2003 7.3 diesel or 2005 6.0 diesel

[JJR]

If you get a diesel with under 130k that is low milage. I would focus more on the condition of the vehicle and its maintainence history and less on the actual mileage. All in all the overall condition of the vehicle says alot about how it was cared for and becomes more apparent around 100k. Good luck.

[kennymax]

This was my question on a seperate topic"Im looking to buy a ford excursion but everyone is telling me dont get a 6.0. Is it really that bad or should i wait till a 7.3 comes along.I want to do a 8-10 inch lift regear and put 37 or 38s on it.I plan on doing it right its just the 6.0 is scaring me any direction please i prefer a 2004 0r 5 but the price range looks like an 03. "
Now after reading this how much would it cost to upgrade the head studs on a 6.0 and b bullet proof...also what amt of miles should i try and stay under thanks again.

[jsimon724]

Definitely consider the 05 6.0. Best looking front end, better tranny, easy power gains with tuning. Stock intake is good (although I really like my Airraid set-up), go with 4" TB exhaust, SCT x3 tuner. Have someone check the Oasis report for you. As long as you don't go crazy with high HP tunes, you have a good chance of keeping your stock head-bolts and gaskets. Also, look for signs of white residue around the de-gas bottle cap. A little bit isn't anything to be alarmed about, but if you see alot it's probably been puking coolant & might indicate potential HG issues.
Excursion is definitely the king of SUV's, seats 7 and pulls 11-12k with ease. Easily the toughest looking SUV on the road, too!
Good luck in your search.

Jim

[jsimon724]

Oh, forgot to add - make sure you get gauges. Trans temp, EGT, boost (an 05 should have factory boost gauge-works pretty good), coolant temp and oil temp are good to have also. Fuel pressure is also very important on the 6.0 (probably 7.3 as well). You can go analog gauges (on A-pillar, overhead, etc) or digital. I'm running the Edge Insight on mine. Gives you all the above except fuel pressure. They sell an optional pyro probe for EGT's, definitely worth it.

Jim

[SAR Pirate]

Originally Posted by Raul@Stealth Automotive

if i had a choice i would do the 6.0L.. more power and a bullit proff trans... think of it this way.. with the 7.3L your going to have to drop at least 3k into a built trans... on the 6.0L your gonna spend around the same to stud it and do a EGR delete... but you have 5speeds which will get you way better MPG and it will produce more power off of just a tuner than the 7.3L

Can the later model trans be mated or adapted to, the 7.3?

Seems to me the best of both worlds

[RamIt]

Nope.....,

[SAR Pirate]

Originally Posted by RamIt

Nope.....,

Oh well. Never hurts to ask

[FourFun]

We love our 04, its got plenty of giddyup

[Countryboy07]

If you can find a low mileage '05 Ex, I would get it. Since '05 was the last year they made the Ex. Also, the 6.0L is a great engine when upgraded with the proper way. I have an '03 6.0L and couldn't be happier with it. I was afraid of the 6.0L when I first got it, but it has proven itself to me and I will deffenitly buy another one if I don't buy a 6.4L first.

-French

[GS247]

I have had my 03 for a year now, and love it.

If you stud it and do the egr delete it will be dang near bullet proof. Although i have done neither and no major problems with 113k mi.