Another Excursion

[Mack4]

Scored some load tracks from a Dodge 2500. Pulled the useless side walls on the Bed Slide off and installed these instead.

Then I setup the Fridge with a Sherpa 100 being charged from my batteries with the option to switch to shore power if needed. Seems to be working OK, long term I may have to go with a larger GZ Product.

 

[Mack4]

Took the EX on a shakedown run out towards Mason, Texas. This is about the same shakedown trip we took in the Titan, many years ago! Loving the new suspension, engine is running great and it feels good to be back behind the wheel of a truck!

First we had to stop at Chip and Joanna Gaines store in Waco, not sure if any of you guys watch fixer upper, but I am always impressed by how the producers at HGTV make Waco look 100% nicer than it actually is!

Then onto Cooper in llano, which is probably one of the better BBQ joints in that part of Texas.

Then on to the island near James River Road for some glamour shots

And some camping right on the river, this is maybe one of my favorite camping spots. It's awesome to be able to setup the RTT with no one around us, literally feet from a rushing river.

Can't beat the view, especially for the price!

The next day we headed down James River Road and had some fun at the low water crossing

Made our way to the Bat Caves, which were closed.

And through some really pretty country on a near perfect afternoon.

After some obligatory shopping in Fredericksburg and a buddy's wedding, we took back roads, home to East Texas.

 

[Mack4]

Got my Kiwi 2 OB2 to Bluetooth Adapter today, I also ordered a EGT sensor for it and will be viewing this data with an Asus Padfone (We bought it for an elderly Company Man to use a phone a while back, the iPhone we provided had too small of a screen for him).

It just so happens the old XM radio mount fits perfectly in the slot between the phone and tablet shell. Which is awesome, I love it when things just work!

Wrapped the mount in duct tape to create an interference fit...

Between the Tablet and Phone pieces of the Padfone...

And it ends up being perfect! I will add a FM transmitter so I can link the tablet to the stereo and my front and rear cameras will interface with this tablet as well.

Don't mind the cable clutter, the little storage compartment behind the tablet will be used to house the EGT sensor module and all the excess cabling.

 

[Mack4]

I really wasn't happy with the way to "kitchen" was setup on our last trip, so I looked around on here and found some pretty cool flip down tables, stove tops, ect. I also found out there is quite a bit of available space inside the barn doors of an Excursion.

I pulled the panels off the doors and taped off my cutout.

No going back now! It's always fun chopping up a vehicle!

Passenger Side Door

Driver Side Door

Kitchen loaded in the doors

Carpet Installed

Passenger Door, I used the toggle on the paracord so I can adjust the angle of the door. I can hook up my propane through the cutout.

Driver Side Door

I used a large magnet to keep the door shut, there is also a magnet that keeps the Cadac Lid in place. I have room for all my spices and two propane bottles.

Same deal on the Drivers Side, Here I have a magnet to keep my knives, tongs, grill and grease trap secured. I was also able to put out popup sink and cleaning supplies in the right hand cutout.

And here is the view from the inside, carpet doesn't quite match, but it looks better than the bare wood!

 

[KSL22]

When I had my Excursion I did the 450/snow plow front springs from SD truck springs and the mix F-250 with excursion rear pack. I ran Bilstein yellows, F-250 front and Excursion rears. This was just enough to clear 315/70/17 tires. I think it was around 3 - 3.5" front and level rear. Handled much better than stock and made it a lot better on rough roads.
One of the best camp mods was to drill the top of the rear barn door to sink in a cup holder I got from a marine supply store. This mod came to me after wasting countless camp set up beers while setting up camp. I always placed them on the top of the door and always knocked one off in the process of unloading.
I had a Con-Fer rack that I cut and sectioned 15-20 inches into the center with two additional cross members then mounted it to the stock roof rails. I made slides for the rails with 1x1/8 with a 7/16" bolt tacked to it (had to take a little of the width for them to slide). I had to use a 1x2 spacer to clear the roof. I ran three mount per side.

