FordExcursions.com Forums
Lance Keelan
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• L.I., NY, USA |
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• Registered on 2/27/2004 |
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• 60 posts |
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 Posted:2/27/2004 14:26 |
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I'm looking at a new daily driver/tow vehicle and wanted to bounce some things off everybody.
Generally speaking the Excursion is a better bodystyle for me. It allows me to use it as an SUV during the week and a hauler for kart racing and track days on the weekends. I also tend to like the SUV bodystyle because I can store stuff safely in the back. Also a good thing when you need to access your duffle bag while on the highway and don't want to stop.
However after testing out the Excursion and F-250 (both diesels) yesterday I really like the feel of the pickup better. The Excursion felt heavier and "clunkier" than the pickup. The pickup feels sportier and lighter on its feet. The F-250 I drove was a supercab and I would get a CrewCab but don't think it would make much difference. Incidentally I drove a 2500 Suburban and then a 2500HD CrewCab Dmax back to back and came away with the same conclusions. I figured in the Chevy scenario that the 2500HD would feel stiffer and heavier than the 2500 Suburban but it turned out the be the opposite. This situation held true for both test drives. I know the roof and glass adds extra weight on the SUV's but wouldn't think you would really feel it in such heavy trucks.
I'm wondering if anybody else has had similar experiences or perceptions and can explain the differences between the two?
TIA |
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,228 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/27/2004 15:46 |
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Lance,
The differences you're feeling between the SuperDuty platform and the Excursion are right-on. The Excursion is a little more loose, forgiving ride. The pickup feels a bit sportier because it is lighter weight. Less body panels, sound deadening material, glass, roof, seats, carpet, etc, etc. It all adds up. With myself in the vehicle and a full tank of diesel, my Excursion tips the scales at 8,000 pounds.
A couple observations from my perspective of having owned a '97 F250 diesel and my '00 Excursions:
- The Excursion, with appropriate aftermarket mods (rear sway bar, upgraded shocks, steering stabilizer, and possibly a chip depending on your performance addiction), is a lot of fun...and drives normally.
- Most of the sloppiness you were feeling was due to body roll in the Excursion. The pickups just don't have that much extra top-heavy weight to manuever around. You turn a corner in the Super Duty, and the body roll is minimal. Not the case in the Excursion, but hey, that's one of the trade-offs.
- I love the SUV factor. You can haul virtually anything and anybody...without having to plan ahead. It's amazing how often I've got 5 or 6 adults piled into my X. Just not a comfortable situation in a pickup...and usually not possible anyway.
- Hauling -- I am working on finishing the basement in our house. 4x8 sheets of sheetrock fit perfectly in the rear of the Excursion with the 3rd row seat removed and the 2nd row seats folded down. 2x4's also fit as well. it's basically an 8-foot bed with the seats out of the way...VERY nice.
- Hunting - I hunt a lot with friends of mine, and a typical hunting weekend involves hauling all of our gear in the X, hauling 4-5 guys, and taking the X out on logging trails to hunt. Knowing that the rest of our gear is locked up inside when we leave the vehicle is nice. 4x4 is great on the trails.
- I drive downtown in Minneapolis where it's a bunch of smaller SUVs, BMWs, etc. Not a lot of "trucks." The image factor was important for me...I needed to be able to haul all kinds of stuff on the weekends (whether it be people, materials, or whatever) and then come Monday morning, be able to cruise into work in style. This reason is explained in the next bullet point.
- I deal with clients a lot in my job...the SUV is just a much more appropriate vehicle for taking clients out in. Pickups, while very, very popular here in MN, just are not the image I want to portray to clients.
- The turning radius of the X is superior to that of my '97 F250 and even a friend's '00 F150. I'm not sure if the Super Duty's are the same, but for as large as this vehicle is, the combination of the turning radius and the rear backup sensing system make this an easily maneuverable vehicle downtown or offroad.
I always knew I wanted a full-size SUV after owning a Bronco. After owning a diesel in my F250, I wanted the best of both worlds...when Ford announced the Excursion, I was a very happy camper. With diesel being nearly $0.30 cheaper here in MN this week, the up-front cost of the diesel has been more than worth it.
I've put over 102,000 miles on my X since I bought in August of '00. There's plenty of life left on it and it has been able to handle everything I've thrown at it. I really think the SUV is more versatile than the pickup for all of the above reasons and probably more reasons that I haven't thought of.
Good luck with your decision! 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Lance Keelan
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• L.I., NY, USA |
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• Registered on 2/27/2004 |
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• 60 posts |
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Posted:2/27/2004 16:08 |
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Eric thanks for the detailed reply.
Some other things I thought:
During the test drive I sat in the back briefly. I was very disappointed at the lack of legroom for the back seat passengers (I'm 5'9") I felt like the SuperCab had as much or more. This fact somewhat negated the perception that this truck hauls people better. Of course it does but I think 99% of people would be surprised at how little legroom there is. I'm thinking that having captains chairs in the back would enable one to turn one leg towards the middle thereby being more comfortable. Possibly the back seats are adjustable and I just didn't see it?
