I'll be taking a trip from central NC to Central Fla next spring. Loading up the excursion with family and gear for 7-9 days.

What are some things/tips/ideas/mods that would be helpful for this lengthy trip?

Here are some things that have been done in the past year plus a few ideas that I think might be necessary.

Items already done but maybe need to be checked again prior to trip:

Brakes - Both front and rear rotors and pads have been changed in the past few months.

Transmission - Filter, gasket and fluid changed about a year ago.

Battery - new heavy duty motorcraft installed in Jan. 08.

A/C - was checked and deemed fine in Apr. 08

Planned service before trip:

Differentials - checked and topped off or fluid replaced

Hubs - To be replaced with warn manual hubs or at minimum, re-packed

Shocks - Need replacing (next planned item to be done)

Necessary items?

Spark Plugs and Coils?

Y-pipe and exhaust?

V/B spring code swap?

Transfer case service?


Please offer any advice or suggestions or make rude and/or funny comments about my list thus far. Feel free to add other ideas that I haven't listed.

Thanks in advance for the help.

BTW: in case my stats don't show;
2004 Excursion Ltd. 4x4 3.73 V-10 65,000miles 285/75/16

 

I would make up a package with some spare parts and fluilds. " Fan belt,Fuel filter,A can of brake fluid,One gallon of Engine oil,One or two Qts of Trans fluid. I'm sure there are a few others that might be thought of some depending on the mileage of your X"

 

North Carolina to Florida? Good grief...it's not like you're going across Siberia or something. Get in the darn thing and drive it. You're probably gonna pass like 25 Ford dealers and twice as many auto parts stores.

Now...if you need this thread to show your wife...well I would definantly get this done.

Y-pipe and exhaust?

V/B spring code swap?

You may need new wheels, too. And don't forget the safety chrome.

 

I do keep a small supply of tools and spare parts onboard for just such occasions. That is a good idea though. Thanks.

I'm putting your comments under the "rude and/or funny comments" section. You're on probabtion for now until I can decide if your comments were either rude or un-funny. Yes, it's only Florida and there are parts stores on the way there and back. But why would I want to stop and make repairs if I could prepare in advance?



I do appreciate both of your inputs.

 

Funny...but true...but not meant to be rude.

Okay let's go down your list.

Differentials - checked and topped off or fluid replaced
Fine. However, you won't lose fluid unless you see a leak. Either plan on replacing it (a waste at 65K) or leave 'em alone lest Murphy's Law come in to effect.

Hubs - To be replaced with warn manual hubs or at minimum, re-packed
Can probably wait unless you plan on using 4WD on your trip. Hubs fail by not engaging or disengaging. They won't fail and leave you stranded...unless you're in a muddy field. You cannot repack hubs. You can service them and clean them. And while you're in there you can lube your needle bearings. See Guzzle's page Welcome to guzzle's Ford PSD Maintenance Web Page

Shocks - Need replacing (next planned item to be done)
Good idea. Will probably make your trip more enjoyable if your current set is worn out.

Spark Plugs and Coils
65K?...hmmm pretty close. It's a toss up. If you got the time to do it ahead of time than go for it. just don't do it the night before. You need to replace and then put some miles on it to make sure something wasn't overlooked or broken during the process (Murphy's Law again)

Transfer Case
This one is easy. Drain and refill. 65K is a good time to do it. But I wouldn't call it necessary for your trip.

Now...as I said before, make sure you do all this well in advance of your trip. Especially the larger jobs. You need to put a few miles on your truck to make sure everything is good to go.

 

Replace the serpentine belt & carry the old one as a spare.

 

If it makes you feel better, I just drove from Dallas, TX to Boston, MA (and back) with no problems. I really wouldn't worry about doing to much maintenance ahead of time, unless its due for the service imho :-)

Have a safe trip though!

 

I bought my "EX" on Ebay and picked it up in Denver and there was absolutely no-where that I could get it checked out before I left the airport. I got in it and drove up to Fort Collins,found a motel room at 11PM and the next AM drove it over to Wal-mart and topped off the fluids and then drove it home to Washington state..I kept the extra fluids and I did bring a rudimentary tool kit.. These things will run forever as long as you watch the levels and have your mantainence up to date..
Hummmm,wonder why those four injectors went out on my last 5K vacation trip this summer..

