Ford Excursion

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American heavy-duty SUV

title: "Ford Excursion" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ford-vehicles", "expanded-length-sport-utility-vehicles", "all-wheel-drive-vehicles", "cars-introduced-in-1999", "cars-discontinued-in-2005", "2000s-cars", "motor-vehicles-manufactured-in-the-united-states", "ford-f-series", "full-size-sport-utility-vehicles"] description: "American heavy-duty SUV" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Excursion" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American heavy-duty SUV ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]

Field	Value
name	Ford Excursion
image	2000-04 Ford Excursion.jpg
caption	2001 Ford Excursion Limited
manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
model_code	UW137
production	1999 – September 30, 2005
model_years	2000–2005
2000–2006 (Mexico)
assembly	Louisville, Kentucky (Kentucky Truck Assembly)
class	Full-size SUV
body_style	4-door SUV
related	Ford Super Duty
layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
engine	5.4 L Triton V8
6.8 L Triton V10
7.3 L Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel
6.0 L Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel
transmission	Ford 4R100 4-speed automatic
Ford 5R110W 5-speed automatic
wheelbase	137.1 in
length	226.7 in
width	2000–01: 80.0 in
2002–05: 79.9 in
height	4WD: 80.2 in
2WD: 77.2 in
weight	7700 lb (Turbodiesel)
7200 lb (Gasoline)
successor	Ford Expedition EL/MAX (indirect)
::

The Ford Excursion is a heavy-duty (Class 2) full-size SUV marketed by Ford Motor Company from 2000 through 2005. At its introduction, the Excursion was the longest and heaviest SUV ever to enter mass production. The third Ford SUV was derived from the F-Series pickup trucks (after the Ford Bronco and the Ford Expedition), and the model line used a heavier-duty chassis and frame than the Expedition; both vehicles competed against the Chevrolet Suburban.

Developed as a competitor for the 2500-series (-ton) Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL, the Ford Excursion was derived from the -ton F-250 Super Duty pickup truck (sharing its chassis with the regular cab, long-bed chassis). The model line was produced for a single generation; a shortened 2006 model year was offered exclusively for Mexico. Targeting the North American market, only a few were produced for export. The Excursion remains the second largest mass-produced SUV (matched in length by the 2023 introduction of the lighter Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, and beaten by the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV); currently, only the GMC Hummer EV SUV is heavier.

The Excursion was assembled at its Kentucky Truck Plant (Louisville, Kentucky) alongside the Ford Super Duty line. The last example was produced on September 30, 2005. For 2007, Ford introduced the extended-length Ford Expedition EL/MAX (today, Expedition MAX), competing more closely against the 1500-series Suburban in capability.

Origin and concept

For the 1973 model year, General Motors redesigned its Suburban utility wagon (sold by Chevrolet and GMC dealers) as part of its Rounded-Line C/K trucks. A fourth passenger door was added, allowing the model line to compete directly against the similar-size International Harvester Travelall wagon for the first time. Following the 1975 discontinuation of the Travelall, the Suburban became the only wagon-style full-size SUV (a distinction it would hold until the 1997 introduction of the Expedition), competing primarily against the smaller Jeep Wagoneer.

For 1978, Ford released the second generation of the Ford Bronco, repackaging it as a variant of the Ford F-Series. While growing significantly in size (becoming a direct competitor of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer/GMC Jimmy and Dodge Ramcharger), the Bronco returned in its most popular body style: a three-door half-cab wagon with a removable hardtop. In contrast to General Motors, Ford did not develop a five-door SUV wagon (in line with the Suburban). During the 1980s and early 1990s, Ford marketed five-door Bronco wagons on a special-order basis as license-built vehicles from second-party manufacturers. To assemble the design, the rear bodywork of the Bronco was mated to the bodywork of an F-Series crew-cab pickup truck. Examples used the 1-ton F-350 chassis (a first since the IHC Travelall) as a basis, contrasting with the ½-ton or ¾-ton payload series offered by the Suburban.

