Over ten years have passed since a new Ford Excursion hit a dealer lot, but a hardy group of SUV fans is still keeping the SUV going long and strong.
Long for the Days
Think the days of the truly grand SUV are over? Think again, because some drivers just like to live a little larger than others. The exquisitely grand, powerful, awkwardly long (and not to mention, long-extinct) Ford Excursion has amassed an impressive cult following that has SUV aficionados shelling out as much as $100K for Ford Excursion rebuilds.
Photos courtesy of Detroit News
Sheep in Wolf's Clothing
Ford’s venerated, hulking family and corporate-event hauler originally shared its platform architecture with the F-250 Super Duty pickup. That base was enough for its outlandish nine-passenger seating capacity, one of the major draw’s that saw the vehicle’s U.S. sales climb above 50,000 units in the year 2000. But just five years later, only around 16,000 Ford Excursions moved off the lot, thanks to new automotive trends that were moving toward efficiency and individualized comfort.
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Lengthy Legend
Those who shell-out thousands to restorers like this one, Custom Autos of Guthrie, Oklahoma, are convinced the biggest SUV Ford ever built was ahead of its time. Many of those thoughts are thanks to both it's passenger room and off-road capability. In fact, the nationally-renowned Custom Autos shop builds around 40 Excursions a year by marrying a back end to a newer Super Duty truck chassis.
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Fuel for Thought
From 2000 to 2006 Ford offered several trim levels of the Excursion and a choice of three engines. A fourth engine was available from 2000-03 which was short-lived. One mistake the automaker made was offering gasoline engines that weren't strong enough to power the massive SUV with its heavy steel frame. As such, folks who bought diesel Excursions were certainly glad they’ve hung on to them. In fact, diesel models that are more than 15 years old are asking more than $20,000 on the used market over the dismal resale prices of the gas versions.
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Timeless Brawn
The factors that made the Excursion popular for its short dealership lifespan are the same that make it popular in the aftermarket. Custom Auto’s fleet of Ford Excursions custom builds each boasted space and convenience for up to nine passengers on three rows of bench seating. In addition to that, they have the ability to tow up to 10,000 pounds and haul up to a ton of cargo. They also feature 10 cup holders and five power outlets for whatever mass passenger scenario you find yourself in. Ford’s former Excursion marketing manager Jason Mase agrees that the "Excursion is that kind of product that was never a poser vehicle. It had instant respect. People knew that it was a beast for towing and hauling. People loved it then and love it now."
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Large & In Charge
Florida resident and Custom Autos customer Felix Denmon get plenty of attention driving his rebuilt Ford Excursion. "I get stopped at least once a week with somebody saying they didn't think Ford made these anymore," Denmon says. "It's still an eye-turner." For most builds, the Custom Autos crew marries salvaged Excursion back ends behind the driver seat to the front end of the newer Super Duty chassis, but they can also stretch Super Duties to make extravagant six-door cabs. No matter which you choose, a Custom Autos Ford Excursion rebuild is bound to have you living large.
>>Join the conversation about Detroit Shop's Excursion right here in Ford-trucks.com.
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