The Ford Excursion was mammoth. Built from 2000 to 2005, it was the longest and heaviest mass-production SUV available, targeting buyers of the Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL. Under the skin, it essentially was a Super Duty truck with tons of luxury features. This 2002 example looks to be in excellent condition, although the number of photos is limited as the seller’s camera broke (?) during the process of capturing pics. Located with a dealer (we think) in Cape Coral, Florida, this beast comes with a lifetime extended warranty, which should come in handy. Frequent bidding here on eBay has raised the ante to $40,000.
Derived from the F-250 Super Duty pickup, the Excursion was expansive in size with a 137-inch wheelbase. That was the same as the Super Cab short-bed truck. However, it was fitted with a distinct frame which made it taller and wider than its pickup truck counterpart. You could buy an Excursion with either 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive and it could be had with gasoline or diesel fuel-propelled engines. Though popular at first, the Excursion got hit by the energy crisis of the 2000s and production quickly tapered off, eventually becoming the lowest-selling SUV sold by Ford or Lincoln-Mercury.
As far as transports like this go, 88,000 miles isn’t a lot over 20 years and that’s what the odometer reads on this SUV. It’s been treated to about $6,000 worth of recent maintenance work and part replacements, which include all-new brakes, steering stabilizer, shock absorbers, tires, radiator, and starter, and the seller says everything works as it should and it’s ready for a road trip. The truck comes complete with an extended warranty and an Experion Report with a positive score and only one small traffic mishap reported.
This vehicle is said to have had only two owners with the first for 19 of its 20 years on Planet Earth. Power is provided by the largest engine available, 7.3-liters which runs on diesel fuel (a plus or a minus, depending on how you look at it). All the boxes were checked on the options list when this thing was first ordered, which included rear captain’s chairs. Given limited photos, we assume the black paint is good and the tan interior is tidy and livable. Who’s ready to rumble?
Thanks Russ. What I think of when I see an Excursion is how they were vilified by the press of the day. You couldn’t read an article without the author, often a non-automotive writer writing about issues over oil supply or gasoline prices, using derogatory terms like “gas-guzzling” or “emissions-spewing.” As Russ notes, their image might have been a component of why they weren’t in production all that long. It was like it was decreed you were un-American if you drove a vehicle like this.
But something happened. Some people (then, and now) want, or need, big, heavy-duty SUV’s. They found the Excursion to be spot-on. So Excursions never experienced the normal 20-year depreciation curve; they held their value. Add the somewhat limited production, they have been ‘pricey’ for many years already, especially for clean examples like this one.
Sounds like this Excursion has been set up for many years of service.
The Excursion is one of those rigs that you didn’t realize how good they were until you couldn’t get one. Timing was unfortunate to Ford when they released this truck and for a while they were giving them away. Now low mileage ones bring over 60K in Eddie Bauer and diesel guise. I have worked on many of all powertrains and my favorite would be the 6.0 diesel for its power delivery and refinement. I know I’m going to get in trouble with the 7.3 crowd but that engine is just old and crude. The 6.0 was at one time the most hated diesel but with aftermarket support that has changed. I have made my fair share of money fixing 6 liters but if you can resist turning up the boost the 6 liter will happily go about its business. The other favorite it’s the 5R110 transmission in the 6.0 models. The 4R100 found in this truck is a good transmission but shift characteristics with the 7.3 enhance the lack of refinement. If you opt for the V10 don’t expect more than 11mpg with 4 wheel drive 2wd trucks will do slightly better but again a solid engine that will see 300K without too much fuss and a lot less maintenance costs than either diesels. The 5.4 models. That’s like sending a boy to do a mans job.
The V10 is very hard pressed to break into double digit fuel economy figures
My 2000 Excursion V10 got 11 in town and 16 on the interstate as long as I left the cruise set below 70. We put over 200k miles on it.
The 2001 7.3 we have now gets 17 in town and 21 on the interstate under the same circumstances. Over 70 changes the mileage drastically. 245k miles in this one so far.
Great vehicles. I agree the 6.0 can be great with all the EGR delete bullet proofing available but stock they’re a ticking time bomb.
You guys covered most all the bases. They have an elite following, they are more than capable tow rigs. A large family pulling a trailer they are ideal. Yeah they were attacked by the press as was as the H2. Timing for their release was definitely off.
Twenty years later and Ford is heading towards a hybrid or all-electric future. As Chuck Berry once said- “Goes to show you never can tell”
Spent 19 out of 20 yrs in NJ. That’s why the brake lines rotted and needed replacement
Not true..
I went through the Excursion with a fine tooth comb..
I did not want to be stranded on the side of the road..
