So just when I had convinced that I didn't need a new-to-me TV I have stumbled on a '03 Ford Excursion with a 7.3 diesel for a bit more than What I could sell my TV that is in signature. The X has @ 105K on the odometer and seems in very good shape. It is located a bit far from me so I really can't go 'kick the tires.' what ? Should I ask him about the vehicle. What problems will a 10-year old X have that I should worry about. I absolutely love the IDE of owning a 7.3L diesel SUV!
Posts are for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as endorsement or recommendations. YMMV!
Steven & Stacie, plus 2 ('02 & '07)
'04 Suburban 2500, Quad Seats, 8.1L, 3.73
'09 Rockwood 8313SS
Front end components, shocks, fluid changes, front bearing assembly $365 each,(4x4 model). brakes and rotors, I bought a 2000 7.3 and went through it. If you are going to pull heavy a transmission update, what I consider to be the weak link. Load range E tires. Others might add to the list.
texasclarks wrote: So just when I had convinced that I didn't need a new-to-me TV I have stumbled on a '03 Ford Excursion with a 7.3 diesel for a bit more than What I could sell my TV that is in signature. The X has @ 105K on the odometer and seems in very good shape. It is located a bit far from me so I really can't go 'kick the tires.' what ? Should I ask him about the vehicle. What problems will a 10-year old X have that I should worry about. I absolutely love the IDE of owning a 7.3L diesel SUV!
They are great trucks! If this one isn't 'clean' take your time to find one that is. If it was well maintained it should drive and look like new.
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colliehauler wrote: Front end components, shocks, fluid changes, front bearing assembly $365 each,(4x4 model). brakes and rotors, I bought a 2000 7.3 and went through it. If you are going to pull heavy a transmission update, what I consider to be the weak link. Load range E tires. Others might add to the list.
I have 174k on my X now. As stated above, the ball joints(upper and lower) needed replacing at 168k. Some get a lot less mileage out of them though. The transmission needs to be upgraded with a multi-disc converter and a larger(6.0L) transmission cooler. For about $900, you can change out the springs to V codes in front and B codes in the back. These are the ones that come on the F250-350's in those years. Haven't done it on mine yet, but my buddy's X rides incredibly different(and much better) thanks to new springs. Take a look over on Ford-trucks.com for further. I absolutely believe the X is the best SUV on the planet and can be an excellent tow vehicle with a few changes. Good luck and I believe you found a rare one. A 2003 X with the 7.3L for sale is unheard of around here.
Exactly! A low mileage well kept 7.3 is a real find. Amongst all the pretty business-man SUVs out there today an Excursion is unique....I'd go as far to say it's the ONLY SUV out there (and 2500 Burb) that IMHO I would call a truck. When I was on the market, I looked hard for one. I came to the conclusion here in Ontario I'd have more luck wandering the forest looking for a unicorn.
I'd say snap it up......one thing I learned on the used dissel market.....you snooze, you lose. The good ones are scooped up in a heart beat.
The only caution I'd offer....and perhaps some Excursion owners can expand on or correct me, but I've heard once you number crunch with the added weight of the diesel plant your payload numbers are not too great for a 3/4 ton - I could be wrong.
2000 Coleman Bayside
2006 Ford Expedition Ltd. 5.4 L/3.73
My payload is right at 1800 lbs with topper, me and full fuel, not much for a "heavy duty" truck. I would guess the excursion is heavier than a pick up?
Star Gazer wrote: My payload is right at 1800 lbs with topper, me and full fuel, not much for a "heavy duty" truck. I would guess the excursion is heavier than a pick up?
That has become my fear - with a family of four plus the dog, plus fuel, plus a few items NOT in the TT it would be maxed out quickly. The diesel is so much heavier than the 6.8 gas and doesn't seem to have the payload as either a F250/2500 or even a newer Suburban/Yukon XL 2500.
With today's cost of diesel fuel (and what I see as an unlikely closure of the gap between diesel and gas - thank you oil companies and US Gov't), I am not sure I would be seeing any savings over finding a good Suburban 2500 with an 8.1L or 6.0L.
The diesel has loads of power and torque for pulling, gets decent mpg when towing. Good hwy mpg when not towing. They will run many, many miles. But will cost more in most respects. 15 quart oil changes are not cheap either.
If you really need the power, and long life, they are great. Mine is long since paid for, but if I was in the market now, and for my towing needs, a new gasser would do just fine.
I bought my V-10 X when we had 6 people going on trips. I use it almost exclusively for camping. Now that we have 2 (sometimes 3) people going camping, the X is wasted on me. All in all, a crew cab would suit my needs better. I've gotten it in such good shape I can't really afford to sell it. The 5-star tuner really helped the V-10. I had to add a roadmaster active suspension and change the gear ratio. I had the sprag issue common to the 01's and had to rebuild the transmission at about 95,000 miles. I need to use it up more before I sell it.
2 points. Plan for the future when you buy today, and run the numbers on fuel economy if you expect a diesel to pay out. I bought mine for $9,000 4-5 years ago when diesels were twice as much. With the extra maintenance they require, I doubt I would have broken even because of the increased initial cost. I would like to have a 6-7 year old Dodge CTD crew, but I have no illusions of it ever paying out; I just want the extra power.
Thank you all for confirming that the extra $$ is not worth the cost. Strictly on cost alone it is not worth it...but if I had the $$ and just wanted to get a nice Diesel X w/ a 7.3 it is a great deal, but for that much I can by a really nice V10, save on fuel and maintenance costs, and still have money in my pocket for camping trips!
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