My early '03 didn't either, but Ford eventually got around in about March '03 to installing them like the order guides said that they did. So late '03's and all '04's have them.

For the Timbrens, look here:

www.timbren.com

The Timbrens are really, really stiff rubber donuts that replace your factory bump stops. Unbolt the factory bump stop and bolt the Timbren in place. 15 minutes.

When you put a load on axle (front or back), instead of the springs sagging, the frame comes down and pushed the Timbren against the axle. (In the front of the X, the Timbren actually rests on the axle with no load. On the rear, there is a 3/4" gap with no load). The Timbren acts like a rubber helper spring and keeps the leafs from sagging too much.

They really firmed up the rid of my X. In addition, with a 900 lbs. tongue load on the hitch (and the WD hitch cranked up), my front stays level and rear sags less than 1".

I really like them. Wish they weren't $160/axle. Just some rubber donuts.

 

Everybody has ignored the obvious..........But both!!! Jk

I do own both though, and I like them both for different reasons. The V10, as previously stated numerous times, will pull 5-6k lbs without any problems. The V10 Excursion will pull a 30' Weekend Warrior loaded at 12,200 lbs (I realize the exceeds the weight rating). I know, because I have done it. BUT.........I would strongly recomment against it, hence why I now own an F350 6.0L dsl. The Excursion has too short of a wheelbase to be pulling that long of load and the V10 doesn't have enough power to pull that much weight.

Whether its an Excursion or a truck, since I have both to drive on a daily basis, I would recommend to anyone to shy away from the V10 and hold out for a 6.0L diesel. This isn't because the V10 is a bad engine in the lease, the V10 is great, but moreso that the diesel is just plain and simply put, an absolutely phenominal engine. The power difference between the two is extremely noticeable. The transmission in the diesel is far superior to that of the V10. (Maybe the TroqueShift is available for the gasser now??? Dunno.) And despite the problems everyone seems to have with them, they truely are a great engine and if you ask most people that are having the problems, I think they would tell you the same. And quite honestly, at highway speeds, my diesel truck is quieter than my V10 Excursion (both are 100% stock).

 

wow, my v-10 was quiet as a mouse at 65-95
I mean real quiet, compared to my 6.0

 

I can't hear my old-tech 7.3 PSD at highway speeds.

Too much wind noise (especially around the TT mirrors) and growl from the A/T tires.

Around town with the windows down, now that's a different story altogether.

 

Now there is one (2001)I cannot figure, no noise with my other X and a bunch with this one
same mirrors 2003

 

I never responded to your Hmmmmmmm........... regarding my no 6.0 comment.

The early 6.0's were more problematic than later ones. Ford bought a lot of them back, and many people have traded them in rather than deal with the problems.

Right now, I think that used 6.0's are more likely to be the problem ones rather than the good running ones. The odds of getting a good '03 6.0 on the used car lot right now are not very good. So, for now, I would not buy a used 6.0.

Now a used '04 with an '04 motor, or a used '03 for which you know the complete history, that's another story.

Used car dealers are agreeing with me. According to KBB, Edmunds and NADA, the trade-in value of a 6.0 is only $0-$300 more than a 7.3, despite the 6.0 costing nearly $1000 more new.

 

Bongogirl, when you get in an Excursion and test drive it, you will sign on the dotted line and drive away with it! It is great!
I tow a 4000# boat and this thing absolutely doesn't know it is back there. The V-10 is incredible in smoothness and power. Really, in comparison to my GMC 350 that I still have and drove for over 180,000 miles, this X is no comparison!

 

I agree, you will love the v10 power and the comfort of the rest. You will love it. I would say most Excursion owners have no regrets.

 

Do ANY have regrets?

 

Bongogirl
I have a 2000 X diesel. My wife uses it for a daily driver and I tow a 5500lb boat on the weekends with it. The diesel has been GREAT lots of power and better gas milege. My only complants have been the brakes. The warped rotors have been a problem on the Excursions and not on the crew cab 350. I think the 150 would give you problems with the trailer you want to tow.
My wife will never give it up.
Rodney

 

Was it rear rotors or front?

