Editing Ford Excursion (section)

==Origin and concept==
For the 1973 model year, General Motors redesigned its Suburban utility wagon (sold by Chevrolet and GMC dealers) as part of its [[Chevrolet C/K (third generation)|Rounded-Line C/K]] trucks. A fourth passenger door was added, allowing the model line to compete directly against the similar-size [[International Harvester Travelall]] wagon for the first time. Following the 1975 discontinuation of the Travelall, the Suburban became the only wagon-style full-size SUV (a distinction it would hold until the 1997 introduction of the Expedition), competing primarily against the smaller [[Jeep Wagoneer (SJ)|Jeep Wagoneer]].

For 1978, the [[Ford Bronco#Second generation (1978)|second-generation Ford Bronco]] was released, becoming a full-size SUV. To compete against the [[Chevrolet K5 Blazer|Chevrolet K5 Blazer/GMC Jimmy]] and [[Dodge Ramcharger]], the Bronco adopted design commonality with the contemporary [[Ford F-Series (sixth generation)|Ford F-100]] pickup truck while retaining its previous body style: a three-door half-cab wagon with a lift-off hardtop (a configuration also used by the Blazer/Jimmy). In contrast to the [[Chevrolet C/K (third generation)|Rounded-Line pickup trucks]] serving as the basis for the K5 Blazer and the Suburban (which shared much of its bodywork with crew-cab pickup trucks), Ford did not develop a five-door station wagon body from its trucks.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Ford marketed four-door versions of the Bronco on a special-order basis. License-built by second-party manufacturers, the designs mated the rear body of the Bronco to crew-cab F-Series bodywork.<ref name=":02">{{cite web |last=Snitkoff |first=Edward |date=January 18, 2017 |title=Curbside Classic: Ford Classic 350 – Centurion Vehicles Creates A Frankenstein Suburban Fighter |url=http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-ford-classic-350-centurion-vehicles-creates-a-frankenstein-suburban-fighter/ |access-date=July 7, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite web |date=February 28, 2016 |title=This is the 4-Door Ford Bronco You Didn't Know Existed |url=http://news.boldride.com/2015/11/ford-bronco-rare-centurion-classic/94489/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228070650/http://news.boldride.com/2015/11/ford-bronco-rare-centurion-classic/94489/ |archive-date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref> Examples used the 1-ton F-350 chassis (a first since the IHC Travelall) as a basis. In contrast to the Suburban, offered with <big>½</big>-ton or <big>¾</big>-ton payload<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" />

For 1997, Ford released the [[Ford Expedition]] as its all-new SUV derived from the Ford F-150 (itself redesigned the same year). Nearly matching the International Travelall in size, the Expedition adopted a five-door wagon configuration, sized between the [[Chevrolet Tahoe]] (replacing the K5 Blazer) and the Suburban (offering the three-row interior seating of the latter).

For 1999, Ford expanded the F-Series model range, with the Super Duty series including the F-250 and F-350 (and all larger Ford trucks). The Super Duty F-Series trucks received a heavier-duty chassis, suspension, and distinct body design. Coinciding with the development of the Super Duty series, Ford commenced development of a heavy-duty SUV derived from the {{Fraction|3|4}}-ton F-250 Super Duty, intended to compete against the higher-payload 2500-series Suburban (itself based on a {{Fraction|3|4}}-ton pickup truck chassis).