3rd gen Off-road rigs

[J Ski]

Welcome Raul! My '17 limited is stock as well but as an exploration geologist, I use it for work off-road. I have used F-150s with the FX4 package for over 30 years, but recently decided to get the Expedition. It performs like a dream off-road and have never been concerned with getting in or out. 4-Lo with the lockers is awesome going up steep grades (where the tingle in your stomach is felt) and is amazing.

If I were to do some very heavy duty off-road, a full set of skid plates would be a good idea. A lift? No, since it destroys the highway MPG and stability both off- and on-road. Good luck and let us know what you do.

putting my lift on my Ex did nothing to my mpg. 23 highway

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

The reason I ask is I was reading a blog article written by the guy who owns the above truck and he said he did a comparison from a hummer and a Jeep with lockers and the Expedition performed identically to the locked rigs....if its true that there are no rotational differences between the axles in the front and rear when Control Trac is engaged, then I would think it would indeed behave just like a locker is intended to behave... what are your thoughts? I’m curious and want to stretch my truck now


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I've been driving on a lot of unplowed roads and across short distance of snow covered grass fields with 4-5 inches of snow on them in 4A and I've had no problems at all not even any noticeable wheel spin. Granted I'm in Indiana and everything is flat for the most part. I've hit the gas on flat snow covered roads and really haven't noticed any slipping. I've been pretty happy with the way the truck has been performing this winter.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Same here. I have brand new KO2’s on mine and these tires do indeed live up to their expectations. I’m going to try to find time to test the “software locker” functionality and report my thoughts. I’m super curious.


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[Adieu]

That truck is nice. First time seeing it! Do the slides / side-steps for the 3rd gens match the mounting pattern for similar trucks, e.g. Raptor or F-150?

Alas not really

 

[GoCougs]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJBnvhDzu48QFBz9omKgfzg
These two have a pretty nice rig also. Love the bumpers they had made for it.

 

[Greg S]

New to the forum and im curious. How many of y'all have those 3rd gen off road rigs. Those rigs with lifts and the bars and anything else you have taste for. Let's see em!!! Mine is stock as hell for now with tons of mods in the near future. Just looking for some inspiration and ideas.

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Welcome to the forum!

I have a 2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer 2WD and really don’t do any heavy off roading, but do some light off road driving from time to time and love the look of off road rigs. On mine, I replaced the old Michelin tires with BFG KO2s (size 275 55R20) last February and LOVE them so far. I debated upgrading my wheels but decided to stick with my stock 20” chrome wheels. I did switch out the old plastic running boards with a pair of Lund 5” oval chrome step bars (they turned out to be the same model/mounting setup as the 2001-2003 F150 SuperCrew), added a Ranch Hand grille guard (found on Craigslist, painted and all), Weathertech floor liners, and a K&N air filter. I replaced the shock/spring assemblies with Monroe QuickStruts last year, it lifted the front end a little bit (truck runs level now) and improved the ride tremendously, but looking back I’m thinking maybe I should have gone with the Rancho QuickLift system for the extra ride height. I also added an auxiliary trans oil cooler for towing. As far as off road changes, that’s about all I’ve done so far. I love my truck the way it’s set up, it has that rugged look but still is perfect for everyday and family use.

Next up are Power Stop Heavy Duty Tow and Haul brake rotors and pads all around (already purchased but haven’t had a chance to install yet) and probably some tow mirrors.

Best of luck with your mods!

 

[JExpedition07]

So question, do our third gen 4x4 trucks all have the “Control Trac” mimicking front and rear diff locking system? The software power split appears to mimic actual lockers once it’s engaged...which if that’s the case, is pretty wild. My triple locked land cruiser was a beast when locked. I’d like to see what my truck can do once the software “lockers” are engaged...


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Only if your 4x4 actually works

 

[Adieu]

Welcome to the forum!

I have a 2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer 2WD and really don’t do any heavy off roading, but do some light off road driving from time to time and love the look of off road rigs. On mine, I replaced the old Michelin tires with BFG KO2s (size 275 55R20) last February and LOVE them so far. I debated upgrading my wheels but decided to stick with my stock 20” chrome wheels. I did switch out the old plastic running boards with a pair of Lund 5” oval chrome step bars (they turned out to be the same model/mounting setup as the 2001-2003 F150 SuperCrew), added a Ranch Hand grille guard (found on Craigslist, painted and all), Weathertech floor liners, and a K&N air filter. I replaced the shock/spring assemblies with Monroe QuickStruts last year, it lifted the front end a little bit (truck runs level now) and improved the ride tremendously, but looking back I’m thinking maybe I should have gone with the Rancho QuickLift system for the extra ride height. I also added an auxiliary trans oil cooler for towing. As far as off road changes, that’s about all I’ve done so far. I love my truck the way it’s set up, it has that rugged look but still is perfect for everyday and family use.

Next up are Power Stop Heavy Duty Tow and Haul brake rotors and pads all around (already purchased but haven’t had a chance to install yet) and probably some tow mirrors.

Best of luck with your mods!

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2001-2003 F150 Screw running boards fit our trucks???????



Shiiiiiiiiiiite..... this woulda been good to know before I got this overpriced, much-modification-necessary NFab crap


PS what mount system, bolt up to the rockers? Drill or use existing holes?

