Well, we made it back last night from our first trip out with our "newly aquired" Excursion. Fortunately for us, we had zero issues and the a/c on this beast is the best I have ever seen. When we started out on our trip we had quite a bit of crosswind to contend with. Although the Excursion felt plenty sturdy, I still feel my Equalizer is not quite set where it should be. In all honesty, we had less sway with the trailer behind our Expedition. With the load being the same and nothing being changed, I would say the hitch setup is off. In defense of the X, we never had quite the wind to deal with that we had on this trip. PULLING, the X never dropped out of 3rd gear and pulled about 2200-2400 rpms running 60-65mph. The most suprising part of our whole trip was MPG. I topped the tank off before leaving town and filled up the next day after getting there (we did drive about 20 miles before filling up with no load, but this was after pulling about 160ish miles). The end result by filling it back up and doing the math was 8.47 mpg. I was quite shocked to be honest. Especially considering we averaged 63mph and had the wind to deal with. On the way back we towed 55-60mph with no wind. Based on the fuel needle, we used even less fuel comming home than we did going. If I had the extra cash I would go top the tank off and see what the mpg was, but I would like to eat something other than light bread and vienna sausage this week I am a bit of a performance nut and would like to try a few modifications for better fuel economy, but considering the price of the mods I can buy quite a bit of fuel.
Chad
2002 Ford Excursion Limited V10 4X4
2008 Flagstaff 831KRSS Classic Super Lite
-Equalizer
-Prodigy
Prior RV's
2005 Montana 3380RL 5ver
1999 Holiday Rambler 33RL 5ver
1996 Jayco 302FK TT
I believe you will find there is little you can do to improve it that would pay back for the cost of the mod. Just a note, I believe that year was the last year for the spark plug and believe manifold problem.
From what I understand the plugs would blow stripping the threads. I was also noted that the manifold bolts would snap. So it was recommended that it be allowed to cool down for a few minuets before shutting the engine down. I'm sure a load of others will chime in to correct me if wrong. You just might want to do a search on the V-10. Good Luck and happy trucking Bill
Did you lower the hitch head on the shank when you went from the Expe to the X? I believe the Expe hitch is a little lower than the X hitch and that will require the lowering of the hitch to keep the trailer level while towing. that was one of my issues I had while dialing in my setup when we first got it.
The other setup problem I just found was my WD wasn`t transfering weight properly. the X still wasn`t handling quite right and i noticed when I had it sitting in the parking lot at work the rear end was still sagging and the front was up about an inch. I added 1 more washer to the hitch and made the difference I was looking for. it is now very stable and I don`t even notice semis pasing me or strong crosswinds.
Also do you have a rear sway bar on the X (on the rear axle)? this one mod makes the biggest difference in the world.
As far as performance mileage mods. there isn`t much you can do. unless you are towing a PuP, Hi-Lo, Trailmanor or similar. you won`t ever get much over 9 mpg towing. I get 8.5 at 65mph towing my 32ft. 11.5ft high 8600lb TT!
Just some added info. for you to look into.
Good luck!
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
Dodgeguy, I made a post with photos in this forum when I noted just what you said. The Excursion hitch is a bit lower than the Expedition. I reset everything just like the manual suggests, but I only had 4 washers instead of the suggested 5. I am going to get an extra washer for it and see if it corrects my issue. I also need to check the torque on the friction bolts. As far as the sway bar, I do not have one but it is on my list. I think I am also going to give the roadmaster suspension a try.
Polishnurse, I am aware of the issues you mentioned; however, I am hoping with 100K miles maybe the previous owner has already had/addressed those issues.
Chad, For the most part I would think that were pretty well cleared up by now or the not prone to the problems. Good Luck and may you always have tail winds. Bill
There are a few things to help with power and a little mpg. Free flowing exhaust and intake mainly. If it were me, I'd add headers with a new Y pipe, free flowing muffler and an intake. K&N drop in or any other brand. Hedman, Borla, Banks, all make headers with new Y pipes. I'd avoid the "shortie" brands like JBA, Gibson, Ebay, etc.
You will not ever make up for the cost of these mods tho in MPG savings. You may see 1/2 to 1 mpg better. Towing on the other hand will be much better. You'll notice the added power.
2007 Dodge 6.7 Cummins, 6sp auto, Quad cab, long bed, white, Prodigy
2009 Shockwave T29FBSP, white & blue, tan interior, 4000W Onan, Reese Dual Cam 15K/1,500.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
Chad, I think you are getting about the best you can do, driving 60-65 mph. Like V10 man says, you can add all the stuff but I too doubt it will increase the mph very much. Your 2002 like my 2004 is the 2-valve motor and I get about 9 mph towing my 24 ft. trailer, with overdrive off. I slowed down to 55 mph and raised it to around 10 to 10.5 depending on the windage and hills.
Dave & Pat
1999 Wanderer 230FB
2004 F250, XLT Crew Cab, V10, finally, enough power!
"No kids, no pets, trying to make it to retirement"
When I had a V10, I was told by most, that they pretty much optimized the V10 from the factory. There is little improvement to be made for any kind of reasonable dollars. I think some confuse loud with performance. If it SOUNDS like it sucks more air, and blows more air, it MUST be performing better.
Chad, before you spend any money on mod's go to www.ford-trucks.com and look around on the Excursion and V10 forums. The V10 is a pretty efficient motor as is. Love mine! I have added a rear swaybar and the Roadmaster Active Suspension and am very pleased. Watch ebay for the RAS got mine for around $100 shipped to my door. Good luck, John
2000 4X4 Excursion Limited 6.8V10, 4.30, 122,000 miles
Hellwig Rear Sway Bar
Roadmaster Active Suspension
2004 4X4 Expedition 5.4V8, 3.73 209,000 miles
2000 Coachmen 297 RKS
Reese Dual Cam Sway Control
Prodigy Brake Control
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I am a bit of a performance nut and would like to try a few modifications for better fuel economy, but considering the price of the mods I can buy quite a bit of fuel.
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