Different years, different problems

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Kermit

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OK, so here's the question... What is the one expy model year that you would avoid like the plague and why? As long as we're on the topic of years, which is your favorite?
Aaaand... Go..
 

ManUpOrShutUp

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The '07-08s are model years that I avoided when shopping 2 years ago. For one, the peeling paint issues were truly severe on all of the ones I looked at from those years. You can't avoid them with any 3rd gen Expedition, but some of these seemed like they would look like DeLoreans in a couple years. These models also had the 6R75 transmission rather than the 6R80 found in the 2009+ models. All of the '07s and many of the '08s also had the 2-piece spark plug design, which is prone to breakage. There were also a lot of other fairly minor issues with those years that had been fixed by '09 or '10. All of these issues are indicative of most vehicles within their first/second model year following a redesign, but that's precisely why I rarely buy first/second year model.
 

dlcorbett

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For first gen id get a 01-02 model as tbey were vaulted for quality and safety around that time.

Sec gen, 04 because it has the highest customer satisfaction rating or 05 for the slightly better ride and stronger engine

3rd gen pre refresh any year 09 to 14
Post refresh...any yr

Outside of the spark plugs, cam phasers, and windows, all the third gens have been rock solid but def do 09 and above
 

jeff kushner

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I personally have owned 3 expy's. a '99, a '03 Eddie Bauer and presently own my '17 Lmtd.

What Manup told you is pretty much on the money. Truth is, do you really want to buy a 10 year old truck and spend real money to do it? Of course not....BUT if you could find a sub 80K 02-05 it would run you under 4 grand...doable and no tranny worries generally at that mileage. My 03's tranny went up at 171K (I think)....my '99 ran well but rusted out the rear towers at 220,000 miles. So good luck....and yeah, avoid that two piece plug NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE DEAL APPEARS TO BE!! You will end up losing $$ once 5 of 8 plugs break off in your or the mechanics hand and you are forced to spend hundred to repair EACH one!

jeff
 

Big Brian

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I ended up with late production date (updated spark plugs) 08 EB that has just a tiny bit of paint peeling on the underside of the tail gate by the latch striker and the same under the hood. Already bought touch up paint for that (got it yesterday) and its at the ready.

I did have to replace the drivers window regulator (it broke on the way home from the dealer) they paid for it and my labor to install.

The price was right its in great shape well taken care of I am happy with it (so far anyway)
 

JExpedition07

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I'd say every year of any production vehicle had its kinks. The 6R75 is basically a 6R80 tranny with some minor differences and in no way is a negative. The 6R80 had tow haul which is nice. The two piece plugs do suck but I really don't mind since mine were already replaced. I'd say you coukd be happy with any year expy if you take care of it.
 

rjdelp7

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The paint peeling mentioned, was on the aluminum tailgates. Ford now makes Aluminum bodies. It will be interesting to see in the future, how they hold up, especially in the Northeast.
 

briangelc

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Not that it is a huge problem, but one of the weird things about the generation one expeditions was they could shoot the spark plugs out of the engine unexpectedly. It happened so commonly in the motors used in expeditions and Crown Victoria's, etc. that a TSB came out for the problem. You would think that losing a five dollar spark plug is a five dollar problem. But if it rips up the threads on the way out and it is one of the plugs that is towards the rear of the engine it can be a very difficult and expensive repair . In the worst possible scenario, removing the head from the engine might be necessary to Machine the spark plug hole and replace the spark plug. Thats like a 15 hour job!
As was mentioned earlier if you can find a low mileage 99 through 03, it can be a great truck, but make sure you check the torque on all your plugs before you set off down the road.
 
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