New here - 2002 Excursion Ltd PSD
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 63
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New here - 2002 Excursion Ltd PSD
Hello! I'm new to Excursions so I'd figure I would get on the popular Ford truck boards to learn more about them. I just bought this gem last week. It's a 2002 Limited PSD with 57,000 miles on it. The previous owner never put it in 4 x 4 or towed anything with it. Babied since day 1.
This will double as our family vehicle/tow rig for my mustang and anything else we care to tow. Everyone has a main goal when they buy a vehicle, my goal is the better the fuel mileage significantly. It needs new tires, so I can get some great All season tires that'll help mileage out (Michelins). I plan on getting a cold air intake, 4" downpipe (it already has a catback or equivalent), and a DP-tuner programmer set to economy tune. I am willing to learn whatever needs to be taught. If you see something that needs to be fixed on this, I'd like your opinion on it.
Take care.
This will double as our family vehicle/tow rig for my mustang and anything else we care to tow. Everyone has a main goal when they buy a vehicle, my goal is the better the fuel mileage significantly. It needs new tires, so I can get some great All season tires that'll help mileage out (Michelins). I plan on getting a cold air intake, 4" downpipe (it already has a catback or equivalent), and a DP-tuner programmer set to economy tune. I am willing to learn whatever needs to be taught. If you see something that needs to be fixed on this, I'd like your opinion on it.
Take care.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
From: Dallas GA
Looks NICE! Welcome clean rig. You should take off those roof racks (they scratch the roof paint off). Also, it looks like you have the radio controls on the steering wheel, thats nice! I didn't know that was an option in 2002. Oh, are those OEM headlights/signals for an 02?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach, FL
Nice find! Can't help you with PSD performance. If you're going to be towing with it, I can strongly endorse the RAS. Saves you from needing a rear swaybar (IMHO). I put it on, plus some RS 9000s, and my EX, which I used to think handled and towed pretty well, is dramatically improved.
OK, now for more info on you--where's home, and tell us about the Mustang!
OK, now for more info on you--where's home, and tell us about the Mustang!
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
Welcome aboard!
Let's see, I had that 5 things you "must do" for an excursion link around here....
New shocks, larger wipers, sway bar, remover the roof rack crossbars, and new springs.
With yours being a 2002, it is also of the age to benefit from rubber tubes in the door seals.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...on-the-ex.html
Top 5 Must Do's for new Excursion Owners | SuperMotors.net
Bion
Let's see, I had that 5 things you "must do" for an excursion link around here....
New shocks, larger wipers, sway bar, remover the roof rack crossbars, and new springs.
With yours being a 2002, it is also of the age to benefit from rubber tubes in the door seals.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...on-the-ex.html
Top 5 Must Do's for new Excursion Owners | SuperMotors.net
Bion
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 7
From: East Tenn
Very nice! I really wanted a 2002 for the steering wheel controls, but found my 01 first. At least I got my 2WD instead of 4x4, which I wanted.
I have already changed my shocks, added new larger wipers, removed my roof racks, and I have the rear sway waiting to go on. Since yours only has 57k miles, maybe not the shocks, yet, but check to see if you have the rear sway.
I have already changed my shocks, added new larger wipers, removed my roof racks, and I have the rear sway waiting to go on. Since yours only has 57k miles, maybe not the shocks, yet, but check to see if you have the rear sway.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
very clean truck! i wish i coulda found a limited that nice with that low of miles..great find!
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 63
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Well, I live in Italy for the time being. I have lived here for about 3 years. I am in the military so this is definitely a nice gig. I bought the X online. I am a pretty trusting guy but I ran an OASIS report and had it sent to a Ford dealership for inspection. Besides the older tires, Hubs needing grease, they said it was an immaculate X.
The idea of buying this vehicle was a culmination of what my wife wanted and what I wanted. I wanted a 2000-2003 F-250 7.3, 2004-2006 (5.9 2500) or 2007 Duramax classic.Pretty specific. She wanted a wagon to replace our Volvo S40 to fix the two female labs and our growing baby girl. SO..... here we are. This is the best of both worlds. I will probably never buy another gas vehicle again unless it's a sports car. She may still get a Volkswagen Jetta wagon but there is no rush now since we have this.
