The 2wd Excursion uses the sturdy Twin I-Beam front suspension design that was once the trademark of all Ford Tough trucks. Many current sport utes have car like independent suspension, but the 4wd Excursion has a traditional moonbeam axle and a leaf spring front suspension. Oddly, given the Excursion’s stout hardware, skidplates have been deleted from the 2002 option list. Engine choices remain the 5.4 liter sohc V8 and 6.8 liter V10 or the 7.3 liter Power stroke, trebo diesel V8. A 4 speed automatic with a tow/haul feature that adjusts shift patterns as needed is the sole transmission. A standard 44 gallon fuel tank ensures a long cruising range, even with the large, thirsty engines. The Excursion’s other noteworthy features carry over intact. The tri panel tailgate incorporates a traditional swing up liftgate and two swing out doors below. The reverse sensing system is standard on the limited and optional on the XLT. It can detect obstacles as far as six feet behind the vehicle, with warning beeps that increase in frequency the closer the obstacle gets. Front and rear air conditioning is standard. All Excursions come with front tow hooks, and the Blocker Beam front under ride bumper that helps equalize the difference in ride height between automobiles and the Excursion.
Adventures buyers can drape the Excursion in the No Boundaries Black Monochromatic Package, which provides black monochromatic paint, a black grille, black illuminated running boards and a chrome inlay in the moldings to keep the whole thing from imploding into a black hole. Underneath all the upper crust niceties though, lies a very sturdy sport utility capable of hauling up to nine people and towing up to 11,000 lb. Perfect for Cash.
