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2001 Excursion Alaska Overlander

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stlaser:


2001 Ford Excursion V10 Limited w/ 190k on the clock.

We went to Bozeman for a long weekend last week and brought this back home with us. I loaned it to my middle daughter a couple years ago to have something to drive after her first semester at college. She drove it for nine months and then bought herself a low mileage Ford Explorer. So that September our youngest who joined her sister at college started driving it and has for the last 18 ish months. She just bought herself a low mileage Ford Edge.

I drove this home 5 hours and it’s got a bit more wear and tear on it now and the steering isn’t as tight any longer. I was unsure what to do with it honestly. It needs paint, some steering love at some point and a couple other small things. I do still have a pile of new parts for it I had gathered prior to loaning it out. However, it’s been extremely reliable and does what we have asked of it for the last 5 or so years.

Then enter Don’s Alaska trip which has been on my bucket list for some time………

Yes, I know. You could make a meme from the photo. The other project sitting looking at the new project with jealousy.


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stlaser:
So here’s the plan. Yes we own a fifth wheel but I refuse to tow it to Alaska and get beat to death. In bed campers are heavy, not for me. Add in the fact that the best trips wife and I have done were in my little work van with a full size mattress tossed in the back roughing it. Last minute and no real frills. The fifth wheel is luxury but at a cost.

*2005+ Superduty axles freshened up

Benefits
-coil spring front
-fits 35’s with stock oem coil springs or perhaps 37’s but I’m not a fan of the look of these on 37’s
-new wheels
-already own a custom set of new rear alcans
-much better braking
-tighter turning plus 1550 ujoint shafts
-Yukon lockouts if Tate ever releases them….
-4.88 or 5.13 gears versus 4.30 oem
-grizzly rear locker as I have one on shelf
-front locker already own a Spartan or go for an Ox cable actuated locker?
-will upgrade sway bars
-may add rear bags if needed but trying to keep it lighter so hoping not for now

*Paint & Body

-raptor line the exterior completely, (maybe a new brighter color so the old guys in the caravan can see me and not get lost?)

-bumpers front and rear with front winch (think pulling old guys out after them getting stuck in a mulch bed) this will be plate center sections and skeletal tubing wings to keep it lighter overall but still add needed protection for deer and accessories.

-roof rack & rear rack, it does have a 44 gallon fuel tank but would like extra fuel capacity and move spare tire to exterior. Our kayaks will be on the roof for trips. Possible bike racks on rear. Small propane tank mount.

-camp shower mount off upper rack, probably just use solar bags for warmer water.

*Interior

-remove all rear seats
-repair drivers seat bottom
-add / upgrade some electronics (communication, driving, cameras)
-12v chest fridge / freezer arb or dometic
-deep cycle battery and possibly roof solar
-cassette toilet for better half
-full size rv mattress from Wilderness RV which we have in fifth wheel and love it.
-under bed storage in rear
-rear cargo door storage upgrade and fold down tables
-window screen on rear side doors for ventilation
-modify rear upper window hatch to swing up farther, must for tall guys

Plan is to use this for Alaska trip then dirt bike trips to places such as Moab, KOH etc in the future. Our second camper type setup but definitely more nimble and easier to get into for off the road places.


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Flyin6:
I'm diggin' this!

wilsonphil:

--- Quote from: stlaser on March 01, 2024, 10:40:38 AM ---So here’s the plan. Yes we own a fifth wheel but I refuse to tow it to Alaska and get beat to death. In bed campers are heavy, not for me. Add in the fact that the best trips wife and I have done were in my little work van with a full size mattress tossed in the back roughing it. Last minute and no real frills. The fifth wheel is luxury but at a cost.

*2005+ Superduty axles freshened up

Benefits
-coil spring front
-fits 35’s with stock oem coil springs or perhaps 37’s but I’m not a fan of the look of these on 37’s
-new wheels
-already own a custom set of new rear alcans
-much better braking
-tighter turning plus 1550 ujoint shafts
-Yukon lockouts if Tate ever releases them….
-4.88 or 5.13 gears versus 4.30 oem
-grizzly rear locker as I have one on shelf
-front locker already own a Spartan or go for an Ox cable actuated locker?
-will upgrade sway bars
-may add rear bags if needed but trying to keep it lighter so hoping not for now

*Paint & Body

-raptor line the exterior completely, (maybe a new brighter color so the old guys in the caravan can see me and not get lost?)

-bumpers front and rear with front winch (think pulling old guys out after them getting stuck in a mulch bed) this will be plate center sections and skeletal tubing wings to keep it lighter overall but still add needed protection for deer and accessories.

-roof rack & rear rack, it does have a 44 gallon fuel tank but would like extra fuel capacity and move spare tire to exterior. Our kayaks will be on the roof for trips. Possible bike racks on rear. Small propane tank mount.

-camp shower mount off upper rack, probably just use solar bags for warmer water.

*Interior

-remove all rear seats
-repair drivers seat bottom
-add / upgrade some electronics (communication, driving, cameras)
-12v chest fridge / freezer arb or dometic
-deep cycle battery and possibly roof solar
-cassette toilet for better half
-full size rv mattress from Wilderness RV which we have in fifth wheel and love it.
-under bed storage in rear
-rear cargo door storage upgrade and fold down tables
-window screen on rear side doors for ventilation
-modify rear upper window hatch to swing up farther, must for tall guys

Plan is to use this for Alaska trip then dirt bike trips to places such as Moab, KOH etc in the future. Our second camper type setup but definitely more nimble and easier to get into for off the road places.


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--- End quote ---

From my experience in RC, two spare tires for sure so that should/might drive you tire choice. 

Not sure of the MPG and tank size of your unit but from Coldfoot AK to Deadhorse AK is 250 MI and there is NOTHING in between there was an automated fuel station in Deadhorse BUT if it broken or gone then you need enough fuel to get back to Coldfoot.  Fuel in general should be planned for there are not as many fuel stations along the way.  This road is mostly gravel so DO NOT paint your truck or replace the windshield if it has a chip or crack, you will need one after the trip anyway.

Tools and and hard to get spares you might need, fresh hoses and belts, filters and fluids.  Basic recovery tools, don't know how hard core your are going or places you intend on visiting it will drive how you outfit your rig.

Got lots more let me know what other info you want to know, lots of parts stores thru CA and in AK most were pretty well stocked.

stlaser:
All great info, I’ve been told two spares from others, bedliner will be on the exterior so no worries. It has 44 gal tank from the factory but was planning several rear sceptor 5 gallon cans. I doubt I go to the artic or that far north. I’ve seen plenty of pics and it’s desolate on north slope. I’m also not interested in paying $75 for a bus ride so I can dip my toes.

Goal is to keep the cog lower, once you go to 37’s they tend to get tall on these trucks. So I’m thinking 35’s and possibly shave the rear diff.

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