 

[J Ski]

I've been driving on a lot of unplowed roads and across short distance of snow covered grass fields with 4-5 inches of snow on them in 4A and I've had no problems at all not even any noticeable wheel spin. Granted I'm in Indiana and everything is flat for the most part. I've hit the gas on flat snow covered roads and really haven't noticed any slipping. I've been pretty happy with the way the truck has been performing this winter.

I’ll second this

 

[Greg S]

2001-2003 F150 Screw running boards fit our trucks???????



Shiiiiiiiiiiite..... this woulda been good to know before I got this overpriced, much-modification-necessary NFab crap


PS what mount system, bolt up to the rockers? Drill or use existing holes?

Yeah, I was surprised too. The mounting brackets that Lund includes with the bars bolt to the rocker panels underneath the truck, using the same holes as the factory running board mounting brackets used on the Expedition. The brackets then attach to the bottom of the bars using bolts that slide in a set of channels on the bottom of the bar. Really clean factory look once installed, and they look like they were original to the truck. And no mods were necessary.

I had ordered the ones for the 2008 Expedition SWB and when the box arrived, it said they were for a 2001-2003 F150 SuperCrew so our trucks must have the same length bars and mounting points. Surprised me too to see that.

Couldn’t find the box label but below is a pic of the packing slip that cane with it for part #, etc. Purchased online from Auto Anything.

 

[Adieu]

Yeah, I was surprised too. The mounting brackets that Lund includes with the bars bolt to the rocker panels underneath the truck, using the same holes as the factory running board mounting brackets used on the Expedition. The brackets then attach to the bottom of the bars using bolts that slide in a set of channels on the bottom of the bar. Really clean factory look once installed, and they look like they were original to the truck. And no mods were necessary.

I had ordered the ones for the 2008 Expedition SWB and when the box arrived, it said they were for a 2001-2003 F150 SuperCrew so our trucks must have the same length bars and mounting points. Surprised me too to see that.

Couldn’t find the box label but below is a pic of the packing slip that cane with it for part #, etc. Purchased online from Auto Anything.

View attachment 23142

Shiiiiiit....

And I wasted money and beacoup time on a piece of junk that bolts up to holes drilled in the lip of the rocker panel...


Hmmm so is it JUST those steps for 2001 F150 Screws, or ANY steps for them?? Is the bracket position on yours fixed, or adjustible along the the bar?

 

[Greg S]

Shiiiiiit....

And I wasted money and beacoup time on a piece of junk that bolts up to holes drilled in the lip of the rocker panel...


Hmmm so is it JUST those steps for 2001 F150 Screws, or ANY steps for them?? Is the bracket position on yours fixed, or adjustible along the the bar?

The label on the box said 2001-2004 F150 SCrew, but the body style changed in 2004 so not sure if they meant 2001-2003 only, or if they will also fit the 2004-2008 gen F150 as well?

The brackets mounted to the fixed mounting holes on the rocker, but the bolts that attach the brackets to the bars slide within the bars so could really bolt up anywhere along the bars. I tried to get a few photos, the first two show how the brackets mount to the bar, and the third shows how one of the brackets mount to the rocker.

View attachment 23153

 

[Adieu]

The label on the box said 2001-2004 F150 SCrew, but the body style changed in 2004 so not sure if they meant 2001-2003 only, or if they will also fit the 2004-2008 gen F150 as well?

The brackets mounted to the fixed mounting holes on the rocker, but the bolts that attach the brackets to the bars slide within the bars so could really bolt up anywhere along the bars. I tried to get a few photos, the first two show how the brackets mount to the bar, and the third shows how one of the brackets mount to the rocker.

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Yeah looks like a far more secure mount than mine

 

[ExplorerTom]

So the 1st gen guys take off their running boards to be more "offroad". The 3rd gen guys are adding them to be more "offroad"?

Crazy.

 

[Adieu]

So the 1st gen guys take off their running boards to be more "offroad". The 3rd gen guys are adding them to be more "offroad"?

Crazy.

Mine's too tall, PITA for people <6 ft to get in.

Anyway clearance at lowest spot of the nerf bars is still 11.25" (w/ Rancho Quicklifts), not much of a limitation for most applications

 

[GoCougs]

So the 1st gen guys take off their running boards to be more "offroad". The 3rd gen guys are adding them to be more "offroad"?

Crazy.

I want to get rid of mine and replace them with rock sliders.

 

[Bearroeske]

Just out playin in the mud

 

[Trainmaster]

Just as information, the 3rd Generation Expeditions with the "off road package" included three skid plates and the tube-type running boards. The engine and transfer case plates are steel and the gas tank plate is plastic.

That's all the package contained. The three skid plates were also included in the SSV trim on 4WD. With 2WD, you only got the front skid plate.

My 08 spends lots of time on the beach and never got me stuck. I have highway tires which I air-down and carry a hi-lift jack. Wish there was a way to mount the jack in this thing.

 

[supermitch]

I got the skid plates with my SSV and it makes me feel really cool . That being said I also have driven over so much shit that I'm sure they've saved my ass a bunch of times.

And yeah, I don't want running boards, I want some badass sliders. Not that I will do any real off-roading but it'll look cool. Although I do run into things a lot (drive-by-rails, my buddy calls it).

These are the sliders I love the most:
http://www.c4fabrication.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Torcon-sliders.png

C4 Fabrication. They look awesome. I could get white powder coated top to match my "base model" theme (ha)

 

[supermitch]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJBnvhDzu48QFBz9omKgfzg
These two have a pretty nice rig also. Love the bumpers they had made for it.

Ok that rig is awesome. So much potential ... so much $$...