I just recently installed a Curt Hitch on my 2000 X. I have a few tips that might save someone else trouble.
These are my observations. Someone else might have done it faster and easier. But this job kicked my but worse than changing the rear springs. I refuse to say how long it took me to do this job.

Buy the nut plates from Ford for a 2002 Excursion. Pick up 2 extra as the nut plates would make installing the included hardware a dream.

Really good drill bits to drill out the shear bolts. I didn't purchase good bits and I ended up dropping the tank to grind them off.
I did make a neat drill press out of a bottle jack and some duct tape.

If you drop the tank a floor jack would make reinstall allot easier than 2 bottle jacks.

I did not have to Drill out anything on the frame for the m18 hardware that came with the hitch. But since I did not order the nut plates I went with 3/4 grade 8 I had to drill the frame.

I did have to source bigger hook for my safety chain I am now using 1-1/4 hooks

I hope this help someone else pre plan for the job.
And since it didn't happen if there is no pictures......
It seems I am having trouble posting pictures Hmmmmm

 

Glad that you got the new hitch on!
For anyone else doing this or removing the factory hitch for any other reason, once the tank has been dropped and moved away, use some heat on the bolts/ nuts to soften the thread locker. And using a pipe wrench on the round heads of those shear bolts should be easier and faster than drilling them.
When I did my fuel pump I dropped the hitch for a cleanup, the above method made pretty quick work of the bolts, and I am a cheapskate, so instead of replacing the shear bolts with new hardware I welded nuts to those round heads.

 

This process has be fairly well documented BUT I sent you your 1st greenie for the effort
What I'm taking from your post is you wished you would have purchased the updated FORD hardware instead of the grade 8 ??What was the big deal using the grade 8?? Did you drop the bolts into the frame??
How the heck is the pro-pride set-up going ???

 

Interesting, as I didn't have to drill my frame for the 3/4 inch hardware.

 

Yes go with the upgraded Ford hardware.

If I would have went with the upgraded ford hardware I would not have had to drill the frame for the 3/4 hardware. The m18 just dropped right in. The bolt removal was not real bad do it all with hand tools. I did learn my compressor is not strong enough for my 1/2 in impact.

The Pro pride setup that is for a different post. Still having problems. But Shawn and I are working thru it. More to come on that soon. We are camping in the backyard this weekend
IMASAP not sure what the difference is but it was minimal.