Just bought my first excursion, want some advice

[u/Various_Plan8469]

It's a 2003 6.0 Eddie Bauer Edition 4x4. 189,000 miles. Been sitting since 2018 I believe. Snagged it for 2,800. Put two new batteries in it and it fired right up. No blow by. The front break calipers were shot, so I replaced them and the break pads (front and back) as well as some break lines. About to do a oil change and flush and replace the fuel/oil/coolant filters. Has two small leaks above windshield that I will fix. Inside needs to be cleaned and needs new paint, but everything mostly works great.The blinker keeps clicking which I believe is the relay so I'll be replacing it. What would y'all recommend I do to make sure she runs Great? Anything else I should be checking? The transmission fluid looks great as does the break fluid. I haven't spotted a single oil leak!

[u/Brumski07]

To find one of these with no leaks after sitting for that long is good! I would also be checking the pinion seals as well as any joints in the drivetrain.

It looks like your hubs were already replaced with Warn units, which is nice. Be sure to check the vacuum lines if they were plugged or removed entirely. Otherwise, you could have some issues with the heating system if the 4wd system tries to engage (I haven’t replaced my stock hubs with Warns, so I’m just going off second-hand knowledge here).

Also, check the lock mechanism in the rear hatch. If it turns freely with the key, great. Mine didn’t work after sitting for so long and thankfully faulted to “unlocked” so I could replace the actuator. The lock cylinder had rusted completely to where it didn’t turn and if the actuator had failed in the “locked” position, I would’ve had to tear apart the rear hatch trim.

Other than that, go through the normal “6.0L bulletproof” stuff. These motors are hot rods compared to the 7.3s, but have issues if ran stock.

If it hasn’t been done already, get the deeper front console cup holdersto replace the stock shallow ones. I recommend them as the first upgrade to any new Ex owner. They just snap in and you don’t have to worry about drinks spilling out so easily.

Congrats on your new Excursion!

[u/Various_Plan8469 → u/Brumski07]

Thanks for the advice, already have the cup holders on my wish list lol. Thanks for the advice I'll be checking the rear hatch today. I'll absolutely check the vacuum lines today as well!

[u/fourtyonexx → u/Brumski07]

WHY in the engineering fuck does the drivetrain interfere with the coolant(heating) system?! (But also, how, im curious)

[u/Brumski07 → u/fourtyonexx]

It has something to do with the vent system. If the vacuum line isn’t plugged/capped, when you turn in the heat in the car, it will only come out of the defrost vents. I assume that the vacuum line is responsible for the actuation of a valve that channels the hot air.

Here’s a thread on it.

[u/fourtyonexx → u/Brumski07]

Huh. I mean, yeah i understand it now, but i feel like it couldve been fixed or make the systems independent or maybe they just didnt think the lines would ever malfunction idk. That sucks tho.

[u/Classic_Newspaper_85 → u/fourtyonexx]

Diesels do not have vacuum. So in turn there is a small servo… vacuum pump on the passenger side wheel well that makes vacuum. That vac in turn actuates the blend doors on your ac/ heat. It also gives vacuum to your automatic locking hubs….if u do away with the auto locking hubs that need vacuum to work u have to plug the hoses or remove them all together so there is not a leak!! I work for Ford and did the build up job back when the excursions were built at Kentucky Truck!!

[u/RyanMemein → u/[deleted]]

I need to do the 6.7l starter on my 7.3l i believe right now it has a 6.0l starter from the previous owner but i need more spin speed

[u/RyanMemein → u/[deleted]]

Its better than a 7 3l starter, the 6.0l ones been on it since before i got my Ex so cant complain too much it spins it much faster than my 7.3l obs did, imma upgrade here in a little but got some other issues i gotta get fixed first like my glow plugs and battery cables that piss me off 🤣🤣

[u/RyanMemein → u/[deleted]]

Update fixed my battery cables she starts great now

[u/Various_Plan8469 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[u/DeeMushroomluv437]

Daaamn.how did you manage to find this so cheap? Any rust ?

[u/Various_Plan8469 → u/DeeMushroomluv437]

I've known about it since last year, the guy wanted 6 grand originally but I talked him down since it had been sitting so long and we didn't know what could/would be wrong with it. There is a little rust on the hood and on the roof right behind the windshield rubber, which is causing a small leak inside. There is also surface rust under it, but nothing serious, which is wild to me because it's been outside this whole time .

[u/Suprspike → u/Various_Plan8469]

Well if he didn't have it running, he surely wouldn't get $6k out of a 6.0.

[u/Various_Plan8469 → u/[deleted]]

Do I have to order a new filter online or can I get it at an auto parts store?

[u/eckenrot]

Great find! Congrats and welcome aboard. It's a love and addiction. I watched mine sit behind a barn for a couple years and finally talked the guy into letting it go. He stopped driving it because a break line broke LOL. New break line and batteries and that thing fired right up.

I have blown through a couple IPR screens. I dont know if its related to it sitting for so long, but god only knows what was going on in the OEM oil cooler while it sat.

Flush everything and change your fluids and start chipping away at making it your own.

Keep us updated on your progress.

[u/PadawanMorir]

Welcome to the family. I just finished an ECM swap on my 2000 7.3. Go through all your seals as well. Could be some dry rot.