I bought my first Ex 16 years ago and drive it still like I did then, even working it harder than I did when I got it.

We had it on a camping trip this weekend, working the 6.0L like we always have but the funny thing is I have only saw 2 others Excursions in Myrtle Beach this weekend.

So what does that say about us driving these ageing rigs? Are we to cheap to buy new trucks? Do we see value in the relative ease to work on them? Do we know we can never really get another one. ( I bought a second just for fun.) Or are we just crazy to be running these things all over the country?

I resemble all of the above questions. My truck still does a great job pulling the camper, she is comfortable, has good power, reliable, easy to service, I see $80K for a new F250 and know that I could buy one but really don't want to spend the money. Sure, my Ex needs repairs, heck, I am thinking about taking it to the body shop in a couple of weeks for a fresh paint job. If the engine fails, spend the $20 grand to replace it. Here is the catch, an accident. Insurance companies don't care about an engine or paint job, just vehicle value.

I am still proud of my Ex making it across country twice pulling my camper, did she have a couple of issues, yes she did but got us home and on schedule. Even new trucks have failures under extreme use.

Why do you keep your Ex?

 

It is a grocery gitter and kiddo hauler. Next year our youngest will go off to college so we've been discussing the future of our 2000 Excursion Limited 7.3L, which we've had since 2002. The wife still does shows and there's no comparison in the room these things have...even looked at our oldest daughters new Lincoln Navigator Platinum and though it's a big suv, it still doesn't have the cargo room of the Excursion. I have needed to hook up to one of my 16' trailers once, but if I have to hook up to a load, my F350 is backing up and making the trip.

Our youngest daughter just got her second Audi Q5 TDI...first one was totaled...and I have been really impressed with it. That little V6 turbo charged power plant is making 320hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque making 0-60mph in under 5 seconds, and still gets 36mpg on the highway. So the wife wants something smaller and this may be what we get. We would keep the Excursion for her shows and extra vehicle...at least for a the time being.

I love the Excursion given I know it so well by now after all these years. It's simple, purdy much bullet proof, and still a great road trip suv...

 

I drive mine because there are virtually no other options for vehicles that will do what I need. I just got back from a 2,200 mile trip to Florida hauling 6 people, 2 large dogs, and a 10,000lb travel trailer. I wish there were other affordable options.

I did not see another Excursion on this trip. I do tend to see a lot more at campgrounds on our trips to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario though. I think a lot of people don't use them as much to tow with now due to higher miles and age on them.

I'm okay driving a 25 year old vehicle. I have no shame.

 

I have an 04 limited 4x4 6.8 that I purchased in 06 with just under 40k miles. I purchased it from a rental car auction. It came from Texas. I think it was Enterprise. It now has 270k miles under my ownership.

It's served many purposes from kid/family hauler. Boat/camper/trailer toter. I've wheeled it. Used it for a recovery vehicle at races. And for the past 10 + years it's been a dedicated boondocker for racing and travels.

I can't see myself getting rid of it. It just keeps going with regular maintenance and repairs. Fingers crossed, so far nothing catastrophic has happened.

I have on occasion thought about a different truck to replace it. But the cost of decent, used vehicles and not knowing their history makes me want to keep mine even more. I know what I'm dealing with. I have it set up the way I want it.

I have several mods in store that will make it slightly more comfortable on the trips I take. I'd like to do a few things that it doesn't "need" but I'd like to have.

I live in a very rural part of eastern NC and there's excursions everywhere down here. I see them all the time. It's when I leave on a road trip that I don't see many. It's very odd and I wonder why the high concentration in my area.

Why do I keep mine? It works for me. Does everything I need/want. I know it's history. And, I love it. Weird to have such an attachment to a vehicle.

 

Bought first one, well ordered it, in 2002, Ultimate Limited/7.3/4x after factory tires wore down, lifted it with 35's, it towed the toy hauler, tractor and even drug a few old Ford trucks home for me, had 230k when I got divorced and she kept it, I kept my 02 F350 CC Lariat/7.3/4x/DRW. I missed the Ex and never the ex LOL! So much so, that I ended up buying a 2000 2wd/5.4 w/130k on it a few yrs ago, you just can't beat them for what they can do, I've folded down the seats, removed the rear seat and loaded so many things in it people were amazed it swallowed it all! My current (and final wife ) loves it, she also likes the fact that it was an easy change from driving my 02 F350 to Dory, everything feels the same cept it's a bit quieter.