My mustang is a 1998 Mustang GT. It is a 283ci, ported heads/intake/powerglide/PT76 turbo. We are shooting for 800whp and mid 9's in the 1/4. The cage is rated at 9.99 I believe but we'll tackle that road when we get there. It's been sitting at MCRacing in Overland Park KS since 2006 due to deployments and this tour in Italy. Here is a pic:
are my other toys. Some I had to sell.
Sold
Sold
Wifes Volvo
I plan on buying a 24 foot enclosed trailer to tow it. My wife likes toys so we may pick up a Camper, jet skis, ATVs that we'll pull around too.
I'm big into forums. I actually recognize some names on here that are on my mustang boards. I just have had little time to actively do forums lately. Hope I can learn from you guys.
The idea of buying this vehicle was a culmination of what my wife wanted and what I wanted. I wanted a 2000-2003 F-250 7.3, 2004-2006 (5.9 2500) or 2007 Duramax classic.Pretty specific. She wanted a wagon to replace our Volvo S40 to fix the two female labs and our growing baby girl. SO..... here we are. This is the best of both worlds. I will probably never buy another gas vehicle again unless it's a sports car. She may still get a Volkswagen Jetta wagon but there is no rush now since we have this.
My mustang is a 1998 Mustang GT. It is a 283ci, ported heads/intake/powerglide/PT76 turbo. We are shooting for 800whp and mid 9's in the 1/4. The cage is rated at 9.99 I believe but we'll tackle that road when we get there. It's been sitting at MCRacing in Overland Park KS since 2006 due to deployments and this tour in Italy. Here is a pic:
are my other toys. Some I had to sell.
Sold
Sold
Wifes Volvo
I plan on buying a 24 foot enclosed trailer to tow it. My wife likes toys so we may pick up a Camper, jet skis, ATVs that we'll pull around too.
I'm big into forums. I actually recognize some names on here that are on my mustang boards. I just have had little time to actively do forums lately. Hope I can learn from you guys.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 63
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I got a metric **** ton of favorites now.
Most importantly, the suspension. I like the idea of adding new shocks, front sway bar, and rear sway bar or whatever that thing is. I will also plan on upgrading the brakes and pads but I don't know what the popular choice is. I like hawk pads but no idea about rotors?
I rear an article about the 6637 filter. What type of tubing/elbow do I need to make this work? Do you recommend this?
Do you put in diesel additives every fill up? If so, which one? Howes? Stanadyne? etc
What type of oil do you run? Standard motorcraft? AMSOIL/Mobil 1 syn? What weight? I don't have the owners manual to tell me what weight is recommended.....
I think I will go with Bilstein shocks. They haven't let me down yet. What kind of leveling kit do I need for the front to level things off? Not looking for a lift.
Why do people upgrade their intercoolers/transmission coolers to 6.0 ones? How much more efficient are they?
I know I need guages. Confirm for me that I need pyro/egt, boost, trans temp as must haves?
That's all I have for now.
Most importantly, the suspension. I like the idea of adding new shocks, front sway bar, and rear sway bar or whatever that thing is. I will also plan on upgrading the brakes and pads but I don't know what the popular choice is. I like hawk pads but no idea about rotors?
I rear an article about the 6637 filter. What type of tubing/elbow do I need to make this work? Do you recommend this?
Do you put in diesel additives every fill up? If so, which one? Howes? Stanadyne? etc
What type of oil do you run? Standard motorcraft? AMSOIL/Mobil 1 syn? What weight? I don't have the owners manual to tell me what weight is recommended.....
I think I will go with Bilstein shocks. They haven't let me down yet. What kind of leveling kit do I need for the front to level things off? Not looking for a lift.
Why do people upgrade their intercoolers/transmission coolers to 6.0 ones? How much more efficient are they?
I know I need guages. Confirm for me that I need pyro/egt, boost, trans temp as must haves?
That's all I have for now.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach, FL
Holy cr@p, batman!!! Do you drive that thing in Italy? That must be a riot--watching all the Italians freak out, and at the same time having to fit it into all those narrow lanes.
Vincenza? Never got stationed there, but hung around with lots of folks who did (retired Army). I did get to spend a few weeks there on vacation... I'd like to go back someday.
Nice Mustang! That would have been fun over there (probably after a much-needed gear swap). What Mustang forums do you hang out on?