Brake lines do collapse..I replaced the entire brakes system..These are 7500lbs vehicle rotors are prone to warp..
Better to be safe then sorry..
Ok. I live up here and speak from my own experience. I’ve had a few metal lines on my Fords corrode and break over time due to the road salt. I haven’t had a hose collapse but I would think that’s from the inside out and due to the fluid. I do know that the rocker panels rotted off of my Expedition. When you slam the door too hard, shards of rusted metal try to impale your feet. Its not good
This is the Best maintained Excursion with a lifetime Platinum warranty..
$6k Preventive maintenance has been done..
Also, has rear captain chairs..Rare Option
I sold these for their entire production run, and I never heard a complaint, aside for the people who bought the V10. These were the times of the 7.3 Power Stroke, one of the best that money could buy. I tried to steer people away from both gas models, because the 5.4 was too weak, and the V10 was too thirsty, that’s why I had them drive the Power Stroke first, that usually sealed the deal. They would hear the turbo wind up and it could really hurl that beast. GM can kiss my ass, this truck was built so much better than the Suburban. The real reason they had to stop building was that Ford couldn’t keep up with Super Duty truck line. Ford has done some dumb things, but creating the Super Duty as completely different rig than the F-150 was very smart. I loved these vehicles, there is a reason why people were drawn to them. Even during high gas prices, we still sold a lot of them and didn’t have to give them away. Good time to be a salesman.
Canyonero!
These are great tow rigs,& get decent mileage (diesels),
but almost everyone I saw not towing was driven by a woman
to haul her kids around in & go grocery shopping.
I’m amazed by the prices are willing to pay for them now.
We had a lady down the street who sold hers for $2500.
Lots of these out west. They were an instant good seller, both with the V-10 and the Power Stroke. Lots of negative comments about the the fuel economy. I remember a lady talking about getting rid of their Excursion (sold it to our general manager who still has it) and replacing it with an Explorer which got “so much” better mileage that they drove it three times as much and ultimately ended up using way more fuel. That kind of economics was repeated many times out west.
Owned two. A V10 and a Diesel. Both Eddie Bauers and 4×4.
The v10 got 9-10 mpg. The diesel was somewhat better but both thirsty by today’s standards.
Clocked over 200,000 on both and only wear items needed replacement.
I’m including suspension and some driveline parts as ‘wear items’ because while the Excursion was based on F250/F350 platforms it was heavier.
Brake pads, wheel bearings, ball joints, u-joints were replaced more than once…
But it was like driving god’s own SUV when flying down the highway.
I owned 3 different Excursions. It was the best vehicle ever for family road trips. I got pulled over once in Oregon on I-5 near Grant’s Pass. Wife and four kids on the way to California. The state trooper asked if I knew how fast I was going. I said no idea. He replied nearly 90. Didn’t get a speeding ticket. I used the Excursion mainly for work. It literally held two full pallets. The cult following is well deserved. Current prices are impressive.
On ebay it says no longer available.
I had an 02 F’d 250 as I call it. The 5.4 liked to throw out spark plugs and the coil packs are a game of Russian Roulette. The V-10 has the same plug B S and 2 more coil packs to deal with. The 7.3 is wanted by everyone, especially if it has life in it. They’re all at the 300k mark these days.
I still miss those F 250 seats. The most comfortable I’ve ever had. My Tundra is a better truck but even the leather seats are too flat.
I had this same truck and color combo with the 7.3 and averaged 20 almost all the time and only dropped to 18 towing a 20′ bassboat. This was hands down the best vehicle I ever owned and I had a Yukon XL that was traded in for this used with 100K and drove it another 300K and the only thing I replaced outside oil and filters was the cam position sensor and kept 1 and the 1/4″ drive ratchet and socket in the glove box i could change it out in 2 minutes. we drove it 200+ miles on a trip and set the cruise at 55mph and got 25mpg just to see how much we could get. I toted boy scouts little league teams and high school prom group but sold it when I was the only one driving after the kids grew up and moved off.
Finally someone else who gets it. These were not built for aggressive drivers. Anyone who owned one of these and got less than 10 mpg with a V10 and 16 with a 7.3 should have bought a Lightning pickup instead.
SOLD for $40,100.
Wow. That is amazing. I’d love a 7.3 L but that’s a little too steep…
Interesting timing on this vehicle. Hagerty just did an article on the popularity of these vehicles and buyers are clamoring for them, even though they are considered gas guzzlers in a time of rising prices. His take is very interesting, if not unique.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/comer-gas-guzzlers/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_DailyDriver_Tuesday&hashed_email=0ee9c8e1cae4747ea66fb68844f30702634c1c167e0fed5f1213a107b95f8a90