Buying '03 Eddie Bauer 4x4. Thoughts?

[Carguynate]

Just joined the forum tonight. Will be purchasing a 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 on Wednesday. I have an appointment with my mechanic to have it looked over. From what I can tell so far so good. One owner, 97k miles. I assume the shop can pull a plug to tell if they have been changed? Other than the spark plug issue and the usual inspection of electronics etc, anything else I should have them look for? Have the dealer down to $9900, which I feel is fair. In great shape inside and out. Any thoughts?

 

[sgtowing]

Look for bubbling paint on the hood and tailgate.

 

[Carguynate]

Thanks @sgtowing. I did find one spot above the rear window on the tailgate, beside the third brake light. Is this something the body shop could successfully fix in your experience, or is it a continuous bubble cycle with these tailgates?

 

[GAINMOB]

welcome to the site...i think the bubbling paint and CoPs are the only thing...

 

[ELVATO]

Well, at least you shouldn't have an issue with the plugs coming apart when you change them, hah.

Other than going through the list posted at the top of the section ("What to look for" thread), not much else I can tell you. Don't have a 4x4, so can't really tell you much there, either.

 

[GAINMOB]

if the plugs havent been changed...get them changed

 

[Big White]

Not a deal breaker but maybe a bargaining point: check to see if the power adjustable pedals move more than 1/2".

 

[ELVATO]

Not a deal breaker but maybe a bargaining point: check to see if the power adjustable pedals move more than 1/2".

Oh yea, forgot about that one (considering it's happening to mine). You should add it to the sticky.

 

[GAINMOB]

make sure the............has been changed and watch out for the.............too...lol...idk for 3rd gens

 

[Maineman]

Things to check when buying 2003 2nd gen. Expedition

Just joined the forum tonight. Will be purchasing a 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 on Wednesday. I have an appointment with my mechanic to have it looked over. From what I can tell so far so good. One owner, 97k miles. I assume the shop can pull a plug to tell if they have been changed? Other than the spark plug issue and the usual inspection of electronics etc, anything else I should have them look for? Have the dealer down to $9900, which I feel is fair. In great shape inside and out. Any thoughts?

My '03 was made in March or April of 2002 in Canada. I was told by a recycler that Ford did not make the spark plug holes deep enough (in the heads) and resulted in plugs being blown out of the engine and or the coils going bad. I understand Ford caught the problem mid-production and modified the head design to correct it (I have not changed the heads). I've had two plugs (so far) blow out, have replaced at least three plug coils to date. The truck now has 104k miles, I've had it since about 34k miles. Eddie Bauer, 5.4L, with all the bells and whistles. In town mileage about 12 mpg. Does not burn oil though I change it and the filter at 2000 mile intervals. We love this Expedition, it's our second one and expect to drive it into the ground. BTW, it is a very "safe" vehicle & includes side curtain airbags to help protect the grand kids from T-bone accidents, the traction control and ABS systems are terrific. The grandchildren particularly enjoy the built in DVD player. Good luck.

 

[rvm1]

I have the 04 model. Some suspension parts had to be replaced. I'd suggest checking / replacing tranny and gear oils.

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk 2

 

[Carguynate]

So far so good. I've had the 2003 EB for about a month now. Will upload some photos soon. So far I've added a new set of factory floor mats, chrome window betline trim (a la navigator style) and replaced the two tone good center caps with the solid chrome ones from the 05+ models.

 

[Hamfisted]

The stock ball joint dust boots crack/tear in about 5 years, so check your's over. The Raybestos Professional series replacements use a synthetic boot that last a lot longer. Look under the the truck in the front floor pan areas. The front tires throw water up in this area and the little body grommets leak with age causing your carpet to get wet/smell. Seal 'em with some silicone to fix this before it gets bad. The channels up in the roof are notorious for rusting. Clean them out routinely and apply a good wax at least twice a year to help prevent this. The roof between the liftgate hinges may develope tiny rust holes. Open the liftgate and inspect this area. Clean them out and seal 'em up with metal epoxy and apply paint as needed. Remove the upper interior trim piece and spray some rust preventative from the inside to help prevent this. I did the same thing with my stock hub caps. Replaced them with later model chrome ones. Looks a lot better.


-Mike

 

[donalds]

the solid chrome look better

 

[armyelliott]

Anyone know of a good lift for my 03 expedition

 

[tallsville]

check in suspension section. plenty of info. For the second gens its mainly spacer lifts 3/2(truxx, readylift, ebay) or if you want to spend money look into a rize 8" lift. but they aren't making rize lifts for 2nd gens anymore and only have left what is on hand

 

[Carguynate]

just posted some new pics of the Expedition. So far, I've added the chrome belt line trim, upgraded the center caps to the full from from 05/06 models, added a chrome exhaust tip, and tinted the front windows the same shade as the rear. Just ordered a new two tone wheel skin tonight. I'll add photos once that is installed.

 

[Carguynate]

new photos

 

[Carguynate]

another shot

 

[Hamfisted]

Looks familiar ...

Hey that Expy looks familiar !

On my '03 I needed to add the A/C drain elbow to keep drain water from flowing back into the passenger side floor insulation. There's a TSB out on it somewhere. http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/timnoll/2010-03-22_002856_tsb05-20-07.pdf Huge pain in the butt. On mine I swapped out the stock honeycomb grill for a billet aluminum one when it was about a month old. Added a WAAG push bar and Hella 4000 driving lights relayed off the high beams. Replaced the inner tie-rods at 100k miles, ball joints too because the dust covers were split. I use Acebono ceramic brake pads all the way around to eliminate the brake dust on the rims. I did the Wheelskin steering wheel wrap as well, looks great. I swapped out the factory CD player after it died, for a Pioneer HD Nav unit. Great upgrade. Replaced the rear door speakers with some Pioneer units as well. When you change your sparkplugs don't use Autolites, they suck. I swapped out the stock chrome backed headlight assemblies for the FX4 blacked out assemblies and added some HIDs with ballasts at the same time. Big improvement in lighting.
You'll have fun with it, good luck.


-Mike








A/C drain tube shield (the black plastic cover...)