For 1997, Ford replaced the Bronco with the all-new Ford Expedition five-door wagon, continuing to use the F-150 as a basis. Citing a decline in demand for three-door SUVs (of all sizes), Ford sized the three-row Expedition between the Chevrolet Tahoe (replacing the K5 Blazer; introduced as a 5-door wagon during 1995) and the larger Suburban (which offered three-row seating like the Expedition). `

For 1999, Ford expanded the F-Series model range, with the F-250 and F-350 pickups (and all larger Ford trucks) becoming Ford Super Duty trucks; in addition to a distinct body design, the larger trucks offer a heavier-duty chassis and suspension along with larger engines. The newly introduced F-250 Super Duty served as the basis for the first Ford -ton SUV (matching the -ton 2500-series Suburban). Outside of the pickup truck range, the Ford Excursion became the largest Ford passenger vehicle, outranked only by the 12-15 passenger Ford E-350 Super Wagon (in body and wheelbase length, along with height).

Design overview

The Ford Excursion was introduced for the 2000 model year on September 30, 1999. In contrast to the Expedition (which replaced the Bronco), the Excursion had no direct predecessor in the Ford truck line.

Chassis

The Ford Excursion shares many body and chassis assemblies with its F-250 pickup truck counterpart. The front suspension and most of the rear suspension were common components, but the Excursion was fitted with different leaf springs and front spring hanger brackets. The Excursion had a distinct frame which differed from the front sway bar mounts rearward, making the model taller and wider than its pickup truck counterpart.

The rear axle for all Excursions was a Sterling 10.5 axle. The four-wheel-drive models had an NV273 transfer case and Dana 50 front axle. Rear axle ratios of 3.73:1 and 4.30:1 were offered.

During the development of the chassis, Ford learned that its initial design caused smaller vehicles (such as a Ford Taurus) to become severely overridden in a head-on collision. In the test, the tire of the Excursion drove up to the windshield of the Taurus (reducing the chance of survival for its driver). As a response, Ford modified the chassis to include an under-bumper "blocker beam"; a safety device the French transportation ministry initially tested in 1971. A trailer hitch was standard equipment to help reduce underriding in rear-end collisions by smaller vehicles.

Powertrain

During its entire production, the Excursion was offered with both gasoline and diesel engines. The standard gasoline engine was a 5.4 L Triton V8; a 6.8 L Triton V10 was offered as an option. At its launch, the optional diesel engine was the Navistar-produced 7.3 L Power Stroke V8; during 2003 production, a Navistar-produced 6.0 L diesel V8 was introduced, again using the Power Stroke name.

All four engines were paired with an automatic transmission. The 4-speed 4R100 automatic was fitted to the 5.4 L, 6.8 L, and 7.3 L engines, with a 5-speed 5R110W automatic fitted to the 6.0 L engine. ::data[format=table]

Engine	Configuration	Fuel	Production	Power output	Torque output	Transmission
Ford Triton V8	330 cuin SOHC 2V V8	Gasoline	2000–2005	255 hp	350 lbft	4-speed automatic
Ford Triton V10	413 cuin SOHC 2V V10	310 hp	425 lbft
Ford/Navistar Power Stroke V8	444 cuin OHV V8 turbo	Diesel	2000–2003.5	250 hp	525 lbft
Ford/Navistar Power Stroke V8	365 cuin OHV 4V V8 turbo	2003.5–2005	325 hp	560 lbft	5-speed automatic
::

Though using the -ton chassis of the F-250, the two-wheel-drive Excursion was rated with a GVWR of 8600 lb when equipped with gasoline engines and 8900 lb when equipped with diesel engines (four-wheel-drive models have a 300 lb higher GVWR with either engine). As its GVWR was above 8500 lb, the Excursion was exempt from EPA fuel economy ratings; reviewers cited fuel economy in the range of 12-15 mpg with the V10 gasoline engine. While its GVWR exempted it from emissions standards applied to light-duty vehicles, Ford designed the powertrains of the Excursion to meet low-emissions vehicle (LEV) status.

