Factory Changes on Excursions by Model Year
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New User
Joined: Aug 2010
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Factory Changes on Excursions by Model Year
I've been looking at buying an excursion for over a year and have enjoyed reading the posts in the forum. This will be the family car for my wife and three youths!
I’m shooting for a 2005 just because it’s the latest available; but I’ll pay a big premium for the ‘holy grail’ excursion 2005’.
Can anyone direct me to a list of technical differences between each year? I'm aware of the 7.3 change to 6.0 in 2003.5 and the ongoing debate of reliability. I’m aware of the obvious cosmetic changes in 05. <O
></O>
<O> </O>
Being that this will be primarily occupied by my family I’m interested in what other changes have taken place over the model years; especially those that would improve safety. Are any years safer and why? <O></O>
I’ve heard that some are more susceptible to roof collapse during roll. Yes No?<O></O>
Was any year better for braking system? <O></O>
Better year for suspension or steering control.<O></O>
Any Years with electrical or fuel fires?<O></O>
Etc.<O></O>
<O> </O>
By buying a 2005 I’m forfeiting the last 5 years of safety improvements found in today’s cars; baby seat latch, side air bags, OnStar type technology. etc.<O></O>
<O> </O>
I would appreciate any other suggests on things I could ‘easily’ consider upgrading once I make a purchase. <O></O>
<O> </O>
I’m really not a paranoid safety freak; just figure it can’t hurt to ask, that’s what daddy is for. I wouldn’t ask anywhere else than you guys at this forum.<O></O>
I’m shooting for a 2005 just because it’s the latest available; but I’ll pay a big premium for the ‘holy grail’ excursion 2005’.
Can anyone direct me to a list of technical differences between each year? I'm aware of the 7.3 change to 6.0 in 2003.5 and the ongoing debate of reliability. I’m aware of the obvious cosmetic changes in 05. <O
></O><O
> </O>Being that this will be primarily occupied by my family I’m interested in what other changes have taken place over the model years; especially those that would improve safety. Are any years safer and why? <O
></O>I’ve heard that some are more susceptible to roof collapse during roll. Yes No?<O
></O>Was any year better for braking system? <O
></O>Better year for suspension or steering control.<O
></O>Any Years with electrical or fuel fires?<O
></O>Etc.<O
></O><O
> </O>By buying a 2005 I’m forfeiting the last 5 years of safety improvements found in today’s cars; baby seat latch, side air bags, OnStar type technology. etc.<O
></O><O
> </O>I would appreciate any other suggests on things I could ‘easily’ consider upgrading once I make a purchase. <O
></O><O
> </O>I’m really not a paranoid safety freak; just figure it can’t hurt to ask, that’s what daddy is for. I wouldn’t ask anywhere else than you guys at this forum.<O
></O>
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
Welcome to FTE. Can't give you any real answers on those questions, but I've been happy with both Excursions I've owned:
2003 Eddie Bauer with the V10 (owned for 2 years, hated the mileage)
2003 Eddie Bauer with the 7.3L diesel (love it, mileage much better)
2003 Eddie Bauer with the V10 (owned for 2 years, hated the mileage)
2003 Eddie Bauer with the 7.3L diesel (love it, mileage much better)
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
I’ve heard that some are more susceptible to roof collapse during roll. Yes No?
Was any year better for braking system?
Better year for suspension or steering control?
Any Years with electrical or fuel fires?
By buying a 2005 I’m forfeiting the last 5 years of safety improvements found in today’s cars; baby seat latch, side air bags, OnStar type technology. etc.
I would appreciate any other suggests on things I could ‘easily’ consider upgrading once I make a purchase.
If you are really concerned about a safe interior then the Excursion ain't for you. It has one of the worst interiors for a vehicle designed to carry a lot of people of any modern SUV on the market.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 1
From: Stuart, FL
There is really not a big difference between the model years. One option on the later years was the steering wheel controls for the radio and stuff.
The 05 isn't the 'holy grail" model. It just happens to be the last year. Nothing really different from the previous models.
The 05 isn't the 'holy grail" model. It just happens to be the last year. Nothing really different from the previous models.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 829
Likes: 22
From: Florida
There is really not a big difference between the model years. One option on the later years was the steering wheel controls for the radio and stuff.
The 05 isn't the 'holy grail" model. It just happens to be the last year. Nothing really different from the previous models.
