which year ex is the best

Randall12v · Jul 30, 2012

Looking to get an excursion... Between the 7.3 and 6.0 which have people had best luck with. I know bout all the 6.0 problems. More interested to find out which would be best later on for a cummins/zf6 swap. In general which years were good, which had known problems? I would be driving this for a year or two before swapping engine/trans.

Thanks,
Mark

CSIPSD · Jul 30, 2012

I would get the newest one you can afford. They only got better with new upgrades.

Randall12v · Aug 2, 2012

Most have same options through all the years, correct? Most likely will be looking for limited or eb edition.

LReiff · Aug 2, 2012

Unlike the F series the 05 still has leaf springs up front.

GreenMachine · Aug 2, 2012

LReiff said:
Unlike the F series the 05 still has leaf springs up front.

Really?? wow learn something new everyday.

My parents have a 02 ex and its approacing 200k and knock on wood the motor has never been opened, body is mint, and no huge problems.

A new rear end is about the only major thing replaced besides doing OBSWIZ's suspension swap to help the soft ex suspension.

latest model 7.3 gets my vote.

golfer · Aug 3, 2012

GreenMachine said:
latest model 7.3 gets my vote.

agreed.

Arisley · Aug 5, 2012

If you are looking at doing a Cummins swap, I would just by the newest I could afford, even if it was a gasser.

Dslfumes · Aug 6, 2012

If its for a cummins swap I would look for a high mileage 5.4 or V10. I've seen plenty of nice ones for $5k-$7k.

For what it's worth I just picked my wife up a close to mint '01 Limited w/ a 7.3. It's nice and all but it's still 11 years old and shows a little age.