I know this is a little bit loaded, but here goes. I currently have a 2003 V10 4x4 Ex with 4:30 gears. I tow a 9000lb, 30ft trailer. The Ex does well over all, but last month we took it over the Rockies and I wish I had a bit more power and definitely wish I was getting better mileage. Around town without towing I’m looking at 10 mpg and towing I’m getting around 6 mpg.

I was looking at getting a diesel Ex and wanted to find out what others real world experiences were with mpg and power. Which diesel is better? I’ve heard the 7.3 is the best ever, but I’m also hearing from many with the 6.0 that they prefer it over the 7.3.

I don’t want a pissing contest, just interested in opinions from those who’ve had experience with either engine in an Excursion and towing experiences as well.

 

I also have towed over the Rockies and wished for a lot more power from the tired V10. Luckily, I don’t make that trip often. For sure, a healthy smoker will get you up and over those grades at speed, but for a price. Just depends on what you want to spend or how handy you are with tools.


I hear ya, but there over 100 threads on this topic and 90% of them end up in pissing matches.

Search and read thru some, nothing new under the sun will be discovered, but you’ll get a kick outta how much we love our engines!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-you-guys.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html

 

Have both v10s and smokers. I like the 6.0 over the 7.3 but only after I bulletproofed them all. I would not hesitate to take a 7.3 but I have had great results with "repaired" 6.0s have 5 of them now. I have to admit that the 7.3 i have has not been "built" to the extent of the other smokers so I can't speak to what a built 7.3 might do. the V10 is super smooth, but my milage is like yours, power is less, and then there is the Damn spark plugs. I loved it at first, but after owning the others I tend to drive them a lot more than the gasser.

 

I will say this about it. The 6.0L was hands down more power than the 7.3L. Got better mileage from the 7.3L. If you want a 6.0L buy a built one with proof of work or have about a money set aside just in case. No pissing match just my experience. I still have a 7.3 and a 6.0 that we use for work. The 6.0 is quieter. Which to me is more pleasing while driving.

 

I totally understand wanting more power, especially when pulling up some big hills, and I haven't made it out to the Rockies yet! Unfortunately a good solid well prepped diesel doesn't come cheap. However they can deliver tons more power than the V-10.......... But for several of my own reasons, I'm very content with my gasser that serves as our dedicated tow rig for our 12K TT.

Was your 6 MPG towing during the trip through the Rockies or your typical non big mountain trips? I ask because ours typically sees between 7 MPG (back roads with small towns and stop and go) and 9 MPG (mostly flat highway trips) with a best trip of 9.5 MPG. Unloaded (fairly rare situation) it gets 14.5 MPG at 65 MPH on the highway using the Cruise Control. Mine rolls on 35" tires and 4.88 gears for an effective 4.39 gear ratio, it also has Banks headers and 5 Star custom tunes (most towing done on the 89 Octane Performance tune) both of which I believe help the towing performance and economy. We have logged over 42K towing miles on this EX between the current big TT and our previous 9.5K TH with very good reliability. I know that when we eventually make it out West to the big mountains if we are still in this EX it will loose some power at those high altitudes, but I also know it will make it over them, just a little slower.

 

The 6 mpg is the normal towing mileage. If I could increase the power a little and the mileage a little, that would suffice. I’m interested in the 4.88 gears, how much more pulling power does that equate to vs. how much you sacrifice in mpg for the shorter gears?

After looking at the cost for either diesel and potential issues from 6.0, I think it’s best to keep the V10, and do mods that will be beneficial overall.

WE3ZS, I may PM you with some other questions.

Thanks for the input.

 

I would say the initial cost of getting into a 7.3L makes up for the headaches of owning/towing a V10 gasser. There are several things you can do to the 7.3l to make it much quieter and give it more power. Honestly, for the Rockies, I wouldn't have anything other than a diesel. I consistently get 14-15 towing 9000. I have stopped at rest stops to eat and skipped filling up......how would that feel?

Unless you're going to buy a new super duty, my feeling is a slightly tricked out 7.3L would be your best friend.

Of course, this is just my opinion. It does come from experience though.

 

I have a reliable 7.3 but honestly it is a dog towing with stock sticks and a hydra.

 

The difference in towing 9,500lbs (31' TH) with the stock 3.73 gears and the new 4.88s was pretty dramatic. With the TH on the hitch and the 3.73s the trans would downshift out of OD if we ran over a shadow, with the 4.88s we cruised at 60/62 MPH from/to Philly/SC without a single downshift on the highway, huge difference! Pulling with 3.73s was like work for the EX, pulling with the 4.88 felt almost effortless and the towing MPGs went from 6/7 up to 9 MPG with the deeper gears and no other changes, mostly due to the lower RPMs from staying in OD. The 4.88s made it feel like a locomotive in comparison to the 3.73s, the change in pulling performance was that much.
If you are going to keep the V-10 as a tow rig I would suggest deeper gears (effective ratio of 4.30/4.56-ish) and some good custom tunes from 5Star, it will feel like a different vehicle with the trailer on the hitch.
3.73s/32"s used to see 14.5-ish MPG in daily driving and 5/7 MPG towing 9,500lbs.
4.88s/32"s saw 9 MPG towing 9,500lbs and 12.5-ish unloaded highway at 65 MPH.
4.88s/35"s sees 7/9.5 MPGs towing 12,000lbs on 89 Perf tune and 14.5 MPG highway unloaded at 65 MPH.

Diesels offer far more power potential than the 6.8 and typically get better fuel mileage both towing and unloaded, but personally I wouldn't make an even trade for one, but that's just me, I'm very content with the capable enough for me headache free gasser that I have.

As to your thread title question "Which Ex is better?" I think that depends more on the owner than on the EX.

 

Yep gears are the way to go! I towed a 9300lb TT with my 02 V-10 X. It had plenty of power and I never wished I had more power even in the mountains. Looking back I could’ve went with 4.56’s and been OK with stock size tires. I also had a 5star tune and SPD y-pipe. Averaged 7.2 mpg towing.

 

Which gears did you have? What size tires?

 

Cheapest way to better gears is smaller tires

i have a V10 430 combo. Pulled better with 245 tires.

I run stock 265’s.

Do do you know someone with a compatible wheel truck that has 245’s. Lots of vans that’s common.

Now this is way way out there. Borrow lt225/75-16

just to try. I know it looks dumb. But. If you want to know what it feels like to pull the ***** off Superman, your gonna need more gear.

Or spend your bucks however you want. If you swap to a perfect diesel for economy. It will never pay back.

My $4000 ex is way cheaper than any new truck you can buy. One word. Depreciation.

 

I thought I said what I have, must've overlooked that. I had 4.30's and stock size tires. Went from 3.73 to 4.30. The difference is night and day. The 3.73's are not matched to the V-10's power band at all.

 

I live and work at 6500 ft to 8000 ft in the rockies.

I have 3 V10 excursions.

I average 13 mpg to 14 mpg on all 3.

The one that has 4:30 gears has a supercharger on it and gets a solid 14 mpg hwy and 12 mpg city. I don't tow with it.

If your only getting 10 mpg average not towing I will suggest something is amiss.

Check for vacuum leaks or weak poor spraying injectors.

Also check the thermostat. A 195 degree unit could make radiator fan run more than its supposed to and that will hurt mileage.

My best mileage V10 is a 260,000 mile 3.73:1 geared limited that averages 14 mpg to 16 mpg at 7000 ft. Ish. It does use the most oil though. 1 qt every 1000 miles.