Ford Excursion Ultimate Comparison and test. V10 vs 7.3 vs 6.0 Part 1 of 4 

Ford tech here. The problem with the 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8 launching plugs was with the original torque specs. Nobody launched a plug until they replaced the first set of factory installed plugs. Ford hid the issue and released a tsb year hike making changes to prevent a full recall. Even with only 4 threads in the head the plugs can be torqued down over triple over the revised torque specs of 23lbs ft. I have 220k on my 2000 ccsb v10 f250. 37’s w/ 4.88’s and I get 10mpg all day. Free spin kit, electric fan, BNO larger throttle body, 6.0 trans cooler, banks headers, arb lockers, ssbc v8 calipers, magnaflow cat back and a 5 star tuner. The v10 is a beast and great for long trips. My truck towed just as well as the girlfriends 7.3 excursion. Similar mpg’s towing but it unloaded the 7.3 is king

I have a 01 f350 lariat 4X4 6.5 lift 20” wheels on 35s with the v10. I tow a heavy 25’ power boat with twin v8s all day long and have NEVER had a engine issue! Luv the v10! 👊🏼🇺🇸

Owned them all & for reliability take the 6.8 V10. For power take the6.0 TD. For overall reliability and gas mileage take the 7.3 up to 600 K miles!

My 7.3 Limited has over 440k miles and it's still healthy, it's an amazing engine. Actually, the whole vehicle is in amazing condition for the miles.

I own a show room mint 7.3 2001 limited with only 107k, in Maine, but never sees a winter. Absolutely love it! Can't replace it! Owned her since 2002. Great video!

I had to chuckle at 3:40 when he said, "other than the fact that your engine is going to blow your spark plugs out, it's generally a good engine". Been there, done that. About to hit 300K.

I own a 2001 Limited V10, 6.8L. I bought mine with a SUPER CLEAN engine. Been an awsome vehicle, love it!!!

One thing on the 7.3 diesel that wasn't mentioned was the ultra small transmission oil cooler Ford put in them. It was even smaller than the V10. Before 2002, the instrument cluster didn't even have a transmission temperature gauge. Many people upgraded their cooler to the 6.0 version.

I am an owner of a 4x4 2002 Excursion with the 2V, mine has about 185,000 miles and I actually average about 14-15.5 in warm weather at highway speeds. If you are experiencing lower MPG than 12.5-14 you may want to use some fuel system cleaner and do a tune-up with some fresh plugs, serp belt, and coil packs and you should be running great. Amazing truck.

yeah on my 6.0 I deleted my egr, straight piped turbo back, arp head studs, tuned with a 30hp tow tune over stock, everything was great! for 10k kms... then oil cooler screen blew and sent metal shavings to 5/8 injectors and took out my hpop and ipr, 8 grand later ontop of the 10 grand id already put into it "bulletproofing" its been an expensive learning experience lol very expensive rigs to maintain and keep running, cheers from ontario CANADA

I have a 2003 v10 excursion. I think the spark plug issue was fixed in 2003 and it was a 2v, the 3v was introduced in 2004 I believe. Just like you said, if you can handle to mpg its an irreplaceable truck. Nothing feels stronger, safer, or more comfortable for the family. We take out the 2nd row buckets and set up a bed on road trips, 3rd row stays in for passengers and cargo area always handles our bags, suitcases or anything else. The fact that it's old and not sold anymore makes it cool to drive. Surprisingly easy to drive and park too because it has huge windows. At 122k miles I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

I'm on my 3rd Excursion & had the 6.0 diesel but the 6.8 V10 has 305,000 miles & engine/tran are original never repaired! My 7.3 had no issues but the 6.0 just kept costing me.

7.3L owner here and I agree with you on everything you said. I have one of the most upgraded 7.3's you will find. I found every failure or weak point in them and upgraded it, even to the extent of bulletproofing my transmission. I prefer the 7.3 but now that I know more I would have no qualms about owning the 6.0. You can even get crazy HP out of the 6.8 if you are willing to drop the cash. All around, the King of SUV's.

