I want opinions... - Diesel Forum

Wreckingball_psd · 02-27-2007, 09:40 PM

I want to know what you X owners with the 7.3 think of them. I have my 97 OBS and am very torn between getting a crewcab or an X...i just want a concensus of what you all think of yours and what to go for or steer clear of...thanks!

Mick

PS - Stupid question...but i have to ask, were they ever offered with a 6 speed?

Graupp · 02-27-2007, 11:18 PM

Depends on what you are going to use it for.

I love my X for what it does for me..

The 7.3 is the key for me...One of the best engines ever built.

P.S. HAVE YOU STILL GOT A JOB???? UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE BOYS ARE ON THE STREET???

boatpuller · 02-27-2007, 11:35 PM

How often do you need an open bed vs. how often do you need a third seat/climate controlled station wagon? That's what it boils down to. The excursion wheel base is shorter than any crew cab, with all the pluses and minuses that come from that. It's about the same as a standard cab long bed truck.

As I haul my dogs often, the standard rear aircondition in Excursion is important. Not found in CC. I travel often, and have a closet bar set up in the very back, still allowing all three seats to hold people. And I can send Mrs. Boss into the back for snacks from the cooler without having to stop and get out. All these were more important than having an open bed for me. When I need an open bed, just use a utility trailer. Your needs may differ.

ShayB · 02-28-2007, 12:47 PM

For us, the X was the best choice. Our '97 is a crew cab, but with 3 kids, we were still limited on space in the pick up. With the X if my kids want to take their friends with us, we have space. If they don't, then there is space for them to spread out. It has been great for traveling all over Colorado to basketball and soccer games, and truck events. Plus going to the grocery store, or doing any shopping at all, I don't have to worry about all my stuff rolling around in the bed of the truck. The rear space in my X behind the 3rd seat is fairly large and then if you take out the 3rd bench, you really have a lot of space. Oh, and it's weight makes it a ton of fun at the sled pulls.[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

I'm very happy with my 7.3, but we are "7.3 people". As far as years, the 2000 (what we have) has the forged rods. May or may not matter to you, it did to us.

I've got 124K on my 2000. I haven't had any problems with it, but I have replaced a lot because of want, not need. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Good luck with your decision. I love my X and won't give it up for anything.

Mudraga · 02-28-2007, 01:07 PM

Ditto on the above remarks.

To answer your question, I love my Ex! There are times when I miss having a truck bed - namely when I see people selling cheap hay off the trailer on the way to or from work. I can't buy it that way because I'm not putting hay in my Ex, and going home to get the trailer and coming back is too much of a pain. I haven't really had too many other times when I missed the bed, other than when hauling tall stuff, need the trailer. And my trailer is a 16 foot flat bed so its not a simple hook and go procedure, which means my wife wont ever do it! But I'm currently building a small utility trailer that will be easy to hook up and go even for her so that should help.

Things to consider:
If its a stock Ex you're looking at, you'll probably want to upgrade the suspension, as the stock suspension leaves something to be desired. Search for spring upgrades on here and you'll see what thats about.
No Ex came with a manual trans.
Some have 2nd row captains chairs - great for keeping my kids separated! ("I'm not touching you!")
The Ex's still have most of the same issues with drivetrain as the SuprDutys to expect/watch out for.
Most (all?) Ex's have the PATS (passive anti-theft system) so keys can be more expensive to have duplicates made, and it needs consideration when having a performance chip/program or remote start installed. But its a nice anti-theft feature and its not that big a deal.
If it has the 6 disc in-dash CD (not limited to Ex's though right?), they tend to go out. So be sure to check that.

I'm sure there's other things that some other people will think of. The main thing is, don't get the Ex expecting it to ride like a 2WD Suburban. Its a truck, no ifs, ands or butts. It will feel like one.

FamilyRide · 02-28-2007, 05:36 PM

[ QUOTE ]
were they ever offered with a 6 speed?

