Fuel Capacity

[aces full]

Just returned from the shakedown cruise--- Nashville to Brenham, TX, to Austin, to Nashville---over 2000 miles!!! Rear sensors s**k---one day they work--next day, steady long tone only, next day nothing. Also, just how big is this fuel tank, and how much is the reserve (after low fuel light comes on)? On one fillup, I squeezed in 46.7 gallons---also, for you guys claiming over 20 mpg, my hat is off to you!!!! I tried a long stretch at 68 mph on cruise control, and best I could get was 16.4 mpg!!!! At 85mph, I was getting 14.4 mpg!!!! Maybe it will get better after a longer breakin period---I now have just over 3k. Also learned that if you fill up with the engine running, the "service engine soon" light comes on---had to disconnect the negatives on the batteries to get rid of it !!!! Another thing----is there anyone else who thinks that the fuel cap is a cheap piece of junk?? Hard to seat sometimes----that can also set off the sensor for the "check engine soon" light!!!! Gonna replace mine!!!

I also thought the ride was a little mushy, especially on I30 outside Little Rock---- we were "porpoising" like a small boat in a stormy sea----what's the favorite shock change of the month, 'cause that's gonna be a must for me!!!!

Has anyone on the site added a second fuel tank to their X??? If so, what size, and how much???

When all is said and done, a few complaints aside, it makes my old Suburban seem like a real "mom-mobile"----If I can't have my SD PSD truck, this is a pretty good second choice!!!!

Aces

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'00 Excursion Ltd/PSD/WD Chip/Stull Billet Grill/ Turbo Lifesaver w/F1 Module, K&N Air Filter-- I miss my truck!!!!!!!

[gadkins1]

Hey aces:
If you want to get over 20 mpg, forget about using the cruise control...and 85 mph is out of the question. I don't know anyone in any of these posts who claimed to get over 20 mpg at 85 mph! The cruise control is made for convenience, not economy. If you watch it function, you'll notice that on downgrades, the cruise control engages the brakes slightly to prevent the vehicle from picking up speed on the downgrade and exceeding the preset speed. That's not very fuel efficient. On upward slopes, the cruise controll will use hard acceleration if necessary to maintain the preset speed. That's not very fuel efficient either. But again, the cruise control allows you rest your right foot, not maximize your fuel economy. My manually checked fuel economy has been 20.5 to 21.6 mpg in a mix of highway and city driving while observing posted speed limits. Your 46.7 gallons of diesel fuel is an interesting phenomenon. I wouldn't mind if Ford understated the Excursion's fuel capacity by 2.7 gallons. That would give me an extra 55 miles (even at the lower of my actual mileage figures of 20.5 mpg. I'm taking a trip from central Jersey to Charlotte, NC in November. Sticking to posted speed limits and not using the cruise control (allowing the vehicle to "coast" on downgrades), I expect to make nearly the entire round trip (approx 1000 miles) on one tank of diesel. I'll probably have to fill up on the return trip about 60 miles from home. If I can manage to get 21.6 mpg (as I did on my first test), and if I sneak in an extra 2.7 gallons at the pump. I'll make the entire trip on one tank. Too bad I'll still have to stop to fill up the "tank" on my three kids.

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'00 Excursion Limited PSD 4x4, Toreador Red, Parchment interior, 3.73 limited slip, heated seats, 6 CD changer, VCP, dual screen flip-down LCD T.V.s in overhead console, bug deflector, rear air deflector, window air/rain deflectors, heated and telscoping mirrors, Lexan front grille cold shield, PSD badging on order

[jogiba]

Hey Gadkins I plan on going to Myrtle Beach SC on Oct 8 and will see what kind of mileage I can get out of it.I usually only use cruise control on flat level highways like I-95 from southern Virginia south.I received the seat protectors from Cabelas yesterday and will try them this weekend.Take care.

Joe
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PSD 4x4 Black Limited born 07/00 6 disk CD-Changer ,heated seats,TT heated power mirrors,AT tires and PSD badges.