Great Vid! Yup Excursion has a following. Family bus 🚌!! I have a 6.0 Eddie Bower 6” lift on 35’s, bullet proofed. Spent about 10k 6yrs ago parts & labor. head studs, gaskets, upgraded exhaust down pipes, upgraded egr cooler, mechanical fan upgrade, external oil cooler frm bullet proof diesel. SCT live wire tuned. I love it. Sounds like a jet plane pulls like a freight train!

Brother you rock, I have had 12 of them. Now I have a 2005 Big Dog Ultra Excursion!

I've watched your videos several times now and really appreciate the info. You really know your stuff. I recently bought a V10 2wd for towing my travel trailer. My wife likes it so much it's become her daily driver.

We also have the 2001 7.3 excursion. Replace the transmission at about 260,000 mi. Original glow plugs replaced at 278,000 mi. Regular oil changes. Right at 300,000 still drives like a clock in 2023.

I have the 5.4l and it’ll pull a house down. Reliable, 500k plus miles, not a drag truck by anymeans. Slow and steady, best mileage of them all. 16-19 regular.

Oh - and we LOVE our Excursion (and our other 5 Fords too) Nothing better than Ford!

You know these fords real well. Thanks for this ❤

My 6.8 v10 is by far the most reliable engine I've ever had (besides the Buick Regal v61990's) only one thing i hate about that v10...

310k on my V10 Excursion. Get 5 MPG when towing the travel trailer.

Thank you for the education about these rigs. They are really cool vehicles. Now I want one!

Got an o1 f2shity 7.tree 700k all original Michigan truck works construction and plowed everyday of it's life. Still stroking and purrs like a kitten...13 letter shitspreader....best diesel ever made

Surprised to hear someone who likes the 5.4 Triton. I'll never have another Triton anything. Had one in an Expedition and it was nothing but problems. Rockin out in a 03 6.0 LTD Excursion these days and LOVE it. Was EGR Deleted and "bulletproofed" in 2015. I can hook anything to it and it doesn't ever break a sweat, the harder you make it work the more it loves it. Straight north of ye in the Canadian Rockies so very similar usage environment. One of the downsides I never see mentioned in video's for Excursions is how they are a BIG target for thieves. Over the last 5 years I've had at least 3 attempts on mine. It's equipped with a transponder system and also a positive air shutoff so its never moved and inch but its $300+ worth of lock and cylinder parts each time they get smashed. The weakest part of the 7.3 vs the 6.0 is certainly the transmission, I've driven a few and I always felt like I needed one more gear. The transmission on the 6.0 feels much stronger and geared better.

Let me ruin the surprise... The 7.3 is the king Period.

9:30 you summed up my excursion. Great video, you put out a lot of great info. New subscriber and looking forward to finishing this series!

Just fyi, Ford discontinued the V10 in 2019. My work truck is a 16 F450 long wheel base with the v10 2wd with 4:10 gears. Ive got a 18 foot insulated aluminum hackney body on it which stands about 4 feet above the cab which doesn't help me at interstate speeds, however i will say i am NOT a Ford guy what so ever but im generally between 13k-16k lbs and live in the mountains of northern New England and it does a pretty good job...i cruise 80 at 3k and for the most part it'll hang on the hills in high gear. Depending on how long and steep the hill it might drop 1 gear but it'll never fell below 75 mph on any hill with any weight... but im getting to the point where we're gonna be trading it in and i wanted to see some comparison on the new 7.3 gas vs what ive got. If they still manufactured the v10 and could get one with a standard trans that's what id go with but 🤷🏻‍♂️ none of the manufacturers offer standard trans anymore 🤬

Great video. My f350 ,60. 125000 bullet proof egr. Never any ishoes. Great truck. Thanks

Also I have a 5.4, its actually insanely realiable and powerfull pull a 8000 pound trailer and towing a flatbed with a 1500 on the back it pulls nice

We just bought a 7.3 and we love it.

