Ford Excursion - OVERLAND Buildout Part 1! Roof Mounted Spare and Battery Box. Ep. 9

[@HighlanderMikeGolf]

My favorite part of the build video was the spare tire on the ladder! 😂 Looks like something I would’ve done.😂🤣😂

[@russ_vee_jr4199]

ARRGG on the roof mount spare. How are you going to unmount/remount the spare on the roof? I would prefer a Pivoting Trailer Frame Mount that swings out and allows opening the right-side door. That's my plan for my 2000 Expedition so I can add extra fuel and grey-water tanks in place of the spare and still open the Lift-Gate. Otherwise, I like your build. GOOD STUFF.......

[@TheExcursioners]

Thanks! Its not that hard to get off and on - I didnt go with a pivoting swing arm as we carry bikes and cant have the bike hitch sticking so far out - I also need the barn doors to swing all the way out. The once or twice (hopefully never) times that I need to get the tire off the roof not a huge deal - but I get that it might not be ideal for everyone. The needs of each truck are all so different!

[@hoppy760]

Did you consider front bumper mont for tire? Of course it probably wouldn’t look that cool.

[@TheExcursioners]

Thought about it, but one day I want a new front bumper and winch so wasn't a long term solution.

[@bubbalovesoatmealadventure108]

Love the idea of the Excursion...Oatmeal and eye have been window shopping for one on the Craigs list...you have a very sweet rig sir.

[@TheExcursioners]

Thanks so much! They make great rigs!

[@jfs1291]

Just a couple things I picked up on while watching. 1. You got an awesome setup and I love your vision. 2. It would be a little more costly, but you could get a grill that runs on gas or diesel and run it off of your 44 gallon fuel tank. Then you wouldn't need the propane. 3. That battery setup you made is AWESOME. It fits so well. Just make sure you make it so removing the batteries isn't incredibly difficult or impossible. You will probably need to replace them every 5 years or so

[@TheExcursioners]

Hi John!! Thanks for your support! 1. Thanks Again! 2. Great idea, not sure if stoves can run off of gas (she has the V10) but going to research 100% 3. In part 2 later this week I will show how the batteries are accessible and easy to repair or swap (fuses for aux items are also in the box)

[@jfs1291]

@@TheExcursioners awesome man. So on either Instagram or KZbin, I've seen a few other builds. I know one of the guys used either gas or diesel to run his hot water heater, or his grill. I don't remember exactly. But he used his existing 44 gallon tank to supply it. It'd be pretty awesome to be able to set it up that way

[@Rob-tl9md]

@@TheExcursioners I am sure if it did it wouldn't be very safe and the food wouldn't taste very good.

[@Gendreau113]

@@TheExcursioners A company called Webasto (They make diesel heaters for coolant and air) makes a custom Stove top that is ran only on diesel! Pretty neat for RV application, expecially if your putting a diesel tank on your excursion for the diesel heater, like the other guy said you could completely get rid of the propane, witch is what I'm gonna do. Diesel is easier to come by, plus you can run a diesel/old engine oil mix! So you can essentially get very cheap or free fuel for your stove/heater!

[@kellstat]

Sounds like a bad idea. Get a roof rack that extends forward.

[@Mechanix360]

Nice excursion series! What's under the hood? 7.3, 5.4 or 6.8?

[@TheExcursioners]

6.8 with 110k miles on it! Do kind of wish it was a 7.3 :)

[@twayland6186]

@@TheExcursioners unfortunately you'll never see one of those for sale. Nobody wants to get rid of theirs

[@Mechanix360]

@@twayland6186 true! There becoming more scarce by the moment.

[@hoppy760]

@@TheExcursioners what kind of mpg on highway? I have an F250 with 5.4 2wd but looking at getting an Excursion with 4wd. Not sure if I need a V10 though unless I wanna tow a heavier trailer.

[@russ_vee_jr4199]

​@hoppy760 Hi I would prefer the 2 valve V10. You would appreciate the extra tourqe over the 5.4 just because of the greater gross weight of the Excursion. The torque from a 7.3 is the best but maintenence/upkeep on the 5.4/V10 is much simpler and cheaper. The even a 3 valve V10 is good for 300K/400K, and more, if you change oil @ 5K miles.

[@TheDrummaboy87]

2 agm batteries fit over the fender well very well. I have a diesel heater where the tire was, on top is inverter, 12v blue sea fuse panel, dc to dc and solar charger, amp, distribution block. Join my FB group Diesel Excursions Only, about to share the whole build there.

[@TheExcursioners]

Just joined the group. Your Excursion looks awesome! - I follow one on IG that looks very similar, wondering if its you? Cant wait to see the build!

[@worldofairsoft]

What table is that you attached to the barn door

[@TheExcursioners]

It was a piece of plywood cut to size with a marine grade plastic screwed down on top to act like a cutting board. It is held there by wires and hinges that are riveted into the fiberglass of the door.

[@worldofairsoft]

@@TheExcursioners ahhh thank you

[@worldofairsoft]

@@TheExcursioners Did you do anything to reinforce the barn door?

[@TheExcursioners]

@@worldofairsoft No we did not - I put all my weight on them and they didnt rip off so figured it was good !!! Our daughter sits on the tables all the time.

[@worldofairsoft]

@@TheExcursioners awesome thank you

[@manninggrinnan621]

This is a great idea. I'm considering this to move the weight distribution forward as I pull and old Airstream. The Yakama does not come with that baseplate right? Also are you going to just have the rubber of the tire rub on the roof paint? I guess no one would ever see but I wonder if it would rub all the way to bare metal? Thoughts?

[@TheExcursioners]

I went with the rubber right on the roof. The Yakama has the top plate, for the base plate I went with a sheet of welding metal (went to Ace and it was the largest and strongest sheet they had). Ok so now the not so good news...the tire is giving me some issues, on road it works great, off road the heavy bumps is causing the sheet metal to pop - trying to think of ways to distribute the weight across the roof and was thinking a large bar of aluminum that reach the width of the roof. If you stay on road this currently works great.

[@andycornell201]

bad idea?!?! On a flat concrete surface with ladder. What are the odds you will have to retrieve the spare under those conditions?

[@TheExcursioners]

Haha if we need it we will get it down one way or another. (with a second person it would be easy).

[@samri4192]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@saddlebag4097]

That's why I didn't put my tire on the roof... was afraid I might get a flat by myself and not be able to get the flat tire back up on the roof. Maybe you could lift it to the hood then roll it up the windshield to the roof lol jk.

[@TheExcursioners]

Valid concern!! I always have my wife or a buddy with me when out in the backcountry, when I am working on it though is a different story...haha.

[@mpittman06]

ahahhahaha Tire - 1 Greg - 0

[@capt.alcummins3364]

Really...666 views..how can I FUH kin resist!