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Bing-Bing · 09-30-2005, 03:57 PM

just a quick question. Should I stay away from the 6.0 diesel and buy the 7.3 diesel from ford? I have heard of some problems with the 6.0. thanks, Bing-Bing

Antique Pedaler · 09-30-2005, 04:42 PM

I read the archives before buying mine....nobody seemed to have any problems. Nor have I.

85MH325 · 09-30-2005, 04:44 PM

Hi, Bing-Bing. Welcome to the Forums! I have a Y2k V10 Ex. I have driven both the 7.3 and 6.0 Excursions. The 7.3l is a VERY heavy engine. The Ex's with it drive very differently than the 6.0.

I haven't heard of anything particularly problematic with either engine.

Here's a resource you might find useful:

http://www.supermotors.org/clubs/for...rums/index.php

Roger

wahoonc · 09-30-2005, 05:42 PM

Bing-Bing,
There were some issues with the very early 6.0 PSD but they have been all worked out. The 6.0 is an awesome engine and can be prodded to produce ungodly amounts of torque and very good horsepower. My personal favorite is 7.3 because it is what I am used too and from what I gather gets slightly better mileage...another good website for info is www.dieselstop.com

Aaron

overlander63 · 09-30-2005, 06:10 PM

The 6.0 had problems with oil leaks, if you get a used one, have it checked carefully for lube oil leaks.

Bing-Bing · 09-30-2005, 06:21 PM

thank you all for the input. i think i saw the leaking newsw on the diesel stop.com. not having driven either the 7.3 or the 6.0 how do they differ?? I was thinking of going with the v10 but did not know of anybody who towed with one. how do you like yours? thanks Bing-Bing

overlander63 · 09-30-2005, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bing-Bing

thank you all for the input. i think i saw the leaking newsw on the diesel stop.com. not having driven either the 7.3 or the 6.0 how do they differ?? I was thinking of going with the v10 but did not know of anybody who towed with one. how do you like yours? thanks Bing-Bing

The 6.0 and the 7.3 are both great pullers. The 6.0 has more torque and horsepower, as well as getting a tad more mileage than the 7.3. It also revs higher, and runs quieter than the 7.3 It is also lighter than the 7.3, but it does have the oil leak issue, which seems to be an unfortunate consequence of its modular design. The 6.0 also vibrates less, mainly because it has a different ignition timing and lower compression .

85MH325 · 09-30-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bing-Bing

thank you all for the input. i think i saw the leaking newsw on the diesel stop.com. not having driven either the 7.3 or the 6.0 how do they differ?? I was thinking of going with the v10 but did not know of anybody who towed with one. how do you like yours? thanks Bing-Bing

I haven't driven either diesel for any period of time other than test drives, so all I can do is give my initial impressions, but the 7.3l was noisy and had really heavy steering compared to the V10 and 6.0l versions. I don't know if that was just that specific truck, or it's endemic to all of the 7.3s. The 6.0l seemed to have more pickup and generally was more responsive, although I remember the 7.3 for it's awesome roll-on power.

I really like my V10 Ex. It's got the 3:73 rear end. The 4:11 is probably a better trailer hauler, but they're really hard on gas. It took a long time to figure out what to do to stop the rear axle wrap and attendent problems while towing, but it is now a rock solid tow vehicle. I generally average 14-15 mpg combined driving, and 10-12 mpg towing. Other than the initial wiggles in the rear end that I've resolved, I've had no issues with the truck at all. The only mod I've done to it is to put a K&N intake on it.