Very nice video. Very informative as I would have done the same . But in the diesels- I couldn’t stress enough on the oil changes and the fuel filter changes. I changed oil and fuel filters EVERY 5,000 MILES on my 6.0 in my super duty! The injectors on these two diesels not only run off of high pressure oil to fire, they also need high fuel pressure to fire! Don’t be like me and try to put off oil changes. EVERY 5,000! I recommend Ford 5w40 full synthetic. Reason for fuel filters is they need clean fuel. Oil change intervals. Do it. I let mine go to 9,000 miles because, hey, I was a little bribe at the time and I buy only Motorcraft when I can or WIX. When I pushed the oil change, well, had an injector stick open. Put raw fuel on top of piston and like the EGR cooler, you can’t compress a liquid, so in turn it didn’t completely pop the head gasket until I got on interstate and put my foot in it. I had a stand alone boost fooled (made the veins stay wider and opened longer, must have performance inhancing part from BD Diesl.) one injector cost me a little over $500.00. I do almost all of my own work as to I was a tech for 11 years, and I guess I still am. But it did case it to lift the head. Also, the heads and block have a .002 MAX standard that they have to be in this variance to be calledn”good” cores. Anything more than that, toss them because you can’t machine the heads or deck the block any more than .002. They offer a set of aftermarket heads that are awesome and way cheaper than Ford. They have more stout injector bosses, and come with injector cups pressed in. Injector cups and commandants stretched to injectors, like the nipple seals (hah hah) tend to wear out too causing hard starts. Change as needed especially with injector changes, but uses a special tool, you can buy it almost anywhere. I’m still learning on the v10s, and might have missed the oil consumption problem. I have found, as I own an excursion with a 2 valve v10, that freer exhaust helps with this. They take a low viscosity oil, 5w20, and I’m told you have to use this for right machining tolerances. I think there had to be something else. The higher heat levels, in my mind will cause the oil to atomise in the crankcase air and evacuate, hence the PVV valve and line have a massive amount of oil in the line leading to intake, then burned off. Change plugs every 80,000 miles and bump the torque up from 15 to 25 +/- to your comfort zone and quality of torque wrench used. I’d trust a $400 torque wrench more than I would that $30 everyone buys, like me. So I’m wondering if they make a baffle kit for this problem. But free flowing exhaust , the v10 LOVES it. Mine runs like a totally different truck, and the fuel mileage jumped way up, I’m assuming 4 to 5 miles to gallon, if not more. I can’t prove it as to I didn’t get numbers before doing improvements. I also did the cheap cold air intake also. It loves also. Trust me. But I love this vehicle. Love the v10, it is a torque monster! The 6.0l diesel, one of the best in my. Oil after Bulletproofed and tuned. Still have to be careful though. Fluid changes. That goes for the coolant too!

My excursion is my 1st powerstroke 2005 6.0 bulletproofed...I absolutely love it interior is a little outdated for 2024 but that's makes it even more bad ass these things are classics and I love rare sh*&

The "Dreaded" 6.0 NNOOO BUENO!! I own a 2001 V10 Limited.. I LOVE IT!!

99 f350 6.8 w/ 311,000 still runs smooth; changed oil every 3K with synthetic.

Wow. You answered so many question I didn’t know I needed to ask👍. If buying a 6.0 Would you recommend buying a lower mile “bulletproof” or finding a higher mileage stock to build from the ground up? Should I spend more on the initial investment, or should I find a deal and put more into it... or should I just get a v10?

I like my 5.4 Triton. Have had V10 and 7.3 as well and they were problems. 5.4 does all I need it to which is transport people. I have a Cummins truck for hauling.

Love your channel and your Passion ☺️

The Excursion is and always will be my dream car. Unfortunately they’re getting harder to find 🤧🤧 I want a V10 4WD. I would expect the 7.3 to be a unicorn because it has the good ol 90s technology in a Modern vehicle. Best of both worlds... But I can hardly find a decent v10 here in South Carolina

I'm from Utah and worked at a Ford dealer when they were still being made. And if I'm honest, I didn't know they put the 5.4 in them, probably for the same reason lol

Do u know if the 7.3L Diesel and the 6.8L V10 Excursions use the same stock Ford radiator? It appears as the its the same part number but im having a heckbof a time confirming it. Thank you

Love my v10s I have 3 of them animals

Thanks for the great info! I’m currently looking into buying an 04 and heard many times on different forums to replace the head studs. what would be a rough ball park estimate to get new head studs installed?

