Looking at used PSD excusions... what to look for? - Diesel Forum

PreservedSwine · 08-18-2005, 05:46 PM

Looking at 2000- 2003 used 7.3 X's, with up to 100k miles.... not real sure what all to look for in area's of weakness? What are the things that have broken on yours? (not just tranny and engine related, I mean broken seats, crappy interior peices, etc, etc)

It's alot of vehicle to inspect, so was hoping to pick the brains of owners!

Thanks!

~Swine

DR.billZ · 08-18-2005, 10:03 PM

-rear pinion seal
-oil pump seal(will leak oil out the back of the engine and appear to be a rear main seal leak)
- occasional sticky passenger windows and rear flap windows.
-see if they have changed out the shocks, springs and maybe put a rear sway bar on it..........all good things to have done [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

86GLHS · 08-19-2005, 12:05 AM

With 146K on the X here's what I've done to it.
2 CPS's, alternator, and replaced the head light switch (recall on one month built 00 MY). Of course brakes too.

Ball joints are a pretty big repair that may be needed around the 100K mark as well as new rotors.

All in all the X is a very solid vehicle.

BayAreaBoater · 08-19-2005, 12:49 AM

Interior wise, from what I have seen posted here and what I also experienced are:

Factory TV system...if screen comes on but intermitently, it could/probably needs a new ribbon wire. About a thousand bucks! Unless you go with a full aftermarket replacement. Also, the factory VHS players fail due to the excessive dust and from getting kicked by the kids.

In-dash, 6 CD players. Heard of multiple playing problems with them.

Seat heaters. Somewhat of a major pain and expense.

Rear A/C units failing.

Hope this helps.

AllAboutJeeps · 08-19-2005, 10:13 AM

1) Brakes! Inspect the pads, rotors and calipers. The slide pins tend to sieze up on the calipers if not maintained and wreak havoc on the system.

2) Ball Joints. Factory non greasable ones can wear out.

3) Autolocking hub operation. If you put it in four-wheel and the defrost comes on, you have a vacuum leak. Also, putting it in 4x4 and jacking up each front tire and see if it actually engages.

Those are my big three! On a used X with 100k on it, be ready to buy new shocks, the factorys wear out ~15k miles, and alot of people don't change them.

...danny

belfert · 08-23-2005, 02:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
1) Brakes! Inspect the pads, rotors and calipers. The slide pins tend to sieze up on the calipers if not maintained and wreak havoc on the system.

2) Ball Joints. Factory non greasable ones can wear out.

[/ QUOTE ]

How can I inspect these at the dealer? I can't exactly pull off the wheels in the parking lot. If the steering is bad, how do I know what might be wrong?

I remember looking at used Superduties a few years ago. A lot of them steered really bad.

Brian Elfert

86GLHS · 08-23-2005, 11:24 PM

I've noticed two strange quirks on the Excursion. One is the sometimes the brights don't work the other time is the radio (cd/tape with 6 disc on the center council) will change from cd to changer to radio on it's own.

AllAboutJeeps · 08-24-2005, 09:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
How can I inspect these at the dealer? I can't exactly pull off the wheels in the parking lot. If the steering is bad, how do I know what might be wrong?

I remember looking at used Superduties a few years ago. A lot of them steered really bad.

Brian Elfert

[/ QUOTE ]

Brian,

I would ask the dealer to put it on a rack for you and take the front wheels off. If he isn't willing to do this, I am not sure I would by the vehicle from him, I would be suspicious. With the wheel off, you should be able to see if the pads are wearing evenly, and you should be able to pull the little rubber boots over the slide pins back and look at them. When I pulled mine back, rust and debris fell out.

The ball joints are easy to check from what I am told. Jack the front wheel up enough so that you can get a lever (2x4 or crow-bar) under it. Stick the lever inbetween the wheel and the concrete and pry up. If you see the top of the tire move in, your balljoints are shot. NOTE: I haven't experienced this first hand! Everytime I check mine in this manner they are rock solid. So I assume either I am checking them wrong, or my ball joints are fine. I prefer to think the latter.

Steering? Not sure here. How I would check is on the rack again, I would 'steer' a front wheel by hand while watching the linkage. If the linkage appears solid and moves the pitman a proportionate amount compared to how much you are moving the wheel, the play could be in the steering box. If the pitman arm is still while the steer the wheels by hand, the slop is in the linkage ball joints.

If the dealer won't put it on his rack for you, either bring a floor jack and some jack stands and do all this on his lot, or take it for a test drive to a local shop and rent a lift for a half hour. Happy shopping.

...danny

k5chevyblazer · 09-07-2005, 11:33 AM

What are the cosmetic differences between these years. I know they are pretty much the same. I also know that in 2002 they went to a digital odometer. is there anything else or are the pretty much the same truck?

86GLHS · 09-12-2005, 10:00 AM

You should be able to check your ball joints by simply jacking up each front corner one at a time (for safety!) and pull/push the wheel on the top and bottom to see if there is any movement in the wheel.

The majority of the changed to the X came in 05 while the 01's I think got the nicer head lights.

glennz · 09-12-2005, 12:39 PM

i have a 2000 for sale in the classified section

glenn z