First off, I own a 00 Excursion with a V10, 217k on the clock. This ole boy has been really reliable during the two years i owned it.

Now the problem last week while driving the check engine light came on. I didnt notice anything different about how it was running. So i figured I'd wait for the weekend to get to it. The next day while I'm driving the gauges go dead... everything, even the odometer isnt moving. I leave it running to finish up a few stops an get home 30 minutes later. I shut it off let it sit for a few minutes then try to start it back up. It starts but dies out, it does this three more times then i just leave it.
I have read about the shifter wires causing problems so i took my column a part an replaced with a new shifter $89 plus change, the wires on mine weren't exposed but i could see where the wire insolation was really worn down.
Next i checked all the fuses thinking i would have a blown #45. #45 was good #3 was blown.
Now im not sure where to go from here.
Should i check for grounds? If so any one have locations of the ground wires to check?
The few times it tried to start, it seemed like it wasnt getting enough gas to keep it running. Could it be a fuel pump issue now?

Thanks in advance for any an all help.