Which would you choose ?

[Rot Box]

A thread like this just opens a can of worms! :snorkel:

My $0.02: I'm a big Cummins fan, but I'm going to say Ford on this one. I loved my 01 Cummins, but I did not have trust in it. You have to install a FASS or Airdog on one without question anyone who has forked out the cash for a new VP44 will tell you the same. Mine also had a 53 block (prone to cracking--very common block in 98-02 12v and 24v trucks) which always made me uneasy when working it hard. The stock turbo in automatic trucks is a dud and needs to be replaced. The whole front axle/steering aside from the gears is lame and expensive to fix. Not saying that the VP trucks are unreliable--they are very reliable, but I will just pay a bit more and get a 98 12v or a Common rail 03+ before I ever considered one again.

My friend found a Super Duty F350 (with the hard to find D60) four door with a base model package. Crank windows, floor shift t-case, 6 speed, selectable hubs nothing special at all. I am really going to consider something similar when I decide to retire my regular cab for more family room

Any time you look to buy a used diesel truck you have to really spend time making sure you don't get a lemon--trust me its not fun to make payments on a dead horse. Spend the money (unless you are comfortable doing it yourself) to have a professional check compression, look for excessive blow by, injector pump pressure, fuel pressure, excessive turbo shaft play and all around condition of the engine. The last thing you want to do is have to replace the engine. Everything that surrounds it won't hurt as bad when it needs replaced.

Good luck hope you get something that makes you happy.

 

[Rimor]

I did a little more research and I found the perfect solution (for me anyway). I would get a 5.4 or 6.8 Excursion in need of a repower ($3000-$6000). Swap in a 5.9 Cummins ($2000-$5000) which ever gen. you choose (I prefer early 24v). Adapter kit ($3000-$3500) with harness. Labor could be done by a skilled shadetree mechanic or ($2000-$4000). Worst case scenario you could build one for less than $20k with some goodies to replace stock parts. In my neck of the woods that's only a little more $ than a 150k mile 7.3 Excursion. But I don't have the cash lying around and my S.O. would kill me if I got another "project".

 

[DT75FLH]

I did a little more research and I found the perfect solution (for me anyway). I would get a 5.4 or 6.8 Excursion in need of a repower ($3000-$6000). Swap in a 5.9 Cummins ($2000-$5000) which ever gen. you choose (I prefer early 24v). Adapter kit ($3000-$3500) with harness. Labor could be done by a skilled shadetree mechanic or ($2000-$4000). Worst case scenario you could build one for less than $20k with some goodies to replace stock parts. In my neck of the woods that's only a little more $ than a 150k mile 7.3 Excursion. But I don't have the cash lying around and my S.O. would kill me if I got another "project".

I've read some of the conversions and am mech inclined ...but the wiring always scare the ******* out of me......

plus although I like the ford...when you put the cummings in there the rear valve covers are almost impossible to reach....
if I was to do a repower I would choose a 89-91 sub......more room in the engine compartment....and the full axle in front....kinda like SPUR"S thread on here

 

[DEEZLPWR]

if you get a 6bt CUMMINS (12v), they are all mechanically driven and have zero electronics to deal with. stick a fuel pump to it and your good.

the whole truck could die, the engine will still run and if the alternator is good, it will still run the fuel pump.

 

[DT75FLH]

if you get a 6bt CUMMINS (12v), they are all mechanically driven and have zero electronics to deal with. stick a fuel pump to it and your good.

the whole truck could die, the engine will still run and if the alternator is good, it will still run the fuel pump.

so how hard is it to run the factory gauges etc? gotta figure out which sending units to use etc....plus its hard to find a complete eng around here. ideally if i could find a complete truck it would be easier..

 

[DT75FLH]

The CPS is about $20-25 now. And yes, all you have to do is buy a spare and you never need it

Get a late build 7.3L Excursion and no coolant check needed. Look for a build date after 10-2001

Thanks, and nice camper build by the way..

