New X owner, Couple questions... - Diesel Forum

wickedcustoms · 10-25-2007, 12:38 AM

Hey there!!

Just picked up a Black on Black 2004 Ford Excursion Lariet Limited 4x4 6.0L Powerstroke, with 70k miles for my wife to drive.. We have stepped it up from her previous small cars and SUVs due to horrible accidents. Hoping these idiots here will see this.. lol

Owning a performance & 4x4 shop, I have lifted the X 8"s, and stuck it on 22" rims, with 36" nittos.

Anything I should know about the 04 X? Any issues? I know about the head gasket issues that plaige the 6.0L. Anything about the 2004 year that is good or bad? I checked out the repair sheet at ford, and except a few recalls, nothing crazy has been done, like a turbo or a head gasket.

Personally I own a 1995 Dodge 2500HD with the 12v cummins, im pushing about 500hp/1000lbs tq, with 15"s of lift, and 38" tires..

I work on these trucks everyday, but never hear many problems with the excursions, mainly the trucks, maybe cause people are using the trucks more/harder then the X? I dont know..

Going to be throwing an intake, and cat-back exhaust on her, un-sure whether or not im going to chip this one, Ive had good luck with the cortex, and the bullydog PMT on low settings as far as HG issues, or Turbo issues..

Thanks!! Im looking forward to posting more on this site!

-Jordan

mmsafd · 10-25-2007, 01:25 AM

Welcome to the club. Or welcome to the club for your wife. My wife wouldn't give up her tank for anything.

How about a pic or two in your sig?

With the lift you have taken care of some of the problem areas. The factory front springs are usally a problem as well as the rear hatch lift struts. You should not have any issues with this any more. What did you do about sway bars front and rear with the lift? Some do not come with rear bars. Other issues that may pop up could be the door lock actuators and the brakes.

As far as the 6.0L goes some love them and some hate them. I do not have one personally but drive dozens of different 6.0L's at work. They are pretty good for the most part. Today I was in one that I think had blown a head gasket, like you mentioned.

Bruce1954 · 10-25-2007, 06:17 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WickedX</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Hoping these idiots here will see this.. lol

</div></div>

No won't work all the time, see my signature.
She said she did not see me!
Clear morning five lane road with no obstructions.
The Honda was toast.
One thing about these trucks, I have been in two accidents one in each excursion and IF they hit the frame on the ends you are going to take a hit because they do not crumple.

My 02 was hit from behind by two smaller cars that had "Mated" prior to hitting me together. Both cars were totaled damage was visable on the X it needed a new bumper and slight body work.
The second car behind was at fault, hit the car behind me lifting it up and carried it into and under the X pushing me into the van in front of me.
I suffered a whiplash that cost more than the truck to fix.
I think the whiplash was bad because of the timming of them hitting me then me hitting the van in front.

Would I have prefered to be in a crumple car? No, if it had been two larger vehicles or a truck that hit me at that speed, About 25, (I was stopped) the truck would have have more damage but I don't think I would have much more than I had. I never missed work other than to go to therapy.

Good choice as far as I am concerned

Bruce

wickedcustoms · 10-26-2007, 10:12 PM

dude,

I know where you are coming from there.. i feel alot better knowing that she is in this tank then her usuall small car or SUV..

I love its roominess, but im concerned about the motor and its head gasket issues.. Im debating whether or not to mod it and deal with it when it comes time, or stud it, and throw a different turbo on it..

Confused.. Gotta do something, its what I do for a living..lol

-Jordan

william_04_X · 10-26-2007, 10:34 PM

if it's hers, leave it alone, or you'll never hear the end of it...J/K!!

you have the technology..have fun with it...and welcome!!

wickedcustoms · 11-17-2007, 10:50 PM

little update on the ex..

added a airaid full intake system, a superchips cortex, did a couple cosmetic fetures such as painting the shocks and stabilizer black, also did a touch screen in dash..

Nice truck soo far, getting about 15-16mpg too tuned..

-Jordan

**moxyspirit** · 11-18-2007, 10:29 AM

The Tunes can help your wife keep the tailgaters off her butt. My wife loves the extra 100hp.

86GLHS · 11-20-2007, 10:45 AM

I got rear ended in the X a couple years ago and the first thing I did when getting out of the vehicle was, "What, you didn't see me?" It was a very light ding but what troubled me was the fact that the guys shirt said Javier and the name he gave me was Juan. Never called my agent since he just bent the 7 prong plug mount a little but more than likely my insurance would have paid for it anyways.

dc3655 · 12-15-2007, 07:27 PM

This is the whole reason I am in the buying mood for a newer X! My wife was rear-ended 2 months ago in my 05 F-250 and it was on the way to the hospital that she mentioned that she wanted an Excursion since she has a "Hit Me!" sign on all her vehicles. I'm excited about getting the Excursion, but I am sad to see my F-250 go. You're right that they won't crumple, but I still think they're the better way for my family to travel.

As for the Head Gaskets issues, while my X is still under warranty, I will have the head gaskets replaced and fastened down with ARP headstuds so that there won't be any issues down the road. I just had it done to my truck and I found a dealership who will install the headstuds while the truck is apart. If you can find a dealership to do that for you, it will at least give you the peace of mind and save you a lot of money down the road.