I'm considering buying a new SUV soon and want something larger than what i have now. I currently own a 1996 limited explorer 4x4 V6 with 160,000 miles on it. I tow on a regular basis (a 3 place waverunner trailer only around 2,000lbs) and I tend to tow on long distances.
I love the expeditions for their size (it would be perfect for me), looks, and ride. However, I don't want an average 12mpg. So I'm considering a used limited X 4x4 with a diesel engine. I test drove one (only a V10) and it tended to drift around the highway by itself. Is this normal or probably just an alignment issue? It seemed to drift in both directions and needed constant steering attention.
How is the reliability of Ford's diesel engines? I've read a lot of good things about them so far, but also a decent amount of negitives. What's your opinion on this engine? I really like the idea of upgrading in size and getting the same gas mileage.
Parking... haha... how big of issue do you find this to be? Is it difficult in parking lots, parrallel parking, etc? What are your experiences with parking this tank?
Thanks in advance! I checked out the search function before posting, but didn't really find anything specific to what I was looking for.
I have a 2001 "X" with 7.3 see sig. My "x" IS 3.75 YEARS of service without any major problems.
I have been in several parking garages w/o problem. Shopping centers no problem.
My "X" has 126K on the OEM frontend alinement with "E" rated tiers I get over 80K per set and tow 12 ~ 15K during that time period. The "X" has averaged 15+ MPG for 126K.
Get one and start to enjoy
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2006 Lariat Chrome Edtion Red F350 CC 4X4 Dually w/4:10 Gears Born 04/26/06 w/ color matching speedliner, PCM Reprogramed to Level "L",@ 24,535 miles AMSOIL Front to Back, AMSOIL By Pass Filter BMK-11, Amsoil Coolant Nitrogen in all 6 tires @ 75 PSI W/ 34.2 x 102" wide Coachman Royal TT.
Gone but not forgotten 2001 “X” 7 years / 218K w7.3
Welcome to the Excursion slot and TDS [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Stepping up from an explorer to an Excursion is quite a big step but one that I'm sure you won't regret if you do purchase one.
You said you test drove a V10 was it new/used and 4x2/4x4?
The reliability of Ford's 7.3's and 6.9's have been very good to us over the years.
The 7.3 in our 2002 have had no problems whatsoever,just wish Ford would have continued with it but times change along with technology.
Mileage with our Excursion have benfitted 14+ in tow(7,000 lbs) and an easy over 18 mpg when solo.
Driving and parking the X isn't too much of a task,heck if my wife can go from a Mustang and into a Superduty truck then to an Excursion anybody can do it and maybe better [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I think you'll enjoy the Excursion Diesel very much [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Post any questions you may have anytime.
-BILL
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
Excursions, particularly diesels, are a lifestyle choice. If you gotta ask for advice on buying one, you likely shouldn't buy one. It is a beast. It is big. It is cumbersome. It is a lot of metal and volume to drag around if you don't really need it.
My wife loved the Sub, never thought of it as big. Never complained. She'll drive the Ex, but doesn't prefer it and won't take it to the mall - and we don't drive small cars!
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No Boundaries '01 PSD - U codes, Rancho 9000's & stabilizer, SCMT, Isspro EVA trio on pillar, BFG 285's, badges, Fabtech Desert Guard, PIAA 580 driving and pencil beam, dome override, ART brakes.....
I'll add, I went form a 2000 Expedition to the Excursion. Many people make that jump thinking it's the natural progression only to get a real shocker. They are nothing alike. An Excursion is NOT as easy to "run around town" in but if it's what you like and fits your needs, it's easy to get used to. I loved my Expedition, but I wanted/needed more than it could really provide. I love my Excursion!!!
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
I think somone said if you have to ask you better think about it
I agree If you NEED one there is no substitute none no way.
I have used and do use it (91K on an 02)
Put a ton of stuff or more INTO it, no problem
6 (five adults) people 1/3 ton of stuff 750 miles in one shot,(11hours) no problem, almost make it on a tank full. Done that more times than I can remember.
3 guys + 800# of stuf in the truck and 11k behind it and through the mountains, no problem
No other semi-normal vehicle can do this with the same economy and confort as a PSD-X in my opinion, period.
You sound like the target market for the yet to come baby PSD but you will have to wait and see.
Go used and you can trade latter as required the PSDs hold value fairly well for an SUV except SUV here is a Super Utility Vehicle, a truck with all "indoor" space.
But be aware this is a 3/4 ton truck, it rides like one, handles like one eats diesel like one and has low maintenence like it should.
