Hi Guys,

I have searched the forum (some great info here).

I have a 1990 Ford f250 4x4 with 460. The Truck is great and hauls my race car trailer (about 9000 lbs) without issue. The 460 litterally sucks fuel though and the single cab is not working for me anymore ...so I am relagating it to home depot, dump and gravel runs.

That being said I think an Excursion would be ideal given the fact I have a growing family (3 year old and 1 year old) who have started to accompany me to the race tracks along with my wife. We also own 2 dogs.

I am a bit concerned about the 6.0 so I am leaning towards a 7.3. My trailer has a resse WDH and it is quite tongue heavy (my f250 runs bags to help).

Are there any better years of Ex's? Like shoudl I try to stay away from the 2000?

Trying to narrow my search here.

Thanks!

Anthony

 

Anthony,

I have a 2000 Excursion with a 7.3 that I've owned for over 2 years and I absolutely love it and I tow a 9500# 24' enclosed car trailer with it. It's a real towing brute.

That being said, the V10 models are also quite capable of towing your 9000# trailer. My main concern about the diesel vs. the V10 is primarily the extra cost of the diesel. You'll have to do a lot of towing and/or driving to absorb the difference in cost. The prices of Excursions really tanked a couple of months ago when gasoline hit $4 a gallon and have rebounded somewhat since that time. There are some real good deals on the gasoline models to be had, and a few diesels as well if you do some shopping.

There have been some serious engine issues with the early 6.0 diesels, particularly the late 2003 and 2004 models. Also, there's a transmission diode that can fail in some of the 2001 models that can cause severe transmission damage.

It's a good idea to run a Carfax and an Oasis report on any used vehicle that you may consider.

I previously owned 5 Suburbans, the last two 2500 models. The Excursion is in a different class and tows circles around the Suburbans I've owned. However, it's a larger vehicle and won't fit in some garages.

My biggest complaint about my Excursion is that I've been completely spoiled by it and will not be able to replace it in years future when I finally run the wheels off of it.

 

Good news at least diesel prices have dropped back for the time being. Makes having one fun again.

 

I have a 2005 Eddie Bauer with the 6.0 that I pull my race car trailer with all the time.

I have a 24' Featherlite Enclosed Trailer with a Porsche GT3 Cup, Tools etc inside and you would never even know it is back there.

I did equip it with a Banks Power Kit, Slotted Disc Brakes and Air Bags last year as well and the thing tows like a dream.

I just ordered a new F350 Crew Cab and may be selling the Excursion soon if I can part with it.

 

i don't know where you live but there is a silver xlt 2003 ex v10 for sell here in elizabethton tn... the price in the window is 10,900 .... i believe it has 72,000 miles .... the body and interior look good .....

 

Thanks guys,

I have already decided to exclude the V10's and I am only really interested in the diesels. As I will pretty much only use the Ex for highway driving and trailer hauling I think the diesel will be worth it.

MRICorp thanks for the info. I haul a BMW in my 24ft Pace trailer so your testimonial is very valuable. With the car, a spare motor, 3 diffs, 3 sets of wheels and fuel the trailer tips the scales at 9000lbs.

A

 

Anthony,

I cut the part that I would be worried about.

Two things come to mind.

The receivers on Ex's came in two flavors either 1000# or 1250#'s max tongue with WD hitch. The early Ex's got the 1000# version. Bad news is that there is only ONE aftermarket hitch maker that has a version for the Excursion...even worse news is that he is in California and HE has to install it! Not sure where you live and if this is an issue. But if your trailer has a tongue over 1000# or 1250# (depending on model year)...you may exceed the rating...which BTW is one of the weak links on the Ex.

The other weak link on our Ex's (at least in stock trim) is that they are notorius for weaker rear springs...

Do a search on V/B code springs, RAS or RoadMaster Active Suspension, Air Bags, Radius Rods, etc.

This weakness shows up especially when you have a heavy tongue and is further compounded when you run the Ex at its GVWR which for a PSD Ex is 9200#'s and you will find that you will EASILY hit that weight...trust me on that. Even with a small family...throw in a heavy tongue trailer and it is not hard at all to top that 9200#'s...

Good news here is that there ARE things you can do to address the rear springs...

Many have installed a set of V/B code springs off of an F250 and have really added spring capacity without really affecting the harshness of the ride. Do a search and you will find many top notch posts by Stewart_H on this topic.

You could also go with the RoadMaster Active Suspension...which attaches to the rear axle/leaf pack and adds ~2000# of spring capacity. This only enhances rear spring capacity but also addresses rear axle wrap which is a primary cause of wander. It is a fairly simple DIY project and the route I chose to go.

Many have added air bags to shore up the rear suspension...however it is my opinion that air bags alone only attack one aspect of issues we fight with our Ex's...you will likely need to also add a set of radius rods with air bags to attack possible wandering issues as well as rear end sag associated with the heavier tongued trailer you are talking about.

The first two above (V/B and RAS) are stand alone mods...well except for possibly a Hellwig rear sway bar if you don't have one.

The Air bags and radius rods are needed IMO in conjunction with each other to address both aspects (sag and wander).

Check out this thread for much reading on 'wander' https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...s-for-you.html

Good luck with your search and welcome to FTE and the Ex forum!

Joe.

 

From what I have read on this board over the years is that the 6.0 is OK if it's an 05. ALthough I had my turbo replaced at 15k. But mine went from lack of use and not beating the snot out of it. My 05 only has 17k on it.

This is my 2nd Ex and just love it. I have 2 teenagers and it's great when you have to pick them up and their friends need a ride too.

 

If you are located near NY let me know as I may be selling once my F350 arrives in about 4 weeks or so. My truck is perfectly set up for towing.

However, as I said before too, I may not want to part with her just yet.

 

No issues with our 2000. I do not think that there were any particular teething problems with the first year, as the running gear and most everything else were taken from the truck platform. We have 130k on the clock now.

George

 

consider mine gift wrapped and on its way lol

 

Hey, MRICORP, message me if you decide to part with the EX. I am selling my 15Pass van, and want something which can haul a horse trailer.

Back to the discussion...... Thanks!

 

My 00 X has 193K miles and it still runs strong and the motor and tranny have never been touched.

2000 MY was the last full year run of the forged rod motor making it perhaps the "best" diesel Excursion to get. Some 2001's got them but they also got the dreaded mechanical diode problem in the tranny.

There are a lot of things to look for when shopping for a used Excursion in both gas and diesel form. Right now although fuel is comming down you can score some great deals on Excursions.

 

I've got mine up for sale right now. Might not be what you're looking for though ('03 6.0)

 

Selling in the forums will get you banned

FTE Staff