Which Excursion Model should I look for
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Junior User
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Which Excursion Model should I look for
Should I be concerned about avoiding any particular year for the Excusion?
If you look at this chart, it looks like 2000, 2001 and and 2004 have the most problems whereas 2002, 2003 have fewer problems and 2005 is best of all.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Excursion/
I'm assuming people have all the years here so does your experience correspond to this chart?
Thanks,
Tim
If you look at this chart, it looks like 2000, 2001 and and 2004 have the most problems whereas 2002, 2003 have fewer problems and 2005 is best of all.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Excursion/
I'm assuming people have all the years here so does your experience correspond to this chart?
Thanks,
Tim
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I'm attempting to purchase an Excursion and would like to know if there's any reason to prefer one year over another year. According to the link I submitted, certain years have fewer issues than other years. Members of this forum have Excursions, so I wanted to know if they (1) generally agree with the chart and; (2) if I need to avoid particular years in my purchase.
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks,
Tim
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
Read the Actual complaints, my family has 50 years of family biz experience at ford dealership and I can tell you the vast majority of those are sniveling dip wads who have no business owning a SUV based on a 1 ton truck chassis.
the majority of those complaints are the tires wear out too quick and the brakes squeak, Well duh ! its a 9000 pound truck, this is what they do.
All years excursion are the same, the variations being the engines.
the 5.4 is anemic
the v10 blow spark plugs out of the head
the 7.3 leaks oil
the 6.0 just blows up
all years suffer from a lack of suspension travel and spring sag causing handling issues. Easy to fix and make better than new if you know about it but many shop and most consumers are clueless.
if these things sound scary dont buy an excursion.
the majority of those complaints are the tires wear out too quick and the brakes squeak, Well duh ! its a 9000 pound truck, this is what they do.
All years excursion are the same, the variations being the engines.
the 5.4 is anemic
the v10 blow spark plugs out of the head
the 7.3 leaks oil
the 6.0 just blows up
all years suffer from a lack of suspension travel and spring sag causing handling issues. Easy to fix and make better than new if you know about it but many shop and most consumers are clueless.
if these things sound scary dont buy an excursion.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
Read the Actual complaints, my family has 50 years of family biz experience at ford dealership and I can tell you the vast majority of those are sniveling dip wads who have no business owning a SUV based on a 1 ton truck chassis.
the majority of those complaints are the tires wear out too quick and the brakes squeak, Well duh ! its a 9000 pound truck, this is what they do.
All years excursion are the same, the variations being the engines.
the 5.4 is anemic
the v10 blow spark plugs out of the head
the 7.3 leaks oil
the 6.0 just blows up
all years suffer from a lack of suspension travel and spring sag causing handling issues. Easy to fix and make better than new if you know about it but many shop and most consumers are clueless.
if these things sound scary dont buy an excursion.
the majority of those complaints are the tires wear out too quick and the brakes squeak, Well duh ! its a 9000 pound truck, this is what they do.
All years excursion are the same, the variations being the engines.
the 5.4 is anemic
the v10 blow spark plugs out of the head
the 7.3 leaks oil
the 6.0 just blows up
all years suffer from a lack of suspension travel and spring sag causing handling issues. Easy to fix and make better than new if you know about it but many shop and most consumers are clueless.
if these things sound scary dont buy an excursion.
All in all, "leaks oil" is the least of the evils, and not even evil if you are willing to deal with a few drips and stay diligent about maintenance. So, I'll take a 7.3L over the rest an day.
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@pirate4x4_camo :
Thanks for your response.
I used to have a rusted Chevy Nova 77 before I got my Camry. Then I got a BMW 530i, which now has 191K miles and leaks. One day, I decided the BMW was an SUV and took it into a preserve and damaged the bottom frame, so I had to get that repaired. I also had one case where smoke was steaming out of it and another case where I had to push it the last 200 yards with the mechanic.
I'm not concerned about anything that regular maintenance or maintenance when needed can fix. I'm used to squealing on brakes so that doesn't bother me, nor do handling or suspension issues cause me to cower in fear.
Regarding the engines though, it sounds like you're saying that the 6.0 should be avoided because it blows up, the 5.4 is too weak for the vehicle size and should be avoided. The 7.3 leaking oil sounds like the best one as it just leaks oil (which I am used to on the BMW). Is the v10 blowing spark plugs out of the head a serious issue? Does it cause the vehicle to break in the middle of driving? Can it be prevented?
I just want to be able to take the Excursion anywhere for long periods without having to worry that it will just break down with no warning (if I had warning, then it's on me to fix it before I go on the long trip).
Regards,
Tim
Thanks for your response.
