Didn't read all the posts, but...
I just wanted to add my own EXPeriences as well as with Fords in general.
My 1997 XLT 4x4 4.6L
I miss it still, even after losing it over 9 and a half years ago to a hit n run driver who rear ended me at a stop light doing 60mph. Up until that day, my EXP was one of the most reliable Fords I've ever owned, and I've owned many...still do.
If memory serves, I had only a few minor problems with at up 'til it's demise at 109,000 miles on the odometer.
Shortly after buying it in August of 2000, the AC pump went out on it but it was covered under the extended warranty I purchased. It originally had 54,*** miles on it when I got it. It was in prestine condition as well.
I added a trailer package to it in February of 2001 when a friend needed help moving from SoCal to Phoenix, AZ and I needed to use something other than my bumper to tow with. I purchased the towing setup myself and installed it myself as well along with splicing in the wiring (having a background in automotive fab, body work, and mechanics has served me quite well over my 41 years).
Shortly after the AC pump went, I had an air IAC valve/sensor go out but again, covered by my extended warranty.
The last thing I remember happening was probably the most expensive, time consuming, and labor intensive repair required and it happened in the summer of 2002. Somehow, a tube of some kind, inside the transfer case was malfunctioning. This malfunction was causing the transfer case to attempt to engage the front drive shaft for 4-wheel drive HIGH even when the dash knob/actuator was set to 2W High. No, it was not mistakenly in A4WD (by the way is the greatest feature for either of my EXPies to date!).
So....it took them several weeks just to finally figure out the problem with only, what can only be described as, the quietest noise of the xfer case trying to engage the front shaft. An extremely subtle thump could be felt too. I must have gone on 4 or 5 test drives with the staff at the dealership until someone could finally hear and feel what I could. I know ALL of my cars extremely well and can tell when something is not correct even in the slightest way.
They eventually had to complete tear apart the xfer case in order to fix this one tiny tube inside causing the problem.
Approximately one month in the shop and roughly $6000 on the bill.
Yes, $6K!! But guess what, it happened 1,501 miles BEFORE my warranty ran out on it. Never had a problem for the next 3 years I had it.
All in all, minor stuff. No injectors, plugs, water pump, heads, etc that ever went wrong.
I did do many things preventatively as well. Like, having the diffs flushed and replenished at 75K. Also had the transmission done at that time too. Those were all done when I was living in an apartment and didn't have access to a work area of my own at the time. Easier to pay a few bucks extra and let someone do the work for me. Also had the cooling system flushed and filled twice while I had it as well as a new t-stat each time too. The last 3 years I had it, when I had a garage again, I did my oil changes myself again but instead opting to use AMSOil synthetic and their filter instead of the Mobil 1 full synthetic I was using since I first bought it.
Yes, I rambled. But I wanted you guys to know how great it was and that I wish I still had it. In fact, I came across a '97 4wd 4.6L recently for sale near me and I did give it a thought or two. Alas, I have too many toys as it is.
Currently, I now have a 2010 EXPedition Limited 4wd 5.4L with every bell and whistle you can think of. It was fate finding it in the corner of a little used car lot in Miramar, CA (San Diego for those not in the know).
This one has stuff that I never would have purchased had I been buying it new.
I'm currently at 90K with a full warranty 'til 140K. Got it with 84k on the odo a few days over 14 months ago. Book on it was 32.5K and we got it for 28.2K out the door with the warranty, both keys, all the books, the headphones, the original sticker, and a huge music library already uploaded to it. Also had the complete service records for it too.
Over a year later without a problem. A few weeks ago I heard the power steering pump (Fords have a very particular sound too) noise. Checked and it was a little low. Filled it back to the line and it was fine. Also.....luckily, the noise left too. Those that know Ford pwr str pumps KNOW that once they do the whine, they never stop 'til replaced. Lucky!
Before the 2010 was a '93 Bronco, a 2006 GT Mustang and I still have my '92 Mustang GT 'vert that I celebrated 17 years with last September 7th.
The 2010 EXPy drove like a champ on a recent trip to race 5th Scale RC cars at Glen Helen Raceway. Towed great. Trailer sway electronics performed great as well as the suspension air bags/leveling. I can't say enough good stuff about this EXPy and all Fords in general.
B.
Next updates in August and November.
