Excursion as a tow monster? Upgrades?

[Blitanicle99]

Hello powerstroke org!

I was a recent member until my 6.0 basically imploded with problems (transmission slipping bad, eating coolant, white smoke, fuel pump issues, egr issues, no start issues and so on)

I'm back in the market but for a 7.3 excursion 4x4

my neighbor happens to have one for with 227k on it and wants 10 grand for it. It's very tempting to be back in a diesel. I was offered a trade on my 6.0 for an 06 Hemi Quad cab 4x4 and I took it in a heartbeat... Nice truck but it's kind of puny



Anyways, this excursion I'm buying will need to tow a 28 foot enclosed rave trailer with 2 sets of wheels and tires, tools and a 2800 lb car inside. Same rig as in my sig.

What kind of upgrades should I be looking at?
Do I need overloads like the 350s? My 6.0 had em
I have a nice Brake controller...

Also how good is that 4 speed trans? Does it downshift for you on a downword slope?

Finally would it be safe to upgrade the turbo and injectors with towing that weight?

And I'll be lifting it on 34s-35s with a levelli
g kit... Any comments there.


Thanks for the help... I await bored at work (I do valet downtown in atlanta) and it's gonna be a long day....

[shu873]

Honestly the 4R100's aren't the greatest transmission in factory form. Not bad but not great. If it's original with 227k on it I would guess it would need a rebuild sooner than later, but that's just an educated guess. The 4R also does not have the tow/haul mode that your 5R in your 6L did. It won't downshift on steep grades, you'll need to use the brakes. I wouldn't let any of that scare you though. An excursion with a 7.3 will tow just about anything you want it to. It'll jerk your race trailer with ease. I believe the Ex's have 3/4 ton suspension gear. Worst case scenario you would want a pair of air helper or leveling bags. With a strong tranny the 7.3 will tow it like it's not even there.

BTW, what kind of car do you run? I'm a pretty avid dirt track enthusiast here in Iowa. Spend a lot of time working on a stock car.

[Blitanicle99]

^^^

so I guess I'll have to rebuild the tranny... Knowing me I'll build the damn thing. Is it the converter that goes bad or the entire trans? I could just upgrade the converter us what I'm thinking.

Also I am running a 2005 Mitsubishi Evo 8. Makes 634 @ 34 PSI and weighs 2800 lbs. Running a full build, ams motor, shepard trans and case, piper cage, toyo r888 285s. Running in the redline time attack and starting scca and NASA events.

[shu873]

Originally Posted by Blitanicle99

^^^

so I guess I'll have to rebuild the tranny... Knowing me I'll build the damn thing. Is it the converter that goes bad or the entire trans? I could just upgrade the converter us what I'm thinking.

Also I am running a 2005 Mitsubishi Evo 8. Makes 634 @ 34 PSI and weighs 2800 lbs. Running a full build, ams motor, shepard trans and case, piper cage, toyo r888 285s. Running in the redline time attack and starting scca and NASA events.

A converter and valve body upgrade will strengthen the trans greatly. If the trans is strong enough to start with that would get you some life out of it. Even with a stock level rebuild a good converter is a good idea along with the VB.

[CT Performance, Inc.]

The excursion needs suspension mods to tow safely..of even not towing. You may also want to check the GVRW for the Ex as its less than the trucks. We have helped hundreds solve the handling problems of the Ex.

whats the loaded trailer weight?

Has that trans been replaced..what year..some were "bad" diode trans.

BTS trans or if yours has been rebuilt VB's TQ converters, coolers will help.

Lots of mods will help towing..TS chip with custom tunes, BD brake, Hensley hitch etc.

Cary

[Blitanicle99]

Originally Posted by CT Performance, Inc.

The excursion needs suspension mods to tow safely..of even not towing. You may also want to check the GVRW for the Ex as its less than the trucks. We have helped hundreds solve the handling problems of the Ex.

whats the loaded trailer weight?

Has that trans been replaced..what year..some were "bad" diode trans.

BTS trans or if yours has been rebuilt VB's TQ converters, coolers will help.

Lots of mods will help towing..TS chip with custom tunes, BD brake, Hensley hitch etc.

Cary

Hmm.

Loaded trailer weight is just under 10k I believe.

I do not know much about the Excursion other than the miles and the owner. He is a military guy, very anal about his vehicles and says it runs great. I think its an 01 and its a Limited (if that even matters on the drivetrain)

Id love to make it a bit bigger, a bit faster and my usual upgrades and make it my tow pig/daily.


My 03 6.0 pulled the trailer great, I sort of wanted a dually but I made due with what I had.

[CT Performance, Inc.]

Here is a pic of mine towing about 7k..hardly even squats and the ride quality is vastly better than stock.

[Shane]

Sorry kind of off topic
Shu873, do you get down to Columbus Junction for the racing there? I used to be the Columbus community club president! That's what happens when you don't make it to the december meeting when they elect officers! Sure miss Iowa, was very sad to leave!

[Blitanicle99]

Okay, I actually took a look and drove such excursion today!

Its a Original Owner, 2001 LTD.

Runs great. Starts right up.


Known issues:

Driver side headlights sometimes doesnt come on... (I'll be upgrading anyway)
Some oil on up pipes (Claimed that it happened when he first got it and didn't known about some sort of plug?)
Passenger side rear brake squeeks..(I don't care)



It is the factory trans, never been rebuilt or replaced. However, he swears its never towed anything, not even once. It was a construction vehicle hauling ladders, wood and such. Its dirty no doubt, but nothing I can't fix in a day of detailing...



Good tires, comes with a hypertech programer...

Factory 6 Disk... That's about it. Everything works as it should...

[Blitanicle99]

No body... ? I needs the help.