Hello. Posting for the first time in X forum. Usually hang out in the Expedition side. Anyway, last week I towed a 24' TT weighing about 7,000# for the first time with the expy. The GCWR of my expy is 13,500#. My rig weighs in at 13,200#. Too close for my comfort (besides 30mph in first gear sux!). So I'm looking at a used X. It's an '02, V-10, 3.73 Limited. I have a ton of questions.

1) I've heard the early v-10's had problems. Is this in the "early" range? Something about cylinder slap when cold.

2) What trans is in here? Is it good? What problems should I expect, if any? Is there a better year to start looking for as far as revisions?

3) How will this tow with the v-10/3.73 setup? My tow vehicle before this was a '95 Chevy Crew Dually 454 with Banks and 4.10's. It cranked! The 3.73's have me a little nervous.

4) Anybody know the HP/Torque #'s?

5) Are there any inherent problems/fixes I should plan on? I bought the expy knowing that the plugs are held in with 4 threads and have been known to launch, taking the threads out of the block at the same time.

6) For towing a 28'TT (yes, we're going bigger on the trailer, too!), about 9.000#, what suspension mods should I plan on. I've seen posts for airbags and Helwig sway bars. I'm not sure how sway bars keep the back end from sagging, I thought helper springs did that, sway bars kept the leaning down. Any insight would be great.

Any other insights from this vast pool of X-perience would be appreciated. I'm new to the Ford world, newer to the X world. I'm sure there is an X that is right for me, and want to make sure the one I'm looking at is not a mistake (primarily from axle ratio (Code 31 btw)). Also, BTW, this will be my wife's daily driver when I'm not towing with it, as was the dually.

Thanks a million for the help. I really appreciate it.

 

a little farther down the fprum there is a post about "towing capacity of the reciever" there is a list of motor /axle /towing capacity. this should give you a good idea for what motor you might want
diesel seems to be the best choice since it gets arround 20mpg verses 14 with the v10

 

No worries with your 02 V10. Early V10s had the same potential for throwing plugs as your Expy. Not after 02, though.
4R100. OK for medium duty use. Heavy hauling will have you calling up some of the compaie sthat specialize in bulletproofing the tranny. Install a tranny temp guage yourself nad keep the fluid changed every 30K. You should be alright barring any out of the ordinary troubles.
The 454 had what? 290HP? 390TQ? Coupled with 4.10s that is a nice towing machine ('cept the fule drinkage problem ) The 4x4 Excursion with 3.73s is rated at 9600lbs.
310/425
If you plan on towing 9K then you really need to look at a diesel of a swapping gears to 4.30s. First reason is that the gears will raise your GCWR. You'll be past is with your 9K trailer and the truck with passengers.

Sway bars control sway. You are correct. If your 02 doesn't have one. Get one.
Airbags are next. (my preference anyway) Springs are rather soft and airbags will stop sag but then again, so will a good weight distributing hitch which you'll need to tow 9K anyway...

Axle code 31 = 3.73 Open Diff.

 

First, welcome to the Excursion forum!

I've got a 2000 V10. I deliver firewood, so regularly tow 9-10,000 pounds. The V10 is a solid motor, with the possible exception of the spark plug problem. I've never had any cylinder slap when cold. My mileage is about 11-12 with regular mixed driving, but drops to about 9 when towing a load of wood. I've done some deliveries in VERY hilly country and never had a hesitation from the motor. As, Ken says, have the tranny flushed and refilled every 30K miles. I do, and have never had a problem. I don't remember when Ford added the rear swaybar, but you definitely want one. I add the Hellwig part which I bought from JC Whitney. Brakes are something you want to address if your are towing. While the V10 has plenty of 'get up and go', the OEM brakes do not have enough 'whoa'!!! I chose ART rotors and pads and I was instantly impressed with the improvment in braking.

Overall, I couldn't ask for a better tow vehicle. If I were towing long distances, I would buy the diesel. But I'm very happy with the V10.

 

Thank you for the insights. This is all excellent info to ponder. I had not heard anything of the braking problems. Sounds like the old body Suburban problems. Do the pads wear out as fast as they did on the burb?


Monsta said I shouldn't have a plug ejection problem as that was fixed after 02, but it IS an 02. Rozett references it as a possible issue. I hate the idea of driving around wondering if I'm going to hear the "pop". Was it fixed in '02 or '03? Should I worry about this?

If the 4r100 is in it and good for medium duty use, did any later years get a signifigantly better tranny?

From what I've found, the GCWR is 17,000# with V-10 and 3.73. Am I correct. If my trailer is 9600# Max, how much do these tour boats weigh!?

Thanks again for the insights. BTW, as my wife's daily driver, whichever we end up with will be gas, NOT deisel. She doesn't want to have to turn in off in the drive thru!

 

I believe an Excursion weighs 7800 lbs.

 

Thanks for the insights. I just got home with my.....uh.....sorry......my wife's "new to us" 2002 Excursion Limited V10, C1 3.73 differential, DVD, etc with 46,000 miles. So much for hanging out in the Expedition lounge. Oh, the dealer didn't even know it had airbags already installed. Kicked my wife in the shin, which is out code for "don't you open your mouth!". Need to add a sway bar. Can't wait to tow with this bad boy.

 

I believe the curb weight of the V-10 2WD Excursion is around 6800 lbs. When I dropped some stuff off at the county transfer station I noticed the unloaded weight of the vehicle was 7081 lbs (with myself and wife, no third row seat).

Doug

 

Again, thanks for the info. I really appreciate all the help I get here.

 

I wouldn't worry about the spark blow out problem. I haven't worried about at all since buying my V10 with 65,000 miles on it and putting on another 21,000. It isn't worth worring about. The Torque shift wasn't available until 2004 or 05 so unless you are looking for new/nearly new you are stuck with the 4R100. I think the 4R100 has been a pretty good tranns so far.