I need some help...
 

Hi guys, I am looking at buying a 2002 Excursion 4x4 7.3 Limited. The truck is 300 miles away from me so I have asked for quite a bit of photos and most everything looks good. I did see something that caught my eye though, and thought this would be the best place to ask.

Under the hood, on the right side near the firewall is a wiring harness. There are what appears to be 4 wires sticking out about 5". The ends are not capped and aren't hooked up to anything. Any ideas? Also, I'd be looking for any feedback on what else to keep my eye out for. I have heard the usual about making sure the tranny shifts smooth, no steering wander, goes straight while braking, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Welcome to the FTE! :-jammin Read through the many articles in the Tech Folder on this forum. Also, walk over to the 7.3 sub-forum as well and read through many threads that will guide you with additional diagnosis on the engine as well before you decide on this EX.

Those 4 wires, I am told, are not connected to anything on the other side of the firewall either }> These can be used for future electrical projects, which I am sure many of us will help you in spending some additional $$$ on :-wink

Those wires are what's called "Customer Access" wires. IF you need to run something into the cab, they already ran the wires for you to prevent you from cutting wires yourself an causing an electrical issue.

Factory spares

Get close ups of the rocker panels, with the doors open, real close ups and then the back side too. Common area for bad rust.
Oil pan pictures

Oil leaks are an issue too. Every 7.3 will leak at some point, not if but where and when.

Where did those come out in the cab? I've only seen one by the pedal area...

Thanks for the help!
Everything looks good to me so far. I will be asking for a hoist when I get there, to check for leaks and what not.
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Looks pretty good so far! Keep 'em coming!

The customer access wires inside are near the connector for the trailer brake controller and should be visible looking up under the center of the dash or into the cavity where the radio is removed. They are similar to the colors used on aftermarket trailer brake controllers (TBC) and are often mistaken for the trailer brake controller wires.

The rockers below the rear doors rust out before the fronts. I'd be more interest in see those.
Good Luck!
CR

hmmm...I'll have to take a peek, but I think I remember seeing some wires up that way when I had the dash apart.
The difference being that the TBC wires have the plug on them, right?

Well, she followed me home. I had 300 miles to get to know the girl, she didn't disappoint.

Congrats and welcome to the EX family! :-wink