, cigarette lighter, door reflectors, frame mounted fuel pump/filter, etc.).

 

I'm holding out to see what the new 2018 Expy does to 2015 prices - that was the year they got the Ecoboost engine. While I like the idea of another Excursion, the really good ones seem to be few and far between and the age of the vehicles just adds up to more issues the older they get. Not insurmountable, to be sure, but I can't afford a part time vehicle and things like rust, hard to get parts, etc just make me nervous. And I'm forced to be realistic about what I can tackle on my own - not always fun .

Still.... decisions decisions

 

Happy week-end everyone - thanks for the great discussions.

My Ex is a tow vehicle. It pretty much seats on the driveway until I need to lug some crap or hitch something. It has ~136000 on it...

The camper is actually Ultralight - under 5000lbs barebones. Ofcourse with ppl and all the stuff my better half packs, water, fuel, genny and so on, it adds up. Power wise it pulls ok but is the uphills where 50-55mph is where the Ex ends up being without me feeling like I'm abusing it.

The boat is heavier and with ramps being slimy and (some) beaten down, ever bit of torque and traction possible becomes important.

I'll check the gear ratio - I saw a thread that gave reference codes on the door sticker.

Any ideas why (or maybe when) they don't build 3/4ton SUVs anymore? I wish sometimes there were HD pickups with a 3rd row...

As far as stripping it down and keeping parts while buys another Ex, I think that's not a realistic option. I'm a driveway mechanic of the mildest form, and have no room to keep motors, doors, panels and all kinds of smaller items. Also the neighbors would'n feel good about an Ex carcass adorning our street... lol

Anyhow - I appreciate the discussion and every opinion... I realize is not an easy decision either way.

 

THe 2016 ELs (4x4) with under 36000miles are in the 32-35K range around here... still a 600 monthly under best circumstances (without insurance)

I hear you though on perpetuating the dying breed - maybe is nostalgia that keeps us looking at 200,000 mile/15yo Ex still asking 15K or so