Excursion Opinions - Drivetrain Options

[TXFJ60]

The family is growing and so with 2 kids, another on the way, and 2 large dogs, my Toyota FJ60 is not gonna cut it for our big trips. Why an Excursion? Solid front axle, size, more modern amenities. The @Chris Cordes and @Bales builds are good inspiration.

My dilemma is that I don’t know Ford engines/trannies super well. It sounds like the options are: 5.4 gas, 6.8 gas, 7.3 diesel, 6.0 diesel. I know the basics - 7.3 being a solid diesel, 6.0 needing to be bullet-proofed, 2003+ better tranny, etc. I work on my own vehicles for the most part, but I’ve never owned a diesel. My brother-in-law is a diesel guy though and can help me in that department. I don’t plan on hauling any huge trailers very often. If anything, a tandem axle with a UTV and some motorcycles every now and then.

I want to keep my my initial cost and maintenance costs as low as possible. Is the extra investment in a 7.3 worth it in the long run? Should I look for a lower mileage V10?

All of that considered, what say you?

 

[hbabler]

I just sold a 2001 V10 to buy a 2000 7.3. The V10 was okay and for your usage would probably work well. I have a larger travel trailer I need to pull and the V10 was rather gutless for that much weight. I would avoid the 5.4 as my parents have one and it’s a bit of a dog.

I love my 7.3 and given the choice would choose it over a V10 again. However it was more money, also it depends on how much the 7.3’s go for in your area. I got mine off of the classified here and got a pretty good deal.

 

[vintageracer]

The NEWEST Ford Excursion is now 15 years old and the OLDEST Excursions are now 20 years old.

V10 Gas Excursions are CHEAP when compared to a 7.3 diesel equipped Excursion in identical condition and mileage. A V10 Excursion will safely pull most anything the "average" buyer needs to pull!

7.3 Diesel Excursions are Expensive to purchase with good resale value at this point and time! Remember that's subject to change given the age of these vehicles.

6.0 Diesel Excursions Blow Up and then are OK after spending $3K-$5K worth of "Bulletproofing" to repair them! Reselling a 6.0 Excursion can be tough given their WELL KNOWN history of engine problems. That still holds true when they have the now required "Bulletproof" upgrades. In all fairness the 6.0 does run real good AFTER they are "Bulletproofed"!

Yes they made 5.4 Gas Excursions however nobody cares!

Nobody wants 2WD Excursions therefore they are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!

2003-2005 Excursions have the better 5 speed automatic transmission.

2005 Excursion has the "New" front end sheetmetal and headlights.

For YOUR described use above "I" would look for a 2005 4WD V10 Gas Excursion with mileage and condition that meet your expectations.

 

[TXFJ60]

For YOUR described use above "I" would look for a 2005 4WD V10 Gas Excursion with mileage and condition that meet your expectations.

Thats sort of what I’m thinking as well. I keep wanting to tell myself that the extra $7k+ is worth the durability and possibly added fuel mileage that the 7.3 delivers. Plus I’ve always just kinda wanted to own a diesel. But my experience is with gas and I’m already used to 10 mpg, so I guess the V10 makes more sense.

 

[Wilbah]

What is the mileage difference between the diesel and the V10? Especially with a full load of kids and gear? I 100% get that it might not pay off (the extra $7K), but if your mileage was 18 instead of 10 (not saying it would be by any stretch as I dont know Fords at all- heck I would suggest an easy driven soccer Mom Suburban trade in but I like GM vehicles) then look at the annual mileage you drive and that will tell you your break even. Not looking to muddy the water but from an economics perspective that's what I would look at (plus any additional maintenance costs for the diesel etc.). Good luck!

 

[deserteagle56]

I have the V10 with 5 speed auto in my van - been driving that combo for 11 years now. If there ever was a bulletproof drivetrain, this is it. And dependability is what you want in an overlanding rig. The only downside is the fuel mileage.

 

[NatersXJ6]

A lot of the diesel issues go with the length of your daily commute. When I used to drive my 6.0 70+ miles each way to work it was awesome. Now that it sits a lot and only get 14-18 mile trips, it is starting to have lots of little annoying problems. I don’t believe these are all mileage related because it only has 140k on it. For several years I drove a 7.3 work truck 8-10k miles per month, and never had an issue beyond an oil change, while others I knew that only drove 10 or so miles daily were blowing HPOPs and turbos.

The mileage is nice though. My F250 is often the road trip car because it gets almost as good of mileage as my wife’s a Toyota SUV and is more comfortable for me to drive.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I’ve heard the V10 responds well to being geared with 4.30 gears and 33-35” tires.

The 5.4- I have it in my Expedition. It’s adequate in that platform. The extra size of the Excursion would really suck.

 

[vintageracer]

What is the mileage difference between the diesel and the V10? Especially with a full load of kids and gear? I 100% get that it might not pay off (the extra $7K), but if your mileage was 18 instead of 10.