It sounds like the days of the Excursion are numbered. I'm not worried about parts issues or anyting, but I'd rather have a vehicle that will be around. Part of my fear is probably being afraid of getting attached to the X and then when it's time for a new one having no choice but a pickup...;)
Your point about having the best of both worlds is exactly the boat I'm in. I want basically an SUV during the week and for long casual trips with friends or family. But I also need heavy duty towing capability to tow a car to the track and a trailer of go-karts to the kart track. I looked at the 2500 Suburban and it was nice but it didn't compare to the DuraMax I tested side by side. I guess I'm pretty much addicted to the diesel power...  The 6.0 in the Burban didn't feel as robust as I would have liked, and the gas gauge was reading 10-11 mpg. I was expecting more power although the engine was brand new.
It surprises me that Ford is discontinuing the X. I used to work for Ford so I'm fully aware about the business side and the size of the market etc. However there seems to be a lot of people out there who need both things. They already make the chassis so I can't see how they can't make a go of it by just putting a different body on it.
The Ford dealer told me that Ford is supposed to make an extended version of the Expedition. I'm not too sure that they'll make a heavy duty version or even something with a diesel but I guess we'll see. |
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Lance Keelan
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• L.I., NY, USA |
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• Registered on 2/27/2004 |
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• 60 posts |
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Posted:2/27/2004 16:43 |
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One other thing....the steering wheel felt thinner in the X than the F-250. The X was a Limited model. Maybe they try and make it more appealing to women and therefore the thinner wheel?
It's a small detail but important nonetheless. In a big truck especially I would expect a beefy wheel. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,228 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/27/2004 19:08 |
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Lance,
Regarding the middle row seats...I actually like the legroom better in the middle row than the passenger seat in the cockpit. With the rather large hump from the transmission that cuts away from legroom (perhaps it's differnt on the new 6.0L and new trans). The legroom in the middle row is really affected by the front seats. I'm 5'10" and as a result, the driver's seat is a bit closer to the dash than the passenger's seat. Any taller passengers typically are better off sitting behind me in the middle row as that location has optimal legroom. I can't comment on the captain's chairs in the middle row since i don't have them, but your assumption sounds right-on (moving legs towards the center). The downside to the captain's chairs is that you have less flexibility to haul large items on a whim.
The middle row is not adjustable on my '00. The only adjustments are in reclining.
As far as the Excursion's future...there have been rumors coming out about it possibly being extended in production until 2006 (I believe). Of course Ford cannot publicly comment on future vehicles so who really knows. Considering how long the vehicle itself will last from day-to-day use, I am really not worried.
In my limited towing with the X, it has been an absolute breeze. I am with you on diesel power...there's no comparing the torque! The X will certainly tow whatever you throw at it...and so will an F250. From a towing capacity standpoint, the two are equal. With minor handling improvements like shocks and a rear sway bar, the X will be perfect, in my opinion.
With regards to the steering wheel...I never have noticed a difference. I've driven a 2000 F350 and when compared to my Excursion, the noticeable differences are significantly louder cab noise in the F350 and much stiffer ride. I definitely would have noticed the difference in steering wheel...if anything, I've always thought the X had an overly large thickness in the steering wheel compared to everything else I've driven. Maybe they've changed it with the newer models?
I can't tell you how many times the versatility of the SUV part of the X has been favorable. Just in terms of hauling stuff. My wife's family lives 400 miles away with many siblings inbetween. Whenever we visit, there always seems to be something we're bringing to them or bringing back from them to deliver to other family members who are along the way. I'm not sure what the bed size would be on the truck you're looking at, but I've definitely maximized the use of the 8ft "bed" of the Excursion numerous times. And having cargo inside instead of exposed in the elements is another plus.
My first fullsize truck was a Bronco...I had 2 pickups inbetween and finally ended up back with an SUV again. I just really like SUVs for my needs.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Orf
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• Pittsburgh, PA, USA |
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• Registered on 8/29/2003 |
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• 143 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/27/2004 19:53 |
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| Quote: | | The downside to the captain's chairs is that you have less flexibility to haul large items on a whim. |
Why is that? I have quad captains chairs and have had no problems with loading plywood or drywall. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,228 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/27/2004 21:08 |
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| Quote: | | Quote: | | The downside to the captain's chairs is that you have less flexibility to haul large items on a whim. |
Why is that? I have quad captains chairs and have had no problems with loading plywood or drywall. |
Do they fold completely down? If so, I was unaware of that. The middle seats fold completely flat, thus no interferance. 3rd seat obviously must be removed to do any hauling of large items.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Orf
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• Pittsburgh, PA, USA |
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• Registered on 8/29/2003 |
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• 143 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/28/2004 08:36 |
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They do fold flat. It was one of the things I checked before ordering. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,228 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Douglas Dircks
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• New Richland, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 11/13/2003 |
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• 118 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:3/3/2004 21:17 |
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Every time I drive the X I feel like replacing the F250 for a second X.
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 PSD 265/75/16 Ravo's Centerline rims Python 871XP
99 F250 x-cab short bed XLT 4x4 PSD 295/75/16 American Racing rims Viper 550 ESP stainless steel MAAP nerf bars Putco four piece grill inserts bumper poles and mud flaps air bags triple pillar pod Autometer Ultra Light fiberglass tannue cover and topper programmed pcm pulling 22 psi
99 F350 crew cab long bed drw Lariat 4x4 PSD 255/85/16 Python 871XP AIS fold down fifth wheel ball |
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