Thoughts on best year (in 7.3 ) to get

[ponjohn]

thanks for the info- my door is 6'8"

[mike650]

IMHO - The 7.3 is a proven motor and you'll love the X no matter what year you get. Unless your going to really pump up the horse power, I don't think you have to worry getting an X with forged rods. Another vote for '02. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

-Mike

[86GLHS]

They say 400 hp daily is safe with a forged rod motor but border line with a powder coated rod motor. If your at 400 hp your also around 800 lbs of torque, this is more than needed to tow any type of trailer you could safely hook to an Excursion.

[jafo]

Hi to everyone in 'X' land-
I thought I'd weigh in on this thread since I'm FINALLY back in an Excursion- I had to sell my 2000 Limited in '04 with 64K on it due to job loss. I just replaced it with a black '02 Limited Ultimate, and couldn't be happier so far with this one. I absolutely love some of the options the Ult has over my older one; all of the controls in the steering wheel, the memory seats and moveable pedals (wife loves driving it too!). The DVD is fantastic for the 2 year old, and I like the captains' chairs in the back over the bench seat (so far).

This truck has 89K miles on it and is still in great shape (I bought the '00 new). I would expect it's going to need all the things that my older one needed (or wanted). My front springs (new U codes), ball joints, and brakes were done by my Ford dealer under warranty on the 2000- I had a great Ford rep here that got that done. It's now my nickel on this '02, but I don't expect to have to do much more than that. I kept my AirRide bags off the old truck and will install them on the '02, and of course will have to address brakes soon.

IMHO, I loved the idea of the stronger rods in the 2000, but I will never pull any abnormal loads or mod this later 7.3 with its PMR's to a point that I would have to worry about hurting them. I would have to say that all the convenience options installed on the '02 Limited Ultimate make it a much nicer and easier truck to drive than the 2000.
Jim

[MotionMan]

The 03 is it, it has the power bump to the PU HP. I have 154,000 and just had my HP Oil Pump go. I say 03. Mine has a 3" lift and I have an 8ft door so I have room. It looks like 02 is good but did it get the power upgrade...the PSD PU had more power up to 02 or 03...for sure 03.

[Hihorse]

I own the first black diesel limited 4x4 that came to Memphis. Rec'd fall of 1999. After 202,000 miles this thing has been pretty much bulletproof. Work in it daily, pull a trailer all day, wash it and go out on weekends. Still gets lots of compliments and over half the people I meet still have no idea there was a diesel X built. I've had a 4 position chip, lift and 35" tires since March 2000 (as soon as I could get them). I haven't owned any of the other years but I can testify the 2000 is a great model year.
Jack

[James2]

How do I know if it's an "ultimate"? And what is an EB?

Thanks in advance.

[Mudraga]

EB is an Eddie Bauer edition. Its a step up from the XLT with different trim color package. As for the ultimate, that's a good question that maybe someone else can answer definatively. I recently received an available features list from another member. Until I saw that, I didn't even know there was a Limited Ultimate edition. There is no badging change that I know of, and the trim/color availability is the same from what I've seen. I think the 'Ultimate' version just has a couple more features than the standard Limited version. Looking at the list, I think mine would fall under the Ultimate category. Or maybe it was just a regular Limited with a couple of extras added on because it doesn't have EVERYTHING on the Ultimate list, but it does have most of the items. I don't have that document at work or I'd list them.

[coldpizza]

My memory (which has been know to be a bit faulty sometimes) says that the difference between the Ultimate and my Limited '02 is the DVD player and steering wheel-based entertainment system controls. I don't think there is any difference in appearance or function other than that.
Len

[James2]

Thanks for the replies. EB = Eddie Bauer. Not sure how I didn't realize that. I thought it was some kind of production code or something. DUH.

As for the ultimate, that makes sense. I suppose for my needs it doesn't matter much - I just need a clean, strong diesel with lots of seating. Some creature comforts are nice, but not necessary. Thanks again.

[jafo]

I believe the Ultimate added in the memory seats, power pedals, steering wheel controls for A/C and stereo, and the color-coordinated grill/bumpers. I think the rear buckets, heated seats, tow mirrors, limited slip, 6 disc cd, engine heater, and DVD were the only options on the Ult.
This '02 Ultimate I just purchased has all of the options and is a little nicer to drive than our '00 Limited because of them. My wife REALLY likes the memory seats and power pedals- she's short and she can get it to adjust to her height better than the previous truck.
Jim

[Bruce1954]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe the Ultimate added in the memory seats, power pedals, steering wheel controls for A/C and stereo, and the color-coordinated grill/bumpers. I think the rear buckets, heated seats, tow mirrors, limited slip, 6 disc cd, engine heater, and DVD were the only options on the Ult.
This '02 Ultimate I just purchased has all of the options and is a little nicer to drive than our '00 Limited because of them. My wife REALLY likes the memory seats and power pedals- she's short and she can get it to adjust to her height better than the previous truck.
Jim

[/ QUOTE ]


Very Very Close but heated seats and engine were std with the Limited ULT and the 6 disk was a no charge option over the CD-tape unit if I remember correctly, but you are right if you wanted the 6-disk you had to ask for it, most dealers did I am sure.

Also Early 02 Limited Ults had chrome bumpers and single tone int, I had one.

I think the accessory packages changed every year at least and most times during the year as well. 02s came with VCPs early then went to the available DVD.

Yes the engine heat became a cheap ($35) option in latter years, I guess no sence in spending the $6.87 on those trucks that it would never be used on.


Bruce

[mike650]

Yeah, '02 had an optional package called "monochrome". It included painted bumper, grille, and two tone leather interior (medium and dark parchment). The interior was basically the Eddie Bauer package before it officially came out in '03.

The ultimate was the "top of the line" X and had just about every possible option as a standard; hence, the name "ultimate". The 6 disc CD changer and 3.73 Limited Slip were standard in ours as well as just about everything else except the Towing Mirrors, roof mounted DVD player, and TC skid plate that were optional. We swapped for the towing mirrors and bought an after market DVD player that I liked better.

Bruce, I think your right, the chrome steps were an option in '02

Yes, it came standard with an engine block heater and hood blanket. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

-Mike

[jafo]

Thanks Bruce and Mike for the clarifications! I've been without an Ex in the garage for a little over 3 years, so you're going to have to put up with a little of my ignorance [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]and questions for a little while. I just looked at the tag and ours was Kentucky 'distilled' 06/02.
I don't have the towing mirrors on our 'new' '02 Ult- I have towed our 25' Formula sport cruiser once this season and didn't seem to have much trouble seeing around its 8' beam. If I tow anything wider, I'll miss those mirrors we had on the '00! I AM very pleased with the limited slip- I didn't have that on the '00, and the child unit sure loves the DVD! I love the added features so far the the Ult provides. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Jim

[cobra29svt]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi All-

For those that garage their Exc, what height garage door do you have?
This is the only thing holding me back in looking for a 7.3 Exc.

thanks-
John

[/ QUOTE ]

7ft garage door and 305/70/16's