FordExcursions.com Forums
Mike Avec
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• Las Vegas, NV, USA |
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• Registered on 8/4/2003 |
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• 10 posts |
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 Posted:8/7/2003 00:38 |
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I have 4 kids ages 1 to 13 yrs old, im not planning on towing anything. Maybe occasional 600 miles round trips every 4 months. I really don't care much if i get leather or 4x4. I will probably drive it 30 miles a day.
Whcih rides better 4x2 or 4x4 ?
Which engine to get ?
5.4
V-10
7.3 diesel ?
Mercy Air N401MA
Rotary Wing
3,000 hours ATP rating, College degree. Completely proficient IFR & VFR.Excellent interpersonal skills. Bell 407
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:8/7/2003 07:06 |
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Hi Mike,
Welcome to the site.
For your needs I would say a 4x2 with the Powerstroke diesel. That will render the best ride quality and best fuel economy. I've towed twice in the 87,000 miles I've put on my Excursion andI have the Powerstroke. You will enjoy the lengthy trips you'll be able to take without having to stop and fill up. You'll still have to stop with all the kiddies and the wife I'm sure, but at least you won't need to go to the gas station. 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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RS-TX
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• Little River, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/22/2002 |
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• 298 posts |
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Posted:8/7/2003 08:20 |
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Mike,
a 4x2 will ride "better", ie. it will not be as stiff and will absorb the bumps a little better. It will also be cheaper to operate and less tempting to upgrade with goodies. When I was looking for my X I wanted a 4x2 diesel. Of course I ended up with a 4x4 V10  
I wouldn't consider the 5.4 V8 to be a good choice in the Excursion. It is just a little underpowered for the weight and (poor) aerodynamics of the X. My parents have an Expedition with the 5.4 and it does fine, but weighs almost 2000 lbs less than the Excursion. That leaves you with either the V10 or PSD (PowerStroke Diesel).
Both have their merits and detractors.
-The V10 is smooth and quiet, moves the X nicely and can be left on when you order fast food. You can find gas anywhere, oil changes are reasonably cheap and it will save you around $4500 over the PSD if you buy new. On the flip side, mileage is less than stellar ( I get between 10 and 12 in mixed driving, never over 13 highway) and it is not as easy to make big power compared to the PSD. Since towing is not in your equation, that is probably not a big point for you, but you never know what will happen a few years down the road. You might have the itch to pull something.
-The PSD is also relatively smooth, although not as quiet as a V10, and will return much better mileage (claims of 15-17 around town and 20+ highway are common). It will last longer due to the basic heavy duty nature of a diesel engine and will have higher resale value than a gasser. The PSD is a torque monster  of an engine and, with a few modifications, can easily exceed 600 or even 700 ft-lbs of torque. That is a lot of power in a passenger vehicle. More torque equals less shifting and better mileage, not to mention incredible towing ability and wonderful highway cruising. And then there is a "cool factor" that cannot be over-looked. Having a diesel under the hood is just  . Since this is not a perfect world, you must give up something to get all this power and efficiency. If noise is a concern, no diesel will be as quiet as a gas engine. If you are buying new, prepare to add $4500 to $5000 to the price of the vehicle. Used is easier on the wallet, but still more expensive. Oil changes are more money any way you look at it. And there are some additional maintenence steps on a diesel, although not enough to be much of a factor. If you make lots of short trips a diesel is probably not for you. Diesels need to reach normal operating temperature to be at their best, and all of that oil and cast iron takes a little longer to warm up. Thirty miles a day is perfectly acceptable for a PSD, especially in Vegas where the mercury is high. And, diesel is sometimes harder to find than gas. Most members who have PSDs don't have a problem with this, and it is likely a problem only for a few folks.
Sit down and think about what you want and need. Either engine will serve you well, but they have their own personalities. No matter what you get, the Excursion is a great family vehicle. It is heavy duty, so it will not ride like a Suburban or Explorer, but it will last longer and do more for you. Good luck.
