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Considering an Excursion for a towing vehicle. Preference is for the 7.3 diesel but the vehicle will not be used regularly, maybe once every 4 - 6 weeks for a quick errands around town plus towing 450 miles (one way) once or twice a year. Would the diesel suffer more from the lack of regular use than the v-10?
Thanks
__________________ Tides 27
31' JC Casco Bay
15' Whaler
Does the diesel cost more? How big a load are you pulling? Even though your mileage will be better with diesel, the higher cost for diesel as compared to gas offsets the improved mileage. BTW, the Excursion is a dinosaur and really rough riding. Solid front axle will beat you to death. How about a 4 door pickup - more modern and much better ride. And they are giving them away it seems.
I would say depends on the load. The only complaints I've heard about the V10 are the fuel economy and some spark plug issues in the early models. If you aren't driving it often and your load isn't pushing it's limits, I think the V10 would be fine. They are usually significantly cheaper. The 7.3 is suppose to be great though. They phased them out during 03 so some diesel Excursions in 03 are 7.3 and some are 6.0. I have a 2005 6.0 diesel that I love. I have had zero problems. It does ride rough but that doesnt stop me from commuting in it every day (30k miles/year). If you end up with a 6.0, stay away from 03 and 04. Many have issues. You can find all the info you will ever want to know about excursions on the www.ford-trucks.com forums. Make sure you get an OASIS report before you buy. It will give you the full history of warranty work on the vehicle. Good luck with your purchase.
As a retired Ford engine engineer, my vote would be for the gas V10. Durable, low maintenance and plenty of power. Down side: sucks gas. Gas engines need some sta-bil in the fuel and you are good to go after long periods of inactivity. You probably can find a newer V10 at the same price as an older 7.3L. Clear choice for me.
7.3L...I have several of these trucks ranging from the wifes Excursion (it is 2 WD and rides very smooth) to a F550 (which is 2 WD and rides very rough). My F350 sits for long periods sometimes...last year I put less than 5,000 miles on it and I have never had any issues. The biggest issue you will have in letting it sit will be fuel related...I run biodiesel so it is kind of a mute point for me. When you go to jerk a heavy boat out of the ramp, you will be glad you have the 7.3L!
I can tell you from experience, the towing power of both is good. I had a 2002 V10 for almost 100K miles and traded up to a 2003 with the 7.3 (both excursions). I have just under 200K miles on the 7.3 and she's still going strong.
Before I bought the boat I have now, I had a 27 wellcraft with twins ad had towed it with both the V10 and the 7.3. With 7KLBS in tow, both are about equivalent for towing power, at least thats the way they felt to me. The main difference is the fuel consumption. the 7.3 will get 15MPG pretty much no matter what. Towing my wellcraft, I was doing well to get 8mpg from the V10.
I have never let them sit up for extended periods so I cant comment on the maintenance requirements of doing so, though the best thing for any engine is to run them. I can tell you that for what you're planning on doing, I'd go with the gas and not think twice about it.
If you know where a 7.3 Ex is, please, let me know, I'll likely buy it tomorrow!
It will be towing about 10k. Most of the towing will be a very short distance (<0.5 miles) about 3-4x a year. The one big tow will be from Long Island to Northeast Harbor ME, about 450 miles each way, perhaps 2x a year, in the late summer and then again in the spring. With number 3 on the way any minute now (literally), a bigger vehicle for this trip would be nice. Given the cost of having the boat towed by a third party, the additional cost of the Excursion would be amortized in about 5 years. I would expect to keep it a lot longer than that.
In addition, as I live in Manhattan, parking is an issue (I don't think any garage within reasonable distance would accept a vehicle this large), and the Excursion would be kept out on Long Island. Our city vehicle is a Toyota Landcruiser I purchased new about 11 years ago but still only has 130k miles (and has run flawlessly). Hence the inability to use the Excursion on a more regular basis.
Any additional advice, thoughts or comments would be welcome.
Thanks again
__________________ Tides 27
31' JC Casco Bay
15' Whaler
My 2005 V10 Exc pulls my 10k lb rig very well. Never have felt like i needed the diesel. I pull several times a year from CT to NJ shore.
And by the way, I park my excursion all the time in midtown! Probably every other week or so when i have mtgs in the city. The valet guys dont like it when they see me coming, but ive been turned down very few times. I do have to pay the oversize fee (but you probably have to also with the Land Cruiser). Now the F250 Crew Cab long bed....thats another story. Havent taken that truck back to NYC after that one ill advised trip
All you guys recommending the 7.3 understand he is only towing 450 - 900 miles a year? Yeah the 7.3 will run 200K miles, and that's a great, because this guy will be putting about 40K miles on it every 50 years.
If you can find a 2003 or older 7.3 with low millage in good shape buy it. If you can't find one than 2004-up V10. That will be your reliable choices. Both engines are good engines. The maintenance on the V10 will be cheaper than the 7.3. The 7.3 fuel millage will be better. The 7.3 has better towing manners but the V10 will get it done also. I am a diesel guy but I would not rule out a 2005 V10 if I was shopping.
7.3 all the way. They're great motors (International school bus engines). I got a ticket one time pulling a 13,000 lb / 38 ft boat - 80 mph. The trooper was impressed.
__________________ Member of Bayliners Fishin Team
V10 for value, I did the same exercise for NJ to FL commute and saved $8-10K on the V10 vs Diesel '05 Excur. I leave the truck in FL , it tows down and tows around and serves as a FL vehicle for family for 7 months per yr. Found a MINT XLT w/ very few miles( 34k) at a significantly lower price then diesel. See what you can find. I also bought when gas was over $4 gal ---they were givin V10 Excur's away then! Its a huge truck though if you can find a 2500 Suburban look at those also I have both sub a little easier to drive around town.
I agree. I have the V10 in an F250 with the 3.73 rear and towing about 5000#. You will also need a weight equalization hitch. Just remember the HP/torque powerbands are different between gas and diesel. You need to keep the V10 wound up at a higher RPM. That is one reason the mileage isn't great. I don't drive mine a lot either. For how I use it, I consider the mileage to be just fine. I love that truck!
Excursion V-10 or 7.3 diesel 
