Introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model year, the Excursion was immediately criticized for being too large to fit in most home garages and its poor fuel economy (around 12-14 mpg highway and 8-10 mpg city) relative to the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, its chief competitors . Shortly before launch, the Sierra Club awarded the Excursion an "Exxon Valdez" award for this reason, in reference to the ill-fated oil tanker. Sales were initially good, but slowed as gasoline prices rose. Industry insiders expected Ford to stop producing the Excursion, but sales continued through the 2005 model year, for which it received a minor facelift, and production of the Excursion ended in September 2005.
2005 Ford Excursion
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 (Max in Canada and Mexico), has replaced the Excursion in the company's lineup for the 2007 model year.
Drivetrain
An Excursion in use as an emergency vehicle.
Engine options started out with V8 and V10 Gasoline engines and a 7.3 Diesel (Power Stroke). The 2003 models replaced the 7.3 L Powerstroke diesel with a more powerful, 6.0 L Powerstroke diesel.
A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard, a 5-speed automatic introduced in 2003. The 5.4L Modular V8 put out 255hp (190kW) & 350lbft (475Nm). The 6.8L Modular V10 put out 310hp (231kW) & 425lbft (576Nm). The 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel put out 325hp (242kW) & 560lbft (759Nm). The rear axle for all Excursions was a Ford 10.50, the 4x4 models got a NV273 transfer case and Dana 50 front axle.
The truck uses code U4 in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN.
In 2003 the Excursion saw the availability of an upmarket Eddie Bauer trim line.
Engines included the following:
5.4L V8, 255hp (2000-2005)
6.8L V10, 310hp (2000-2005)
7.3L Diesel V8, 250hp (2000-2003)
6.0L Diesel V8, 325hp (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.
References
^ Excursion article at TheAutoChannel.com
^ 2000 Excursion review at TheAutoChannel.com
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ford Excursion
Support for Ford Excursion Owners
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Ford Motor Company light truck timeline, United States and Canada, 1980sresent
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Categories: Ford vehicles | SUVs | Expanded length SUVs | All wheel drive vehicles | 2000s automobiles | Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States | Automobiles powered by 10 cylinder engines
