About to buy a 2003 6.0 Excursion - Diesel Forum

MoreBoostPlease · 01-24-2010, 08:52 AM

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and hope to learn a lot. I've been searching up and down for a "low mileage" diesel Excursion and finally found a 2003 limited with 90K miles. The asking price is $16K. Below are a few questions that I have. Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated, as this will be my first diesel powered vehicle.

- Other than running an Oasis report, is there anything else I can check prior to purchasing it?

- What mods would help extend the engine life? (I've read about the coolant filter and upgraded egr coolers)

- I plan on towing a camper in the future, but honestly, the Excursion would still be used for daily driving. I have a 6 mile commute to work. Is it a bad idea to use a diesel everyday for short trips? We may begin building a house further from work within the next 1-2 years, but currently I only drive about 150 miles a week.

- Any other helpful advice for a first time diesel owner? Are there any stickied threads on this forum that cover general 6.0 maintenance? (fluids, filters, how-to's, etc.)

Again, I appreciate any advice and hope to spend a lot of time around here learning.

Thanks,
Sean
Philadelphia suburbs

blackout · 01-24-2010, 09:07 AM

Find an Excursion or F2/350 with a 7.3.
Many, many people have 6.0s and good luck, but too many have had problems.
For 16k you are a fool to buy that truck.
Yes, 6 mile trips are possibly the worst trips for a diesel.
Also keep in mind the Excursions have suspension issues.
Seriously, you asked for advise, here it is: Keep Looking!

MoreBoostPlease · 01-24-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackout

Find an Excursion or F2/350 with a 7.3.
Many, many people have 6.0s and good luck, but too many have had problems.
For 16k you are a fool to buy that truck.
Yes, 6 mile trips are possibly the worst trips for a diesel.
Also keep in mind the Excursions have suspension issues.
Seriously, you asked for advise, here it is: Keep Looking!

Can you clarify why it's foolish to buy the truck for 16K? What type of suspension issues do they have?

blackout · 01-24-2010, 10:51 AM

Research Excursion suspension and 6.0 problems.

njneer1 · 01-24-2010, 11:06 AM

The Ex suspension issues he refers to are on 4wd's. They are springs, Ford just made them to soft ....but you don't "need" to replace them right away ....it is optional in most cases and "relatively" inexpensive. (search on "Caryt" threads for the best info on this) I am still running stock. Other issues are front ball joints, and sway bar endlink bushings.....front hub vaccum leaks.........but these are also common problems with F350 4wd also, not just Ex.........oh yeah.....plus early Ex's did not come stock with a rear sway bar.....and they need them....not sure when they started coming stock

ColoradoDoug · 01-24-2010, 08:59 PM

I have an '03 6.0 Excursion and love it. I have 120k miles on it and the only problem was one bad injector. NO other issues. I would recommend an OASIS report and make sure there haven't been any real issues. Changes fluids and filters on a regular basis. I did change my springs to pickup springs, because my front springs were very close to the bump stops. I also added new shocks and a rear anti-sway bar. It's not a necessity, but now I don't bottom out nearly as easy, and it tows very nicely.

Doug

alexb · 01-24-2010, 09:29 PM

I'd buy that truck in a heart-beat!

MoreBoostPlease · 01-25-2010, 11:10 AM

I'm glad there is some positive feedback in here. If the OASIS report is clean, and I purchase the Ford diesel engine warranty, I think everything will be fine. What should I look out for on the OASIS report?

alexb · 01-25-2010, 12:29 PM

If it's outside of the 5 year 100,000 warranty, you can not purchase the engine warranty.

MoreBoostPlease · 01-25-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexb

If it's outside of the 5 year 100,000 warranty, you can not purchase the engine warranty.

Oh, I didn't know that. I thought it could be purchased for any diesel engine below 100K miles. Hopefully the OASIS report is spotless.

69cj · 01-25-2010, 03:21 PM

And don't bother with an a/m warranty. They usually aren't worth the paper they are written on.

KBB442 · 01-25-2010, 03:30 PM

[I just joined toay and I have a 2005 Eddie Bauer 6.0 Diesel 4x4 Loaded. Never in Mudd for $20K. Very very clean and well keep by me.quote=MoreBoostPlease;1845883]Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and hope to learn a lot. I've been searching up and down for a "low mileage" diesel Excursion and finally found a 2003 limited with 90K miles. The asking price is $16K. Below are a few questions that I have. Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated, as this will be my first diesel powered vehicle.

- Other than running an Oasis report, is there anything else I can check prior to purchasing it?

- What mods would help extend the engine life? (I've read about the coolant filter and upgraded egr coolers)

- I plan on towing a camper in the future, but honestly, the Excursion would still be used for daily driving. I have a 6 mile commute to work. Is it a bad idea to use a diesel everyday for short trips? We may begin building a house further from work within the next 1-2 years, but currently I only drive about 150 miles a week.

- Any other helpful advice for a first time diesel owner? Are there any stickied threads on this forum that cover general 6.0 maintenance? (fluids, filters, how-to's, etc.)

Again, I appreciate any advice and hope to spend a lot of time around here learning.

Thanks,
Sean
Philadelphia suburbs[/quote]