TXFJ60
Member
I just prefer SFA over IFS. Call it peace of mind. Luckily for me, though, the tough trails I encounter will be in the desert (think Big Bend). I’m likely keeping the FJ60, so I’ll have that anytime I’m needing something smaller.
Excursion Opinions - Drivetrain Options
- Thread starter TXFJ60
- Start date
I just prefer SFA over IFS. Call it peace of mind. Luckily for me, though, the tough trails I encounter will be in the desert (think Big Bend). I’m likely keeping the FJ60, so I’ll have that anytime I’m needing something smaller.
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Then have you thought of getting an F250/350 crew cab instead? You can get a newer model (compared to the 15yo Excursion), better engine choices, have your SFA, add a cap for the dogs and have more room for cargo.
TXFJ60
Member
I have. But the 3rd row is a big selling point. I miss having a pick-up though...
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
My daughter's boyfriend drives 2000 7.3 4WD Excursion Limited with 407,000 miles among his numerous other diesel trucks. Drives the Excursion most everyday usually pulling a trailer with something heavy on it.
Still runs and drives properly!
Still runs and drives properly!
Cackalak Han
Explorer
No, I don't think so
85_Ranger4x4
Well-known member
A manual swap probably wouldn't be too hard by sourcing parts from a SD.
The ZF is a pretty good trans, it might not hurt to go thru it before you put it in. They are massive and it would not be fun to pull it back out right after you put it in.
The ZF is a pretty good trans, it might not hurt to go thru it before you put it in. They are massive and it would not be fun to pull it back out right after you put it in.
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
You might get pretty tired pretty fast "Rowin the Boat" in an everyday driver manual transmission equipped Excursion!
Some thoughts on the diesel, mine is 6.0, I wouldn’t have chosen differently, but I wish I had known...
15 Quart oil changes every 5k miles. Push longer at your own risk. This runs me about $120 with filter doing my own.
$100 fuel filter every 12k miles. Because of the front driveshaft location you get to take a diesel bath each change.
Cleaning out the turbo coke every 3-4 years, not hard but annoying.
Front steering death wobbles... I got lucky but have a little bit.
OBDII scanners don’t work. Enhanced power train will have you buying Auto Enginuity or similar scanner.
15 Quart oil changes every 5k miles. Push longer at your own risk. This runs me about $120 with filter doing my own.
$100 fuel filter every 12k miles. Because of the front driveshaft location you get to take a diesel bath each change.
Cleaning out the turbo coke every 3-4 years, not hard but annoying.
Front steering death wobbles... I got lucky but have a little bit.
OBDII scanners don’t work. Enhanced power train will have you buying Auto Enginuity or similar scanner.
Boz
Observer
They didn't, they still used the 4r100 4 speed.
A little plug for my 7.3 dual fuel Excursion for sale here on ExPo:
www.expeditionportal.com
TRADE: 7.3 Excursion 4x4, Vegetable Oil Conversion
I think it's time to downsize from my Veggie Truck. It's been real and it's been fun, but after picking up a 3rd gen 5speed 4Runner I've realized the joy of small and simple rigs. The Excursion will fit anything and go anywhere, all with the comfort of sitting on your living room couch. Plus...
www.expeditionportal.com
Silverhorse
Adventurer
I have an 03' exo with 225K and a 7.3 LOVE IT! currently lifting and converting it to coils in the front. milage is not great, will tow whatever... its my daily driver most days but the 7.3 is no race car. I find myself driving my wifes Sequoia or my LC just because the 5.7 makes me pedal happy 
there are 7 in our family so it's nice to have something everyone rides in corfortabley.. I would rather have a 5.4 or V10 than the 6.0 just my opinion.... if I found a good excursion with the 6.0 for a really good deal I would buy it then pull the motor and Cummins it... no joke..
there are 7 in our family so it's nice to have something everyone rides in corfortabley.. I would rather have a 5.4 or V10 than the 6.0 just my opinion.... if I found a good excursion with the 6.0 for a really good deal I would buy it then pull the motor and Cummins it... no joke..
apexcamper
Carefully scripted chaos
I don't have experience with the 7.4 or 6.0, but my 200K+ miles 6.4 in a '08 F250 still runs well. A couple of considerations (and Powerstroke overlanders, please speak up, I'm curious if it's just me):
If my Powerstroke runs dry (I know, don't do that, but I cracked the plastic pickup in the tank), it took a mechanic to reprime (pull the high-pressure lines to bleed)...I couldn't just add a can of diesel and fire it right up. I had a mechanically injected Magirus Duetz that had to be hand primed (basically an hour of steel masturbation) but I don't think modern diesel engines have that.
