Ford Excursion

Ford Excursion
2000-2004 Ford Excursion
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1999–2005[1]
Assembly	Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size SUV
Body style	4-door SUV with 2 rear barn doors[2]
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Ford Super Duty
Powertrain
Engine	5.4 L Triton V8 gas 6.8 L Triton V10 gas 7.3 L Powerstroke V8 turbodiesel 6.0 L PowerStroke V8 turbodiesel
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	137.1 in (3,482 mm)
Length	226.7 in (5,758 mm)
Width	2000–01: 80.0 in (2,032 mm) 2002–05: 79.9 in (2,029 mm)
Height	4WD: 77.2 in (1,961 mm) 2WD: 74.8 in (1,900 mm)
Curb weight	7,725 lb (3,504 kg) (Turbodiesel) 7,230 lb (3,280 kg) (Gas)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Bronco
Successor	Ford Expedition EL/Max

The Ford Excursion was a heavy duty, full size sport utility vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2000 through 2005 for the North American market and through 2006 for Mexico. Based on the heavy-duty, full-size Super Duty line of trucks. The Excursion was Ford's largest SUV in its lineup, and the largest and heaviest on the North American market during the tenure of its production. It competed mainly against the lighter duty Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL 1500 and 2500 models.

Overview

2005 Ford Excursion

The Excursion was introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model-year vehicle. It was described as the "biggest sport utility on the planet."^[3] Sales were initially good, peaking in the 2000 model year with over 50,000 sales. As gasoline prices rose, sales declined.^[4] Industry insiders expected Ford to stop producing the Excursion, but sales continued through the 2005 model year. 2005 model grills and bumpers were changed to match the newer styling of the Super Duty trucks.

The last Excursion was produced on September 30, 2005, at Ford's Louisville plant, although the last Excursions were sold as 2006 models for the Mexican market. Production of the Excursion was canceled to focus on Super Duty pickup trucks.^[5]

An extended-length Expedition half-ton, named the Expedition EL (Max in Canada and Mexico) replaced the Excursion in the company's lineup for the 2007 model year.

Design

Concept

Designed for buyers with super-sized passenger, interior cargo and towing needs, the Excursion design was based on the 1999 F250 Super Duty line of pickup trucks. It shares the front frame, front and rear suspension, drivetrain, steering and styling with the F250. The length, width, track and wheelbase are the same as the standard cab 8 feet bed Styleside pickup models and has similar maneuverability. It is essentially a F250 modified into a SUV.^[6]

Drivetrain

An Excursion in use as an emergency vehicle

Engines included the standard gasoline Triton 5.4 L V8, as well as the optional gasoline Triton 6.8 L V10, and the Power Stroke 7.3 L V8 diesel engine. The 2003 models replaced the 7.3 L International diesel with a more powerful 6.0 L International diesel.

A 4-speed 4R100 automatic transmission was the standard transmission for all years of gas engines and the 7.3 diesels. Later vehicles equipped with the 6.0 liter diesel came with a 5 speed Torqshift transmission. ^[7]

The 5.4 L Triton V8 was rated at 255 hp (190 kW; 259 PS) and 350 lb·ft (475 N·m). The 6.8 L Triton V10 produced 310 hp (231 kW; 314 PS) and 425 lb·ft (576 N·m). The 6.0 L Powerstroke Diesel was rated at 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS) and 560 lb·ft (759 N·m). In mid 2004, due to multiple 6.0 engines having injector failures, Ford down-tuned all 6.0 engines to 325 hp (242 kW; 330 PS). The rear axle for all Excursions was a Sterling 10.5 axle. The four wheel drive models were equipped with a NV273 transfer case and Dana 50 front axle.

• 5.4 L V8, 255 hp (190 kW; 259 PS) 2000–2005
• 6.8 L V10, 310 hp (231 kW; 314 PS) 2000–2005
• 7.3 L Diesel V8, 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) 2000–2003
• 6.0 L Diesel V8, 325 hp (242 kW; 330 PS) Down-tuned - 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS) Originally 2003–2005

The powertrain components are the same as those offered in the Super Duty truck.

Fuel economy

Built using the same platform and powertrain as the Super Duty (a line of trucks over 8,500 lb (3,900 kg) GVWR), the Excursion received complaints and criticism over its fuel economy as a passenger vehicle, while Super Duty line-up did not. ^[8]

The Excursion was designed to be classified as a heavy-duty vehicle, as for commercial or rural use, with a GVWR 8,900 lb (4,000 kg) - gasoline V10 engine and 9,200 lb (4,200 kg) - any diesel engine which exempted the vehicle from CAFE fuel economy regulations and quoting United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) fuel economy estimates.^[9]

Blocker Beam

The Excursion was modified to include an under-bumper blocker beam device first developed by the French transportation ministry in 1971.^[10] This was because initial crash testing resulted in the Excursion severely over-riding a Ford Taurus in a head-on collision. In the test, the Excursion's tire ended in the Taurus's windshield, reducing the chance of survival for the Taurus driver.^[10]

Trims

The truck uses code U4 in the 5th and 6th positions of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

In 2003 the Excursion saw the availability of an upmarket Eddie Bauer trim line.

Yearly U.S. sales

References

External links

Media related to Ford Excursion at Wikimedia Commons