[/ QUOTE ]

No. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

lvsqcsl · 02-28-2007, 06:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]

I'm sure there's other things that some other people will think of. The main thing is, don't get the Ex expecting it to ride like a 2WD Suburban. Its a truck, no ifs, ands or butts. It will feel like one.

[/ QUOTE ]
Bear in mind that the Excursion weighs 8000 lbs. That is 4 tons anyway you slice it. Given the fact that the suspension isn't
exactly cutting edge technology I am amazed it drives as well as it does. It isn't uncontrollable, but you can tell it has a solid front axle on leaf springs.

andre7910 · 02-28-2007, 07:48 PM

My father has a 2001 X with a powerstroke of course it has 270,000 on the original motor and tranny. I change all the fluids all the time remember mantinence is key. It does it all he hauled my pulling tractor with it once or twice with it being almost 10,000 lbs plus a 4,000 lbs trailer and it did a great job, he has a bunch of race horses that he hauls to the race tracks with a 2 horse trailer it almost gives them whiplash,and my brothers race quads all over the country he hauls them with a 20' box trailer,we also have a landscape buisness and when all the other trucks are tied up he hauls are 763 bobcat with tracks around. OOh and when it turned over 240,000 I bought him a sct Xcaliber programmer and only run it on tow mode and we dynoed at 257 hp with it on tow mode we never put any other springs on it no modifications other than a striaght pipe and the programmer. love the thing to death!

86GLHS · 03-01-2007, 03:10 AM

My wifes daily driver is the X. About to his 170K miles and has been a great vehicle since time of purchase at 104K miles.

Feel bad for the first owner though, from 0-104K miles his big buck extended warranty only got him a head light switch (which broke!).

Just put new brakes and rotors all the way around, ball joints, hubs, axle shaft seals, new rims and tire, and all fluids swapped to synthetic. The suspension for all I know unless something was swapped prior to 104K is all stock.

Any issue, any problem that you will find with the Excursion you will also find with the F250's and F350's.

Rear windows have been known to break, shards of tinted glass first time I cleaned the X were found, heard of freak breakings on all Excursion sites.

Ball joints go out as well as hubs, cps's fail, fuel leaks are usually caused by 10 cent o-rings (did all three in a two month period, miles vary by 120K miles between them age must be the factor).

All in all the Excursion has been the best all around vehicle I've ever driven. When I see H2's going down the road or Suburbans I know they don't have straight front axles, 44 gallon fuel tanks, Sterling rear axles, Cat fuel systems, or Navistar motors. There is no other "suv" to compare it to. The only H1 I'd take over a diesel X would be the one and only model ever sold with a Duramax (not a fan of a Isuzu Jap motor but it's an H1!) 2006 H1's. Know a few people with them and there a world apart from the 6.5 GM powered version!

turbodave · 03-01-2007, 10:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

I'm sure there's other things that some other people will think of. The main thing is, don't get the Ex expecting it to ride like a 2WD Suburban. Its a truck, no ifs, ands or butts. It will feel like one.

[/ QUOTE ]
Bear in mind that the Excursion weighs 8000 lbs. That is 4 tons anyway you slice it. Given the fact that the suspension isn't
exactly cutting edge technology I am amazed it drives as well as it does. It isn't uncontrollable, but you can tell it has a solid front axle on leaf springs.

[/ QUOTE ]

However, your "solid front axle on leaf springs" only applies to 4x4's. That's the reason I drive a 4x2. I test drove both the day of my purchase. It didn't take but a few miles in the 4x4 to convince me that is wasn't the ride/drive that I was looking for.

lvsqcsl · 03-01-2007, 12:19 PM

[ QUOTE ]

However, your "solid front axle on leaf springs" only applies to 4x4's. That's the reason I drive a 4x2. I test drove both the day of my purchase. It didn't take but a few miles in the 4x4 to convince me that is wasn't the ride/drive that I was looking for.

