Would you drive a 13 year old Truck across the country?

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I pull my Airstream with my 230,000 mile 2005 Silverado everywhere...... I don’t worry about it much, but I keep it up pretty well.

But I’m not intimidated by DIY roadside repairs..... The truck is the same truck I gave to my son who gave it back to me after driving it for several years. He changed the 5.3 engine to a 6.0 liter take out from a wrecked van, and about two months ago I rebuilt the failing 4L60 transmission, (my first transmission rebuild). Last weekend my son and I took the pickup bed off and changed out the failing fuel pump at the queen mine campground in Bisbee.

[J. Morgan]

When taking out an older truck knowing the failure point of components is helpful. With a Silverado, front wheel bearings, the water pump, alternator, starter, and the fuel pump will typically fail between about 180,000 and 220,000 miles. My transmission failure at 225,000 miles was premature as compared to typical.

[StreaminGeo]

I've driven decades-old VW buses across the country multiple times without any issues I couldn't fix in a rest area (except for the one I rolled). Just get your vehicle checked out and go for it.

[blkmagikca]

In 2011 I acquired my 1987 Excella with a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500HD (1st gen 24-valve Cummins). The TV had only 55,000 miles on it. Now, 2018, I've driven/towed from Ontario Canada to the SW (AZ, CA, NV, NM) for the past 7 years - truck odo now 191,000 miles). It gets regular service and has proven to be the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by StreaminGeo

I've driven decades-old VW buses across the country multiple times without any issues I couldn't fix in a rest area (except for the one I rolled). Just get your vehicle checked out and go for it.

I hear you but.......
you can hardly compare a 6.0 diesel with a VW bus! You won't be doing much in a rest area with a 6.0 except waiting for a tow!
The key to driving a 6.0 is engine monitoring and maintenance, and getting rid of the Ford Gold coolant.

[AFTER TAXES]

its on ebay......

[Travel Pro]

Originally Posted by Ted S.

I imagine opinions will be all over the place on this one, which is fine. In fact I encourage and respect all reasonable comments.

I have a cross country trip next year and I am struggling with what to do. I own an immaculate 2005 Ford Excursion with a bulletproofed 6.0. I pick the truck for it’s SUV body as we are a family of 6. It has been near flawless.

Would you replace it or continue with it? My trips are a month at a time and cross the US, next one is from Boston to California, up the coast and home to Boston. If all goes well, there will be two more big trips. One to Alaska, then a northern route with details TBD. These trips are 2 years apart, designed to end when my 3rd kid goes to college, she is 11 now. We also travel the east coast for spring break every 2 years. So you can see the truck will be around 20 years old on its final run if I keep it.

If I replace it I would lay out major money, for something I use just for camping a few times a year. But I would hate to have problems on the road. Struggling with this one, I have a year to figure it out. Part of me really wants to keep it as it has become a part of the family.

I herby approve you forcing your opinions on me.

If you have taken good care of the truck and plan to continue doing so, have a good truck mechanic check it over thoroughly yearly and before each major trip and keep right on using it. There is no reason to not plan on keeping it right on through the 20 years or so you mention. If you check the truck enthusiast forums you'll find many a 20 to 50 year old truck that has been overhauled and kept working. An engine overhaul or swap for a rebuilt, and a transmission overhaul or replace are the two major expenses - and both together are usually less than one third of what you will pay for a new truck with the same capabilities (unless you go crazy on upgrades). 6.0 Ford diesels have a bad reputation for blown head gaskets, blown EGR to coolant transfer tubes, down pipe leaks, and one or two less painful things. All of these problems can be addressed by a mechanic in a preemptive maintenance or you can go till they blow and fix them more expensively then. You have what sounds like a highly desirable vehicle that you can keep on the road reliably with a bit of work and more money than you would wish, but a hell of a lot less money than a new vehicle or an unknown to you less-used trade or independent buy. If you are interested in what the 6.0 or the tranny might need, look at articles on same in Diesel Power or Diesel World. Talk to the vendors listed for products against such issues as you find to worry about and get your pricing. If I had the vehicle you describe, I would hang on to it until somebody outlawed having it. It gets cheaper to own every year compared to a new vehicle and insurance to cover that. Interest rates are getting ready to take the up elevator too if that helps with your decision.

