2003 Expedition Face Lift Begins

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
Vancouver Bob

Vancouver Bob

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
719
Reaction score
355
Location
Vancouver, WA
It always seemed like whenever I changed oil, I always wound up with more on the floor than I had in the catch pan. I have always said if I build another house I'm going to put a pit in the garage. But then I thought about it and I'd rather just pay somebody to do it rather than mess with it. :)

I do enjoy working on the vehicle though... it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes it's just faster or less of a hassle and I have a little more confidence in what I'm doing vs some kick
It always seemed like whenever I changed oil, I always wound up with more on the floor than I had in the catch pan. I have always said if I build another house I'm going to put a pit in the garage. But then I thought about it and I'd rather just pay somebody to do it rather than mess with it. :)


Well that's because you're older and wiser than me :)

I remember a couple of years back, I was getting ready to drive down to LA to take my girls to Disneyland. Day prior to departure I was going to change the oil real quick. All went well. When putting on the filter it felt strange as I was tightening it on... like it didn't tighten up like usual, felt a little squishier. Got it tightened up, started the engine, and after just a few seconds I'm hearing this slapping noise from the engine so I shut it down real quick. Looked under the hood that was still open and saw oil EVERYWHERE! The filter gasket got dislodged and was what was preventing the filter from seating and tightening properly. Oil was squirting into the fan which in turn sprayed oil all over. Now that was a mess!
 

ExpeditionAndy

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2013
Posts
3,711
Reaction score
1,126
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Well that's because you're older and wiser than me :)
But not by much! LOL :D

I do enjoy working on the vehicle though... it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes it's just faster or less of a hassle and I have a little more confidence in what I'm doing vs some kick

I remember a couple of years back, I was getting ready to drive down to LA to take my girls to Disneyland. Day prior to departure I was going to change the oil real quick. All went well. When putting on the filter it felt strange as I was tightening it on... like it didn't tighten up like usual, felt a little squishier. Got it tightened up, started the engine, and after just a few seconds I'm hearing this slapping noise from the engine so I shut it down real quick. Looked under the hood that was still open and saw oil EVERYWHERE! The filter gasket got dislodged and was what was preventing the filter from seating and tightening properly. Oil was squirting into the fan which in turn sprayed oil all over. Now that was a mess!
Back when I was in my late teens or early 20s I was changing oil at my mom and dad's house. Dad had one of these catch cans that had a pan with a drain in the center that allowed the oil to drain into the interior of the pan. The first mistake I made was forgetting to pull the center drain plug. I realized my mistake when the oil started to overflow the pan and I had to reach into the hot oil to pull the plug which took a couple of tries because I didn't remember exactly where it was. The second mistake was failing to check the cap for the internal storage compartment. I crawled out from underneath grabbed a rag to clean my hands and then when it the house to wait for it to drain when I came out about 30-minutes later, oil was running out from under the car and I couldn't figure out what was going on until I looked under the car and saw oil dripping out from the cap. The mess was incredible, dad wasn't too happy, and I never made that mistake again. :)
 
OP
OP
Vancouver Bob

Vancouver Bob

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
719
Reaction score
355
Location
Vancouver, WA
But not by much! LOL :D


Back when I was in my late teens or early 20s I was changing oil at my mom and dad's house. Dad had one of these catch cans that had a pan with a drain in the center that allowed the oil to drain into the interior of the pan. The first mistake I made was forgetting to pull the center drain plug. I realized my mistake when the oil started to overflow the pan and I had to reach into the hot oil to pull the plug which took a couple of tries because I didn't remember exactly where it was. The second mistake was failing to check the cap for the internal storage compartment. I crawled out from underneath grabbed a rag to clean my hands and then when it the house to wait for it to drain when I came out about 30-minutes later, oil was running out from under the car and I couldn't figure out what was going on until I looked under the car and saw oil dripping out from the cap. The mess was incredible, dad wasn't too happy, and I never made that mistake again. :)

Great story!! And some things we just never learn... like I keep thinking I need to put the nitrile gloves on AFTER I get my hands dirty.
 
OP
OP
Vancouver Bob

Vancouver Bob

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
719
Reaction score
355
Location
Vancouver, WA
Hi Scoot...

Here are some pictures of how I got the bumper mounted up... I used some shims to set the spacing between fender and bumper. The one shown in the picture was out of position.

upload_2017-12-19_22-10-36.png


Here's a pic of how I had the top of the frame reinforced with a little plate...

upload_2017-12-19_22-14-6.png


Driver side... not completely bolted up. Sitting a little closer to the frame than I would like...

upload_2017-12-19_22-17-20.png

Picture from the front... left and right gaps don't quit match but it was good enough to not be a high enough priority to fix it just yet :)

upload_2017-12-19_22-22-54.png

driver side after adding to the bumper to get it to fit up to the fender better... tighter fit than I would like.

upload_2017-12-19_22-27-32.png
 

John Christopher

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 8, 2017
Posts
393
Reaction score
78
Location
CT
I do enjoy working on the vehicle though... it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes it's just faster or less of a hassle and I have a little more confidence in what I'm doing vs some kick



Well that's because you're older and wiser than me :)

I remember a couple of years back, I was getting ready to drive down to LA to take my girls to Disneyland. Day prior to departure I was going to change the oil real quick. All went well. When putting on the filter it felt strange as I was tightening it on... like it didn't tighten up like usual, felt a little squishier. Got it tightened up, started the engine, and after just a few seconds I'm hearing this slapping noise from the engine so I shut it down real quick. Looked under the hood that was still open and saw oil EVERYWHERE! The filter gasket got dislodged and was what was preventing the filter from seating and tightening properly. Oil was squirting into the fan which in turn sprayed oil all over. Now that was a mess!

I used to change my oil myself many years ago but not anymore. When you consider the price of the oil and filter, having to get under the truck and do the change, then taking the oil to be recycled, it's a PIA. Also stores are always running specials and it cost $25 to 30 for a change. It's just not worth it to me even if I don't spill any oil. The only oil I change is in my boat and that's once a year before winterizing. Take care.
 
OP
OP
Vancouver Bob

Vancouver Bob

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
719
Reaction score
355
Location
Vancouver, WA
I used to change my oil myself many years ago but not anymore. When you consider the price of the oil and filter, having to get under the truck and do the change, then taking the oil to be recycled, it's a PIA. Also stores are always running specials and it cost $25 to 30 for a change. It's just not worth it to me even if I don't spill any oil. The only oil I change is in my boat and that's once a year before winterizing. Take care.

That is so true, John... I’m about at that point too. Over here we can put oil, anti-freeze, tranny fluid out with the recycle so a little less hassle. But from a cost and time perspective probably better to just take it to one of the oil change places.
 
OP
OP
Vancouver Bob

Vancouver Bob

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Posts
719
Reaction score
355
Location
Vancouver, WA
@Vancouver Bob, just out of curiosity, do you still have the front air bag sensors and if so, do they mount to the bumper?

Actually, when taking things apart the only thing attached to the bumper/shroud were the fog lights. But now you have me curious about actual location... the accelerometers could be pretty much anywhere I would think. I'll have to Google that one :).
 

FRD88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Posts
59
Reaction score
15
Location
Montana
Actually, when taking things apart the only thing attached to the bumper/shroud were the fog lights. But now you have me curious about actual location... the accelerometers could be pretty much anywhere I would think. I'll have to Google that one :).


Please let us know what you come up with. I will be replacing my front bumper with something very similar to your and this is one of the questions I have as well. Really enjoy this post by the way! Thanks for all the great info Vancouver Bob, I may be reaching out to you if I come across any more questions.
 
Top