Hey guys...

Brand new here. I don't own an Excursion yet but am about to buy. My F350 is being sold and will be gone in the next few days. I am really in need of something with more room and something easier to sleep in. I need a truck to pull the bass boat 3 or 4 times a week as well as a mowing trailer and with all the storage room it would be dumb not to buy an Excursion. I'm also really tired of the expensive maintenance my Powerstroke has cost me and want the v10. I'm looking at a 2005 right now with 109,000 miles. I want to know about the problems with this engine or the good/bad years. I was thinking about getting the 3 year warranty for the extra $1,700. Don't know much about Excursions or the v10. Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

 

I have owned 2 V10's. Both 2000, an X and an F250. My X has 132,000 miles on it. I have had 2 problems with it. 1 alternator and I burned up the rear diff. Didn't know it had a leak and ran it dry. Both were fixed under the extended warranty that came with the truck. Other than that I have done nothing but change fluids and filters and done the front brakes.

My F250 had zero issues. The only things I did to it were fun things, lift kit, exhaust, wheels and tires. I bought that truck with 65,000 and traded it for my Mustang at 115,000 miles.

I love my V10s.

 

By the way I love your screen name! I'm a huge Beck/Limbaugh/Savage fan.

 

I highly endorse the V10. No problems at all with my 05, with 85k miles on it, the last 60k are mine. Do a search on my recent posts, you'll see several long-winded raves. No need to recreate them here.

From what I've read, the few problems that did occur with the V10 were in the early years; it seems that most were resolved by 04-05.

 

How are the transmissions? And also, I know a couple of guys who run programmers on their gas trucks and swear by the mileage increase. Does anybody run one on the v10?

And thanks Mad. I swear by those true American voices. Granted, they love the disaster that IS our country right now because their numbers are way up and so is their income, but I still believe they account for the very little common sense that is left in America.

 

Rad,

From a V10 standpoint...it is a very solid and reliable motor.

It will easily pull a bass boat for you...

As far as tuners go...I just got one. An SCT X3 with custom tunes by 5-Star (look in this forum for a thread about a 'group buy' that just happened...)...many of us just got our tuners and I am trying it because I have read very good things about Mike at 5-Star and his customer focus is second to none that I have found in any product!...he can gin you up a tune to fit your needs with just a few questions back and forth with him...

As far a 'general' problems with the V10...

There really is only one left and that is the exhaust manifold studs are prone to splitting/breaking...so check those out before you buy.

There are other 'general' Excursion things to check out.

1) Ball joints (prone on all Super Duty front ends and you may have experienced these with your F350)
2) Door lock actuators...make sure all doors lock and unlock via key fob and interior switch...
3) If 4WD...make sure the hubs engage and disengage...the vacuum lock system can be prone to issues
4) Steering box 'can' be prone to wear out if over tightened

There may be more...it is early and my mind is drawing a blank right now...if you do a search on Ex issues...I'm sure common problems will show up...I know there are many posts on these topics.

All in all...the Ex will fit your description of what you are looking for very nicely...

You will also be very happy with the reliability of the V10...now...there is always a bad one here or there...but with 109K on the clock...I would think those would have been worked out...which brings me to the final point...post the VIN in a separate thread and ask for an OASIS report...that will tell you how the Ex lived its life under Ford Warranty and Ford repair care...

Good luck and WELCOME to FTE!

Joe.

 

Welcome to the boards. You'll love the V10 - it's smooth, quiet and will certainly tow the load you have planned for it. The 2005 has the updated front end - so good choice there IMO. The transmission is the same as the one behind the 7.3 Powerstroke engines and is certainly well up to the task.

The exhaust manifolds studs can be a problem - might consider changing them - it's on my winter wish list. Other than that it's typical issues that can happen with age and usage - ball joints, brakes, bushings. Hopefully they have some maintenance records with the truck - if not, I'd plan on a full service of changing all of the fluids, hitting the lube points and inspecting brakes, ball joints, etc for wear.

On a side note - I think the person who was doing Oasis reports on FTE can no longer process them. You should be able to contact your local dealer and request information. Good luck in your purchase!

 

I think what happened (but I may be wrong)...is that FTE used to be able to process OASIS reports...and now no longer can.

However there are a few members here in the Ex forum that still have access to the OASIS system (I believe)...so posting the VIN in a separate thread here in the Ex forum titled OASIS should still work...of course I have been away for a little bit and may have outdated info...if so...I apologize.

Joe.

 

if you plan to put miles on your EX, look at the 7.3 ltr powerstroke.

I don't know what type of diesel you have had experience with, but I put over 30,000 miles a year on mine and love it. I added a remote/bypass oil filter to lower the cost of oil changes. Other than that, it is very low maintenence costs and I get a bit over 19 MPG highway going 74 MPH. (this is not computer mileage, but verified mileage).

The mileage offsets the higher cost for diesel vs gasoline, and the long term durability of the 7.3 powerstroke pays in the long run.

 

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the info. It sounds like this truck is well suited for me. I'mm guessing the 36 month warranty would be a good idea? Because of some of manifold problems and the front end maintenance.

And I think I'm set on the v10. I have had experiences with both the 7.3 and the 6.0 and I think they are both great engines (Even the 6.0, when taken care of). I just don't want to pay an initial higher price and the maintenance costs are terrible. Being a college student, it's not something I want to go through again.

But I can't wait to get into one of these tanks! The hotel costs I'll save, it will pay for itself!

 

Welcome. I just recently purchased my second X and it has 74k miles, I opted for the 4 / 48 Ford ESP which I think was about $1500.

 

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