 

In some ways, yes, I do have regrets. I bought largely because I thought the Ex was going away after 04. If I'd known they were going to stick around longer and if I'd known how poor they are for towing sway problems stock, I'd have held on to my 01 HD2500 CC dmax/allison to see what else may have developed in the next year or two.

I'm overall okay with the truck but there are several very disappointing things about it. Like the towing problems and the very loud motor. I had to point out to most folks my dmax was a diesel because it was so quiet. There's no question about it with the 6.0. I knew all about the motors other problems so it being somewhat quirky is something I was expecting but not looking forward to.

My wife asked me on a drive from MN to Ohio last week in the Ex how I liked the new truck so far. We chatted about it a while. I'm torn as I do like the design overall and it's got some nice features but it's hard for me to get by some of the other stuff. My dmax was always a grin for me to drive. The Ex does not do the same thing for me.

 

jeb -

No one has been more vocal than me about issues with the X. Read my posts. I too have complained about the sway, cheap shocks, no sway bar. So I know of what you speak. I still believe that the X is the right vehicle for me as opposed to a SC or CC p/u.

You can fix the sway issues with the X relatively simply and you do not have to by a $3000 hitch. Maybe you shouldn't have to, but you do. So put a few of the items that have been discussed on your Xmas list and just solve the problem.

As far as noise, at highway speeds I can't hear the engine in my low-tech 7.3. If you can in your 6.0, then there is something wrong with your motor.

As far as what's coming down the pike, there's no Dmax/Allison even being considered for the 'Burb in its current configuration. The Allison won't fit (I don't know why, something to do with the firewall). The Dmax might be added to the 'Burb at the next redesign in '07-'08, but right now, that's wishful thinking.

Now if it is the case, as it seems to be, that you just do not like the X, the only person that can help you is yourself.

Trade your X in on another Dmax and be happy again.

 

Thanks jschira. I keep holding out hope that GM will find a way to get the full sized dmax/ally into a 'burb. If that doesn't happen, I have made the right choice. It does chaff me that they sold me a 3/4 ton truck with a 1/2 ton suspension, though. I'll get it dialed and maybe that'll put it over the top. Time will tell.

The 6.0PSD is not any louder at highway speeds than the dmax was. It's at idle and low rpms that it's VERY much louder. Stand beside each truck fully warmed up and ideling. You'll have no problem hearing what I'm talking about.

I go to work early (5am-ish a lot of days) and I just hate running that noisy PSD down our quiet, rural neighborhood. It probably bothers me more than my good neighbors but I feel bad about it. I guess I believed the ad's and what folks said about the motor being quiet. It probably is a bit quieter than the 7.3 or dodge diesels but it's way, way louder than a dmax.

 

Quote:

Thanks jschira. I keep holding out hope that GM will find a way to get the full sized dmax/ally into a 'burb. If that doesn't happen, I have made the right choice. It does chaff me that they sold me a 3/4 ton truck with a 1/2 ton suspension, though. I'll get it dialed and maybe that'll put it over the top. Time will tell.

They build 'Burbs at the Arlington plant, about 5 miles from my house. A worker at the plant is a member of the this and another board. He talks with the engineers all the time and that is where my 'Burb info comes from.

The X has a 3/4 ton suspension. The problem is, it is a 1 ton truck. But I agree, it is undersprung.

I think Ford knows about all of these problems, but it is a low volume product that sells well enough the way that it is. Ford has put $0 development dollars into the X since its launch. That is why the X is so profitable.

Ford is like a slum lord, buy a piece of property and milk all the money out of it you can without spending anything more on it.



I'll take your word on this. Can you pass the drive-thru test? That is the quiet test one member has. If he can order at the drive-thru without turning off the motor, then it is quiet enough.

My 7.3 would never pass this test. I guess that I am old-fashioned. It's a diesel, I expect the clatter. Wouldn't sound right without it.