After months of searching I found a C R E A M P U F F 2002 Ford Excursion with the legendary 7.3L diesel engine. Cindy and I flew to Dallas earlier this month and drove it home.

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See you at the 2016 Fall Tail of the Dragon!

 

Looks like you are prepping for Yakima in style.

 

Well "kinda" . . . CAA#7 in Yakima is just too far to justify driving out there and back (47 hours each way) for a four day event. We're flying out there and renting a Camaro SS convertible (got a pretty good deal from Hertz) for that event (actually we have set aside two weeks to explore the west coast).

What we're doing right now is trying to get prepared to do some other traveling with the Crossfire though. The plan is to trailer it along, spend a few days exploring an area with the Crossfire, then load up and head out to another area, etc etc. We thought about getting a Motorhome but our idea of "camping out" is checking into a Holiday Inn so we decided to get a diesel Excursion as our travel vehicle / Crossfire hauler. The first test will be probably be to attend the 2016 Texas Motor Speedway event then over to Eureka Springs for a few days then on to the 2016 fall Tail of the Dragon. A trial run before we start to do some serious exploration of our beautiful country.

People plan . . . God laughs . . . We'll see how it goes . . .

 

Fun vehicle. Looks super roomy.

 

Great find Bob. You've got a great plan. I wish I would have bought a 2002 back in 2003 when I bought my F350 w/ the 6.0h No! Many issues as you probably know.

 

And if ya want a test run before you head out to Texas in September you can head to Detroit for the Woodward Dream Cruise in August....I'll be there !!
Woodward Dream Cruise & GTG - August 20, 2016 - Michigan

Maybe even a earlier test run to Pennsylvania in July to hob-*** with some old friends.....
Chrysler National - CICCI Founders Meet Carlisle PA. July 15-17 2016

Looks like a nice tow vehicle for distant travels
I'm still not deceided about CAA7 but leaning toward going !!!!

 

Unfortunately I do know that Ford's 6.0 diesel engine is problematic . . . and I think that's being kind . . .

 

Two weeks on the west coast taking in CAA#7. We fly out July 5th and fly home on July 19th. Then about 10 days in late September / early October for the Texas Motor Speedway, a few days in Eureka Springs (lots more exploring to do there and we HAVE TO drive that road "F" again) and then on to the fall Tail of the Dragon. I just can't justify an August trip up to MI for the Woodward Dream Cruise and that Chrysler National event in Carlisle conflicts with our July trip out on the West Coast. We're not retired yet.

Gary, I truly hope you can find your way to make it out to CAA#7. We'd love to be with you out there!

 

Nice Rig brother! You can make a little mad money with that honey. Sooo... Your going to be here for a couple of weeks eh?

Let us know if you would like some ideas. I know there are no plans to hit Seattle from CAA, but we might arrange a group thing afterward no matter the size of the crew.

 

Ideas are always welcome. We want to head down the Oregon coast and the California coast. If anyone wants to join us (or lead the way) after CAA#7 that would be G R E A T !

 

That is a rare find.... I have a couple of friends with 7.3's and both are well beyond 250k miles and still purring. Well, rattling actually...lol. Once in awhile I will find a dually with low miles, just haven't been able to buy one yet. But my plan is tow mine as well to the track and vacations. I will get there in due time. May have to settle for a duramax when I am finally ready. My Tahoe does ok for the local stuff, but not for a long haul.

 

Nice looking Excursion, and with a 7.3 diesel to boot!!! Looks like it's trimmed out in Eddie Bauer theme. Purpose built for your intended use.

Later,

 

Found a 2003 Eddie Bauer Excursion that's been converted from the 6L Powerstroke to a Cummins 5.9L 12-valve with matching high performance tranny. 25k on engine; 5k on tranny; 168k on frame. Private seller only 165 miles from me. Just might have to go look!

Later,

 

The Eddie Bauer trim was introduced on the Excursion in 2003. For 2000 - 2002 the "Limited" package was the top of the line and similar in appearance. As you may know the 7.3L diesel engine was super-ceded by the (problematic) 6.0L diesel during the 2003 model year. During 2003 production there were a few Eddie Bauer package Excursions produced with the 7.3L diesel. They are rare and hard to find but there are some out there. Set up a search a specific search on E-Bay for what you're looking to find and be patient. Personally, I would stay away from a vehicle that has been "cobbled together" in an engine and transmission transplant as you've described. Just my humble opinion so just sayin' . . .

 

Theirs a company (probably several) that specializes with this conversion. I watched it yesterday on one of the Velocity channel shows. Everything is upgraded to a premium, adaptor plate, flywheel, and right down to new pedal brackets.

 

Very cool find Bob! The 7.3 diesel is very stout engine. A couple gentlemen I work with have well over 200k+ miles clocked. One of them just finished rebuilding his turbo kit, the aftermarket upgraded high flow compressor kits are superior!

Looks like the previous owner took really good care of the exterior, I would imagine the interior to be the same!

Keith