It took me some time to find the super rare Graphite Limited panels with the wood trims on them, most limited interiors were the Parchment, or Pebble. So, I think that's enough on the door.
Ironically Ford did make a trim kit to go in the Excursions.

 

These arrived a few weeks ago. I replaced all the boots a few years back with Ford, but they seem soft and spongy already, whereas the ones I replaced were the originals. These are 5 ply so we'll see.

 

Received an email yesterday, it read that an 03 Excursion has been placed on the pull it lot. I completely forgot I did this some time back. Anyway, I decided to do a little "window" shopping this morning in the 33 degrees. This was a 2003 V10, Unlimited with every feature except 4X4. No accident damage, so maybe an engine issue. I only grabbed 2 more rear quarter vent windows, some dash switches, a barn door weather strip, a PAM speaker (tests good), and the gas tank tub...The only thing missing when I arrived was the radio. The trip computer was still there. I have spares, so I left it.
Interesting that the U Pull-It place when asked about pricing on the tank tub, they said there's a hole in the tank. I said what? They said EPA requires them to drill holes in the tanks, well this tank didn't get drilled through, still had 1/3 of fuel, but there was a some small scarring on the exterior where they tried to drill through. I thought about buying the tank, but it's plastic, and I'm good there.

 

OOF! Nice score on the tank pan! I never get anything good like that around here!

 

Do my eyes deceive me, or do I see buttons for seat memory? I didn’t think that was an option in these.

 

You do, that X was an "Unlimited" every feature but 4X4. adjustable pedals, home link on the drivers visor.

 

Mine is actually better than the one I grabbed, but one of them is getting sand blasted and powder coated black...

 

Collecting more stuff for when I have time to replace them.....

 

Nice collection of new parts. I had troubles with my tailgate latch mechanism. It was the cable assembly. I forget exactly what I did but it’s been working fine for a couple years now. I might have to get the assembly like yours.

 

Working on the front receiver install, which has become a project for sure. I bought a Curt 31014 From Amazon, which is supposed to be for the F250 trucks, and not the Excursion. For some reason the triangulated bolt holes for the blocker beam don't line up on the excursion, but reviews all say are fine for the 250. So as others have done I modified the existing holes to match the bolt pattern. The Excursion intended front receiver requires the "Optional" fog lights to be permanently removed, and while in use the front license plate holder has to come off. Neither of which I care to do. I prefer the hitch to be under the bumper anyway. I thought I was in the clear until my suspicions came true with the leaf spring clearance. My aftermarket springs that provide the lift are hitting the square tube of the receiver. I can braze, and solder, but not weld, and have no desire to invest and learn. There are neighbors and large scale private commercial welding companies close by. First stop was to my neighbor, he/we decided to cut the end plates off and re-weld the square bar to them as low as we could go. This seemed ok, but after say 9/16" drop, the leafs were only 2 mm away from the tube. Not having the heart to ask him to do it all over, I went to a commercial structural welding company up the road to have the bar moved as far forward as it was moved down. This now gives good static clearance, but not enough room for the leafs to move. So he cut me 2 3/8" steel squares so I can shim the whole assembly, which appears will work. I just painted over the welds this afternoon, and will shape the plates to fit tomorrow.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/31014

 

Got the spacer plates made, and painted, and ordered longer thread cutting screws to secure the blocker beam to the plate above the 2x2 receiver. Prior to all the moving around, the plate on the receiver was to be in contact with the blocker beam then screwed to it. The 3/4" inch was made up by 2 3/8" pieces of steel. Finished today, when I jack the front of the truck up from the bottom of the hitch, I now have 2.5" of spring clearance before they touch the square tube. We'll see if this is enough once I drive it.


















All this mess was done for a bike rack, for an up coming Florida Keys trip.....

 

D'n around with the front receiver one last time.
It was fine to drive with, but if placed on a frame lift, the leafs were still going to hit the square tube. Back to the welder yesterday after I took measurements once I lifted the front up till the tires were off the ground. A total of 1" was needed, the side plates were added on to. After 1 last molestation, I have all the clearance I need. I ordered an aluminum block to fill the gap between the blocker beam, and hitch plate.

 

World's most expensive front reciever hitch. 😂 Atleast you got it done though.

 

Finally. Time to measure for a bike carrier.

 

Hey man, great work on the truck. Was looking at photos and noticed your rockers are in pretty rough shape. I have an 2000 excursion with rotted out wheel housings and rockers. Trying to find replacements for inner rockers has been a challenge though. Do you know if super duty rockers will fit? https://raybuck.com/product/1999-201...b-driver-side/