Question re used Expo

[Aj2001]

Wife has given the OK for an Expedition for a second/wife car,I have spent countless hours researching on this and other sites but still have a couple questions. I have been leaning towards a 97-98 simply because it doesnt have the automatic 4wd,figure its one less thing to go wrong, my other concern is the 5.4 plug blowing...does the 4.6 have the same coil pack/plug blowing issue? I cant seem to find that answer....While I would prefer the 5.4l,bottom line is Ill be buying a 10-13 yr old vehicle w/ 100k+which is gonna have probs,im just tryn to minimize them...
Thanx much
Aj

 

[JUST4FUN]

are you getting a second wife or a car ?on the car if you live ina state with road salt look at exaust manifolds and brake lines look for water leaks or rust on the E-brakethis could be a windsheakd leak.

 

[Lane24]

Wife has given the OK for an Expedition for a second/wife car,

Aj

One wife is plenty IMHO. Never had a blown plug on my 98 5.4, and I have 212,000 kms. Common issues You may be looking at are, ball joint replacement on a 10-13 yr old rig if it hasn't been done already. Another common problem is the vaccuum line causing a rough idle. But that is a $30 , 5 minute fix.

I love my 98.

 

[Aj2001]

One wife is plenty IMHO. Never had a blown plug on my 98 5.4, and I have 212,000 kms. Common issues You may be looking at are, ball joint replacement on a 10-13 yr old rig if it hasn't been done already. Another common problem is the vaccuum line causing a rough idle. But that is a $30 , 5 minute fix.

I love my 98.

I hear ya on the one wife......from what Ive gathered, the plug issue seems to affect the 99-02s at a much higher rate than 97-98s....Yup all to familar w/ ball joints and such as well as the common sense salt issues,I spent a few years working for Ford/Freightliner many moons ago.... Im concerned w/ isssues that at more expedition/year specific. Ive been finding mostly 99-02s available in my area, just waiting to find the right one...

 

[nvycrmn]

aj, i have an 01 and i have not had any problems with the plugs being blown out of my 5.4 and i have 120k on mine. i think you will be ok. happy hunting.

 

[mmrseed]

I have a 99 with the 5.4 and my plug did blow, BUT, to answer your question, the 4.6L 2V is just as likely to have the same issue (just ask any mustang owner or check the mustang message boards, they are all terrified of the same problem) so go with the 5.4 because it has more power. The 4.6 is gutless and has no business in a car that heavy and, like I said, either engine displacement will give you the same chance at plug failure on the one problem plug.

 

[Aj2001]

good to know the 4.6 is just as likely, any opinions out there regarding the 97-98s compared to the 99-02s and plug issues? All the reviews Ive read seem to put the 99 and up as being more hit with it....was there a design change in the motors between these years?

 

[0xowner]

from what I am reading and researching, the whole blown plug seems to be maybe a 1 to 5 % possibility. maybe greater on high mileage and lack of proper, dealer , skilled maintenance.

why go for the 90s when a good deal could be had at 2000-2002?

Why are you going for a Expedition ? if for the lady, does she need that much room? Is she hauling around 8 kids? Why are you passing on looking at explorers? they are usually awesome with little problems for a decently maintained unit in 2000-2001. Better in MPG... and more units sold, i.e more info IMO

So far, and I am only 2 months into being a expedition owner, but 17 years with 3 Explorers owner... the Gen 1 expeditions seem great... minus an over inflated blown plug press.

my 4.6 has nice , decent, and more than sufficient power.... that is, for driving around the city and highway, inclines, declines and all... from 2000 to 9000 elevation... no issues

towing, well I have not done that yet.

The key here is finding the GEM that you are searching for or something that is ok AND you feel comfortable with for a lower price factoring in your perceived risk or investment for maintenance / repair

If you are looking ... post up the links to the ads and let us factor in what we think....

I believe that that GEMs are out there for a nice and fair price... someone needs to liquidate a great vehicle and little hassle from a serious buyer with cash in hand. You are in upstate NY, well, forget buying anything from there... Unless it only costs you 2 squirts of piss...

search online, find 3 to 5 to 7 in a southern city you like, and take a vacation down south to buy it, and drive it home. If anything is more than 8 years old there in NY, forget it, they are so rusted and the rot is setting in unless they were under coated.

The market really has been in Texas for Ford SUVs so enjoy a weekend in South Padre and buy a SUV in Houston.... enjoy the drive north, stop in Nashville for a great time, great music, cold beer, and awesome BBQ. That extra 500 bucks of a trip will save you hassle and money in the long range. 15-20 year old TX SUVs are not rusted in the frame, lines, under carriage bolts, etc. (just dont wear your Yankee hat, OK?)

Hope this helps.... BTW, I have an explorer and expedition that are in awesome condition... I think you'd , er, she'd be happy with either (both rust free) and you 2 would have a great, fun time with me and a once in a life time drive home across this incredible country !


Food for thought....

 

[Bedrck47]

0xowner

Just curious as to why you are posting in this thread??
The last post prior to your post today was in APRIL 2010.

 

[0xowner]

hmmm.. it showed up in the new treads ... i did not see the post dates of the comments, else I'd prob not comment... seemed recent, not from a search I had entered...