Body design

While the smaller Ford Expedition shared design elements with the popular Ford F-150, the Excursion adopted a high degree of commonality from its F-250 counterpart. Except for its egg-crate grille (styled similarly to the Expedition and the third-generation Explorer), the Excursion shares its front bodywork forward of the B-pillars with its pickup truck counterpart. From the B-pillar rearward, the Excursion is designed with model-distinct bodywork. Along with rear passenger doors specific to the model line (including forward-tilted C-pillars instead of the rectangular design from the pickup truck), the rear wagon body is styled similarly to the 1980-1996 Bronco (with flush-mounted glass). In place of a conventional liftgate, Ford designed the rear cargo door with a three-way layout (similar to the 1992–2005 Chevrolet Astro), pairing a framed upper window (with rear wiper) with two lower "Dutch doors"; the Excursion sourced its taillamps directly from the E-Series van. For 2005, the egg-crate grille was replaced by the grille used by Super Duty pickup trucks.

Sharing its dashboard entirely from the F-250 (though adding an "Excursion" nameplate badge), the interior was offered in either 8 or 9-passenger seating (with either a front bench seat or front bucket seats). As with the Bronco, Ford mounted the spare tire vertically in the cargo area (behind the third-row seat). For 2002, the instrument panel underwent minor revisions (receiving a digital odometer and a transmission temperature gauge); seating materials underwent revisions.

Coinciding with its design commonality with the Ford Super Duty crew cab, the Excursion was a mass-produced SUV with four full-length passenger doors. Along with the Chevrolet Suburban (and its GMC/Cadillac counterparts) and the International Travelall, the only mass-produced model lines with the design feature are the Ford Expedition Max/Lincoln Navigator L and the Jeep (Grand) Wagoneer L.

File:Ford Excursion, 12. Internationales Maritimes-Fahrzeugtreffen, Ribnitz-Damgarten ( 1060472).jpg|2002–2004 Ford Excursion Limited (Germany) File:Ford Excursion 2001.jpg|2001 Ford Excursion Limited, rear view File:2000-2004 Ford Excursion.jpg|2001 Ford Excursion XLT File:00-04 Ford Excursion.jpg|2002 Ford Excursion Limited File:2005-Ford-Excursion.jpg|2005 Ford Excursion XLT File:Peter Stehlik - FDNY Battalion Chief 1 - 2012.05.28.jpg|Ford Excursion XLS (FDNY Battalion Chief vehicle)

Trim

The Excursion adopted the trim nomenclature of the Ford light trucks marketed in North America. The base trim was XL (marketed nearly exclusively for fleet sales), XLT (standard trim in retail markets), and Limited (highest trim line). Following its use across many Ford light trucks, an Eddie Bauer trim package was introduced for the Excursion for 2003 (differing from the Limited primarily in appearance).

XLT: Included three rows of seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel with speed control, a security system, keyless entry, 16 inch chrome steel rims or optional alloy rims, trailer towing package, an AM/FM radio with cassette and single-disc CD player with six premium speakers, and air conditioning.

Limited: Included same features as XLT, but adds a power driver's seat, rear audio controls, illuminated running boards, 16 in alloy rims, front-speed sensitive windshield wipers, five power points, ten cupholders, leather seats (with heated first row), and an optional rear entertainment system with DVD player.

Reception

Being launched on September 30, 1999, the 2000 Ford Excursion was described by Popular Science as the "biggest sport utility on the planet." This would be the most successful model year for the Excursion, with nearly 69,000 examples sold. After essentially meeting sales projections at its launch, demand dropped in part because of the energy crisis of the 2000s. Annual production capacity was 70,000, but sales from 2001 barely reach half that number and the model become the lowest-selling SUV marketed by Ford or Lincoln-Mercury.

The large size of the Excursion led to it being dubbed the Ford Valdez by the Sierra Club in 1999 (in reference to the Exxon Valdez supertanker). In 2007, Time selected it as one of the "Fifty Worst Cars of All Time."