Bruce
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2005 X PSD Limited Mineral Grey, 4X4 Has Second row bench then Every other factory option available. Under Construction
4x2 Lift Gate Lifts,
Tekonsha Prodigy
Ford 30MM Rear Bar
BridgeStone 285/75-16AT(D range) Revos, Now have a winter and summer set each with a set of wheels!
V Code LF, U Code RF Modified Fs in the rear
Catch All Linners
750 W Inverter
Magnaflow XL System W/ 3.5 DP OE Cat spliced in at 4" inlet and 3-3/4" outlet.
ART Rotors, Performance Friction Pads, Front & Rear
Rancho RSXs on Front and 9000s set at 2 on rear
06 Chrome Package Grill,bumpers and hooks. After an encounter with a Honda, (She got the ticket) 2005 Ex and Specs and Pictures of 2002 X
Today a guy called me and asked if I would like to sell our X (said he'd pay cash right now) so I called the wife and she said NO WAY!!
Mostly cause a new one would cost too much to replace!
The 4 of us drove ours to San Diego with 500lbs of steel targets, on one tank of diesel and averaged 18mpg! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Very roomy, comfortable, quite, and never runs out of pedal!
I've had Toyotas and other SUVs I thought I really liked, until I owned this EX! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
My wife went from a full size 95 Bronco to the 00 Excursion and she just loves the X. She has driven it for one year now and she even talks about getting a brand new one.
There are three people who have asked my wife if she'd be interested in selling the X!
Just for a price comparison for you and mileage on our Excursion.
Bought 11-15-03 at a Ford dealership in the twin cities of MN.
Black 2000 Limited 7.3 diesel 4x4 with 104K miles with new Good Years for $18,999, cheapest one for sale at the time. Good condition minus some paint scratches and a cracked tow mirror and cracked grill, both replaced from ebay parts for under $200.
At 112K, replaced both batteries $160, at 114K replaced CPS (camshaft position sensor) $90, at 124K replaced CPS again (under warranty).
In city driving which my wife does most, 20 miles to work and back it gets around 15-16. On the interstate it gets 17-20.
Things that will need to be replaced on the 8,000 pound machine are ball joints, u-joints, rotors and brake pads.
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99(4/99)F350 PSD 4X4 crew cab long bed dually lariat isspro triple pod air bags with compressor
99(6/99)F250 PSD 4X4 X-cab short bed xlt 5in str8 piped air bags autometer ultra light triple pod junk yard pcm running 22 psi 250k miles bought 8/15/01 w/40k miles first diesel
00(12/99)Excursion PSD 4X4 limited
65 Mustang 289 V8 4brl 69 GTO 400 4spd 99 Neon R/T
04 and 09 PJ 15k dump trailer 04 H&H 9K tilt bed 98 Haulmark 7x14 enclosed
As anything, once you get use to it, it is easy to drive. Quickest and easiest way to park in malls, ect. is to back in. Wife loves to drive, when I let her and I use it as a daily commuter. Fuel milage averages 14 to 18, with 14 around town and 18 + on the highway. It doesn't even know that I hook our TT to it, 5.2k!! Boutht at 30k miles and only problem was the rear window motors, got fixed under warranty and haven't opened them since. Tires at 60k only because were were headed to Grand Canyon for summer vacation. By the way execpt for an airraid intake I am stock and not too much passed us in the mountains. Pulling the 5.2k out and back we averaged 14.5 mpg, not to shabby for total weight of aprox. 14k.
I'd say go for it.
i do have a need for it. like i said, i tow on a regular basis. most of the ramps i visit are on steep inclines and when i travel i travel fully loaded with my trailers. is it more than i need at this time, yes. but it might not be in the future.
edex- i asked my questions because i never buy anything without doing my homework first. so if you think that's a bad thing, then that's your opinion. the only way you learn is by doing your homework and by first hand experience. and since i don't have much first hand experience with diesels or the X, i found this forum.
somoene asked what i test drove. it was a used V10 4x4. i'd be looking to buy a 2000 or 2001 limited X 4x4.
one last question... i'm an assistant manager of an airport and my only experience with diesel engines would be the diesel fuel trucks we have. we plug them in at night in the winters to keep the engine blocks warm for early morning starts the next day. are all diesels hard to start after a cold night?
one last thing... if i didn't like the truck like ride, i woudln't be looking at an X. personally, i like the truck feel to em.
I don't know where you live, but here in Illinois plugging them in isn't necessary. (we have days that stay below zero in the winter . .not weeks, but days and occasionally a week). It's easier on them to plug them in, but you don't need to. (of course it's easier on a gas engine too [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )
I think edex is just trying to get you to think about what you'd use an X for before buying one. I love mine and I doubt if I'll ever go back to a non-diesel for my towing. That being said, if I wasn't pulling much weight it would be a hard decision to get into something this big.
