Wish me luck

[oregonn8v]

A little over a month ago an uninsured drunk driver slammed into the back of my 1997 Expedition Eddie Bauer. My rig only had 97,000 mile on it and was in pristine condition. Unfortunately, insurance companies don't give a flying rat's a** about a 17 year old truck and I had to battle them for even penny I could get.

Finally settled and now in the market for another 1st gen Expy and they are hard to come by with "lower" mileage and in generally decent shape. It seems, like me, that people hang onto them forever.

Finally found a 2000 EB with 130K. Looking at it tomorrow evening and hope to have a "new" truck by the weekend. I have read through the "What to look for" thread and feel pretty well equipped. Will not have a chance for my mechanic to look at it since it is over an hour drive from my home.

Keeping fingers crossed that it checks out. The photos of the body and the interior look good but it is what's under the hood that counts.

Eric

1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer

 

[Mikes05expy]

Good luck sir

Sent from my S5

 

[toms89]

Good luck!

Make sure you check thoroughly under the body for rust. Particularly if its 4wd and if they salt the roads in your area?! Many things can be fixed but rust is hard to deal with.

 

[oregonn8v]

Good luck!

Make sure you check thoroughly under the body for rust. Particularly if its 4wd and if they salt the roads in your area?! Many things can be fixed but rust is hard to deal with.

Thanks toms89,

No salt out here in the west. They will throw shale (great way to chip hood paint) and use a chemical deicer but no salt so rust is typically not an issue with a vehicle that is local.

 

[BAD RONALD]

Good luck!

Make sure you check thoroughly under the body for rust. Particularly if its 4wd and if they salt the roads in your area?! Many things can be fixed but rust is hard to deal with.

In New England time is far worse than mileage. Until recently CT sanded winter roads. Now that the state uses saline (chemical deicer) there is body, brake line and you name it rot like never before. CT is running jive that saline is easier on the environment. Really kills guys trying to keep vehicles on the road.

 

[oregonn8v]

In New England time is far worse than mileage. Until recently CT sanded winter roads. Now that the state uses saline (chemical deicer) there is body, brake line and you name it rot like never before. CT is running jive that saline is easier on the environment. Really kills guys trying to keep vehicles on the road.

The other difference is that in the upper midwest and New England they are throwing down the salt and deicer multiple times a year I would guess and for extended days at a time. If we get 3" here in Portland the city comes to a stand still. We just aren't equipment nor are the drivers used to those conditions. It would be laughable from your perspective. If we have more than 5-10 days when they would throw anything out it would be unusual. Most people just run their cars through the car wash after our Winter Storm Warnings!!!

 

[toms89]

In the MD/DC area they salt the roads heavily. Severe rust on the undercarriage of mine. What's interesting is the frame is fine. The thin sheet metal has not done so well.

 

[Yudaman]

If we get 3" here in Portland the city comes to a stand still.

Don't feel bad. Last December we got 3-5" in Medford and the schools were closed for a week! Not to mention the chaos on the roads.
I however enjoyed terrorizing the morons in the Subaru's