Roger

RivetED · 09-30-2005, 09:40 PM

I've been following the 6.0 since before it's debut. I bought the 7.3 on my current 3/4 ton because the 6.0 had only just been released, I didn't want a new-to-the-market motor. The 7.3 was a proven platform. IMHO: The 6.0 has it's merits but it also has had a few infancy problems. Ford/International is on it's 3rd set of injectors, many early problems. The dual injection per power stroke (common rail injection-makes diesels run quieter) was disabled for a portion of the '05 production year because of continuing injector probs. A friend of ours is on their 3rd EGR valve at 65K, exhust valve recirculation was mandated on all diesels in Nov. of '03...EPA-remember the early '70's gas motors?. The upside is Ford is determined to overcome these problems, but the motor is made by International. Also, the 6.0 has a lot more H.P. than my 7.3, both do have a 100K warranty, very limited after 36K with no extended coverage. I'm still not sure if my next diesel is going to be a Ford. I would not buy an '03 or '04 and only consider an '05.

Bing-Bing · 10-01-2005, 07:20 AM

Roger I had not heard of this problem befor. How did you solve it? Bing.

85MH325 · 10-01-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bing-Bing

Roger I had not heard of this problem befor. How did you solve it? Bing.

Bing, here are a few threads you might find interesting:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ight=excursion

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=radius+rods

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=radius+rods

http://www.supermotors.org/clubs/for...id=27005#27005

http://www.supermotors.org/clubs/for...ight=airstream

http://www.supermotors.org/clubs/for...id=25754#25754

After you wade through all that, let me know if you have any questions!

Roger

Bing-Bing · 10-01-2005, 08:02 PM

thanks for the insights. I think I will go with the 2002 7.3 diesel. who sells the helwig rear sway bar and t- bars?? Summit? Jegs?? thanks....

Steve Heywood · 10-01-2005, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bing-Bing

thanks for the insights. I think I will go with the 2002 7.3 diesel. who sells the helwig rear sway bar and t- bars?? Summit? Jegs?? thanks....

Why do you think you need a rear sway bar?

I ask because the stock rear suspension of my 05 F250 (no overloads) is more than enough for my 30' Excella and any load I care to include.

85MH325 · 10-01-2005, 08:40 PM

Steve... read the links on the post above. The Superduty trucks don't have the problem. The Excursion only has half the spring stack of the superduty Ford trucks. It needs radius rods AND the sway bar to keep the rear axle centered under the truck unladen. The spring stack alone can't do the job. It's much worse when towing.

Bing, there are a number of suppliers for the Helwig bars... I bought mine from Summit Racing. Land Yot on Excursions.com custom builds the radius rods. Some of the late model Ex's come equipped with factory sway bars, but the Helwig units are heavier.

Roger

Bing-Bing · 10-02-2005, 08:42 AM

Thanks rodger I'll look into those further....Bing

overlander63 · 10-02-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Heywood

Why do you think you need a rear sway bar?

I ask because the stock rear suspension of my 05 F250 (no overloads) is more than enough for my 30' Excella and any load I care to include.

To add to Roger's post, the Excursion uses less springs to give a softer ride, as it is technically a passenger vehicle. If you get one, you can replace the springs with F250 springs, and eliminate the problem. Just be aware, if you do, you will get a much stiffer ride.

85MH325 · 10-02-2005, 12:59 PM

Terry, I'm not sure that they're a direct replacement... I think I read (I'm getting old y'know) that there is a difference in shackle placement on the frame between the Ex and the Superduty trucks... but don't quote me on that...

I can tell you that putting decent shocks, a Helwig sway bar and the radius rods made the ride much more stiff... not quite unpleasant, but enough harder to notice the difference. I can't imagine how harsh Superduty springs would make it!

Roger

overlander63 · 10-02-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Terry, I'm not sure that they're a direct replacement... I think I read (I'm getting old y'know) that there is a difference in shackle placement on the frame between the Ex and the Superduty trucks... but don't quote me on that...

I can tell you that putting decent shocks, a Helwig sway bar and the radius rods made the ride much more stiff... not quite unpleasant, but enough harder to notice the difference. I can't imagine how harsh Superduty springs would make it!

Roger

Roger, I have changed them out, but, like you, I am getting older... I can't remember if I had to perform any modifications when installing them. Next time the customer brings it in for service, I will duck under it and see if anything strikes me...