One of your questions was wrt to parking. I never really have any problems, but when we first bought it the parking was a little intimdating. I'd say it took a week to week and 1/2 before you got used to the size. If you end up in a parking lot with tight straight-in spaces it can be tough to per her in. I'd say for 85% of the parking around here it's never an issue. I also tend to park out at the outer reaches of parking lots so I really don't have any problem. (I did that with my Cobra also . .. it's not an X thing! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )
If I was towing your jetski's and not going to be going bigger then I'd take a serious look at the diesel liberty, but I don't know what it's going to be rated at.
Take care,
Dave
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2002 Excursion Limited - 7.3 PSD, 4x4, Auto. Tekonsha Prodigy Controller. ISSPRO EV Gauges in A-Pillar mount. Diesel Turbo Lifesaver. Pre-pump Mod. SCMT-Trimode. AIC. Back Door storage bins. Banks 3 1/2 inch Monster Exhaust. AIS. "U-Code" Springs. Powerstroker Exhaust Brake. Husky Liners. Bilstein Shocks. ART Brakes, Helwig Rear Anti-swaybar. Zoodad Mod. Airlift Rear Airbags. Racor 3550 CCV. Forest River Wildcat 26FBS TT.
[ QUOTE ]
Excursions, particularly diesels, are a lifestyle choice. If you gotta ask for advice on buying one, you likely shouldn't buy one. It is a beast. It is big. It is cumbersome. It is a lot of metal and volume to drag around if you don't really need it.
My wife loved the Sub, never thought of it as big. Never complained. She'll drive the Ex, but doesn't prefer it and won't take it to the mall - and we don't drive small cars!
[/ QUOTE ]
I'd have to disagree. It's big yes, but I wouldn't classify it as cumbersome. Like others have said, it takes a a week or two to get used to the new size. But to be honest it's great now.
I don't do a lot of towing, but when I do, I'm glad I have the X, particularly the PSD!
And my wife and I both agree, for traveling, we wouldn't want anything else. It's just me, the wife and the dog, but there's never an issue with room or luggage space, ever. I personally haven't seen the need to do all the suspension upgrades that many others do. It does it's assigned jobs just fine for me. (well I did add air springs to aid in heavy loads, but that's about it).
My wife on the other hand love's the X. Loves and prefers to drive it any chance she gets. And when we visit our Daughter and Son-in-law, I hardly ever get to drive it. My Daughters always going somewhere in it. I find for the mose part, women, for some reason really love these things. Go figure.
And as I stated, makes hauling my 24' car hauler a dream, even fully loaded.
One last point, I would NEVER consider getting one of these GAS powered!!
__________________ TurboDave, EWCS(SW)USN Ret H&N Turbo 6 Racing
Seviervile TN A MAN AND HIS TRUCK, IT'S A BEATUFUL THING 01 Excursion LTD (EBM3) 7.3L, PSD, Turbo, 4X2, TTS Race Magnum (original owner) 86 GN (original owner) 87 GN (second owner) 08 Honda Accord EX-L
We went from a '79 Bronco to an X because we ran out of room and glad we did; we plan on keeping this beast for many, many years!! Get the diesel, your towing experience will be a joy and gas bills will be much more acceptable. As for parking, I always park in the south 40 so I do not have a problem. I find a lot of people, while parking, are oblivious to other vehicles which can lead to a nice ding on your door. The only problem I experienced with my X, that needed immediate attention, was the '02 did not come with a rear anti-sway bar. In Northern California we have a lot of hills. Trying to drive the speed limit in the mountains I found that the X, without a sway bar, can get a little squirrelly. If you get a 2002 or older model X 4x4, plan on getting a rear anti-sway bar!!!
Good luck.
__________________ 2002 Excursion ~ Limited Ultimate ~ 7.3L PSD ~ 4x4
Mineral Gray, Limited Premier Group & Monochrome Package, two tone leather interior (pre-Eddie Bauer), TTT Mirrors, 3.73 Limited Slip, F250 Lariat wheels.
Kentucky Born: 4/9/2002 Improvements: 2002 PSD Badges, and lot's more!!
thanks a lot guys. i'm from central NJ so our winters aren't too cold. but i know our diesels up at work won't start after a cold night unless they are plugged in. but those are also large diesel engines that probably hold a lot more oil than an X.
i asked the parking questions because i travel into cities a lot and this would be my daily driver. I'm usually in Philly often and the two options are parallel parking or parking garages.
you guys answered all my questions and cleared up any doubts about the X. my main concern was the reliability of the ford diesels, but from what you guys say it sounds like it's pretty reliable.
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