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dcarver · 10-07-2014, 03:47 PM

I'm replacing my 03 suburban 1500 with a diesel of some sort and I've found a 2000 F250 ext cab 7.3 and a 2000 excursion with the 7.3. I know both of these have the torque to get it done, but which would be safer? I'm guessing they're fairly equal but is one better than the other?
In terms of reliability, is one better than the other? The excurion is a 4spd auto and the F250 is a 5spd manual.

jamesrxx951 · 10-07-2014, 04:06 PM

The Excursions were built on the F250 chassis. They are almost identical. I would prefer the auto transmission but check the towing specs on both to see what works for you but I suspect the Excursion with the auto my be rated higher.

jbenoit28 · 10-07-2014, 06:11 PM

The F250 would likely be the easiest hitch up and go deal between the two. I'd rather have an automatic for towing though. The excursion is a great truck, we love ours, but it needs a little work to make it a good tow vehicle. The frame and rear suspension is NOT the same as the F250. It's much softer, and will sag with tongue weight. The geometry will also allow a bit of rear steer which can be interesting in bumpy turns. It's fairly easy to address these issues and not really expensive. Check out a site like powerstroke.org as they have a specific sub forum for the excursion.

Joe

SmokeyWren · 10-07-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarver

I'm guessing they're fairly equal but is one better than the other?

Identical engine and drivetrain.

Quote:

In terms of reliability, is one better than the other?

No.

Quote:

The excurion is a 4spd auto and the F250 is a 5spd manual.

No, if they are both Y2K models, then the stick shifter has a ZF 6-speed hand shaker. 1997 was the last 7.3L diesel with a 5-speed hand shaker.

wandering1 · 10-09-2014, 06:54 AM

Dont worry about torque and transmission until you look at the tow specs for the vehicle. Is either one rated to tow the weight of the trailer??

SmokeyWren · 10-09-2014, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wandering1

Is either one rated to tow the weight of the trailer??

Their GCWR is 20k, so they can pull a lot more gross trailer weight than they can haul the hitch weight of the trailer. Ignore the GCWR an tow rating of those Fords, you cannot get even close to the tow rating without severely overloading the tow vehicle over the GVWR of the tow vehicle.

Since one is an SUV, then apparently the trailer is a TT and not a 5er. My 1999.5 F-250 CC 4x2 diesel was overloded with my 25' 5er that grossed 8,000 pounds with only 15% pin weight. Some TTs have 15% hitch weight, so it could be close. The SUV has more GVWR than the F-250, but the SUV body is heavier than the pickup body, so they both have close to the same payload capacity. Which isn't enough for a TT that grosses more than about 7,000 pounds.

Lots of folks are confused about the towing capability of the X-Car. It can either haul a station wagon load of people and stuff, or it can tow a nice-size TT - but not both at the same time without exceeding the GVWR of the SUV.

The CAT scale is your friend. Use it - and don't exceed the GVWR of your tow vehicle.

dcarver · 10-10-2014, 06:21 AM

Trailer is a 2010 FR surveyor sport295. Loaded up it was just shy of 6600lbs. Its just me, the wife, and baby. We travel with everything in the trailer. Tongue weight was only 650lbs. I'm working on increasing that though. Little too much sway.

JohnBoyToo · 10-10-2014, 06:32 AM

Having owned 3 Ex's that were great !
(and the wife said I pouted when I got rid of them

)

If you are buying to tow, I would consider moving up to a more recent vehicle since those are 14 year old vehicles... and while they may be perfect, just like US, age doesn't necessarily improve performance and reliability !

As stated, the Ex's are softly sprung and at the very least would need a good wgt distributing hitch - which we had the best - a NICE ProPride 3P!
but even then, more work had to be done...

Good luck !

Dasmoeturhead · 10-10-2014, 08:54 PM

This is a tough one, because I had a 2001 V-10 powered Excursion, and it was a beast. What has already been said is true. Softly sprung, not 5th wheel capable of course, and the 7.3 is a little long in the tooth, but still a very capable engine, and you can still find plenty of aftermarket parts if needed. The auto trans these days can handle more power. Manuals are fine, but the clutch will be the determing factor on how much power you can put on the pavement.

If I only had the choices you described, I' d go with the pickup. And that is because they just have a stiffer suspension. There are also a lot more parts and stuff for an F-250 than there are for a Excursion. Same basic running gear, actually interchangeable for the most part, but you will have to do your homework, trying to find a place that will offer Excursion parts in there adds.

I loved and miss my Ex. It was a very capable Giant Suv. They are still a sought after vehicle. They Don't make them like that anymore, and tree huggers haye them. Lol.