I used to have a rusted Chevy Nova 77 before I got my Camry. Then I got a BMW 530i, which now has 191K miles and leaks. One day, I decided the BMW was an SUV and took it into a preserve and damaged the bottom frame, so I had to get that repaired. I also had one case where smoke was steaming out of it and another case where I had to push it the last 200 yards with the mechanic.
I'm not concerned about anything that regular maintenance or maintenance when needed can fix. I'm used to squealing on brakes so that doesn't bother me, nor do handling or suspension issues cause me to cower in fear.
Regarding the engines though, it sounds like you're saying that the 6.0 should be avoided because it blows up, the 5.4 is too weak for the vehicle size and should be avoided. The 7.3 leaking oil sounds like the best one as it just leaks oil (which I am used to on the BMW). Is the v10 blowing spark plugs out of the head a serious issue? Does it cause the vehicle to break in the middle of driving? Can it be prevented?
I just want to be able to take the Excursion anywhere for long periods without having to worry that it will just break down with no warning (if I had warning, then it's on me to fix it before I go on the long trip).
Regards,
Tim
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From: Media PA
The spark plug ejection issue is real, not all V-10s built during the too few plug hole threads years suffer it though. You can greatly reduce the chance of a blowout by installing fresh plugs and over torqueing them to the 26-28 ft/lbs range vs the factory 11-17 ft/lbs range. Early in the '03 model year Ford improved the heads to have more spark plug threads to keep the plugs from leaving on their own, these later builds have 7 threads vs the early 3-4 threads and have proven to be much more reliable in the plug retention. I think that I recall one instance discussed here of an '03+ V-10 suffering a plug blowout, there are a bunch of early builds here that have had it happen. If I was shopping I wouldn't let the issue exclude the early build though, I would go with new plugs and the higher torque and drive on, if it blew one I would use one of the top recommended repair kits and carry on. If a plug were to blow on a trip you can unplug the fuel injector for that cylinder and drive on, it will be a little noisier with the open plug hole and obviously be down some on power but you wont hurt anything running it like that until you get it repaired.
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Joined: May 2017
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From: TN
The v10 has been great to own here. My v10 has the deeper spark plug thread count (2003+). Seriously has been less issues than most vehicles I've owned. Only drawback is that it's thirsty.
That being said I'd take a rust free Excursion from the south over anything with any rust whatsoever.
What's your budget? That might dictate what you find. There's still plenty of Excursions around. I don't have the time to count them all in our area that are for sale. Use Fakebook Marketplace and put in zip code 37083 and you'll see them.
One example and if I was looking would go scoop this one. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4-17d241bf52ce
Another but 2005: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4-17d241bf52ce
That being said I'd take a rust free Excursion from the south over anything with any rust whatsoever.
What's your budget? That might dictate what you find. There's still plenty of Excursions around. I don't have the time to count them all in our area that are for sale. Use Fakebook Marketplace and put in zip code 37083 and you'll see them.
One example and if I was looking would go scoop this one. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4-17d241bf52ce
Another but 2005: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4-17d241bf52ce
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
The spark plug ejection issue is real, not all V-10s built during the too few plug hole threads years suffer it though. You can greatly reduce the chance of a blowout by installing fresh plugs and over torqueing them to the 26-28 ft/lbs range vs the factory 11-17 ft/lbs range. Early in the '03 model year Ford improved the heads to have more spark plug threads to keep the plugs from leaving on their own, these later builds have 7 threads vs the early 3-4 threads and have proven to be much more reliable in the plug retention. I think that I recall one instance discussed here of an '03+ V-10 suffering a plug blowout, there are a bunch of early builds here that have had it happen. If I was shopping I wouldn't let the issue exclude the early build though, I would go with new plugs and the higher torque and drive on, if it blew one I would use one of the top recommended repair kits and carry on. If a plug were to blow on a trip you can unplug the fuel injector for that cylinder and drive on, it will be a little noisier with the open plug hole and obviously be down some on power but you wont hurt anything running it like that until you get it repaired.
Another issue with the gas engines is the exhaust manifold studs breaking. Several threads about drilling them out and the pains of it all. Everything can be fixed.
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,727
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From: Almost back in TX biotche
I am still dying over Pirate's response.....
I chose the 6.0 for me because I wanted a diesel and the 6.0 has a lot of potential power and they just sound cool! I know several members that swear by their V10s and their 7.3s. Don't know many peeps that are happy with the 5.4s though....These are old trucks now so any model will make you a frequent flyer at the local shop or make you a YouTube Certified Mechanic.
I chose the 6.0 for me because I wanted a diesel and the 6.0 has a lot of potential power and they just sound cool! I know several members that swear by their V10s and their 7.3s. Don't know many peeps that are happy with the 5.4s though....These are old trucks now so any model will make you a frequent flyer at the local shop or make you a YouTube Certified Mechanic.