The 05 isn't the 'holy grail" model. It just happens to be the last year. Nothing really different from the previous models.
...but they give and take away too...remember the underhood blanket? 2005 has no hoodliner...many guys have pieced one together with factory parts...I'm going to have aftermarket liner installed and then have an ulpholstery shop make one cheap.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 7
From: Tennessee
Didn't they go to a 6 speed transmission 5R110E 5 speed automatic in the newer models (2004-2005)? I think this transmission added some self braking features. I also think there was a dash mounted trans temp gage on the newer model. The 5 speed is more of a pain to flush the transmission fluid yourself because it has to be warm.
Perry
Perry
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 980
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From: Stuart, FL
Didn't they go to a 6 speed transmission 5R110E 5 speed automatic in the newer models (2004-2005)? I think this transmission added some self braking features. I also think there was a dash mounted trans temp gage on the newer model. The 5 speed is more of a pain to flush the transmission fluid yourself because it has to be warm.
Perry
Perry
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Flat Rock, MI
Factory Changes on Excursions by Model Year
I have an 05 and the window sticker says 4 power points (12 volt) but it still has 5 like my 04 did. Second row bench seat arm rest cup holders were deleted earlier...not sure when. Other then that, pretty much the same vehicles except for interior colors for Eddie Bauer models. Oh, the wood grain is different between 04/05...very minor though.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
~ No side impact protection.
~ No air curtains.
~ Seating for 9 (standard) but shoulder belts for 6.
~ Seating for 9 (standard) but headrests for 4.
~ A third row seat that doesn't extend all the way to the edge due to a giant rear tire being stored inside the vehicle.
~ The lip on the floor in front of the third row...WTF!?
~ Panels on the second row that are held on with Velco.
~ The handle to pull the second row doors closed is too far forward.
~ The second row is too far forward, period
I could go on but it is my opinion that the Excursion was cobbled together, brought to market a little too late and designed with only the amount of thought it took to beat the then current market Suburban in a girth contest.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 96
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From: Boulder, CO
Yes...compared to current safety technology, the Excursion is dated. But remember that was brought to market in late 1999, which meant it was being designed at least a couple of years before that AND...by necessity...was put on the Super Duty platform.
Would they design it this way today? Absolutely not. But it certainly met the standards that were in place a dozen years ago. So if you want the latest and greatest in safety, the Excursion is not the top choice (except for the fact that it outweighs and outsizes most everything else on the road, which is a safety value in and of itself.)
Boiled down, the question is an analysis of costs vs. benefits. Like most anything else in America, you get what you pay for.
Would they design it this way today? Absolutely not. But it certainly met the standards that were in place a dozen years ago. So if you want the latest and greatest in safety, the Excursion is not the top choice (except for the fact that it outweighs and outsizes most everything else on the road, which is a safety value in and of itself.)
Boiled down, the question is an analysis of costs vs. benefits. Like most anything else in America, you get what you pay for.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
True. 
However, the 2000 Suburban had 3rd row headrests, side airbags, spare outside of the passenger cabin etc.
Granted they did build it on the SD platform but from the front seats back it is all Excursion. They could have (in hindsight) been a bit more advanced in their thinking. But Ford always seems to play catch-up.
Since I gathered from the OP that safety was paramount; for safety, the Expedition EL is the choice now for large SUVs and leaves the Excursion wanting when it comes to safety & comfort items. Now if they would just shoehorn the 6.2L and option a baby diesel in it...
Size isn't everything. Especially when the size is so large that its roof cannot even support the weight in the event of a rollover. But I know I'd rather be in an Excursion than a Ranger in an accident!
However, the 2000 Suburban had 3rd row headrests, side airbags, spare outside of the passenger cabin etc.Granted they did build it on the SD platform but from the front seats back it is all Excursion. They could have (in hindsight) been a bit more advanced in their thinking. But Ford always seems to play catch-up.
Since I gathered from the OP that safety was paramount; for safety, the Expedition EL is the choice now for large SUVs and leaves the Excursion wanting when it comes to safety & comfort items. Now if they would just shoehorn the 6.2L and option a baby diesel in it...
Size isn't everything. Especially when the size is so large that its roof cannot even support the weight in the event of a rollover. But I know I'd rather be in an Excursion than a Ranger in an accident!
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Boulder, CO
And all God's people said...."AMEN!"