Maintenance is EXPENSIVE! As mentioned earlier, there is 16 quarts of oil, fuel filters, but also turbos are pricey AF and it may be easier on the older 6.0 and 7.4, but on my '08 6.4, you have to raise the cab to replace the turbo...that's ridiculously costly. You are not changing a high-pressure fuel pump in an afternoon in the parking lot of a Motel 6.
IMHO if you aren't going to do a lot of international travel (read questionable non-diesel fuel quality), for overlanding the gas option might be better.
If my Powerstroke runs dry (I know, don't do that, but I cracked the plastic pickup in the tank), it took a mechanic to reprime (pull the high-pressure lines to bleed)...I couldn't just add a can of diesel and fire it right up. I had a mechanically injected Magirus Duetz that had to be hand primed (basically an hour of steel masturbation) but I don't think modern diesel engines have that.
Maintenance is EXPENSIVE! As mentioned earlier, there is 16 quarts of oil, fuel filters, but also turbos are pricey AF and it may be easier on the older 6.0 and 7.4, but on my '08 6.4, you have to raise the cab to replace the turbo...that's ridiculously costly. You are not changing a high-pressure fuel pump in an afternoon in the parking lot of a Motel 6.
IMHO if you aren't going to do a lot of international travel (read questionable non-diesel fuel quality), for overlanding the gas option might be better.
I have both a 6.8 v10(2002) and a 7.3 (2001). Took them each on an approximate 4000 mile west coast trip. Mileage hand calculated was 11.5 for the v10 and 16.5 for the 7.3. The v10 is stock with 285 75 r16 and the 7.3 has a 6" lift with 315 75 r16.
The v10 definitely has more pep but once the 7.3 gets moving it's gonna hold it. I'm not someone that races around speeding though.
Only real work I've done in either engine was a tune up in the v10 and changed the glow plugs and injector harness in the 7.3. Personally I preferred working on the 7.3.
V10 has 230k miles and is starting to have issues bc of broken exhaust studs and an intermittent misfire. The 7.3 has 370k and is going strong since the GP and harness replacement.
Eventually I plan on getting a 3rd and doing a Cummins swap
The v10 definitely has more pep but once the 7.3 gets moving it's gonna hold it. I'm not someone that races around speeding though.
Only real work I've done in either engine was a tune up in the v10 and changed the glow plugs and injector harness in the 7.3. Personally I preferred working on the 7.3.
V10 has 230k miles and is starting to have issues bc of broken exhaust studs and an intermittent misfire. The 7.3 has 370k and is going strong since the GP and harness replacement.
Eventually I plan on getting a 3rd and doing a Cummins swap
usmcgunrock
New member
I have an '02 7.3 that I daily and drive everywhere (24k miles the past 11 months). Lifted, 33s, 3.73 gear. Last long trip was labor day weekend from northeast PA to West Virginia's Adventure on the Gorge (490 miles one way) through the scenic mountain highways. Cruising average of 75mph, fully loaded with camping gear, 3 adults, 1 child and an extra large dog and it averaged 18mpg. I've towed up to 3 tons and it doesn't even skip a beat going uphill while maintaining speed. Love it so much I stopped driving my jeep which only gets 11mph on a good day?.
Secret to the 7.3 is religiously doing oil change on schedule, hydra tuner, upgraded trans oil cooler from a 6.0 PS, and Hot Shot's oil and fuel additive.
Secret to the 7.3 is religiously doing oil change on schedule, hydra tuner, upgraded trans oil cooler from a 6.0 PS, and Hot Shot's oil and fuel additive.