Not looking to muddy the water but from an economics perspective that's what I would look at (plus any additional maintenance costs for the diesel etc.). Good luck!

The math below is based upon driving 10,000 miles a year which is a lot for most Expo equipped vehicles.

V10 @ 10 MPG uses 1000 gallons of gas @ $2.50/gallon is $2500/year in fuel cost. Gas is cheaper than $2.50/gallon where I live.

Diesel @ 18 MPG uses 555 gallons of diesel @ $3.00/gallon is $1667/year in fuel cost.

Your fuel cost with the diesel is $833/year CHEAPER with a diesel equipped Excursion versus a V10 Excursion IF you can get 8 MPG MORE with the diesel than the V10 gas engine. Personally "I" think that 8 MPG MORE with a diesel versus the V10 is very optimistic!

The $7000 extra quoted above to purchase a diesel Equipped Excursion divided by $833/year you save in fuel cost with a diesel equipped Excursion means you must drive that diesel equipped Excursion 10,000 miles/year for 8.4 years just to break even on the fuel cost without any other considerations of added diesel maintenance, repair and any changes in fuel cost.

If fuel is your BIGGEST CONSIDERATION for spending the "Extra" $7000 to purchase a diesel equipped Excursion versus a V10 equipped Excursion it becomes pretty obvious pretty fast that spending that EXTRA $7,000 to buy a diesel equipped Excursion and then needing to drive it over 10,000 mile/year for 8+ years just to get to break even is a very poor expenditure with a terrible payback. In today's automotive world very few people keep a vehicle for 8 years.

IF the price difference between gas and diesel was to get SMALLER than $0.50/gallon you will shorten that payback time DOWN from 8 years.

 

[AutoZealot]

2003-2005 Excursions have the better 5 speed automatic transmission.

2005 Excursion has the "New" front end sheetmetal and headlights.

For YOUR described use above "I" would look for a 2005 4WD V10 Gas Excursion with mileage and condition that meet your expectations.

The 03-05 Excursions got the 5 speed? I can't find anything that confirms the updated trans with the 6.8L gas engine

 

[Wilbah]

Vintageracer I know how to do the math- I was explaining how I would evaluate the decision but I dont know the differences between the gas and diesel versions- the 10 and 18 were hypotheticals. But your math looks right to me.

 

[vintageracer]

Just a thought.

If gas goes UP to $4.00/gallon and diesel stays at $3.00/gallon the payback on fuel alone spending the extra $7K buying the diesel goes DOWN from 8.4 years to 3 years. At this point spending the extra Moohlah to buy the diesel might be consideration!

 

[TXFJ60]

@Wilbah @vintageracer

Fuel mileage was just one of my concerns (and I will probably be putting 15-20k miles on it every year). But I know the 7.3 is known for being a very dependable engine that can last a very long time. I wonder what maintenance costs I would expect from the V10 and the 7.3. I would assume the 7.3 needs work LESS often, but maybe costs MORE when that time comes around. Again, I like to turn a wrench so I’m just looking at parts costs. Unless it’s something really big that I can’t do alone - then it’s likely going to a shop.

Also, I’m way more of a GM guy. My dad has had 3/4-1 ton suburbans and trucks all my life (mostly gas). But the draw to the Excursion is for the solid front axle and the option for a diesel.

 

[Cackalak Han]

...Also, I’m way more of a GM guy. My dad has had 3/4-1 ton suburbans and trucks all my life (mostly gas). But the draw to the Excursion is for the solid front axle and the option for a diesel.

Sounds like you've crossed out the diesel already. Do you really need SFA? Other than doing some tough off-road trails, which the Excursion most likely wont fit through, I don't see the upside vs going with an IFS Suburban. Plus, it seems you're way more familiar with Burbs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

@Wilbah @vintageracer

Fuel mileage was just one of my concerns (and I will probably be putting 15-20k miles on it every year). But I know the 7.3 is known for being a very dependable engine that can last a very long time. I wonder what maintenance costs I would expect from the V10 and the 7.3. I would assume the 7.3 needs work LESS often, but maybe costs MORE when that time comes around. Again, I like to turn a wrench so I’m just looking at parts costs. Unless it’s something really big that I can’t do alone - then it’s likely going to a shop.

The problem with that is they already have lasted a long time. As others stated they are all around 20 years by now. You will be hard pressed to find one under 200k miles. Front suspension needs a several thousand dollar overhaul every 100k miles +/- so keep that in mind too.

I wouldn't mind one for a dd, basically a 3/4 ton truck with room for the dogs inside. My wife was all excited she found me one with only 90k miles on it. It was a diesel too, the $30k price tag was a little hard to swallow for a 20yo truck with almost 100k though...

7.3 is a good engine but they love to leak. If it can be leaked it will leak it and you won't enjoy playing whack-a-mole "fixing" leaks.