FordExcursions.com Forums
Ace
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• Malibu, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 10/27/2005 |
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• 54 posts |
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 Posted:10/27/2005 10:17 |
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Hey everyone, I am new to this board and this is my first post. I am in the market for a new car or truck and have been looking at a used Excursion diesel. If I do get one I plan on doing a vegetable oil conversion; I just like the idea of having the biggest and baddest truck on the road and being able to say It gets better mileage, cleaner burning, etc to every Prius owner that gets in my way.
What I need is advise on what to buy? I've done some research and 2002 seems to be the year to buy for the 7.3L. There has been some discussion on certain manufacturing months to avoid, what are they? Is 7.3L the best for a veggie conversion? I have been getting a lot of grief from my girlfriend, mom and dad...that I should get a Japenese truck because American made is just not reliable and they depriciate, etc, etc. I did own a 1995 Explorer in the past and have to say it was not the a pleasant experience. How well made are these trucks and any additional advise you guys can throw my way is greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:10/27/2005 13:03 |
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Hi Ace,
Welceme to the site!
There is no Japanese truck on the market that will outlast an Excursion with the Powerstroke engine. I also don't really look at vehicles for "resale" value. Unless you buy a different vehicle every year or two, resale value doesn't seem like an important consideration. As long as you're buying used, you'll get the best bang for your buck as opposed to buying new.
The whole "resale" argument seems to be one made by folks who don't really understand what goes into a vehicle. There is no other vehicle comparable to the Excursion, so to argue resale value anyway is a moot point, you're not even comparing apples to apples. Clearly if you are thinking an Excursion, you don't have many other alternatives anyway.
2002 or 2003 with the 7.3L will be very solid. I can't speak for the vegetable oil conversion but it terms of quality and reliability, the 7.3L has been around a very long time. I have a 2000 X with 156,000 miles on it. Runs like a champ and I plan on driving this thing into the ground.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Douglas Dircks
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• New Richland, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 11/13/2003 |
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• 118 posts |
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Posted:11/1/2005 21:42 |
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The only downside to the 02 7.3's is the factory powder coated rods, other than that there pretty good. 01's have the mechanical diode issue with the auto tranny.
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 PSD 265/75/16 Ravo's Centerline rims Python 871XP
99 F250 x-cab short bed XLT 4x4 PSD 295/75/16 American Racing rims Viper 550 ESP stainless steel MAAP nerf bars Putco four piece grill inserts bumper poles and mud flaps air bags triple pillar pod Autometer Ultra Light fiberglass tannue cover and topper programmed pcm pulling 22 psi
99 F350 crew cab long bed drw Lariat 4x4 PSD 255/85/16 Python 871XP AIS fold down fifth wheel ball |
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Eddie Henson
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• Cordova, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 12/8/2004 |
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• 122 posts |
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Posted:11/1/2005 22:41 |
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Hi Ace,
Welcome to the site. Lots of good info here and great people willing to offer advice/suggestions to help you out. As for your thoughts on a veggie conversion for the 7.3, check out www.greasel.com.
They offer a conversion kit exclusively for the 7.3 Excursion. Price is around $1700.  The only catch is they have to do the install and that's another $1500. I'm sure there are other kits out there, It may require a little searching. As for what to buy, I think all the year model excursions w/ the 7.3 are a good buy. I've got a 2000 with roughly 70,000 miles on it and the only problem I've had, was a minor CPS change back this summer. Otherwise, I'm very happy with what I've got !!   Hope this helps. Good luck in your search. 
Eddie Henson
2000 Ford Excursion XLT 7.3L PSD
203 degree Thermo; Factory Tech valve body; CCV mod; HX mod; Rancho RS9000 shocks; Shimmed FPR @ 67; Walker BTM; Evans NPG Coolant; Dieselsite Coolant Filter Kit; Dieselsite Heater Shutoff Valve; Zoodad Mod; WeatherTech In-channel Visors; Acetoned Badges; PSD Badges; Landyot's Gen II Radius Rods
"If you don't like America, Get the hell out !!" - John Rich |
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Brian Barnett
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• San Antonio, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/6/2004 |
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• 103 posts |
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Posted:11/6/2005 09:50 |
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Hey, Ace, i think dollar for dollar, you are better off with an Ex, but stay with the 7.3 as it is a tried and true motor, in the trucking industry we have hot shot trucks and vans that put lots of miles per year on them and they swear by the 7.3, I have the V10 and its great, but I dont get the fuel millege that the diesel guys get. but the 250,350,and up, trucks are very tough, and the Excursion is the same truck, dont let the family talk you into a Japanese vehicle, I have yet to see a Jap truck out perform or last this truck combination,
good luck and welcome to the club, P.S. remember to fallow the 5 steps for a new Ex owner,
Brian
It really is all about size!!!!!! |
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Ace
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• Malibu, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 10/27/2005 |
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• 54 posts |
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Posted:12/27/2005 20:29 |
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Thanks all for the advice; I bought a 2002 PSD 4x4 Limited in what I think is a sandstone grey? Can anyone tell me how to find the official name of my color? anyway, what a great color,not one that I thought I would like, but seeing it in person it's so much better than the black or white that I had my mind set on...what was I thinking? Anyway...
Wow what a truck! I love driving it...just a few questions:
I just got a Sirius Sat. Radio for Cristmas from my girlfriend (now I can hear Howard Stern in 06!)
Where is the best place to mount this? I was thinking that little space that serves no purpose which is the perfect size to fit the radio. I want to hardwire everything, so there are no wires hanging out everywhere. Is there a way to connect it to the existing stock radio?
I also want to install an Ipod, again the best place and is it possible with the stock radio? (I'm sure it's probably possible, but is there any advise or things to avoid when attemting? Just thought if someone had already gone through the experience they could shed some light.
Thanks. |
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Eddie Henson
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• Cordova, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 12/8/2004 |
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• 122 posts |
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 Posted:12/28/2005 00:07 |
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Hi Ace,
Congrats on your purchase !! As for the "official" color of your vehicle, open the driver's side door and check on the inside door frame for the mfg decal. Down towards the bottom of the decal it should have your exterior paint "code"; two letters {or more if yours is two toned). Mine is "AQ" for Arizona Beige. Call your dealer and tell him the letters and he can give you the color. That decal will also have the interior trim color code (great to have to match paint for gauge pods). As for the XM/Sirius satellite mount, I think CHPmustang has that feature on his X. Maybe he'll chime in with where he mounted his. Once again, Congrats and have fun!!!
Eddie Henson
2000 Ford Excursion XLT 7.3L PSD
203 degree Thermo; Factory Tech valve body; CCV mod; HX mod; Rancho RS9000 shocks; Shimmed FPR @ 67; Walker BTM; Evans NPG Coolant; Dieselsite Coolant Filter Kit; Dieselsite Heater Shutoff Valve; Zoodad Mod; WeatherTech In-channel Visors; Acetoned Badges; PSD Badges; Landyot's Gen II Radius Rods
"If you don't like America, Get the hell out !!" - John Rich |
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