Just picked up a 6.0 Excursion a few weeks ago with about 105k miles on it. Not too sure on the service history. What should I look for when taking this in. I do hear a weird clunk when going over bumps, maybe a bad strut or bushing?

Also would like to do some performance mods, would this be a bad thing given its mileage?

Thanks
-D

 

The clunking on bumps ( not take off ) more likely sway bar and/or linkage bushings going south. Not a big deal, but after fixing it, you'll notice the difference.
It also could be ball joints, or other suspension components - like shocks -, but I bet it's the linkage bushings.
If you choose your performance mods wisely, the mileage won't be a problem. But IMHO, I'd do a couple of supporting mods before pumping some horses out. Like :
- exhaust for sure
- gauges to keep eye on what's happening
- coolant filter
- EGR bypass if it's an 03 early 04 , or delete if it's a later model
- ARP head studs
The list could go on and on, but these few will put you in the safe(r) zone to get a programmer, like SCT. And if you ask me, SCT the way to go!

 

Any recommendations for guages? My father in law has an attitude on his Ram, kinda like the digital screen vs installing analog gauges.

As far as the head studs? I understand that those are probably necessary, but you have to do a complete headgasket replacement (especially given the milage)?

What are the quieter exhaust options. Must not annoy the wife

 

4" exhaust with muffler in it from like MBPR or Magnaflow stays quiet in everyday traffic, but since you have an 04 especially if it's an early one, the turbo could do a nice, jet like whistle. I love it in mine, and many-many FTE members wish that they have an 03 turbo.
The over-sized exhaust gets the nice rumble over 2200 RPM.
The gauges are entirely your choice, if you like the digital, you sure will find what fits your needs. I'm an analog guy, I have Autometer gauges.
The head-studs are kind of necessary for power mods. You don't have to have it, in a lot of cases you can hear that "you'll be just fine with the bolts, if you take it easy". Yeah, probably, maybe,.... Then why the performance mods, if you just wishing that you don't blow the gaskets, and for that you take it easy....
You can get the programmer, run it, and worry about the studs if/when you blow the gaskets.

 

LOL, so a head gasket job is 15 hours?

 

Apparently it is, I talked to my neighbor yesterday and he blew the headgaskets on his '04 Excursion; Ford wanted $7200 to fix it, most of it was labor. Long story short, he had to fight Ford on it because he'd been telling them about the EGR cooler and the headgaskets while he was under warranty and they wouldn't give him the time of day. He was lucky, they took his truck back, and cut him a deal on an '08 F250.

So the saying (as always) applies: "You pay to play...."

The first and best thing you should do per dcaddi2 is get yourself a 4 inch exhaust system. MBRP makes a great, high quality, affordable system that gives your truck a mean, head-turning sound. The exhuast system will net you 1-2 mpg and work wonders for your truck as it can breathe better. Head studs and the EGR bypass are an expense you should definately plan for as they eliminate the weak points of your otherwise strong engine.

If you're going to look into a progammer, SCT is the best and safest way to go. I've been using mine since fall of 2006 and my truck is better becuase of it, other users on this forum will vouch. It makes awesome power, but doesn't threaten your engine with high EGTs or any other adverse effects. Also the custom tuning potential through various vendors are virutally limitless.

 

wow, and replacing the head studs w/o doing the headgasket job is pointless at 100k miles?

 

If you do one, you may as well do the other unless otherwise advised.

 

Yah, $7500 for new Bolts!?!! Yikes. Might as well wait till it breaks then no?

 

that is the most ridiculous price for a stud job i've ever heard..what a total rip off...i know excellent mechanics that will do a great job for about $1000 in labor + hard parts..

performance mods..

exhaust, gauges, SCT...

there are tons of other mods for Excursions you can do..

 

[quote=danimallv;7412350] $7500 for new Bolts!?!! [quote]

That price is a rip-off!!!! Oh, Boy!!!
When I blow my head-gaskets, and soon after my truck broke down because of HPOP issue, I've got a $3000 estimate + parts. I was looking around, doing some research ( thanks to FTE - you guys rock!!! ), and decided to do it myself, and turn that money into other parts ( ARP, set of injectors, new HPOP, new sensors everywhere, EGR delete, coolant filter, etc.. and a 4" lift) I ended up spending around $4000, and put in several days of labor myself.... But now I know why and how my engine ticking, and also know that I can trust it even running Ultra Competition tune like a DD, and I do have a heavy foot every once in a while.

Anyways, you don't necesseraly have to go and do the studs right away, if you dont want to. BUT, keep in mind, that if you run a programmer, you risk blowing the gaskets. If you do blow them, you have to spend the money. If I'm you, I'd start with the exhaust, and the coolant filter right away, then go for the other mods. If you go for the programmer, go with SCT for sure ( best ever made for the 6.0-s with lots of options ) , and just make sure that you have the budget if your gaskets go. Oh, and use the time until that to find a reliable, and good 6.0 technician - instead of the dealer.

 

That's what I said, I told him that's just what the dealer will charge you, I know people (myself included) that would have done it for considerably less. Had he told me what was going on with his truck, he would still have the Excursion he misses so much.

 

Good post!

Rep points for you!

 

I agree, and at $7,500 I could hire 2 ford tech's, 1 lawyer to watch the fix and all parts with aftermarket head studs and still be under that price.