Ford Excursion

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Ford Excursion

Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Production:	2000—2005
Assembly:	Louisville, Kentucky
Successor:	Ford Expedition EL/Max Lincoln Navigator L
Class:	Full-size sport utility vehicle
Engine:	7.3 L Powerstroke V8 5.4 L Triton V8 6.8 L Triton V10 6.0 L PowerStroke V8
Wheelbase:	137.1 in (3482 mm)
Length:	226.4 in (5751 mm)
Width:	79.9 in (2029 mm)
Height:	80.4 in (2042 mm)
Curb weight:	7190 lb (3261 mm)
Related:	Ford F-250/350 Super Duty
Similar:	Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL

The Ford Excursion is a full-size sport utility vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company between 2000 and 2005. It was the largest SUV in the lineup while it was produced. Based on the Super Duty pickup truck platform, it offered large V8 (gasoline and diesel) and V10 (gasoline) engines, and seating for up to 9 passengers. It was designed to slot above the Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer in the company's SUV lineup. The Excursion was designed to be classified as a heavy-duty vehicle, as for commercial or rural use, which exempted the vehicle from CAFE fuel economy regulations. The last Excursion was produced on September 30, 2005, at Ford's Louisville plant. Production was cancelled after sales slumped below targets.

[edit] Overview

Pre-facelift Ford Excursion

Introduced in 2000, it was initially criticized for being too large to fit in most home garages. It was longer than the Chevrolet Suburban & GMC Yukon XL, its chief competitors. Opponents also complained about its large weight, and poor fuel economy. Sales were initially good, but slowed as gasoline prices rose. In 2003, the 7.3 L Powerstroke diesel was replaced with a more powerful, and yet more fuel efficient 6.0 L Powerstroke diesel. Industry insiders expected Ford to stop producing the Excursion, but sales continued through the 2005 model year, and production of the Excursion finally ended in September 2005. It was not external criticism that killed the Excursion - rather Ford needed to free up capacity at the Louisville plant that produces the Super Duty pickup trucks. A more fuel efficient, extended-length Expedition, named the Expedition EL, is scheduled to replace the Excursion in the company's lineup for the 2007 model year. The 2007 Lincoln Navigator L will also be based on the same platform as the Expedition EL.

A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard, with a 5-speed automatic introduced in 2003. 2003 also saw the availability of an upmarket Eddie Bauer trim line. The grille was updated for 2005.

The truck uses code U4 in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN.

Engines included the following:

7.3 L Diesel V8, 235 hp-250 hp (2000-2003)
5.4 L V8, 255 hp (2000-2005)
6.8 L V10, 310 hp (2000-2005)
6.0 L Diesel V8, 325 hp (2003-2005)

The Excursion included a unique feature called the "BlockerBeam", which was an under-bumper rollbar-like device that helped stop smaller vehicles from sliding under an Excursion during collisions. The BlockerBeam concept is now widely used in the industry.

[edit] In popular culture

A Mystery Machine limousine of this Excursion was used in the 2004 movie Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
Car Talk did a translation of Ford's Excursion press release.
The Excursion is often mentioned in Rap lyrics, one of the most popular bying by Krazie Bone in Chamillionaire's hit song Ridin', and also an entire song about the vehicle called "Candy Coated Excursion" by ESG (Featuring Slim Thug).

[edit] External links

Ford light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s-present - [edit]
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Compact SUV					Bronco II																	Escape
Mid-size SUV												Explorer
																										Freestyle
																												Edge
Full-size SUV	Bronco																Expedition
																					Excursion
Minivan							Aerostar
																Windstar									Freestar
Pickup	F-Series
	Courier			Ranger
Van	E-Series