Love my 7.3. The only issues i have is the cold weather. Its hard to keep the batteries happy and start properly in very cold winter months

Great job. Looking at the v10 version. Wanted the 6.0 but there super expensive in my area

Awsome vid! Love Excursions...

I don’t understand why people piss and moan about cold start issues when the mf Comes Equipped With a Built-In Block Heater!!!!

HEY Great video! THANK YOU. ...don't forget about the 5.4 Triton's oil pump & timing chain issue.😳. Great motor but the timing chain guides, camphasers, tentioners, etc will need replaced for a hefty $2500- $3200 unless done by the owner. Also it needs the high volume oil pump preferably from Melling.👍🏾

The Eddie Bauer was one level lower than the Limited, the lowest was the XL then the XLT them the Eddie Bauer then then the Limited which had all the options that you had to ask for on the Eddie Bauer level.

Thank you for this

OK I actually have a unicorn, 2004 single cab long bed F350 v10 Dooley with a standard transmission 430 gears I bought it from my friend that ordered it special ordered it,has roll up windows manual locks, he gave me the window sticker with it it said it has Camper package plow package and he ordered it will block heater believe it or not, I didn’t know that was a thing on a gas motor-he didn’t drive it much, it has 32,000 miles on it.

V10. Cool motor, ok for towing. 7.3. Bullet proof. 6.0. Junk Paperweight 6.4. Really junk paperweight.

I have 2000 v10 4x4 excursion and v10 Ram 2500 4x4 the excursion gets better gas but the Ram gets wayyyy better torque specially down loan Al the at up to 90mpg can feel torque in the ram. In the excursion it gets up To 90mpg real smooth and good but touque isn’t there can’t feel it in your foot but it just GOES irregardless love them both for towing. I haul mobile homes and use these for tool trucks they are great

egr delete and head studs help 6.0 greatly and makes it a great engine

Hi I own a 2001 5.4L ford excursion its great I tow cars or truck with it its alot of power its a beast Highway I get 14.9 to the gallon it got new 5.4 triton motor its got 60k milles on it with out towing it gets 16.3 to the gallon

Great comparison video. 👍

20:21 that truck sounds like it knows how to have a good time

Great video...lots of great info!

Had an 02 excursion v10 superchips tune straight piped banks intake thing ripped

So, I've been looking at 7.3s for quite a while and basically ignoring newer diesels due to all the online horror stories... But this is the second video I've seen now with a diesel tech saying good things about the 6.0, and ya got me thinkin... I HATE automatics, they've almost always been an issue for me and I drive a semi so I'm partial to rowing my own, that said, after what you say about the 5spd in the 6.0 it sounds like that'd be a better long term reliability option. In considering an Excursion budget, thinking it'd be a 7.3 I presumed there'd be a trans rebuild within the 1st year of buying one, but maybe after what you say with a 5spd/6.0 that won't be such a concern, which for me means the trans rebuild budget can be spent on the O-ring, ARP head gasket job on the 6.0 instead, giving me a more powerful truck without sacrificing reliability so much? And that'd also negate needing to upgrade the 7.3 to make 6.0 power, reliably? (I'm an old school hot rodder btw, I know old FE or Pontiac engines a lot more than I do diesels. In an Excursion I'd be looking to build and "overlander" style rig I can take loaaded up for a weekend or a month in the mountains in BC Canada, but it would mostly see daily use to work. If that helps your confirming my assumptions above) Good informative video, thanks!!

Well unlike the 7.3 and 6.0 diesel V8s the 6.8 V10 has no power adder of any kind so I'm wondering how much more weight towing and horsepower can be found with adding twin turbos or 3.0 Whipple Supercharger?

Lov the info .. I own a 6.8 2001 just lov it

7.3 owner here, actually, the 7.3 was not replaced for emissions. since it makes no power relative to other engines, it’s pretty clean-running. it actually got replaced because it didn’t meet noise compliance! :(

You forgot to mention that they have a 44 gallon fuel tank. I ran premium in mine and it took $120.00 to fill up.