[ExcursionPSD]

Fuel Tanks are rated to allow 10% air space. The maximum Real capacity if you fought like heck to fill the tank would be a s much as 48.4 gallons. 44 + 4.4

The cruise control appling the brake going downhill is a new one on me, I think you may have been noticing some holdback from the locked torque converter, causing the motor to spin, although without an exhaust brake, spinning a power stroke does not use up much power.

If you want mpg to go up, your mph has to come down to 60 or so, 50 is even better.


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2000 Excursion Limited born 11/99 4x4 Toreador Red ext./gray int. 7.3PSD, 3.73LS, Skidplates, Pwr/Htd TeleMirrors, 6CDchanger, HtdBuckets, LT265/75R16D AT, Ford Wraparound deflector, PSDV8 badging, RoofMarkerLights, Tekonsha Sentinel brake cntrlr

[aces full]

Granted, this is my first diesel, so I'm no expert, but I can guarantee you that on a gas engine, you'll get your best fuel mileage USING cruise control---I've read articles about it---without cruise control, the typical driver is constantly accelerating, and backing off, and repeating the cycle over & over, which is NOT very fuel efficient----by the way, I asked a neighbor who is a mechanic, and he informs me that cruise control doesn't involve braking whatsoever!!!!

50 or 60????? Hmmmm---I'm sure you're right, but knowing my household, I guess fuel economy won't be part of our lifestyle!!!

aces

[POLR BR]

Aces,

The Ford OEM shocks are awful. You will notice a big improvement when you replace them with a top quality aftermarket set. I put Edelbrocks on my 350 yesterday and the improvement was so substantial that I can't help wondering if the Ford suspension design team is just plain stupid. The wheel vibration is gone, the clattering and thumping is gone, the sway is gone. I am convinced that good shocks/suspension parts would reduce their net costs by reducing their warranty complaints/repairs. If you squeeze the OEM shocks after you take them off, you will be shocked at how feeble and weak they are. I bet Ford doesn't pay more than $10 apiece for them.

Cruise control may be more efficient with a gas vehicle that weighs 1/3 of a PSD. Not so with our vehicles. You will pick up 1 maybe 2 mpgs feathering your accelerator and allowing your speed to go up and down by 10 mph on grades (or even more on downgrades). This technique is the complete opposite of what your cruise control is accomplishing and is why cruise kills your mileage.

There were some very good posts on this issue awhile ago. If you search user name Sled (case?) you will find at least one of the threads.

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2000 Excursion LTD 4x4, Oxford White, PSD 3.73, K&N, Hypertech PPIII, Dynomax Muffler, Ramsey Winch Mount & Grill/Brush Guard, Edelbrock Shocks, Rancho Stabilizer, PIAA 90 PRO XT Lights, 295 BFG's, 2000 F350 CC PSD 4x4 Woodland Green, 3.73 K&N, PPIII, 295 BFG's

[H ED S]

Hi people,

I agree 100% that the suspension is pathetic!! I thought you were supposed to pull a boat not drive one. I personally think that this vehicle is not safe to pull close to its rated capacity without a good deal of suspension work. The brochour says it has a "heavy-duty trailer towing package" and automatic tow-haul system". Whatever the heck that is??

There is no rear sway bar no steering stabilizer. and the so called shock absorbers are way too small for a truck of our size and weight. Guess the bean counters won out one more time.

I had a 99 psd before and stupidly thought the suspension would be of the same quaility as on it.

Something really weird on this subject is I asked Rod the parts man at my dealer about it and he called up on his computer and Ford shows part nos. for a rear swaybar but it is not an option in any of their lititure or ordering forms???? Why would you have parts for something you don not offer??? Must be another "BRIGHT IDEA" of Ford.

s to all,

ED

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Y2K EXCURSION LMTD. PSD FIBERGLASS RUNNINGBOADS SUNVISOR & and other goodies.
NRA&TX.ST.RIFLE ASSC.-LIFER-NRA/ILA AND MEMBER-GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA MEMBER-I DO VOTE!

[This message has been edited by H ED S (edited 09-24-2000).]