Rick
2004 VW Jetta TDI |
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:8/7/2003 09:51 |
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Rick
that was a great answer. We should save that for future reference whenever we are asked this question.
mike
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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Wheels
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• Visalia, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/20/2003 |
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• 214 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/7/2003 10:42 |
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Ditto   ...
Rick did you have some free time or what???? |
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RS-TX
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• Little River, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/22/2002 |
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• 298 posts |
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Posted:8/7/2003 16:11 |
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Awww, stop it, guys, I'm blushing!  
| Quote: | | Rick did you have some free time or what???? |
He-he, yeah, I got a little long-winded. I just thought about Mikes question as though I was trying to decide between engines. Which I did not long ago. Once I got started I just couldn't quit. Kind of like.......
Rick
2004 VW Jetta TDI |
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birdman127
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• baltimore, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 10/13/2002 |
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• 581 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/7/2003 16:51 |
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| Quote: | Awww, stop it, guys, I'm blushing!
| Quote: | | Rick did you have some free time or what???? |
He-he, yeah, I got a little long-winded. I just thought about Mikes question as though I was trying to decide between engines. Which I did not long ago. Once I got started I just couldn't quit. Kind of like....... |
Bravo Bravo
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Scott
2000 ltd 6.8 V10*4.30LS*
Lots of mods
check my gallery
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Mike Avec
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• Las Vegas, NV, USA |
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• Registered on 8/4/2003 |
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• 10 posts |
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Posted:8/8/2003 04:28 |
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wow Ricks suggestions are strong !
im going to buy "used" yeah who knows i might end up towing later on, plus my boys have expressed interest in Riding dirt bikes ! who knows having the diesel will be a plus !
ok ive decided diesel 4x2 !
my wife is used to the diesel anyways (diesel Excursions home from work)
now XLT or limited ? i really dont mind i guess it all comes down to finding the right X.
Diesel is not a problem here lots of Gas Stations have them.
Mercy Air N401MA
Rotary Wing
3,000 hours ATP rating, College degree. Completely proficient IFR & VFR.Excellent interpersonal skills. Bell 407
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:8/8/2003 07:25 |
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My $.02 about the leather/cloth....
I like most of us have had both and all my later vehicles have had leather...
I guess more because I seemed to gravitate to the higher end, all option vehicles... and they come with leather rather than my WANTING leather...
Leather LOOKS better, richer, etc... but I believe cloth wears better... at least in my case it did...
I think I actually like cloth better because of the less extrames in temparature it has...
The leather gets unbelievably hot in these Texas summers and very cold in the winter...
The heated seats help when cold... and my wife's car's cooled seats help a BUNCH... but my Ex doesn't have that :o(
I am a 'casual' guy and wear shorts all the time - hot leather and skin or a tough combination!
As well as the wear on the seat from the continual sticking/sliding on the drivers seat - My 4 year old Jeep 5.9 Limited had to have a seat panel repaired where I rested my leg all the time...
A buddy of mine got the cloth on purpose because he has four girls all under 6 years old...
knew the leather would be trashed up by feet/juice/etc and didn't want to spend the money on leather...
At any rate - get the Ex - you'll LOVE it even without seats ! Then it becomes a football stadium it's so big....
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Joe Ogiba
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• Millstone NJ, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 4/9/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:8/9/2003 15:52 |
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| Quote: | wow Ricks suggestions are strong !
im going to buy "used" yeah who knows i might end up towing later on, plus my boys have expressed interest in Riding dirt bikes ! who knows having the diesel will be a plus !
ok ive decided diesel 4x2 !
my wife is used to the diesel anyways (diesel Excursions home from work)
now XLT or limited ? i really dont mind i guess it all comes down to finding the right X.
Diesel is not a problem here lots of Gas Stations have them. |
Diesel is the only way to go in the Excursion. Here is a photo of my new 2003 4x4 6.0 PSD Excursion Limited.
2003 4x4 6.0 PSD Excursion Limited |
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