Its getting time to find something else for the wife. We are kicking around the idea of getting an excursion. This will be a daily driver and It will need to tow my 10,000lb camper every so often when we have more people then the Dodge can haul. I want something newer so that means 6.uh-oh, not sure how I feel about that.

What should I look for and avoid when I go searching? Thanks guys.

 

6.0 can be hit or miss......EGR cooler, headgaskets.....heard of guys with lots of problems and some with 200k plus and no issues.......one thing for sure you will need suspension work eventualy....they made them too light for the size to make them ride better......make sure it's not beating the bumpstops.....also the steering gears are crap....but you are used to that with your Dodge....
school yourself at dieselstop.com and ford truck enthusiasts......good resources for Ex's

 

I'll get back to you in a few days about the X...

One of the best rigs on the road IMHO...

 

Excursions...

Plus...

Huge, nothing bigger on the road for hauling the family.
Diesel, will pull anything you want to pull.
Safe, at 8k+, your going to flatten anything you hit going down the road.
Insurance is very reasonable because of the size and theft rates
Tons of room, even with the third seat loaded with people.

Minus...

The rear springs... Honestly a good add a leaf takes care of 90% of the issues people bitch about. Add to that a rear sway bar and there a towing unit.

Other then that they have the same minor issues the superduty pickups have... Unit bearings in the front axle, 4r100 tranny in the 7.3...

If you get a 6.0. the are fine from 2005 and up, just do the EGR delete, Studs and mild tunes if you want.

Stock for stock the 6.0 is a good motor, you just cant push them hard with a tuner without the minor issues fixed.

 

Actually Joe, the Excursions never got the true 05 motor. They were left over 04s. Just like the front end. The grille and headlights got switched over in 05 but the 4wd Exs still had leaf springs in the front.

An add-a-leaf is great in the rear or some guys switch to the Vcode front springs and B code rears from the F250/F350. They come available fairly often from guys lifting their pickups.

There was a factory optional "tow package" that came with the rear sway bar and a limited slip rear axle but they a rare. Hellwig makes an aftermarket rear sway bar that Ex owners seem to prefer. All Excursions had rear hitches (it doubled as a crash bar) so thats not an indicator of the "tow package"

That being said, I love my 2000. It has 253K and runs like a champ!

 

Yea....you mean she took the truck and you need something to drive? It was really good seeing you guys the other day. I'm sorry I wasnt able to hang out longer. The baby was born Monday the 14th at 4:34 Am. I tried to find ya'll on facebook but didnt see you!