 

I just drove my V-10 a little over 1000 miles. All fluids were checked I had a good battery and fan belt. NO PROBLEMS
EXCEPT.......
I forgot to check the air in my tires, drove 240 miles before thinking of it.
Front tires should have had 45 lbs actually had about 32 lbs
Rear tires should have had 55 lbs actually had 35 lbs.
Check jack and air in spare tire.
Most all alumn. wheels will leak a small amount of air over time.

So DO NOT be DUMB like ME and forget to check the tires.
I would also bring a pair of vice-grips and a large crescent wrench.
Check wiper blades
Check all lights
Take a roll of duck tape who knows you may need it for something.

 

Thanks for all the input. There is some good information to gain from your responses.

And yes, I realize that my Excursion is pretty bomb proof. I've already been on some major trips in harsh environments. I do take my excursion off road. I've even shared photos of her plowing through mud and such.

I guess what I wanted was some re-assurance from other owners and to make our trip as mechanically trouble free as possible.

Nine days with the family and a long way from home. No time for any BS and especially any that I could have prevented.

Thanks again.

 

If you have kids, I suggest ear plugs or sometype of OSHA approved ear protection.

 

I bought an 01 with the V10 to drive from Germany to China. Work so far include rear springs for an F250, rear sway bar, new shocks, addd a leaf to front springs, exhaust studs (lost count on how many wer broken seemed like most), ebay exhaust y=pipe and steering stablizer.

This week plan on ball joints, u-joints, seals and manual hub conversion.
Want a second fuel tank as reserve but would deal with 4, 5 gallon cans on the roof rack with the 2 spare tires. Already have new serp belt and all new hoses with fluids waiting for another weekend. I have about 5 months to get her ready to go. thinking about a 220vac block heater for Siberia and Mongolia. also adding some insulation to the roof, doors and floor, quiet it down a little and save as much heat al possiable.

Only current problems are a bad door open switch (not sure which one) that keeps the interior lights on and the top rear door is wearing a serious groove into the lower barn doors. Did notice some surface rust and flaky paint underneath on the floorboards. Rather not get too crazy with blasting and paint if possiable. plan on steam cleaning the bottom and hitting the chassis with POR15. But not sure what to doo about the floorboards?

Trip will be with my sons and some buddies. main concern is having her preped well enough for a 10,000 mile run hopefully only needing fluid changes along the way.

 

Your post made me smile. I have 270 on my Ex and just changed the S belt (that baby was made to last) It was still tight and right but since I replaced the alternator I decided to replace the belt and I keep the old one for a spare. I think you are panicky over notta lotta you shouldnt be worrying yourself over. I have never done over half the things you listed and I am still going strong. I stated in another post that I had gone over 165,000 since last tune up and when it dropped to 3 mpg I decided I better do something especially when gas was 449 a gallon. But Im good for another 165,000
I am a mom of four girls and worrying about your great condition ex on the journey I would be thinking about life with kids on long trip. Someone said duct tape for Ex heck with that pack it for quieting or immobilizing children. Ear plugs was great idea as one can never have too many of those on a trip with kids. Prozac, St Joesephs valium for children a great choice as well. A plane ticket for you to come home and let spouse make the drive home with kids would be my optimal item of choice.
Good luck on your journey my friend your gonna need it. I believethe ex will make it there and back with no problem what so ever but you on the other hand......

 

My 2000 X, V10 LTD, 4x4, was battered and abused by the previous owners, over 154k, nothing replaced by them except a couple stets of brake rotors, and one or two suspension parts.

Two weeks ago, my mother died. I took out rear seats, laid down the middle row, hit the service bay for oil change, fluid top off, tire check, and visited the car wash for a good vacuuming and wash.

We loaded mother (in her casket) in the rear of the X, and took off from Colorado Springs, CO to southern Kansas via northern Kansas (spent the night with family), and had our services there. Reversed the trip to come home. Did I mention my brother, his wife, and his 5 kids? Yes, we had a minivan to carry the people and luggage.

BUT

The point is that even with the importance of this trip, all I did was oil (due anyway), and tire check. I can understand wanting to prepare for and prevent bad things ( I exercise my 2nd amendment rights daily), but try not to over-do it. Remember that a family trip is the perfect opportunity to make cherished memories, so dont sweat the small stuff, eh?