This is purely for curiosity sake than anything. So for an Excursion conversion (Like Custom Auto's by Tim) why do people chop the back off of an old X, shorten the frame/wheelbase of a crew cab Superduty, weld the X's cab to the Superduty's and then do the quarter panels? Why don't people get a single cab, long bed Superduty, swap the entire body, then do the front clip and quarter panel conversion and buying a full interior (since reg cabs won't have the same trim package/ leather seats)
The length and wheelbase for the two are almost exactly the same:

Superduty - Regular cab, long bed:
Wheelbase - 137"
Length - 226.4"

Excursion:
Wheelbase - 137.1"
Length - 226.7"

I feel like just swapping bodies would make it way easier, but then again people do it the first way for a reason. I know the 2nd-row seat mounting is different between an X and Superduty, so that could complicate things a little.

Anyways just curious, thought one of yall might have an answer. Thanks!

 

A body swap would require using the old vin number of the x body. Nobody wants an old vin number full of Carfax issues when paying that much for a vehicle. That's my theory.

 

The frames are different in the back between the truck and the excursion, they aren't interchangeable ( regardless of wheelbase). Also, grafting the bodies together at the windshield posts and floor, allow use of all the existing wiring and higher tech stuff in the dash, on the firewall, etc.

 

^^^ Tried to rep ^^^

Just a guess, but the rear air ducts would also be problematic.

 

Ahh I didn't realize that the frames weren't interchangeable. Really thought they were pretty much the same.

Oh well I meant that all the dash, steering column, wiring and stuff would be brought over from the newer truck. The only thing that would change between them would be only the body. Don't know if that makes any difference or not but figure I'd say that.

Thanks for the insight!

 

Someone will correct me if I'm off on this, because my memory isn't what it used to be. I think it's the Excursion frame that is more flat in the back (behind the 'cab') to accommodate the lower, flatter Excursion floor. Everything is different between the truck and Excursion, including frame profile, shock mounting, and trailer hitches.

I'm not saying I know a body swap is impossible, but I would think you would need to incorporate a body lift into the deal to get the Ex onto an F series frame.

As far as dash and firewall are concerned, I'd speculate the shape, or at least the holes are different between the two, regarding the heater box hole, holes for wiring harnesses, etc. The 08+ interiors (dash) are not a simple bolt in, so....

Of course nothing is impossible with enough money. I'm certain that the businesses that do the conversions would simply do a body swap if it were more cost effective than the more involved way they do it now. After all it would, at least in theory, mean more money in their pocket at the end of the day.

I'm sure if you were talking about a body swap between an 04 F series and an 04 Ex, more things would be compatible (minus the frame), but what would be the point ?

 

P.S. There was a great thread on hear awhile back by a guy with a small body shop that did the late model F series to Excursion conversion for a customer. It had loads of great pics as he did the conversion, right through to the end. Unfortunately, I believe he was trying to sell his work here, which is forbidden by the rules. Quite certain the whole thread was removed from FTE. Unfortunate, cuz it had a ton of great info in it.