My 00 V10 ex, with 267k, has served me well. But to keep going it needs suspension work, some body work (including rust below the second row by the wheel well), uses about 1Q of oil per 1500 miles, and just feels like something big is looming. A wire fray last summer disabled the transmission.

​​​​​​I love the 9 passenger seating with plenty of cargo space and the towing capacity when needed. 7k livestock. 6, maybe 5, passenger is the least I could go.

I've been researching the Tundra, Sequoia, and F150s. I want 250k mile reliability. I prefer simple over "modern" at least where that equates to fewer headaches.

 

I say look for a 03-05 Suburban 2500 (really any GMT800 or 99-06 model years, but IMHO the 03-05 years were the best) with a 6.0 gas. The Suburban/ Yukon XL if you want an SUV or the equivalent truck is you're looking for a pickup (you mentioned looking at Tundra and F150)

Plenty of aftermarket support for the LS based engine (the LQ4 is basically a cast iron block LS) so you can get as much power as you want/ your wallet can afford, way easy to eclipse the power of the Ford v10 with a 6.0 LS . And they're easily rebuildable/ driveway swappable with the hood still on if needed.

They can easily tow 7K pounds while carrying six passengers. Their only real downside is the the IFS (assuming you want a 4x4), but the aftermarket has some upgraded parts that make it suck a little less.
...

 

I second Anton. The 'Burb 2500 is a pretty decent workhorse. It's smaller than the Excursion. The 6.0 and the 8.1 are great motors. just as reliable (and thirsty) as the V-10 you have. The platform is very good as well. I'm a huge fan of the 8.1 personally. My 6.0 was a racecar. But she needed to rev up a little before getting the job done. The 8.1 just starts yanking. The 'Burb 2500 is even more rare than the Excursion though. And they sell for a pretty penny. If you find one, immediately buy it. Or it will be gone. They are very popular to people like us who want capacity and seating.

You are going to have a hard time finding "simple". Anything after 2010 gets fancy extremely quickly. Avoid anything Chevy after 2014...although to be honest, after 2007/2008 the brand went to crap due to AFM. Tundra is a good vehicle. But at the end of the day, it's a 1/2 ton. Whereas the F-150 has consistently been overbuilt for decades with 3/4 ton capacity in a 1/2 ton. They'll both do the job. Just the F-150 will be happier.

Maybe take a look at the 07-10 Expedition EL (full size). 5.4 gas, 6 speed trans, 7-9 seat capacity, 9,200 lbs towing. IFS suspension. mid 2010's went to IRS as well. I had a 2008 and it was awesome. They're decently priced as well. Easy 250-300k rig. I just bought a 2024 Expy and it's everything you are afraid of. But holy crap are they nice. and capable. just a metric ton of electronics.

 

Thanks. Thoughts on 2011 Navigator?

 

it's just a fancier Expy. And 14yrs old. I'd do the standard old vehicle checks. Fairly certain that is still the 5.4 3v motor. Later models went to the 3.5 Ecoboost and started getting more transmission gears.

just for arguments sake, what will purchase of a 2011 Navi cost? Lets say at least $10k for a nice one with no major issues and 100-150k miles
now, what would a replacement motor/trans cost for your current X? Roughly the same amount of money.

• Suspension work on these rigs can be done for extremely cheap. My last V-10 I lifted for under $300, rebuilt the entire front axle for roughly the same money. And then hubs/complete brakes/lines. For roughly $1k I had essentially an entire new suspension. You have a known rig right now. maybe just set some cash aside for motor/trans repair. Fix the suspension. Keep on driving her. My 2005 is at 306k and going strong.

food for thought. You will not find anything better than the X in the category. I've tried time and time again. I keep coming back to them. This is my 3rd one after trying Expeditions, Tahoe, Escalade, Suburban...etc.

 

Thank you. I may reach out for details on the suspension work you did. So long as I can diy it sounds convincing.

 

Here is how I did my 2000 rebuild. She was a rusty girl.
2000 X Build

if you have a jack/jack stands/DIY capability, it’s very easy. Only special tool you need is a ball joint tool. But you can rent one from Autozone

 

If the bj is the hardest part of suspension build, maybe I give it a go. I did both 7 years ago at 185k. Now at 269.

Any particular order to take? Front shock look like 2 bolts. Where do I get the most bang for the buck?

 

Depends on what is getting replaced. The Tech folder in this forum has several good threads with pictures. And YouTube has videos of Superduty rebuilds. Follow a 99-04 version and it’s identical to your X

I legit believe anything on the suspension and axle rebuild is a DIY Driveway effort besides front axle shaft inner bearings (requires taking pumpkin apart).

 

Thank you. Any suggestions on where to start? Where do I get the most value? Front shocks look like 2 bolts. Is that a top place to start?

 

 

I'm using the force. Lol. Any suggestions on where to maximize value with putting money into it? I was just asking about suspension updates. The BJs are replaced, but that's it.Shocks? Steering stabilizer? Then onto the rubber parts? Leaf springs? I need some body repair also. Rocker under the driver passenger door is rusted. Some paint is flaking.

 

You could measure your ride height (Center hub 2 bottom edge of fender) see if the springs are sagging. Is your truck stock height? The tech folder has tons of info on this. I was looking for lift so when I bought mine, I replaced front and rear but you could focus on the front to begin. I did the pirate suspension lift, and it made a huge improvement in ride quality. If you don’t want a lift, find a pair of replacement front leaf springs, they are not too bad to replace, just heavy. Call ATS suspension, Jr will talk you through options. Then replace shocks at the same time.

 

We just went through this and were looking for replacements that checked every box. Truthfully, there is nothing. Everything is either smaller or doesn't measure up.

 

Having had an Ex, then not, then Suburban, still have Expy for daughter, found a 00 5.4 and scooped it up, yes, she's a bit underpowered, added 5.13's and that helped her pep up, still can't beat them. I have my eyes open for another if one pops up.

I too prefer "simple" although that does come with work, since my Ex is 25 yrs old, my 02 F350/7.3/CC/4x is 23 yrs old, and I have a "fleet" of old trucks, but... I'd rather have NAPA payments, then truck payments.

If I can get a tractor sold, that $$ is going to be used for another Ex. I bought an 02 Ex/V10 for my BIL in TX late last year, he has 4 kiddos and his work truck doesn't work well as a kid taxi, it had 160k on it when he flew out and drove it home, he's now over 200k and asking me to find another one or 2 for him... my sis has a '21 Expy long, and he says the Ex is just better! He can have a load of crap in the back, haul 4-7 kids and drag an implement if he needs to.