Hi. I just got an 2001 v10 6.8 Excursion. I got an amazing deal for it with only 41000 miles on it. (under $6000 from a government auction)

I use it mostly for a 10-20 mile drive for work and then for hauling a whole bunch of students and luggage around on longer trips throughout the year (I'm a Youth Pasor) I also hunt so I will be using this ocassionally to drive oversand. . . nothing too aggressive, no incredibly rough terrain or anything. Occassionally I'll tow something. . . but nothing too heavy.

I tried using the search engine for past threads but no luck. . and I looked through page 21 of the previous threads so if I'm asking a question that has been talked about a million times I'm sorry.

I just did the math on my mpg's and it looks like I'm getting about 12.8 mpgs as i use the truck. little hwy driving, mostly town, and 1 one beach expereince in the tank I've tested so far. honestly i was pretty happy about that. I had a huge Dodge that got like 8 for my first truck. I was curious about what kind of Mods I could do to increase MPG's as this X will be with more for quite some hopefully and any increase would probably pay for itself over time.

Things that have been suggested to me.

K&N cold air intake
throttle body spacer
upgraded chip (Hypertech Power Programmer 1999-2004 Ford Gas The Max Energy Power Programmer )
straight exhaust/dual modified other than stock in some way

could the type of tires I use affect mpgs? As I bought it the front tires pressure is supposed to be at max 65psi, the rear 80psi. Any advantage to this?? What's the best tire and tire setup for mpgs?

If the Programmer is worth it, is it fairly user friendly or would some past experience or training be required?

Well this is a ton of questions for my first post. . . so I'll stop there.

 

Max out your tire pressure according to the side wall of the tire.
Drive gas friendly.
CAI won't hurt you.
Programmer is a waste of money. Better off getting a tune from a reputable shop.
Throttle body spacer is a joke.

 

I suggest you also stop down in the V10 forum, but what I think you'll soon discover is that there is not a lot, if any, of off the shelf parts that will do anything for MPG's. The money spent doing so will take forever, if ever, to recoup. 12.8 mixed driving is about right, assuming it's a 4WD.

 

On the V-10 there is little you can do to improve mileage by modding the engine. I know of nothing you can do that would even pay for itself.
One word of caution be careful removing the sparkplugs as you DO NOT want to PULL or STRIP any of the about 4 threads in the 2001 heads. If you remove the plugs make sure the engine is not EVEN WARM.

My advice is:

If it runs good be satisfied. You mileage is what is to be expected. The good part is adding an extra 1500 pounds of cargo will make very little difference in your MPG.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll check out the V10 forum. . I saw the excursion thread and didn't get past it yet.

 

As far as cold air intakes go...don't waste your money.

Ford did an excellent job of funneling the COLDEST air possible thru the OEM intake.

NOW...an aftermarket intake may get you MORE air since it may have less turns/corners...but the intake temp for the OEM intake is already sucking direct outside air.

I also agree with the other posts...not much that you can do that makes $$$ sense. You've got a big motor in a heavy chassis...slowing down really is the best advice...many would be amazed to see the mpg's if you could stand driving 55mph on the interstate!

Remember the posted speed is a speed LIMIT...and flashers aren't needed to below 40mph...so from 40mph to 65 or 70mph is perfectly acceptable territory if you can stand it.

Good luck and welcome to FTE and the ownership of the BEST and BIGGEST SUV on the PLANET!!!

BTW...watch this forum in the next month for the announcement of the SECOND ANNUAL Excursion/Ford-Truck Rally in 2009...all are welcome!!!

Joe.

 

All the above and keep it waxed, look up grill blocking, take off the roof rack cross members if you don't need them. Maybe even drive on the bottom half of the tank as these have big fuel tanks.

And I still think that if one does a lot of highway driving some sort of cheap underbelly smoothing would have to do something for reducing drag and improving highway passing performance(there's a lot of horrible cross member and drag creating braces under there that I'm sure works like a lot of little parachutes).

 

you guys missed the best idea yet. I think, but am not sure, the idea was sent in by this "Monsta" fella. The idea to improve gas mileage on a V-10 EX was very simple and cost-effective.

Just install a sharp TACK on the gas pedal, and drive with your shoes off. Your mileage will improve dramatically.

 

Let me echo it again... CAI is a waste of money.

If you're going to spend money to improve mileage, then put it in a savings account and use the principle + interest to buy more gas.

For free improvments, do like has been mentioned - max tire pressure and easy on the gas pedal.

If you really want to see how your driving is affecting your MPGs, buy a ScanGauge II. It'll show you how much gas you're using in real time. Plus it will provide other sensor data (engine and tranny temps, plus more) - you can even see the intake temp... then you'll realize why a CAI is a waste of money. MGT MotorSports is a sponsor here and has a good deal on the SGII and the BlendMount to mount over your rearview - I like mine there, it's easy to see.

 

Another good mod is a small piece of a 2x4 under your gas pedal.

 

I just checked on some of the different axel ratios for the sterling rear-ends. 3:08 to 7:17 are offered.

The 3:08 of course would be the most thrifty choice.

This would and/or should improve gas mileage on an Excursion, one would show the most gain in the 2 wheel drive models. Since it would only cost half as much.

If using this rear end the X is a little doggie on take off then a higher stall speed torque converter would be recommended.

I would think the V-10 would have enough of low end power to handel the 3:08 ratio. This for sure would improve interstate mpg.

I would expect to see somewhere around a 3-5 mpg improvement.








03 V-10 4X4
Limited 3:73 C1
Keepin it real

 

Maybe modify the front air dam. You'll see that the newer trucks, like GM's are using deeper air dams and lowering their trucks slightly.

 

First of all welcome to FTE. Now for the rest of the story. 12.8 mpg is good for a V-10. Very good for mostly in town driving. If I were to do it again I would get a Volant cai instead of a K&N. CAI's are for horsepower not economy. You do make more hp but the mpg's stay the same. If you are happy with the current power level then don't spend the money for the cai. Throttle body spacer is not a help. Do a search on them and the consensus is not in favor of them. There is no need to chip a V-10 unless you are trying to get power for towing. The Scanguage II is a good choice for engine monitoring. If they make the Edge evolution for the V-10 then I would recommend it. Lastly the exhaust; Headers and a Magnaflow system will again make more power for the same mpg. It all comes down to is the money worth the hp.

 

it sounds like your ex gets the same as mine ... i have a 2001 v10... all stock .... the best mod is changing your driving habits ... pull out slow ... keep rpms low ... in city driving 12 - 13 mpg ... on the highway, mine "planes out at about 65 mph and i get 15- 16 mpg loaded .... towing the camper ( 29' 2004 fleetwood prowler ) i get 8 -9 mpg .... the ex is a road trip queen ...