2003 Expedition Face Lift Begins

[Vancouver Bob]

I think the chrome is out...

Although... chrome is classic, right? Perhaps timeless...

 

[scoot0073]

Black is the New Chrome look around at all the lifted trucks ..unless its a highway Queen then it'll probably have Chrome..

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Ha ha... yea you're right. I grew up in the muscle car era so when I think of custom wheels chrome is the first thing that cones to mind. But so far, with all the mock ups I've put together, black is winng out. Thanks for your inputs Scoot!

 

[Jb14]

Looks good Bob I have polished 35 on 17 x 9.5. We go wheeling and I air down so did not want to blow a Bead. Brought back memories when I did mine over a year ago. Enjoy

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Looks good Bob I have polished 35 on 17 x 9.5. We go wheeling and I air down so did not want to blow a Bead. Brought back memories when I did mine over a year ago. Enjoy

Thanks, JB!

How do you like the RT's? I've been thinking about tires too and while I LOVE the aggressive look of the M/T's, they don't rate so great in winter weather for some reason. You'd think with that aggressive tread that they would just tear thru in the snow. I read somewhere where a guy had his M/T's siped. Maybe that helps bridge the winter traction gap.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Got the word from Natalie over at WAM that the bumper is ready to ship! Cost to ship to the West Coast is right at $250... wish I could just go pick it up like some of you can! I asked what all it ships with as a gentle reminder to ship the lights that I ordered for it along with whatever mounting hardware it comes with. Can't wait to see it!

 

[Jb14]

Hi Bob The Toyo RT is a great tire. Before the lift I had Toyo AT 33 and they were fine but the 35 RT do an amazing job off and on road. I was considering the MTs as well but was not willing to sacrifice the shorter tire life and the added noise. I have had the RTs on for over a year and they seem to do well in the rain, I have not had the opportunity to run in snow, of course sand and dirt are great, and I must say I can get up much steeper incline now, where the AT would lose grip.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Thanks for the info, JB! I'm currently running Toyo AT II's. I've really liked them. Had them in snow a few times and would say they're pretty decent. Struggled getting up my hill this winter when we have a little over a foot of snow. Managed to get up on the one final and last attempt... turned off all traction control and I drove right out. Not sure if it was the one last try or if it was turning off all traction control. If I had to guess, I'd say it was the traction control because during several of my attempts it seemed like I'd start loosing power to the point where I'd even loose power brakes momentarily. I'll have to remember that trick.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Bumper shipped today and is scheduled to arrive at the terminal in Portland on the 28th. Sweet!!

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Looks good Bob I have polished 35 on 17 x 9.5. We go wheeling and I air down so did not want to blow a Bead. Brought back memories when I did mine over a year ago. Enjoy

JB, how do you air back up? Do you have onboard air? Locker?

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Another strong possibility...

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Or maybe both chrome AND black...

 

[Habbibie]

I say black lip and the center spokes color matched to your lower trim

 

[Adieu]

That there is straight outta Mad Max movies

As I was looking over the pictures that Natalie from WAM sent me I was reminded of a picture that I saw of another Expedition with the same bumper...

View attachment 19565

I didn't like how the ends of the bumper, where it wraps around the side of the vehicle, were open... having the thin edge of the sheet metal exposed. So I shot a note to Natalie along with a picture of what I was thinking... sheet metal welded to the very end of the bumper so that it's essentially closed off.

View attachment 19562

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Funny you say that because I had seen some pictures of that as well as the opposite, chrome spokes but with the lip painted to match the color of the truck. Looks damn cool!

But I'm getting a bad case of sticker shock when looking at prices of just regular wheels... doesn't even include the tires! May need to run with what I have for the time being.

 

[Adieu]

Is it my imagination or did the rear wheels come forward a bit? The control arms are at an angle, rotated towards the back. With the lift the wheels may get sucked forward a bit. Or maybe it's just more noticeable because the wheel wells sit up higher?

I believe thats an alignment spec called caster

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I believe thats an alignment spec called caster

Thanks for the inputs... she's going in for an alignment tomorrow so I'll mention it and see if there's any adjusting that's possible. Seems like all the lifted gen 2's (maybe others) have the rear wheel come a little closer to the front of the fender well. I also know that the control arms are rotated relative to the body with the hubs towards the back. So a lift will cause the wheels to move ever so slightly closer to the forward fender well.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Don't get color matched wheels. Although I couldn't find Handicorn doing color matched wheels..... You get the idea:

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Ha ha... that's funny! Ok, no color matching

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I was this close to having to settle for this for my next upgrade...

Fridge went on the blink a few days ago and I'm saying goodbye to any hope of getting new wheels and tires. Luckily I was able to get my old fridge going again!