[/ QUOTE ] You are correct, I forgot about the 4X2 models. I think those have a twin I-beam setup like the 250/350 4X2 models and have coil springs. The 2005 4X4 Superduties got the radius arms with the coil springs, unfortnately the Excursion didn't. I was taking delivery of my '05 and looked at the suspension and discovered it was the OLD setup. Hey what gives? I still bought it and like it, but you are right, it doesn't drive as well as the 4X2's.

Wreckingball_psd · 03-02-2007, 12:06 PM

Well hey i appreciate all the input...as far as having an open bed, i will be keeping my 97 so i have that covered, i have always been a truck person, but the X has always been held with high marks for me, i think its the fact that it looks like a SD, has a diesel and is a monster [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] alot of us get together and ride 4wheelers alot...i have the big trailer but the reg cab truck. My other thing is just having all the enclosed space for traveling and such. It will be hard getting away from the 6spd as i have never owned an automatic. Suspension issues and things of that nature i would feel out as needed, i would like to lift one to fit 35's under...i would do the same if got a second truck...anyway, thanks again and if anyone else wants to chime in i'm all ears!

Mick

PS - Yea i still have a job, i work in service for IH not mfg...so as long as they are building something i'm safe [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Ditto on the hummer - the only one i want has a gun hanging out of the roof! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Mudraga · 03-02-2007, 01:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
My other thing is just having all the enclosed space for traveling and such.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this part. Take out the rear seat, fold down the 2nd row seats, (and in mine with the second row captains chairs, I laid down a piece of plywood to cover the gap between the seats) and the Excursion sleeps two! No need for a tent. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Last year was the first time I tried it, but I got a couple rolls of nylon screen material and "attached" it around the rear side door windows and over the opened rear side vent windows with some of those magnetic strips. Voila, instant ventilation and NO bugs! Worked out really good except that the megnetic strips needed to be a little stronger, or they needed to be unrolled a few days in advance to take out their tendancy to curl up. We ended up only "venting" one rear side door, and use the other to get in and out. And get this, my wife found these cool little 12V fans that have a place for an ice pack to be inserted! Freeze the ice pack then plug the fan into the rear 12V outlet and I had "air conditioning" for about 6 hours. It was awesome! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

HEAVYHITTER · 03-02-2007, 02:11 PM

Well I own a 2003 F250 6.0L Supercab Longbed and bought it thinking I would never need another truck. Well its funny how things change. So much so that the last time I used my truck I took a trip to central Oregon to do some dirtbiking and by the time I loaded my bed with bikes and gear, the inside with gear that needed to stay dry, the girlfriend, and 2 dogs I felt like I was driving a Geo Metro. I got back from the weekend trip and decided I had had enough. I picked up a 2003 7.3L limited Ex w/ 59K on the clock one owner truck and am absolutely in love with the thing. Side by side the 7.3L is definately lacking in the power and transmission department compared to the 6.0L which is bone stock except for a lift and 35's but it sounds like I can get close to the performance of the 6.0L with some mods to the 7.3L so it begins.

I get giddy when I drive the thing and absolutely cannot wait to road trip this machine. I am buying a enclosed trailer down the road for hauling the bikes. In the past I have crammed 4 people in the truck and have hauled a buddies trailer to various race tracks on the west coast and the passengers were not feeling good at the end of a 12 hour drive I can say that.

Long winded I know but I feel like I finally found the best vehicle on the road today. I am getting a metal gate and a vinyl or rubber catch all for the back and wet dirty dogs will go right from the water and dirt to the back, and passengers don't need the dogs crawling all over them unless they want [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Just the other night I had a buddy cruise over to check it out and we ended up drinking some beers in it and watching a DVD.

So yeah I heart my Ex.

Wreckingball_psd · 03-02-2007, 05:31 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Side by side the 7.3L is definately lacking in the power and transmission department

[/ QUOTE ]

How do the transmissions in the 7.3's hold up, i know its the same as in the SD's...but like i said, i've been clutchin' since day one.

My girlfriend is excited about me getting one, especially on road trips, i like the 4runner, but i like to stretch out...and i just cant make myself comfortable in a yota...i like the truck feel [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]