I have a 2001,PSD,4X4,Ltd,Excursion (STOCK), that I drive to the Colorado mountians from central New Mexico on interstate, secondary roads and up a 15 mile dirt cut back road to a cabin. The last few miles had 2' of snow. I have read about handling problems, suspension problems, brake problems, the need for a chip, etc. I have seen no problems and can't believe doing anything could make this great vehicle better. I have 3500 miles. My questions - When will I notice all the above problems? Could I be the only happy camper out there? This is one great vehicle... First Ford I have owned.

 

>>>My questions - When will I notice all the above problems?

>>I have read about handling problems,

When you think it's a sports car. A sway bar WILL really help it though.

>>suspension problems,

When it starts to bottom out on smaller bumps

>>brake problems,

At around 10K miles when you have to turn the rear rotors.

>>the need for a chip, etc.

You don't NEED one. Although they are quite nice once you do!


>>Could I be the only happy camper out there


ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I love it just the way it is! I'm with you! It's a great vehicle.

Welcome to the site!

 

I don't think that it is because people are unhappy with their trucks. It's more like an "addiction". Once you start modifying, you just can't stop. :P

 

I also look at these post about all kinds of problems and wonder if like you, I have the only quality product ford built at the super duty plant. I have a black 2001 excursion limited, V-10, 4 wheel drive. I tow an 8000 pound boat and do a good amount of over 65 mph highway driving, with and without the boat, and a fair amount on dirt roads in new england. I drive through deep snow and keep the truck outside in the cold. On the coldest mornings, the V-10 starts and sounds quiet, goes right into gear and off we go. I have never bottomed the suspension, had the auto 4wd not operate, had any flutter or pinging noises and the truck has no rattles or squeaks and after 20,000 miles the brakes look like new. It gets 13 mpg around town and 15 highway. The V-10 needs no power enhancing chips or exhaust mods, it never falls short in the power department and doesn't wander or sway on the highway. I also see a lot about sway bars, The truck has no body roll and handles like a sports car, I just don't see the need. With the 3rd. seat out I can carry 5 bicycles, standing upright in a rack, load the gear for 5 riders and all 5 riders have penty of room to stretch on the way. The firestone tires, when run at the proper inflation pressure, (45 psi front and 55 psi rear), ride quietly, smoothly and wear well. So with all that said.
Thank You Mr. Ford for designing and building the biggest, roomyest, most powerful, heavyest duty, most useful, user friendly, dependable, comfortable, quiet, relatively most economical vehicle on the planet.

THE ONLY TRUE S U V! THE FORD EXCURSION

Enjoy your truck, put them to work, they love it.

 

I have to agree with mrfix. I love my 2001 Excursion Ltd 4X4 PSD. I have nearly 50,000 miles on mine. It is almost 1 year old. I regularly drive 1700 miles from Michigan to Georgia and back, exceeding 80 mph most of the way (because most of the traffic is cruising at 85) and have had no problems. My Firestone Steeltex tires are wearing great and are probably good for another 20,000 miles. Everything works properly and I have never had it in for service except for maintenance. I couldn't ask for a better truck.

 

I don't disagree with you...but, once I made a few changes to my X, I can't imagine driving without them. The PSD has plenty of power. Maybe, I was just sold really well on the Banks Stinger Kit, but I think the addition of the kit helps the longevity of the engine. Better breathing, and better shift points etc. I do so much highway driving, at high speeds 80-90 that I wanted taller tires to change the gear ratio a little. The 3.73 is a little to low for those speeds, by putting on the taller tires(the firestones where fine)it is like changing the gears to 3.55. The engine now runs at lower rpms at the higher speeds. So I had to lift the truck a little in order to fit the tires. I didn't want a big monster truck though and I wanted to still be able to fit in the garage. I put on the f350 springs and a one inch block in the back. This gave me enough clearance for the tires and I have about 1/2 inch clearance in the garage. The new shocks made an incredible difference. The way it now handles the bumps is much better than before. Infact if I had to recommend one thing it would be to replace the shocks. I love my truck and I think it is an incredible vehicle. The changes I made were for person prefence, but I am glad I made them.