 

[137buck]

i have a 2005 ford excursion, while i love the truck, i just hate the weight of it...i had it out in colorado this summer, we did the animas forks run, and a bunch of other trails, nothing major though...but you could tell how heavy it was loaded with my family and gear...while i love the power of the 6.0 liter, i always have the bad stories in the back of my mind about how the 6.0 is a lemon...the only thing i have had go bad on mine was a sensor on the exhaust side...don't remember what it was called...but overall i vote for the excursion, but the idea of a surburban with a cummins in it also would sway my vote too...

 

[IdaSHO]

While the Cummins is a fantastic motor, you wont regret having the 7.3 at all. It is a great motor.

They do have a few common problems.

*Starting it in cold weather, due to it requiring a glow plug system. In my experience, if you live in a really cold place, expect to do to a glow plug and relay service every 2-3 years. This service will run you around $150 for parts.

*The cold start issue also puts a LOT of stress on the starter and batteries. Dual 900+CCA batteries. So when you batteries are due, expect to drop $400+ on new ones. The factory starters on the older 7.3's are junk, I upgrade to the "super duty" starter that comes factory on the newer 7.3's. It is a high-torque gear reduction starter. Not sure what starter a Expedition would have.

*Front suspension Woes. The 7.3 Powerstroke is one HEAVY motor. I believe it weighs in the neighborhood of 900lbs DRY, then add 8 gallons (IIRC) of coolant, 15 qts of oil, all of the accessories, and you have one HEAVY powerplant. The front suspension is naturally going to take a hit. Expect to do ball joints occasionally, as well as replace front shocks. The Expedition has front coil springs, I am unaware of how they handle the weight.

 

[DT75FLH]

So....the excursion I was looking at was sold.....



BUT...I just picked up a 92 12v with the auto and np205 xfer case.....

now I need a truck to drop it in after I sell my bronco, I'm leaning toward a 87-91 burb...as there pretty cheap...I just missed picking up a Clean 87 3/4 ton with a bad motor...sold 3 hours before I got there

any one interested in a clean 96 bronco? :sombrero:

 

[Scott39]

So....the excursion I was looking at was sold.....



BUT...I just picked up a 92 12v with the auto and np205 xfer case.....

now I need a truck to drop it in after I sell my bronco, I'm leaning toward a 87-91 burb...as there pretty cheap...I just missed picking up a Clean 87 3/4 ton with a bad motor...sold 3 hours before I got there

any one interested in a clean 96 bronco? :sombrero:

Why not put that motor in your Bronco? I was also thinking about putting a cummins in a Burb, I think I'm just going to cut the wall out on my Dodge and make a SUV out of it. 12 valves are the best.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/9...many-miles-does-your-stock-12-valve-have.html

Here is mine.

 

[DT75FLH]

Ive looked at your truck also....

I thought about the 12v in the bronco and a guy just put one in his very clean 96 over on the FSB site. but its still to small inside.

I have a deposit on my bronco and a guy from denver is flying out on Sat to pick it up.



I have the eng at home now...and found a clean 3/4 1984 sub with a 6"lift and tires for $3600 in AZ. maybe trade my Triumph sprint st for it...

the burb is a little tall but well see, im still looking.

 

[Scott39]

Ive looked at your truck also....

I thought about the 12v in the bronco and a guy just put one in his very clean 96 over on the FSB site. but its still to small inside.

I have a deposit on my bronco and a guy from denver is flying out on Sat to pick it up.



I have the eng at home now...and found a clean 3/4 1984 sub with a 6"lift and tires for $3600 in AZ. maybe trade my Triumph sprint st for it...

the burb is a little tall but well see, im still looking.

Sounds like a good plan, I think the 12 valve is a good match for the suburban.
A friend of a friend is putting a 4BT cummins in a suburban, I think it is alittle to small for the burb, but we will have to see how it turns out.

 

[DT75FLH]

well after purchasing a motor etc...and finding a burb local to me for cheap...

I came across a decent deal on a 98 quad cab longbed dodge, 240k miles with a auto.

so I guess thats the direction im going :sombrero:


drove 180 miles to get it with a friend following in my 08 ford f-350.

gotta love the new DPF filters. (Greenies...take a look) both trucks going 80 mph on the highway were the speed limit is 75mph

08 f-350 with 45k miles on it.............................11 mpg
98 dodge ram with 240k miles on it....................17.5 Mpg !!!!!!!