Variants

F-250 Tropivan

From 1998 to 2012, an aftermarket SUV conversion of the Ford F-250 was sold in Brazil. Similar in design and layout to the Excursion, the F-250 Tropivan differed primarily by its assembly as a second-party conversion (similar to the Centurion Classic). In contrast to the Excursion, two different wheelbases of the Tropivan were produced.

As with all Super Duty trucks in Brazil, the Tropivan had a different engine selection throughout its production run, including a 4.2 L Essex gasoline V6 and two types of diesels: a 3.9 L Cummins B-series and the 4.2 L MWM Sprint 6.07TCA straight-6.

Aftermarket

During and since its production, the Excursion has become a basis for several types of aftermarket vehicles. As a result of its body commonality with the Super Duty model range, the bodywork of the Excursion led to aftermarket conversions of Ford medium-duty truck chassis (Ford F-650 and F-750) to SUVs; to accommodate the longer wheelbase, the body was typically modified with an extra set of doors.

At the other end of the size scale, the Hennessey VelociRaptor SUV was created by mating the rear bodywork of the Excursion with the bodywork of the first-generation Ford Raptor (a practice similar to the creation of the 1990s Centurion Classic C350).

Because the Excursion shares significant design commonality with the 1999 through 2016 Ford F-250, the SUV has been customized by replacing the 2000-2005 front bodywork with the bodywork of 2008–2016 Super Duty pickup trucks.

The Excursion also has served as a basis for stretch limousines. Though Ford imposed a 120-inch length limit on body extensions (on full-frame cars such as the Lincoln Town Car), some Excursions have undergone longer extensions. One such stretched 2001 Excursion was involved in the 2018 Schoharie limousine crash, which killed 20.

File:Ford Expedition SUV Limo (2783513262).jpg|Ford Excursion stretch limousine File:ROCMP Ford Excursion limited Armored Car Display at CKS Memorial Hall Square 20140607a.jpg|Ford Excursion armored car in use by the Taiwanese military police File:Ford F650 4X4 Truck - Flickr - Highway Patrol Images.jpg|6-door Ford F-650 Super Duty SUV in Australia (Ford Excursion bodywork)

Yearly U.S. sales

::data[format=table]

Calendar Year	Total American sales
1999	18,315
2000	50,786
2001	34,710
2002	29,042
2003	26,259
2004	20,010
2005	16,283
::

References

(2007). "Automotive Projects".
(2001). "Consumer Guide Automobile Book, 2001". Publications International.
(November 1999). "Big, bigger, biggest".
Weitzman, Larry. (2000). "The Ford Excursion, It doesn't get any Bigger".
Snitkoff, Edward. (January 18, 2017). "Curbside Classic: Ford Classic 350 – Centurion Vehicles Creates A Frankenstein Suburban Fighter".
(February 28, 2016). "This is the 4-Door Ford Bronco You Didn't Know Existed".
(August 9, 1999). "Ford Excursion makes a grand debut".
Bradsher, Keith. (2004). "High and mighty: the dangerous rise of the SUV". PublicAffairs.
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Ford Truck/SUV source books
(13 April 2022). "2023 Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L Are Stretched and Turbocharged". Car and Driver.
(August 9, 1999). "Ford Excursion makes a grand debut".
"Ford's new gas-guzzling SUV wins the 'Exxon Valdez' award from the Sierra Club". San Diego Earth Times.
(September 7, 2007). "The 50 Worst Cars of All Time".
(December 13, 2010). "Avaliação NA – F-250 Tropivan". Notícias Automotivas.
(July 3, 2025). "The Schoharie Limousine Crash: A Notable Case in Fatal Automobile Accident".
"Ford Motor Company Sets New Full Year U.S. Sales Record".
"Ford Motor Company's December U.S. Sales Climb 8.2 Percent". Ford Motor Company.
(November 17, 2004). "Ford's F-Series Truck Caps 22nd Year in a Row as America's Best-Selling Vehicle With a December Sales Record".
(November 17, 2004). "Ford Achieves First Car Sales Increase Since 1999".

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