So four years ago i was looking at excursions. I ended up in a new 250 instead. My current vehicle is a 2017 King Ranch crew cab 250 w/6.2. It tows great and hauls the family and dogs pretty well: DS is 18 and soon going off to college and we have 2 boxers. I tow my Jeep to events far away sometimes. The truck is paid for too. I recently started looking at excursions and I’ve considered selling my truck and picking up an excursion. I would not be upside down even if I paid stupid money for a 7.3. I do wonder if moving to a 15 yo vehicle will bring more headaches than I want. I’m thinking failing electronics and lack of parts for repair. I’ve read good things about the v10 as a tow vehicle. I’m not partial to diesel other than the “cool” factor. I don’t need it but I kinda think this is a good way to scratch that itch.

I'm interested in the group’s experience and feedback on the excursions. I know the 6.0 can be awesome with a quality bullet-proof, so I’m not ruling any motor out.

below is my original thread for reference...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...backwards.html

 

Take your 250 to Tims conversions and have them make an Excursion out of it. So you'll have a new wagon.

 

I think he stops at the model change over, so my 2017 is not a candidate. Also, this is not a cheaper route for sure. Still a cool website and some nice trucks to drool over.

 

Ahh, for some reason I thought 17 was the final year of the good ones. Feeling dumb seeing as I do what I do and work where I do.

Anyway, one of those conversions, a diesel, is my dream truck. Oh yes, I will have one at some point but for now, saving or kids education.

There are EX's out there with low miles but high dollars. Enjoy the search and let us know what you decide. Once an Ex'er always an EX'er.

 

This seems nice, but the prices these guys are asking for a 15yo truck... This same place has an 00 w/7.3 for 26k! Same color and everything.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3308/overview/

 

Is the transmission in the 05 V10 decent for towing? I've heard the 6.0 torqshift is a better transmission. I mostly drive my jeep around to the store and stuff, so the ex would end up a long trip vehicle. Beach, Cabin, Jeep trips, etc... Maybe a 6.0 is not a bad option.

 

FWIW, CABT is not the only place that is converting F250s to Excursions. There are diem a dozen others in the market. Check out excursion conversions on Instagram, if you have it. They are a shop out of Miami and are churning these out quick.

 

I'm sure they are nice, but part of my consideration for this plan is the cost of an Ex is considerably less than what I can sell my 17 250 for. I'm not interested in selling the 250 and then adding another 20k to get a custom Ex. Thanks for the tips, but it does not fit my plan.

 

If possible you need to tow with an Excursion with the motor, and axle gearing, you are considering. I personally have an 01' V10 on 37" tires, axle gearing changed to 5.13. I also tow a Jeep on occasion, as well as other things, and while it gets the job done is not fast or powerful. It is however extremely reliable and works just fine for me. Everyone has their own opinion in regards to what is acceptable for a truck, whether it be power, space, features, etc. I am in CO and the elevation makes a difference as well. Yes I have towed with other vehicles, namely an 06' Cummins with manual trans, and while it was "faster" I would not consider it a "better" vehicle for me.

I love my Ex and it does everything I need and want. It has so much more versatility than a truck in regards to carrying cargo, is far cheaper than a newer truck, and has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I use it for towing, camping, mobile hotel, daily driver, kid shuttle, and even off road it in Moab, AZ, and CO.

I believe the transmission only being a 4 speed is the biggest limiting factor on the Excursion. Axle gearing is critical with the V10 as too low of RPM's kills in the mountains for me.

Only you can answer your questions, opinions may help, but I would get firsthand experience before making a decision.

 

Not sure this is a possibility. Being on the East coast the mountains are more like hills when compared to what you have to drive over. I've towed with 09 150 w/5.2 and now the 250 w/6.2; the 250 is hands down awesome, but mpg is not much different.

I may, in fact, miss the ride and interior of my 17 going backwards 2 generations in super duty interior; maybe only 1.5 if I find an 05. These are good points to consider

I'm just kicking the idea around, but the money difference is decent; hell, for what I could get I could buy a 6.0 and pay to have it bullet-proofed.

A lot to think about.

 

The 4R100 trans in my '05 EX has been fine so far at 130K miles. I bought it at 65K and have logged 43K+ heavy towing miles since, it is our dedicated tow rig for our 12,000lb TT that we have pulled all over the Eastern states. Ours has a 4" lift, 35" tires, 4.88 gears (effective 4.39 ratio), Banks headers and 5Star custom tunes (I tow with the 89 Octane Performance tune).
Last year I did do the 6.0 trans cooler upgrade even though my stock smaller unit had done an excellent job, was doing a full trans flush and added the big cooler just for insurance for future trips out West.
I've been very happy with the V-10 and 4R100 for this towing work, it's not as cool or as powerful as a diesel but for me it's simplicity and rock solid reliability won out in my shopping decision and I've yet to regret it.
I think most anyone would agree that the torkshift trans is a better improved newer trans, but a stock 4R100 should hold up pretty well for a long time with basic care for the work you have outlined above.
Proper gearing (at least an effective 4.30 ratio) will greatly improve towing ability and driver happiness.

 

Get the nicest one you can afford (or choose to spend) with any poweplant you like. . These continue to appreciate (good ones anyway) and that will continue until crude goes north of $100 again. Luckily many of us use them for vacation, camping, towing etc. so they’ll last a long time with so few miles per year driven.

Failing electronics and lack of parts? I’ve no doubt our collective brotherhood will help each other thru any future challenges.

 

I’m leaning towards the 05 in the link I posted above. It is a V10 and appears to be in decent shape. Maybe I run out and look at it over the weekend. The same place has an 03 w/7.3 for 26. Too much for a 17 yo vehicle.

 

There may be a few lovely Excursions available in the forum marketplace.

 

I looked and did not see any that interest me. I found an 05 w/6.0 all stock having 127k miles. It is a one owner. My bil ran an oasis report and it comes up clean. It is a Limited. I really like the Eddie Bauer ones.