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Good evening all. I am new to this forum but not new to Ford’s. I currently own a 2017 F350 DRW but I am actively looking for a ford excursion. With four children, my wife and I, the crew cab dually isn’t comfortable for long trips.
The excursion will not be a primary daily driver, but will see quite a bit of use as a kid hauler, camping vehicle, occasional use towing the boat, and plans for a travel trailer in the future. We have been researching options for months and while I was enamored with a 7.3, mostly for the cool factor, I have settled on a V 10 being the likely best choice for our family.
My hope would be to post links to potential excursions on this thread and have you provide opinions on the purchase worthiness of the vehicles. I understand that buying anything sight unseen is a crapshoot, but selection in my area is limited and exceedingly overpriced. I have come to terms with the fact that I will likely be buying something either off of eBay or Autotrader and having it shipped. I hope this community is open to a thread like this and I look forward to your thoughts and feedback.
I thought I had found the perfect excursion, all the way in the Pacific Northwest, in Washington state. Here is the link: http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1cd8601a
These are the three photos of the bottom that the seller sent me today. Being from Florida I’m not sure what to expect from a vehicle in the Pacific Northwest. Do those photos give you pause for concern?
Doesn’t seem too bad for the price. Interior seems pretty ok, I like the white, and it’s an 18 year old vehicle. Underneath doesn’t look terrible fro what I can see from a rust standpoint. However, one thing that jumped out at me is the water stains on the lower hose and bottom of the radiator. Could indicate a leak or possibly a water pump going bad. Not a V10 guy, so could be nothing, but I’d take a good hard look.
Edit: Heck, it’s even got front bump stops on it!,
Thank you for the post. The bump stops you mention I assume are those inverted pyramids that I see over the leaf springs?
The dealership wants me to have a local mechanic go over the car as they would prefer to sell it with someone having gone to see it or looked it over. Are there any other pictures you recommend I request from them for this thread to help me decide?
Yeah, those are the bump stops. They are typically degraded as the leaf springs sit pretty close and are used a lot (unless the suspension has been modified, which it doesn't appear to be).
As far as pictures, I'd want to see the entire undercarriage and the rockers and door bottoms. Those seem to be the areas that rust will start on the body. Form there, I'd just take it for what it is, and 18 year old vehicle. The V10 guys may chime in with information needed for the engine. Things like the manifold bolts, spark plugs, COP's. Another thing to watch out for is water intrusion at the windshield. Take a good read of the tech folder for known issues and go from there.
The steering damper looks like it has blown - I'd ask them to replace it prior to sale, but wouldn't make it a deal breaker.
The pyramid things are indeed the bump stops.
Originally Posted by Stylo328
Are there any other pictures you recommend I request from them for this thread to help me decide?
Thanks again advance,
behind the rear wheels looking up at the area aft of the fender. The exhaust manifolds on both sides. All 4 shocks, the mounting brackets for the leaf springs.
Thanks for the link. I am in SW Florida. Here are the “wants”:
4x4
white (solid color)
rust free
dependable or close thereto with some investment
clean exterior and interior (cloth is ok)
under $10,000.00
I like the denim cloth interior but believe it was only available in 2000.
Originally Posted by Stylo328
I thought I had found the perfect excursion, all the way in the Pacific Northwest, in Washington state. Here is the link: http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1cd8601a
Welcome to the FTE.
If you are in FL, why are you looking to get an EX from PWNA, when you can find a gazillion of rust free EXs (2, 4wd, rust free, white, cloth interior etc. etc. etc.) within FL and just as far as TX? FWIW, I live in VA and would be searching in FL or TX if it were me This is purely to 1. avoid having to pickup something sight unseen from > 2500 miles away and 2. ensuring that it is a rust free truck. And to top it all off, we have some expert EX finders in TX and FL from this forum to help us lighten our wallets
That receiver looks almost new, but it appears to have been painted...and the wiring has been monkeyed with at some point it appears. U-joints appear to be original or old, seems like the front seal on the rear differential might be leaking and the outer seal on the front differential appears to be leaking. Doesn't appear to have a rear sway bar installed, which you'll want. Overall not terrible, but as others have said, you're likely find one in even better condition rust wise in TX, Fl, or other places.
Have patience, these rigs take some time to find a really good one for the right price. I spent about 6 months looking for mine and drove 4 hours to go pick it up.
Way too much rust to start with if you're keeping it, and if you're not keeping it I wouldn't buy it with rust free options out there.
Patience will pay off. There will be enough to upgrade once you have one anyway, and almost guaranteed that no matter how much you check it there will be issues to sort out.
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This is purely to 1. avoid having to pickup something sight unseen from > 2500 miles away and 2. ensuring that it is a rust free truck. And to top it all off, we have some expert EX finders in TX and FL from this forum to help us lighten our wallets 
