differences between 02 & 03 - Diesel Forum

boaterholic · 10-03-2003, 10:26 AM

Hi all - new to this forum allthough I have been lurking for a while.
I have a question for the Excursion gurus here. I have an opportunity to get either an 02 or 03 Excursion - company vehicles getting turned in - for what I think are very good deals. What are the differences between them? If it makes any difference, they both are Limiteds 4X4 with tow packages - not sure about what the X options available are, but the company normally orders their vehicles very loaded on the options.
Thanks for the helping me choose.
vc

frobozz · 10-03-2003, 10:54 AM

If they're diesels, and the '03 is a later '03, then it would have the 6.0L engine while the '02 would have the 7.3L. The only other differences I can think of between those years were all little trim level/option changes.

Duncan

boaterholic · 10-03-2003, 12:55 PM

frobozz,
sorry, I should have mentioned they both are the 7.3 PSD's . Also, I beleive the difference in my price would be approx $5k between the 02 & 03. Would there be enough differences worth the money?
Thanks again.
vc

frobozz · 10-03-2003, 12:58 PM

Well the 03s were supposed to get rear anti-sway bars, but at least back in the 7.3 part of production they did not.

So all other things being equal, the 03 is going to have slightly better resale value for some time to come. (Even if the 02 was made in June and the 03 was made in July!)

Duncan

boaterholic · 10-03-2003, 01:04 PM

sorry - I edited my previous post while you replied. Also, is the rear sway bar available aftermarket and is this something I should consider if the one I get does not have it?
Thanks for the help.
vc

frobozz · 10-03-2003, 02:08 PM

I ended up with the new pickup before I put a rear bar on the X, but from everything I have read here, adding one is the way to go. A lot of people put the beefier springs up front too. Check the archives here, or ask again in a separate thread, there are lots of X owners here who can give you the lowdown.

Duncan

jschira · 10-03-2003, 02:08 PM

Yes. The sway bar is available aftermarket from Hellwig and is better than the factory unit.

boaterholic · 10-04-2003, 10:22 AM

do you all think that all things being more or less is it worth the $5k additional for the 03?
thanks again.
vc

rdefrancisco · 10-04-2003, 11:19 AM

I don't think you will ever get the 5 grand back on resale, and if you plan to keep it, just buy the 02. I would buy whichever on I liked better regardless of year.

JADFPE · 10-07-2003, 02:53 PM

There is not a tow package for the Excursion. All the Excursions come with the factory receiver. It is part of the saftey system for the rear of the Excursion. It is even rivited on.

Hope this helps,
John

boaterholic · 10-07-2003, 05:44 PM

you mean to tell me if I wanted to replace the factory hitch with a stronger class V it's not a simple unbolt remove replace and rebolt in the new? If so, what a bummer!
vc

ag4ever · 10-07-2003, 06:07 PM

I don't even think there are any class V like Titan hitches made for the EX. There just is not a market since they all come with the hitch. I think the frames are different from the Trucks too so that won't work.

JADFPE · 10-08-2003, 09:54 AM

The rear section of the frame is different from the trucks and as far as I know, no aftermarket receivers are available. There is not enough market since every Excursion has a factory receiver and that fact that the receiver is part of the safety system. Many manufacturers do not want the headaches if there is a lawsuit.

Hope this helps,
John

boaterholic · 10-10-2003, 10:59 AM

I'm a bit dissappointed in no class V's available because I tow my boat in the weight carrying mode and it weighs as much as 8840 lbs. I had replaced the factory hitch on my current truck to a class V for this reason so I would not have any issues with lawsuits and insurance company if involved in an accident for being over any limits. I guess I might have to do some fabricating on my own if the ones for the pick ups wont fit without moding.
vc

coldpizza · 10-10-2003, 11:07 AM

I don't know for sure, but it seems my stock '02 X has a class V hitch assembly. It is marked as Class V on the left side with the tongue/tow wt rating for both std and wt distributed.

EDIT 10-10-03 @ 8:30AM pdt:
I confirmed that my hitch is marked 'V-5'

weight carrying 500# tongue, 5,000# total
weitht distributing 1,250# tongue, 12,500# total.

I see what you mean in weight carrying with your boat.

Len