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Old 11-23-2015, 09:03 AM   #21
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A lot depends on your comfort level and needs. I have a 4x4, a friend insists only on 2wd. When towing I use 4wd usually about twice a year to get my rig in or out of a spot, usually when on wet grass or backing up a gravel slope. It really is more about security and knowing you can get where you need to go without making a mess. I am also in Minnefreeza, so it is nice to have 4wd to get home from work some days.

Operating costs, you do loose an mpg or maybe more, under normal driving conditions. In 4wd you definitely use more fuel. Maintenance on a 4wd verses 2wd is the same. Tow and cargo capacity does decrease with 4wd. Confidence you can get around when you need or want to is priceless.
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Old 11-23-2015, 10:21 AM   #22
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I tow with a 4wd. But I use truck for other things and its hilly here in north GA and on the rare occasion of snow, I'm glad I have it.
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Old 11-23-2015, 10:53 AM   #23
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Always 4WD never know when you might need it.
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Old 11-23-2015, 11:39 AM   #24
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While I have only needed 4wd a couple of times for getting in or out of campsites (typically wet grass), it is an absolute necessity in Wisconsin for the winter. Since my truck is my daily driver it was a no brainer when I ordered it. As others have said, I would rather have it and not need it than be stuck without it.
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Old 11-23-2015, 11:45 AM   #25
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I most likely traded in my last 2WD pickup in April on one with 4wd. Granted, the chances of me NEEDING it are relatively slim around here. And in all the years I've owned 2wd pickups I could probably count on one hand the number of times I wished I had 4wd. Not very strongly in favor of 4wd right?

Well, I look at it this way; it's kind of like insurance. You may never need it, buy you're sure glad you have it when you DO need it! With my family exploring further and further from home base, and with cross-country trips on the not-so-distant horizon, I look at it as very valuable insurance. Going that far, you never know what you're going to come across, and it's best to be prepared for any and everything. Couple that with my new truck probably being with us for AT LEAST 10 years, and the uncertainty is even greater, necessitating greater preparedness.

If I were you, I would hold out as long as possible for 4wd. But the simple fact is that we don't live in a perfect world, and you might have to pull the trigger on 2wd. You do the best you can!
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Old 11-23-2015, 01:20 PM   #26
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I also prefer 4WD. I have used the 4WD on road and in campgrounds, but even more often I use low range 2WD (old truck, manual front hubs). It lets me make easier, slower movements getting into sites and pulling up onto boards. I almost never have to use throttle this way.
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Old 11-23-2015, 01:38 PM   #27
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One other thing is where do like do or want to travel. I would love to do some serious off road driving, but not in with my every day commuter vehicle, that is what the toys are for. However, I have been to Montana, Wyoming, outer Banks (NC) and other places off the beaten path and having a vehicle that is capable of taking us were we want to go is great. Last time to Glacier, we were coming back from a day trip way off the beaten path (75+ miles of dead end gravel road). We came upon a flooded road (was not flooded that morning), watched another vehicle go through, decided it was not too bad, but I put it in 4wd, just to be safe, as I did not want to stop in 1-1.5 feet of water. It was kinda sad all the trucks drove through, but all the cars where stopped on all the high spots between the flood areas.
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Old 11-23-2015, 01:47 PM   #28
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+1 on the 4x4. You mentioned getting a V-10. Have you talked with anyone that has one? A camping friend of mine has an F250 CC with the V10 and from what he has told me about it I am not impressed. Bad fuel mileage and only so-so power. Good luck on your search!
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Old 11-23-2015, 02:04 PM   #29
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As the owner of a 4WD Excursion, I first have to say I LOVE my car! All 3 of our vehicles (my car and 2 pickups, we use them for work and play) are 4WD and diesel and wouldn't have it any other way. I would suggest possibly rethinking the V-10. For a very brief time, we had a F250 with the V-10 and it was a HUGE mistake. It was a gas HOG and didn't pull worth a darn. I don't know about in an Excursion, but IMO the V10 in the 250 was terrible.
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Old 11-23-2015, 02:58 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by CampFlyer View Post
As the owner of a 4WD Excursion, I first have to say I LOVE my car! All 3 of our vehicles (my car and 2 pickups, we use them for work and play) are 4WD and diesel and wouldn't have it any other way. I would suggest possibly rethinking the V-10. For a very brief time, we had a F250 with the V-10 and it was a HUGE mistake. It was a gas HOG and didn't pull worth a darn. I don't know about in an Excursion, but IMO the V10 in the 250 was terrible.
I guess I mentioned the V10 in another thread? Yes, I am strongly leaning g towards the 7.3 4X4 Excursion. I was worried about the lost payload with that combo but after talking to some other Excursion owners they said a simple rear spring swap could take care of that.

