Dealer Selling '03 Excursion

[HeavyAssault]

Looking at a 03 X with a build date of 01/03. Has the 6.0 and 7200 miles on the clock. Is this a chance good deal or looking for trouble later on?? I know there were some issues with the early 6.0l, what can I check to ensure a good motor is in the truck??

[GWA]

Do these things-
-Check the oil, sniff dipstick for Diesel fuel smell
-Look underneath and check for leaks. If bellhousing has a smudge on it, it MIGHT be assembly lube, and therefore not a problem. If dripping on ground, PASS.
-Start and run it. Very much smoke AFTER a few seconds? Whether or not a problem depends on outside temps.
-Drive it. Responsive or sluggish? Any delays in throttle response? Much black smoke on acceleration?
If you get this far and everything still looks good, you might have a winner. This and a measure of common sense will lead you thru a lot of this.

[HeavyAssault]

Well from what I could tell no leaks. Responsive pedal, yes no dead stick here. Kinda slow take off if you just roll into a cruise but put it down and it was ready to roll the tires.
I'll look for the smoke and get under it later.Thanks.

[noa1794]

I would take a closer look at all the horror stories on this web site about 03's of this vintage. Roughly 20% of all of these trucks had serious problems. Then, if you are still interested, talk this over with the dealer. Ask him if he is willing to stick with you thru thick and thin with this truck and be YOUR advocate against FMC if necessary.

In my position I would not touch this vehicle with a ten foot pole but, I am not you. I have to have a vehicle that is almost trouble free. I can not afford lengthy down times regardless of any 'sweet deals' the dealer makes. Similarly, I do not have time to fool around with a dealer whose main aim is to get you out of his hair, not to fix your problem the first time, everytime.

Make sure of the truck as much as possible. Make sure of your dealer.

By the way, it strikes me as peculiar that it sat on his lot this long without getting sold or traded to another dealership.

[DieselsRCool]

One thing i would do is pull an OASIS report on it. This can be done using the VIN number. Some of the fine people on this board have access to it or you can go to 6literpowerstroke.com and ask one of the techs to do it.

An OASIS re[prot tells you all of the work that has been done under warrenty.

[bigbid]

Ya know, I didn't even think to ask you fine folks for your help. What was I thinking?!!! I want a 6.0, actually I want the tranny, so I've been torn between another F250 CC, (although it's an '04 Harley-Davidson model!), and moving to an X. The only one my dealer has is an '03 with a build date of 03/31. Only about 50 miles on it, so I can't do the Oasis thing, and I don't see any leaks, just a little pitting on the exhaust system, but that will just give me an excuse to put a 4 incher on it! Should I stay away from the '03 and just stick with the '04, or take the deal? The X lists for ~$49k, selling for $38.5, the HD has no rebates, but I do get x-plan, so it also lists for ~$49k, sell for $43.8. What to do?

Thanks for any opinions!

[dmftoy1]

Well if it was me I'd stay away from the 03. I don't have any personal experience, but they did change the engine for 04, so some of the issues in the 6.0 forum must have been real. (new fuel rail, injectors, etc)

Just my .02. I wouldn't want to be tied to something for 5 years of payments with the chance of it being a dog.

Regards,
Dave

[dspange]

I have an 03 X with a 1/22 build date. I have 15K on it now. Only problem to date is a minor leak on the engine heater. Dealer replaced it...all is well. It runs great. Great miles 18-20 hwy, 16-18 combo. and 14-15 pulling 20ft enclosed bike trailer.