Hello
I am looking at getting another Excursion (2002) that needs front bumper and possible fender. Since it already needs body work what is needed to upgrade the grille to the 2005 and up look? Do you have to use Ford parts or is there an aftermarket (ie cheaper) kit to upgrade front.
I have also owned a few SD and was wondering are any of the front body parts interchangeable or are they 2 distinct front end components. Are the running boards the same from SD or different lengths?


Thanks

 

To make it look like an '05 you will need the metal bumper, plastic upper bumper, lower bumper valence, headlights, header panel and grille. Aftermarket parts are available for all of those parts, some are better than others, I have seen a cheaper upper bumper plastic that was very wavy. Everything is pretty much a direct bolt on and the SD and EX use all the same front clip components.
Crew cab running boards should be the same length as the EX.

 

I did the upgrade recently, you can check out my build thread if needed.

Tom is correct, you need all those pieces except the header panel, you can get away with using the stock 99-04 piece with a little trimming. Other than that it all just bolts up. Best to get it all complete, otherwise the little parts tend to nickle and dime you to death, and definitely best to get FoMoCo OEM stuff if you can, it fits better IMO.

 

Lots of guys doing 2015 bumper, might want to check it out.

 

Is the front end the only difference between the '05 and the earlier models? Aside from the engine.

 

Yes, pretty much. The EX didn't get the other updates in '05 like the SD pickups because by that point Ford had already planned its EXtinction at the end of the model year. So it's only the front bumper, headlights and grille that make the last year different. Not sure what you are referring to about the motor? The '05 had the same 5.4, 6.8 and 6.0 as the '04s did with only minor updates to the late production diesel. The EX never saw the 3V gas motors (or the improved 5R110 trans behind them) that the pickups got in '05.

 

Thanks, when I said motor I was referring to 7.3 an 6.0