Now, if I could just find one that hasn't had a bunch of mods such as lifts and bigger tires for the right price we'd be set!
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Old 11-23-2015, 03:12 PM   #31
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there IS 4-5 2002 model year on EBAY.
Ford Excursion Limited Sport Utility 4 Door | eBay
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Old 11-23-2015, 03:44 PM   #32
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there IS 4-5 2002 model year on EBAY.
Ford Excursion Limited Sport Utility 4 Door | eBay
That particular one is a 2WD. I have been watching Ebay. I realize now that I have to be quicker. There was one locally but we didn't come to the conclusion that was what we wanted soon enough. I don't feel too comfortable buying one from across the country. Does anyone have much experience with that?

I have a pretty long thread going on the Ford Truck Enthusiast forum under Excursion, King of SUV's. Any input appreciated though especially when it comes to towing.
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Old 11-23-2015, 06:13 PM   #33
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4wd or 2wd?

I have a 4wd Excursion with the V10. Just this spring I had to pull my brother out of the storage lot when he got stuck with his 2wd F350 with the 7.3 towing a 10k FW. I also pulled my FIL out from being stuck in a field with his 4wd F150 while we were out hunting.

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
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Old 11-29-2015, 12:40 PM   #34
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Thanks for all the replies! Picked up our first Excursion last night. A 2001 6.8 V10 4X4 4.3 gears with 108,000 miles. You guys definitely helped make up our minds to go the 4WD route. Now I'm going to search the forums for advice on good brake controllers.


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Old 11-29-2015, 12:44 PM   #35
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Wow! Looks like it's in darn good shape too! Congrats!
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Old 11-29-2015, 12:47 PM   #36
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It is in great shape. Very little visible wear on outside. Inside very nice too with slight wear on leather but not too bad. Bought from a Ford dealership and they fixed it up and give a 6 month warranty on powertrain. Supposedly belonged to celebrity Dylan McDermott.
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Old 11-29-2015, 03:57 PM   #37
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Great find! Very low miles for a 2001. And awesome that it has the 4.30 gears. I need to upgrade mine soon.
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Old 11-29-2015, 06:07 PM   #38
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Very nice. I was keeping an eye on your search on FTE as well. Congrats
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Old 11-29-2015, 07:17 PM   #39
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I have had Jeeps w/4WD (46 Willies, 67CJ7) and when we ordered the F150 from Ford in 2012 I decided to go with 2WD, based on our past camping experiences. To this day I have yet had a use for 4WD, but that being said I live in Central Florida and do not drive on the beaches. We have taken trips to Colorado and we stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains each summer. We plan our travel around the weather, so far it has worked.

I guess I have been lucky!!

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Old 11-29-2015, 07:29 PM   #40
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I've had 2 Excursions, first one was a 2000 with the V-10. Awesome motor but the best gas mileage I could eke out of it was around 14. Towing a lighter rig than I have now was around 9 at best. I changed the oil religiously every 3k and air filters when needed. Traded it in with 160k with original spark plugs and the engine/tranny never missed a beat! 2nd was an '05 with the 6l powerstroke that I traded in on my current truck. Keep up on the maintenance and she'll treat you well. Ford is bringing back the Ranger and Bronco, maybe they'll think about the EX. It was a very popular vehicle as I still see a lot of them on the road today.
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