Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted and unfortunately it's not for a good reason. My '02 Limited was stolen from a parking lot last week so I'm on the hunt for another X. I'm leaning toward a 6.0 PSD rather than the 7.3. I've found a few '03s with the 6.0 and I'm wondering if there is a negative of getting one of the very early 6.0 installs. I recall some electronics issues with the early units.

I'm waffling between Mineral Gray and Pueblo Gold, but I think the gold is a bit too much. Does anyone know where I can get good quality, equivalent photos of trucks in those two colors? I found a PDF of an '05 X brochure, but the pics weren't very good. Any cautions or opinions on those colors?

I've found an '05 with a 6.0 with 89,000 miles on it. Of course it's priced very nicely compared to same year trucks with about half the mileage. Any worries with that?

Does anyone else find the black trim treatment on the '05s fugly? Do pictures just not do it justice?

Are rear captain's chairs really hard to come by to replace the bench?

Thanks for your responses and let me know if anyone knows of a good X for sale!! I'm in Central Texas, but I'm willing to travel for the right truck.

Chris

 

I would say stay away from the 03 6.0. I would go for the 05 X. If its a limited with the captins chairs and you would want to trade me for my bench seats give me a PM. Also sorry about the Other X that sucks some one would stell a truck,
Nick

 

THe ford dealer in Billings, MT has a couple of 05 psd limited right now. Around 35k miles on them. I think they are a little proud of them $37,900.

 

Thanks Nick,

It has the bench. I'd be looking to replace that with captains. Not a big deal right away. I noticed that you have an '04. Why would you suggest an '05? Are there some differences between the '04 and '05 other than superficial?

Chris

 

The only thing that changed between the 04 and 05 was the front end looks.

 

Yah there was a few thing done to the moter in 05 but mainly I love the looks. And I thought you have captians chair and wanted bench seat never mind,
Nick

 

IMO a blacked out X with chrome rims is top notch.

 

FWIW, I requested about four Oasis reports on 03's with the 6.0. Every one came back with a bunch of problems. Granted, most were fixed, but on in particular had problems up to July of this year. I made the request in August. I'd stay away from the 03 6.0. Like many will tell you, get the 05 if you can afford it or get another 7.3

 

what did the change on the motor nick? the 5.4 and 6.8 stayd the same. Did they change somthing on the 6.0?

 

Matt,

From what I understand the Ex was kind of left alone in a LOT of respects!

I have an '05 V10 but DIDN'T get the 3V as all the other SD's did in '05

Looks like Ford also decided to leave the 6.0L kind of alone in the Ex's as well in '05 when it updated the SD's for various problems too! http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/6L_bible_h...pdate_TOC.html

I've also found out recently that Ford must have known for a while that they were phasing out the Ex...and here's what my theory is based on.

The bus protocol that our computers communicate on...All Ford trucks SWITCHED in '03 to a bus architecture called "CAN". In '04 all Ford cars swapped...but guess what...the Ex NEVER changed!!!...we are STILL on the old bus architecture!!!...so they knew for a while that they were NOT going to continue this vehicle line...well before '03 is my thought!!!

But to answer what changed motor wise...looks like the Ex is the Ex is the Ex from day one pretty much except for a new 6.0L motor (which would have been nice to LEAVE the 7.3L in there hehe) and some facial lifts!

Hope that link helps...I found it when I 'snuck' into the dark side of the 6.0L forum!

joe

 

I just recently purchased an Ex (2001 PSD). When I first got the idea of getting one I talked with several owners of PSD's and two Ford mechanics and 1 parts wholesaler.

They all said the same thing. Stay away from the 6.0 and get the 7.3. Not to say that the 6.0 is not a good motor, but in my nieve understanding there are lots of little things that they seem to have issues with. I understand that most of those issues were worked out by 05(but I am not sure if that includes the Ex).

As far as phasing out the Ex goes. They couldn't sell them from the time they hit the car lot's. Nobody wanted one, all the reports made fun of them, dealers couldn't give them away. At least in my neck of the woods.

Just my .02
Michael

 

What is the difference between the new and the old bus architecture.

 

That's a good question! LOL

The older architecture was I think called the Ford Bus but I can't find any information on that one but I bet it is on this page http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_C...utomotive.html

Here is a link on the newer CAN (Controller Area Network) that is being used in most all new vehicles today. It is nothing more than a serial interface bus see here http://www.interfacebus.com/Can_Bus_...or_Pinout.html

Basically they switched the interface protocol in 2003 SD's and 2004 cars...but left the Ex ALONE...

I didn't spend a lot of time reading those links...but I think the info will be there...

joe.

 

What are the benefits of the new one.

 

I guess I would assume speed, thru-put and noise immunity...but I would just be guessing as i didn't read all the spec's...

joe.