2003 Expedition Face Lift Begins

[ExpeditionAndy]

The new wheels arrived today!

Even though the plan is to send them back, I just had to look at one. Gotta tell ya... they're pretty damn sexy!! If it weren't for the off road bumper, I'd be slapping these ******* on there!! Ha ha!!

Pictures?

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Yea, I'd be spending WAY too much time polishing these... they sure are pretty though!! Not a big fan of the dual bolt pattern. Came with hub centric rings.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Wow! Yeah those would look bad anytime they were dirty. And if you scratched them......

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I was hoping the guys for Hard Notched Customs would have called on Wednesday to say they were able to get me in the next day but they didn't so I'm giving up on them. I haven't been able to really dedicate much time to the Expedition because I've been spending most nights at my mom's or taking her to dinner and getting home too late to do anything. Last night I managed to get the lower mounting plates bolted up to the frame and I'm going to get the bumper up to see how it sits relative to these plates. I was hoping to take advantage of the existing bumper mounts but the frame that extends beyond them may actually get in the way. I'm hoping the bumper actually sits on top of these plates to help support the weight while getting it positioned. It's a bit precarious balancing the bumper on the end of the floor jack. Not something I'd feel comfortable relying on if having to crawl under the front end.





Oh, I did get me a new toy... pretty sweet! Amazing how it simplifies driving bolts. I should have bought this when I was replacing shocks/springs and installing the lift!! Would have made that task soooo much easier. I can see where one needs to be careful with getting things threaded properly before driving them because this thing will drive them in regardless of them being cross threaded. Easy to over torque as well. I need to get a feel for the two speed settings.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Discovered that when the bumper sits on top of the new mounting plates it sits too high.





I pulled the mounting plates and tried getting the bumper in with the original mounting brackets in place but they were preventing the bumper from sliding in far enough... it's close though. Originals have to go as the mounting directions instructed... was just hoping I could tie into them somehow.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I've also been toying with the thought of making the bumper white vs arizona beige of the trim. I like the look on the pictures below but they don't have the trim color to contend with.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

That white would be a good look if you paint the rest of the trim white. I've grown kind of fond of my all white truck. It is looking pretty good.

It's too bad the other place couldn't get you in. You might still want to stay with them as the are probably equipped to handle any issues that come up because of their experience and expertise.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

That white would be a good look if you paint the rest of the trim white. I've grown kind of fond of my all white truck. It is looking pretty good.

It's too bad the other place couldn't get you in. You might still want to stay with them as the are probably equipped to handle any issues that come up because of their experience and expertise.

Was thinking the same thing

Yes, I was really bummed when the shop started pushing me out and then didn't return my email or my call. The last time I called the guy was like, "Oh he's with a customer right now". I know they're really busy over there and I'm sure they're giving priority to their primary business but still.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Decide on my NEW wheels... Fuel Beasts, 20x9 +1 offset. And I think I'm starting to get over the chrome wheels that are sitting in my garage. I came close to just sticking with them but they didn't go with the bumper and these I wouldn't cringe over if they got scratched or dinged up. I'll get the chromees returned this week.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Was thinking the same thing

Yes, I was really bummed when the shop started pushing me out and then didn't return my email or my call. The last time I called the guy was like, "Oh he's with a customer right now". I know they're really busy over there and I'm sure they're giving priority to their primary business but still.

Maybe you just have to show up in their shop. Meet face to face. Tell them of "all of the local guys" that are following this thread looking for better bumpers and all the business they could get. Etc.

By the wheels are going to look great.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

What did the Milwaukee electric impact set you back and where did you get it?

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I stopped in the very first time. Seemed like really great people and I got the sense that they wanted to help me out. So I can't help but feel they're just swamped. I know they go to the various truck/4x4 shows all over the country so timing may just be really bad. But you're right... I should pop back in there. I was actually thinking that if could come up with a mounting scheme I could just drop it off and let them work it in when they have a chance. To that end, I started cutting off the original mounts but broke the sawzall blade so need to make a run to the Depot.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

What did the Milwaukee electric impact set you back and where did you get it?

I bought it on Amazon... had a few gift cards so put them to use. Cost me $371 and I got the impact sockets from Sears (more gift cards) which cost me $50.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I bought it on Amazon... had a few gift cards so put them to use. Cost me $371 and I got the impact sockets from Sears (more gift cards) which cost me $50.

Amazon is my favorite place to buy things. I've got sets of impact sockets. I have a bunch of air tools but the electrics are so convenient.

 

[Stepcajun]

I am local for sure and definitely in the market for a good bumper.
I like the wheel choice,
Let me know when you want to try out the new gear, I bet it will be great on the sand at the coast.

 

[ExplorerTom]

There's 2 issues:
1). Wheeling season is coming and everyone is trying to get their rigs ready
2). Those that get tax refunds have money to spend.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

There's 2 issues:
1). Wheeling season is coming and

Amazon is my favorite place to buy things. I've got sets of impact sockets. I have a bunch of air tools but the electrics are so convenient.

I love Amazon too. Got a free year of Prime so it's great buying what you want from the comfort of your chair and having it delivered to your front door in two smday!

I have a hodge podge of tools from way back. No air tools but always wanted some. Love the sound they make Nice to have the cordless impact, my first, and not needing the compressor. Hard to pass an opportunity/excuse to get a new tool.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

There's 2 issues:
1). Wheeling season is coming and everyone is trying to get their rigs ready
2). Those that get tax refunds have money to spend.

Yea that's what I'm thinking too. I'm just dying to get the bumper on. I have the front all cut up so really don't want to drive it since the bottom of the radiator and ac and trans coolers are all exposed.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I love Amazon too. Got a free year of Prime so it's great buying what you want from the comfort of your chair and having it delivered to your front door in two smday!

I have a hodge podge of tools from way back. No air tools but always wanted some. Love the sound they make Nice to have the cordless impact, my first, and not needing the compressor. Hard to pass an opportunity/excuse to get a new tool.

I've been paying for Amazon Prime for about 5 or 6 years now. I more than get it back with all of the stuff that we buy from Amazon. There are always Amazon boxes around here.

I've taken to wearing hearing protection when I use my air tools. I have to protect the hearing that I have left. plus my compressor is very loud.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I am local for sure and definitely in the market for a good bumper.
I like the wheel choice,
Let me know when you want to try out the new gear, I bet it will be great on the sand at the coast.

Thanks, SC!

I love driving on the beach! We usually get out to Ft Stevens a time or two every summer. I had a sorta funny incent a couple of years ago right there. I had some family from Holland over so I took the crew out to Tillamook and then up the coast. Got on the sand there at Sunset Beach. Drove up towards the shipwreck and decided to pull off, back up to the grass. I checked my mirrors and didn't see anything behind me so I just started backing up. My mom was freaking out saying we're going to get stuck in the sand... I just laughed. Suddenly the back end just took a dive and I high centered. The wind had carved a nice little ravine right behind a log and I backed right into it. The only place along the entire beach with a small drop off and I drove into it! High centered with the right rear and left front tires just barely touching the sand. Needless to say I wasn't going anywhere! I felt like an idiot. Could have used a locker right then. Tried lifting the back end to get the front tire back down but ended up needing to jack up the right rear corner. At one point the left front dropped down and I drove out. It was the highlight of their trip that no one could stop talking about .

BTW... that's me with the Hard Rock t-shirt.