How many gallons does a V-10 Excursion hold?
Approximately 35 gallons (about 132 liters) is the standard fuel tank capacity for the V-10 Excursion, covering most 1999–2005 models equipped with Ford's 6.8-liter V-10 engine.
The Ford Excursion, a full-size SUV built on a heavy-duty chassis, was designed for long-range driving with substantial payload. This article explains the official tank size, how it varied by year, and what that means for range and fueling logistics.
Factory specification
For the 1999–2005 Excursion with the 6.8L V-10, Ford's documented fuel-tank capacity is 35 gallons (approximately 132 liters). This size remained the standard across most production years; there is little evidence of a widely available factory option with a larger tank. Real-world numbers can vary slightly due to manufacturing tolerances, but 35 gallons is the commonly cited figure among owners and service manuals.
Range and practical considerations
With a 35-gallon tank, driving range depends heavily on fuel economy, payload, and driving conditions. The V-10 Excursion tends to consume more fuel under heavy load or towing; highway driving yields better mileage than city driving. In typical usage, many owners report a practical range of several hundred miles per tank, often in the 450–550 mile ballpark, though towing or full payload will reduce that figure.
Summary
Bottom line: The V-10 Excursion holds 35 gallons in its standard fuel tank, giving substantial range for a vehicle of its size. If you're shopping used, expect this capacity to be consistent across the common model years, with small variances due to manufacturing tolerances or aftermarket modifications.
Does a V10 use more gas than a V8?
Fuel efficiency
In general, engines with more cylinders are less fuel-efficient. V8 engines typically offer better fuel economy than V10 engines, especially in non-performance applications.
What is the best year for the V10 Excursion?
The best Ford Excursion V10 years are generally considered to be from 2003 onward, as this is when the engine received improvements like upgraded cylinder heads and deeper spark plug threads, which helped address common issues. While most model years are reliable, 2003 and later models offer the most desirable upgrades.
This video explains why the Ford Excursion was a great truck and still holds its value today: 1mMy Old CarYouTube · Apr 6, 2024
Why 2003 and later are considered the best
- Improved cylinder heads: 2003 models received upgraded "Performance Improved" (PI) heads, which improved airflow and performance.
- Deeper spark plug threads: Starting around 2002, Ford implemented deeper spark plug threads to reduce the risk of blowout, a problem that was more common in earlier models.
- 3-valve upgrade (2005+): The 2005 model year introduced a 3-valve per cylinder design, which boosted horsepower to 362 and torque to 460 lb-ft.
Other considerations
- Reliability: Even the earlier 2000-2002 models are known for their overall reliability, with many reaching over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.
- Engine durability: The V10 engine is considered a robust and dependable choice, especially when compared to later diesel options like the 6.0L, which had more known issues.
- Maintenance: The engine bay is more accessible than in other trucks, making it easier to perform maintenance like spark plug replacement.
You can watch this video to learn about the Ford Excursion V10 engine's performance and reliability: 59sTwoGuys OneCoupeYouTube · Sep 7, 2021
How many miles per gallon does a 6.8 V10 Ford Excursion get?
The Ford Excursion with a 6.8L V10 typically gets 8 to 13 MPG, depending on driving conditions and towing. Expect 12-14 MPG on the highway when empty, but this can drop to around 6-8 MPG when towing a heavy load. Factors like rear axle gearing, tire size, and driving habits significantly affect real-world fuel economy.
You can watch this video to learn about the V10's fuel economy: 1mJohn Drives AnythingYouTube · Feb 25, 2020
Typical mileage
- Highway (unloaded): 12-14 MPG
- City/Mixed (unloaded): 10-12 MPG
- Towing (heavy load): 6-8 MPG
Factors that influence MPG
- Towing and load: Hauling a trailer significantly reduces fuel economy, with mileage dropping to 6-8 MPG.
- Gearing: The rear axle ratio plays a large role. Lower gears (higher number, like 4.304.304.30) can improve towing performance but may decrease highway MPG compared to stock 3.733.733.73 gears.
- Tire size: Larger tires increase rotational mass and can negatively impact fuel efficiency.
- Driving habits: Aggressive driving, like flooring the accelerator, will decrease MPG, while consistent, moderate speeds on the highway will yield better results.
- Vehicle maintenance: Proper maintenance, including spark plug and coil replacement, can help the engine run more efficiently.
How big is the gas tank on an Excursion?
44.0 gal
0/0 mi. 44.0 gal.