Personally, I just don't see throwing soo much $$ at these newer trucks, we've taken Dory to TX 2x and on the one TX trip we went up through KS to see my brother then over to MO to stay with my folks then all the way back to Kali, she did have an issue the second trip, had to do with the ground strap and plug #4, fixed that and she's been fine since. Yep, she's 26 yrs old now, shows her age a bit, but we're happy with her and no payments.

Yup, too cheap to buy a new truck, not worth it IMHO, Yes, love the fact that I can work on it and fix it, and who says you can't get another one?! I'm always looking, hoping to find another 4x one! Got a 2001 6.8 for my BIL in TX after he drove mine and realized how useful it would be for 4 kiddos AND be able to tow equipment when needed.

We had a 98 Expy 4x, every time I drove it it just felt small, ended up letting the kids use it for a while which is why I bought the Ex, then when my daughter turned 16 she used it for a few yrs, just sold it to my buddy for his son who'll be driving soon. Just couldn't throw as many people and stuff in it, now Dory on the other hand, there's always room!

 

Wife still prefers the room in her X over her mother's new Expy MAX. She's already told me that if it ever gets totalled, we'll be looking for another.

 

My Ex is the mule in my life, works, tows and allows my family to travel together. However less and less these days, so the next phase will be the "modernization" (maybe 'update is a better term) so my grand kids can learn to work on stuff.

 

That's a great question and thank you for asking.

Why do we keep our Excursion?
1. Owned since new.
2. Out of production
3. Tows our RV
4. No emissions
5. Too much invested to ever recoup.
6 Big middle finger to libtards and Tesla's
7. It's big, It smells and It's cool
8. New trucks suck.

 

Plain and simple: there's nothing like it.

Prior to an Excursion, I was looking at 1998-1999 3/4 ton Suburbans with the 454. That changed when my brother kept going on and on about what was called: "Ford's Suburban Fighter". In 2000, my neighbor traded his suburban in for one and as soon as I saw one and heard the 7.3, I had to have one.

There isn't a 3/4 ton SUV on the market anymore and even when there was, The Excursion was the reigning King.

Where else could you get a 3/4 ton diesel powered suv that would haul your family around comfortably AND tow ANYTHING you put behind it?

For me, both my 6.0 and 7.3 Excursions continue to serve me well. Both work hard and play hard while still looking good doing it. Neither have ever let me down and I have WAY too much sentimental value, as well as, time, money, and energy invested in them and now a 2005 F350.

Bottom line: To this day, there's nothing like them and at this point, there won't be unless you spend about $150k at Tim's in Oklahoma.

 

I bought my Ex back around '13 with 230K on it. She's just about to tick over to 300K, it's towed a couple different campers all over the place and hauled the family on many vacations. Now that my kids are out of the house, and we no longer camp, I've thought about selling it and moving to a compact pickup like a Taco. But, every time, I realize I'll regret it if I do. I love driving it, it's got all my stuff in it (it's kinda like driving a small toolshed), it's extremely versatile, what other SUV will carry a couple dozen 4x8 sheets of plywood? I can tow whatever I want, wherever I want, and it averages about 18 mpg, which ain't bad for a small toolshed. It's sort of like a combination car/truck/tractor.

 

Little late but that is a great list of reasons!

 

What exactly am I late on, James?

 

My question in an answer to you question is "why do people get rid of good trucks so easily"? I mean, these trucks were truly built to last and the mentality nowadays is trade every 3 years and never really benefit from the reliability and truly owning a good rig. it makes sense to keep driving when it has all that you mentioned...ease of repair, comfort, reliability, PAID FOR, etc...why not, right? Not to mention that new trucks are north of $100k...yeah no thanks. Good on you for staying with it! I have two current DDs that serve a different purpose. One rig is 26 years old and the other is 32. both are VERY reliable and work hard for me. Cheap to fix and easy to maintain. What's not to love? Good post!

 

I don't think it's weird at all my man. It's how it always used to be. People had real pride in the vehicle they drove, maintained them, were proud to have them and own them. Good on you man, keep on trucking!

 

Amen!

The Monster my 2005 Excursion and Red The 2005 F350 will be 21 this year and Rudolph The 2001 Excursion will be 26 this year (He was born October 6th, 2000)

With the exception of Red, they're all paid for, parts are plentiful, and I can fix, rebuild, and upgrade them in my sleep.