Hey thank you for the video i bought my first ford 1999 ford f 350 4x4 with the v10 i wondered how long i can make that engine last vs 7.3

Ive always liked these vehicles . I have a large family in vegas. we have only owned a suburban for our family, but as of lately, I've been considering going deisal specifically excursion. im alos gettomg ready to look at a duramax suburban this week What do you recommend for me with a large family of 10 and we need 4x4 because we do offroading alot

I would love for them to make new ones with the 7.3 gas motor I have in my 2021 f250

Quit playin with people. The 6.0 takes 10k to be a truck that people can drive without constant worry. When buying an older suv 10k to make it reliable isn't an option.

I love the 6.0!

I got a V10 excursion I won't ever switch there a beast an tuff keep oil init an run good fuel an there good to go just hate the speed sensor problems here an there haha

7.3 has my birthdate yr so God likes that engine just saying, divine numbers.

Just out of curiosity, I have a 2000 Excursion V10 with 147k. When should I get my spark plugs changed out. No issues with them, but with everyone talking about these spark plugs shooting out of the engine blocks, I’m terrified for any mechanic to touch them, since I’ve never had an issue with it.

subscribed just because of the name of the channel...we'll see...next 09:03 7.3L

man I wish ford would make the excursion come back

Regarding V10 what gas is best regular or super?

I have a 2000 V10 with spongy brake pedal, no leaks any idea what i need to replace?

I use to work a 5.4 f250 like a diesel, but I got my v10 excursion and except for my new to me 250 with a 5.4 that's going to be a plow truck and I won't go back for hauling. That v10 is just a brute for a 21 year old engine.

Compare the 5.4 to? 5.4 gang?small block in very massive truck?

what type of grille is on your 2005 ex? Is it from an f250?

First off, you should always warm up an engine wether it’s gas, diesel, or whatever it runs on.

Didn’t the old suburban 2500s have the option for mounting the duramax? I thought Chevy made a diesel version, but I could be mistaken

How many miles do you have on your v10?

Which diesel would you use during the apocalypse?

diesels like turbos & gas likes superchargers & bc these hve been around 25yrs ish or so there r working good turbos & superchargers to b had even used.

Amazing truck I have a 2000 ford excursion v10 but unfortunately my transmission isa toast trying to get aa beefed up tranny built with a bigger tranny cooler any suggestions will be appreciated, need to rework most of the under like suspension, hubs, joints, etc , trying to get good wheels and tires aswell I love the truck probably will end up spending nice $$$$$ on it 😢😢

nothing helps like going from 5speed to 10speed trans nothing just like semi & they still make 7.3 engine, so if modern trans can fit older 7.3 engine bolt on then that is the deciding factor on what excursion to get, body, mileage & can it bolt 10 speed on easy.

I want to swap to a 6.7 Diesel from 2011 and up Super Duty. That would be great

I am going to buy an F250 To drive 2 times a month Would I be OK with a 6.0 or A 7.3 or should I go with AV10

What among the 4 engine variants has the most fuel economy

Biggest mistake that ford made with the v10 excursion was they should have all come with 4.56 gears. If they would have people would be able to use the available power that is there. Regear your v10 and it will out pull the stock 7.3 and do it much cheaper.😊

awesome

25:45 So I change the oil on time, I do not need any additives؟؟

🤩

Other than ripping all the threads out of the head, They're fine. Well maybe breaking the brilliant multi-piece spark plug and having to extract the stuck piece.....yup, fine.

Sounds to me that they all have high dollar failure problems. Transmissions are expensive. Head gasket problems and exhaust manifold problems are high dollar repairs. I like the 7.3 ltr diesel and had a 1994 F250 with the 7.3 ltr, but is was weak on power. The only one weaker is my 6.2 ltr diesel in my 1983 GMC that I have right now. It has the manual transmission as did my 1994 F250 with the 7.3 ltr.. BTW, I lost a tug a war with a squirrel with my 6.2 ltr detroit diesel, but it got 25 mpg doing it and has never had a problem...

20:50 I've seen a few cat equipped 7.3s, what you've heard is true.

Is this Andy O'Connor

Probably about $50,000 in excursions right there.

Ford burned so much goodwill with the 6.0L. It was unfortunate. The 7.3L was a king.

this thing clearly is so long it needs a raised roof add front to back making moving around inside easier even if not God 5-7 in ht.