I am trying to decide on a new truck. It will replace my '93 Crown Vic and my '85 Jeep Cherokee, my wife's summer and winter rides. It will be used to haul passengers and groceries, no trailers, heavy loads, etc. My plans were F-250, 4x4, 156"wb, crew cab, short bed, 5.4 auto, 4.10ls, xlt. I looked at Explorer Sport Tracs, F-150 Super Crew, Expeditions, but that big front DANA (and negligible price difference)kept pulling me back. The 5.4 auto combo I feel will work okay with the 4.10s, 3.73 is probably to steep for the 5.4 with the hills around here(my Crown Vic goes from OD to 3rd constantly), V-10s only come with 4.30s(or so I was told) or I'd go with a V-10, auto, 3.73. My dads '99 E-150 (80,000 miles already) does good with its 5.4, auto, 3.55s with shorter tires. No rocket ship, but pulls his boat okay, averages 16mpg, about what I expect from the truck. I really want an Excursion, but I can't see paying almost $10,000 more. Your $.02 appreciated, negative or positive.

 

You can get auto and 3.73 but it will be a open rear end.Powertrax makes a locker that bolts in the open rear end for $425.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Dec-00 AT 10:41 AM (EST)[/font][p]I run my '99 F250 CC with 5.4L and 3.73 as a daily driver over the mountian areas of Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina all the time. It pulls those grades with no problems and I don't have any complaints (except in the brake department). The truck is still in stock form with no changes to the air intake or exhaust systems yet.

 

Cable_Guy,

I own a 2000 CrewCab 2WD w/3.73LS rear, and it's a great truck. The weight of the SuperDuties do do a number on fuel consumption though. My Fuel Log is at: http://ic.net/~wawii/MPG/

You might want to re-consider the F-150 SuperCrew it fuel consumption is important. Based on your needs it might be a better fit for your wife.

I'd agree on the rear gear for the 5.4, I'd hate to run mine with less power and the 3.73's. If you plan on going up in tire size, you might still want to do the 4.10/4.30's on the V-10 though.

Good Luck
------------------
Thanks,
Will

2000 F-250 SD Crew Cab, Short Bed, Lariat, 4X2, V-10, Auto, 3.73LS

 

The V10 F250 does indeed come with a 3.73. And for about a $ 600.00 in engine pricing (over the 5.4) you get a lot more motor. Less fuel economy, but MUCH more engine! Try one out! I do not think you would be dissapointed. Good luck.

 

I totally agree, honestly the v-10 doesn't get a whole lot worse mileage than the 5.4L, at most 3-4mpg's. It has plenty of power, 310hp/425ft/lbs of torque vs. the 260hp/350ft/lbs of torque on the 5.4L.


Future (F-250 Regularcab 4x4 v-10 4R100 3.73ls.) owner

 

The concensus is that the mileage for a 4X4 crewcab is about the same for the 5.4L or the 6.8L...somewhere in the 12-14 range. The 6.8L has more power, though. 3.73 gears are standard for the 6.8L. 3.73 limited slip and 4.30 limited slip are optional.

Good luck with your decision. You'll be happy with whatever you choose. These trucks are great!

http://www.eurekaboy.com/f250.htm

 

Thank ALL of you for your comments. I may be gaining a couple more family members(long story), so I may end up with a used Excursion for the third seat. I'm going to wait and see how everything works out first, but if I go F-250, I'll probably go V-10 3.73 open, or back to the 5.4 4.10 ls, depending on which I can find a better deal on. Thank you again.

 

I would just like to speak up for the Excursion. it >IS< a great truck. I'm not sure if the discounted finance rates are still in effect, and also steep discounts, but in August when I bought, my $39,700 MSRP Exc I paid $33,500. This at a no haggle "price on the windshield" dealer. A MUCH bigger discount than the pickups were offering, plus a 2.9% rate for 60 months. They really don't end up costing $10k more than other than a work type SD pickup.

 

Wanted to echo the last post on the REAL price to be paid on an EXCURSION. We too knocked about $7000 off the sticker price for our 4x2, V-10 Limited model. We have loaded it up with people and gear on about a dozen occasions now with Church and sports groups. The extra size really pays big when hauling teens and their gear. Truck runs out great on the highway with all the folks aboard as well. We have been averaging 12mpg in town (with a light foot), did about 14-15 on highway stretchs. We are extremely pleased to have moved up from a minivan to real truck.

Have fun out there.

 

Will echo the above two responses ...

The Excursion is a great rig, and can be had far below sticker prices.

We have a V10 3.73 4x4 XLT Arizona Beige
The biggest, baddest, best vehicle I have ever owned

You will not be disappointed if you go with the Excursion


Merry Christmas All

 

I'm impressed with the advice I'm getting. This site rules. I'm considering everything I've read, I still feel a bit cloudy on some of the details, though. It sounds to me like the V10 will do about the same mileage as the V8 in mixed driving in this heavy rig. I can see this. My 2.8 liter Jeep gets the worst mileage of my three running vehicles, and also has the least power, by far. My 8800lb PSD service rig gets 2-4mpg more and pulls the same hills in 5th with ease that my Jeep can't hardly pull in drive. The Crown Vic gets about the same as the truck, around 16mpg, it could do better if driven in a sane manner. I guess if I go the Excursion route I won't have to choose between the V8 and V10 anyhow. I'm 99% sure I don't want or need the PSD. I like it in my truck, but I don't think it is the right choice for what this vehicle will be used for. The 5.4 is optional, but I've yet to see or even hear of one in an Excursion. Now, what do you all think of gear ratios in the Excursion? I still think the 3.73 is the way to go, with no pulling or hauling planned. What are my options, and what is common? Will the lower gears make much difference in mileage, or is it kind of like the V8 vs. V10? Thank you all.

 

Two good sites to look at the truck options are Kelly Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com) and Carpoint (http://www.carpoint.com).

For a 4x4 Excursion the V-10 is standard. The 5.4L is optional, but at no credit. I'd think the 5.4L would be underpowered in the Excursion, but might it be acceptable with the 4.10 gears. 4.30 gears are optional with the V-10, but if you're not going to tow alot or put bigger tires on the truck I'd stick with the 3.73's.

http://www.eurekaboy.com/f250.htm