Hey guys... I'm looking to buy my first Excursion. I'm in CA so I'm looking to get a V10 4X4. I have 3 options right now. The one that looks the nicest and my favorite is a 2000 4X4 and has 235K miles on it.

The other options are lower in miles (2003 with 168K & 2002 with 150K) but need thousands of dollars in cosmetic work like repainting the hood on one of them and probably a new paint job or wrap on the other one.

My question is do I have to worry about major issues on the 2000 Ex with 235K miles on it? No matter what I get I am planning on taking it to my mechanic and tell him to fix anything it needs as I plan on taking this on road trips with my family.

Any info would be helpful. Thanks Guys!!!!

 

20 yr old vehicle with 200k, anything is possible. You’re probably at least gonna need a front end job and brakes unless the previous owner has updated.

 

What does the front end job entail? I've never owned an Excursion or F250 before. Thanks!

 

Hydro press ive got a harbor frieght one or you can use an autozone ball joint tool and an impact. Of course you’re going to need jack stands and about a bottle of bourbon.

 

You'll also need snap ring pliers (a good set), breaker bar, 19 mm socket, impact, Free All penetrating oil (available at O'Reilly), 15/16" or 1 inch wrench, prybar, new vacuum seals, Lucas red n' tacky for your wheel bearings (IF THEY ARE BAD use only Timken or you'll get to do it again in short order), a sledge hammer, and the large pickle fork set from one of the auto parts stores. The one from O'Reilly does not include what you're going to need. (Ask me how I know)

You're going to need the 5 piece set from either Harbor Freight or Auto Zone.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-ro...hoCPDQQAvD_BwE

They should also have a ball joint press with every cup known to man.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

You will need about a 4 pound sledge and a torch

4-lb Smooth Face Steel Head Fiberglass Sledge Hammer https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Koba...F-G/5001939555

If you're frustrated and have some issues to hammer out, ball joints and tie rods on these trucks will help you get it out.

As far as ball joints and tie rods themselves: DO NOT buy the autozone, O'reilly, or Advance Auto parts versions. It doesn't matter how much you pay for their lifetime warranty, you're going to end up doing it again within 2 years no matter how well you do it. Again, ask me how I know. They have a lifetime warranty on their parts because they're expecting them to fail and so you don't feel upset when ball joints or tie rods only last you for 1-2 years but you have to do it again.

Check out rock auto, Mevotech has a TTX line of ball joints that have been tested in The Canadian Oil fields and ice roads. I'm eyeballing those for both my Excursions. The O'Reilly ones lasted me two years and didn't stand the test of time, I have a feeling these will.

 

XRF kit has worked good for me , also ordered a bunch of Spicer parts from venturestruckparts.com like joints and vac seal kit

A lot of the Spicer stuff can be counterfeit ordered from ebay or amazon

 

This^^^^

DO NOT buy Motorcraft Parts or any parts off of Amazon or eBay. They're usually fakes or knockoffs, it's better to buy from Rockauto or established places online.

 

I’ll second/third the above. Don’t cheap out on your front end components. You will repeating the work a couple years down the road if you cut corners. The Excursion is a heavy SOB (heavier than the pickups), so it needs to be outfitted with the right parts.

I used venture truck parts when I rebuilt my Dana 60, and it ran like a champ. They’re a solid source for genuine Spicer parts.

 

Mevotech and Moog is what I would use. Rockauto is a great resource to get them.