[hapaschold]

aces,

is your x a 4x4 or 4x2???

thanks,

hilmar

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'99 e-350 psd super cargo,viper, remote start, tinted, more to come

[aces full]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hapaschold:
aces,

is your x a 4x4 or 4x2???

thanks,

hilmar

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>4x4-----

aces



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'00 Excursion Ltd/PSD/WD Chip/Stull Billet Grill/ Turbo Lifesaver w/F1 Module, K&N Air Filter, Clear Cornering Lights-- I miss my truck!!!!!!!

[gadkins1]

When engaged, the cruise control does indeed apply light breaking on a downgrade to keep the vehicle at the set mph. You can demonstrate this for yourself by setting the cruise control near the crest of a hill and look down at the brake pedal while on the downgrade. You will actually SEE the brake pedal depress slightly. Don't be so amazed that you forget to look back up at the road! Go try it. If you manually depress the pedal with your foot, the cruise control disengages but the set speed is saved in memory. The cruise control is NEVER a fuel efficiency tool (gas or diesel), unless you have a lead foot. It is strictly a comfort and convenience item.

[curtjones]

Put the new Eld. shocks on yesterday and what a difference.. got to go wife wants to go see new Granddaughter..

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2000, 4X4,PDS, Limited,Estate green, 3.73, Skid plates, 6 CD,IAS shocks, etc.

[Hogballs]

Hmmmm...the absolute best mileage I've ever gotten in my X was using the cruise control the entire trip, but there were no hills to speak of and I maintained 70 MPH/2K RPM all the way.

Come to think of it, though, my mileage was almost as good on another trip through some mountains, but I know I used the cruise control only part of the time. Going up hills I kept it on manual (my foot) which kept the RPMs at 2K and let the speed drop as necessary.

I assume this is what POLR BR meant by feathering?

I don't think that you should just scrap the cruise control. I think you will get great mileage on roads without steep hills...

...especially Deep In The Heart Of Texas!

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Hog
2000 Excursion, LTD, PSD, Oxford White/Gold/Parchment, PPIII, Triple A-Pillar w/Autometer Gauges, 4" Exhaust, TT Mirrors, 6 CD, K&N, Bridgestone Dueler A/Ts
Ford Excursion- Anything else is a lesSUV!

[Mark Kovalsky]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gadkins1:
When engaged, the cruise control does indeed apply light breaking on a downgrade to keep the vehicle at the set mph. You can demonstrate this for yourself by setting the cruise control near the crest of a hill and look down at the brake pedal while on the downgrade. You will actually SEE the brake pedal depress slightly. Don't be so amazed that you forget to look back up at the road! Go try it. If you manually depress the pedal with your foot, the cruise control disengages but the set speed is saved in memory. The cruise control is NEVER a fuel efficiency tool (gas or diesel), unless you have a lead foot. It is strictly a comfort and convenience item.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cruise control NEVER applies the brakes! It doesn't do anything to slow the vehicle except close the throttle. The throttle is the only thing that cruise is connected to.

It does disconnect when the brake lights turn on. The brake lights turn on before the brake pedal is depressed enough to apply the brakes. What you are describing won't work.


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Mark
'94 Club Wagon w/ 7.3L HyperMax Turbo Diesel
'00 V10 Econoline Chateau Wagon

[gadkins1]

Just go out and try it if you don't believe it. Set your cruise control at 55 ( or the posted limit) at the crest of a hill and watch how the cruise control uses braking and acceleration to slow the vehicle down and speed it up to maintain the set speed. If cruise control didn't use braking on a downgrade with no driver pedal input, your vehicle might be going 90 mph before you hit the bottom of the hill. You don't have to take me at my word. Go out and try it.

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'00 Excursion Limited PSD 4x4, Toreador Red, Parchment interior, 3.73 limited slip, heated seats, 6 CD changer, VCP, dual screen flip-down LCD T.V.s in overhead console, bug deflector, rear air deflector, window air/rain deflectors, heated and telscoping mirrors, Lexan front grille cold shield, PSD badging on order

[Trash]

The brakes are not applied with the cruise control. My pedal doesn't move and the truck does gain a few mph down steep slopes after the throttle has been closed by the CC.