The Ex was a great vehicle for camping out of. I just wish the 6.0 was a little more reliable. I couldn't afford to drop injectors anymore with my 30' toyhauler behind me.

 

[Mack4]

Wow! That cupholder idea is genius, I am getting out my hole saw tomorrow!

I hear you on the 6.0, I've got a couple grand in the motor already. These things seem to be hit or miss, my cousin has one and has had zero issues, my uncle's was a train wreck and mine was probably a week away from running a filter screen through my injectors. All I know is that Ford and the EPA made one heck of a product!

 

[KSL22]

First mod on any 6.0 should be a coolant flush, switch coolants, and add a coolant filter. I would do this ahead of replacing the oil cooler just encase you don't get all the block sediment during the flush. I like the external mounts they have now for the factory cooler as well when you do change it out. I wish they had them when I did mine. I also recommend EGT and oil temp gauges at the minimum. I had the Edge Insight and towed hills based on those temps as hot oil kills injectors.
After dropping the first couple injectors (one hydro locked the motor just past the Trona Pinnacles) I welded my EGR cooler, cleaned the intake, Disassembled and cleaned the turbo, replaced the oil cooler and screen, did all the other recommended stuff at the same time. Basically everything without removing the heads. The last one hydro locked it again going down the 5 just past Tracy in the middle of July (110° out) towing the trailer and with the family.

Ultimate Truck Performance in Camarillo is a good shop for Ford issues if you need one.

 

[Mack4]

Yeah, that's were my truck is at right now, we did everything we could do to it with the exception of the head studs.

I've got the EGT probe waiting to install, just need some time and still trying to figure out the best way to do that, so I don't run metal shavings through my turbo!

Where did you end up installing those oil temp probes?

 

[Raul B]

Oh man I didn't k of you were local.... I'm in Simi. I did diesel e
Performance parts for over 10 years. Shoot me a pm and we'll set up a date when we can meet and I'll look over your rig

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[thethePete]

Coat your drillbit and subsequent tap in axle grease and go slow. It'll hold the shavings and whatever does manage to get through will be fine.

Somewhere near your oil tower would be a good spot for an oil temp probe, since that's where the sump for your HPOP system is. Maybe drill and tap the housing somewhere? I don't have a 6.0 in front of me right now, but I'm sure there's a good spot somewhere.

These things will take 35"s stock without issue, but 37s without a tune and a tune without headstuds is asking a bit much, IMO. You can techincally cheat your headstuds by doing them one at a time and leaving the heads attached, you don't have to replace anything but the head bolts/studs. It's not the most proper method but I know several guys that have done it successfully. Or spend the couple days to do a head gasket job and do it right.

 

[Lloydable]

Cool Thread! I have a 2001 Excursion 7.3 with a 12k hitch mount winch and 33" Duratracs. New here but when I am able to post links, I'll put some pictures up. Be glad to share anything you'd be interested in knowing about my truck.

 

[KSL22]

The Edge Insight read everything but EGT off the OBD. I monitored EGT, Oil, Trans, Water, and MPG. I used the grease trick when drilling and tapping for the probe. I then ran a magnet up the hole to get anything missed, and flushed carb cleaner up there and let it drain for further assurance.

I used a SCT with Inovative diesel tunes (Tow, Street, Aggressive Street) to turn off the EGR. 90% of the time it was in tow. Some long unloaded trips I would run Aggressive street as it gave the best millage at steady throttle.

At some point my CAT insides fell out and a 4" pipe magically filled the void. I would have put a cat back to help EGTs if I didn't dump the truck when I did.

 

[KSL22]

Here is mine hooked up to the 30' Weekend Warior in front of the Kenedy Meadows store.

 

[KSL22]

This is how happy the motor was pulling around 12k of trailer up 9 mile canyon.

 

[justbecause]

how long will the sherpa run the fridge?