To your questions/mod plans:
Read up some on the rear sway bar and on RAS (Roadmaster Active Suspension). My EX doesn't have a sway bar, and I never felt like I needed one, including towing my 26' enclosed up the Alcan--twice. I put the RAS on because I was tired of my butt sitting lower when I had my trailer hitched. Not a major difference lower, but enough where oncoming cars flashed their headlights thinking I had my high beams on. The RAS has definitely firmed up the handling of my truck, and makes me believe even more strongly that I don't need a swaybar. I went with the RAS to fix the load-leveling problem; got stability as a byproduct, and for about the same price as a swaybar.
I've never run Bilsteins, but I'll also put in a pitch for the RS 9000s. Similar price (if you do your internet searching), and you get adjustability that comes in handy if you want to soften your ride a little when you're doing family hauler duty and not towing. As far as leveling your ride, it depends what your problem is? If it's just front spring sag, you might see some of that go away with new shocks, although that's not the best way to resolve it. The swap to the truck springs is pretty popular on here, and seems to be a relatively inexpensive proposition, assuming you can locate a used set.
I don't run a 6.0, but I'll tell you in general that I strongly advocate synthetics. Mobil1 is a safe one, as is Amsoil, which as been around forever. All of the major names are pretty good, and are worth the extra $$ IMHO.
Good luck, and welcome again! Enjoy the tour in Italy!
Vincenza? Never got stationed there, but hung around with lots of folks who did (retired Army). I did get to spend a few weeks there on vacation... I'd like to go back someday.
Nice Mustang! That would have been fun over there (probably after a much-needed gear swap). What Mustang forums do you hang out on?
To your questions/mod plans:
Read up some on the rear sway bar and on RAS (Roadmaster Active Suspension). My EX doesn't have a sway bar, and I never felt like I needed one, including towing my 26' enclosed up the Alcan--twice. I put the RAS on because I was tired of my butt sitting lower when I had my trailer hitched. Not a major difference lower, but enough where oncoming cars flashed their headlights thinking I had my high beams on. The RAS has definitely firmed up the handling of my truck, and makes me believe even more strongly that I don't need a swaybar. I went with the RAS to fix the load-leveling problem; got stability as a byproduct, and for about the same price as a swaybar.
I've never run Bilsteins, but I'll also put in a pitch for the RS 9000s. Similar price (if you do your internet searching), and you get adjustability that comes in handy if you want to soften your ride a little when you're doing family hauler duty and not towing. As far as leveling your ride, it depends what your problem is? If it's just front spring sag, you might see some of that go away with new shocks, although that's not the best way to resolve it. The swap to the truck springs is pretty popular on here, and seems to be a relatively inexpensive proposition, assuming you can locate a used set.
I don't run a 6.0, but I'll tell you in general that I strongly advocate synthetics. Mobil1 is a safe one, as is Amsoil, which as been around forever. All of the major names are pretty good, and are worth the extra $$ IMHO.
Good luck, and welcome again! Enjoy the tour in Italy!
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 63
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No, the Excursion is not coming to Italy. I return to the states for good in June so the truck will hang out until then. I am still reading up on towing and have alot to learn. I do plan on asking severe amount of questions prior to buying any piece of equipment for this truck. It's going to add up quickly 
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
XBuford,
First off...THANK YOU for your service!
Second...Welcome to FTE...a great place to meet awesome people and share information about one of our passions...our Ex's!
next...if the 4 wheel drive has never been engaged...I would be somewhat concerned...these vacuum lock hubs can be very problematic if not exercised and serviced...you mentioned greasing the hubs...did they physically ensure that the truck ENGAGES 4 wheel drive?...I'd make sure...you may have an eye opening experience the first time your really NEED 4 wheel and it won't engage!
One of my other passions is towing and weight distribution setups...so if you have any questions on that topic...just shoot me a PM and if I can't answer you...I know lots of others that can...
It sure looks like a great find on that Ex...I know from personal experience of hauling two daughters (10 and 12) to 33 states thus far...the Ex is an awesome family to tow a trailer with...
Four last things for towing stability...make sure the Ex has E range tires, also you will likely want a pair of the telescoping towing mirrors, also make sure it has a rear sway bar...if not Hellwig makes one for about $200 and is an easy DIY...and last...a set of shocks will likely be needed...Bilsteins are a good choice (I have them but I primarily use my Ex as a TV)...Rancho 9000XL's are adjustable from stiff (towing) to soft (inside comfort)...many on here have installed both flavors...for me the Bilsteins work well but I don't normally drive the Ex when not towing for long distances...okay 5 things...depending on how big a trailer you get...you may want to check out the Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS)...it helps support the added tongue weight and reduces rear end squat...
Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
Joe.