[Ted S.]

Thanks to all who contributed to this Thread with encouragement to keep my old truck going.

Here is a photo of the truck at Bulletproof Diesel undergoing the Tier III Bulletproofing.

[perryg114]

Excursion is a great vehicle. I have 2000 model with a V10 and will keep it till it is not longer cost effective to maintain. The 6.0 is a good engine once it has been bullet proofed as long as it is not running an insane HP tune. Good idea to have a way to measure EGT so you know when to back off going up that mountain. Newer diesels will probably not outlast the warranty with out serious $$$. Run the wheels off it and don't look back. You can laugh when you see post on a $70k new truck needing this and that and more and more gadgets fixed. No DPF or DEF problems with that you have.



Perry

[Overstreet]

Drive an immaculate 2005 Ford cross country?

Not even cross town if I could avoid it. I'm a born and raised Chevy guy. :-)

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

I tow full-time with a 2001 Ford Excursion. 290xxx milesI keep on top of service and enjoy smooth sailing.
No need to fear an older vehicle if you keep it in shape.

*****

I have seen it at Lake Mead National Park! He pulls a 34 foot Airstream. ...am I impressed. You betcha...

[brad1]

Another factor: there are Ford mechanics and parts suppliers everywhere so if you do break down you’ll find it easy to get help

And finally, the older Fords are easier to work on than the newer ones

[pmclemore]

I'm taking my 2004 Duramax to Newfoundland next month. So, yes!

Pat

[featherbedder]

My chev. 2500 4x4 6.00 396 engine, full trailering package & off road is 20 yrs. only repairs rear brakes, tires, battery still looks new, no rust etc. 78,000 miles intend to never replace it. I pull 31 AS skid steer other const. equip. load unilock & other matl. I don't have to keep up w/people that have have fancy new, further more PAID FOR NO LOANS & DIDN'T HAVE STICKER PRICE MORE THAN MY HOUSE COST TO BUILD.. If your pu good condition mechanical and body why pur. new? My chev out works my sons 2003 250 ford set up same spec except engine plus his has rust even tho he keeps clean & maintained.

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by brad1

Another factor: there are Ford mechanics and parts suppliers everywhere so if you do break down you’ll find it easy to get help

And finally, the older Fords are easier to work on than the newer ones

Sort of.....the 7.3 and the 6.0 are the only two HEUI engines ever used in Ford pickups. Many of the 7.3 mechanics are retired now and it's been over 10 years since a 6.0 rolled off the line. With a HEUI engine you have to find a mechanic that knows them, a regular diesel mechanic will be no help and can cost thousands in improper diagnosis-seen it happen more than once. Some Ford dealerships will have the right mechanic....some won't. Sure the 6.7 is complex but the Ford techs will be, or should be, well equipped to work on it since it is the present vs the past.
A good rule of thumb when looking for a HEUI Powerstroke mechanic, check the parking lot and if you don't see some 6.0s and 7.3s in it keep looking.

[AlbertF]

I don’t own a truck, but I’ve had plenty of high mileage cars. I agree with the comments that electrical problems can be the worst issue on older vehicles. I just got rid of a 2001 Volvo that was just fine mechanically, but the central electronic module is failing.
Other than that, look at it this way. If you trust a well-maintained vehicle to get you to work every day, why shouldn’t it get you across the country? Probability is on your side.

[SouthForkAS]

Hell, yeah!
But that depends on the vehicle. Most recent LA -Atlanta via 40 in a 2003 F 150 7700 5.4 with 220K miles, and back, not so much as a hiccup!
A good preflight check helps.

[Thiss]

I would still pull with my 1985 Ram with a 1991 Cummins, if it had air conditioning and airbags for the family.

I still drive it daily.

If your rig handle and runs well why change? If it does on the road you you can always buy new there too.

[ITSNO60]

Is that Bulletproof Diesel in Phoenix? That was the best thing you can do to your 6.0 and you will be able to travel with confidence. The 6.0 has a variable geometry turbo and they like to be worked so keep it working and it won't seize up on you.

[Gsmblue]

I think my next vehicle will be a late diesel excursion! I have always liked them!