Which generation Expy to add to your fleet?

[Machete]

I have a 1st gen, its great, with all its limitations in terms of technology and creature comforts its a great truck.

We need to add a 3rd vehicle to our family and am considering handing this one down to my son and getting something preowned.

I have my eye on a 2011 Exp that has 100kmi, and others in and around that mileage range. I'm well aware of some of the failures of the 5.4 3v but I don't like either the 5.0 nor the v6 tt. The 5.4 3v w 6-speed tranny seems to fit my needs and I like the creature comforts and appearance. There are several regular length and EL's that are very nice in my area.

I could also elect to go car vs truck, I really like the Chrysler 300 AWD's but, I think an SUV is more suitable for our lifestyle, towing boat, long road trips, bad roads around the suburbs of Chicago etc.

Which Expy would you add to your fleet? Thoughts in general?

I'll be making a purchase decision end of February first week March time frame.

Thank you

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I would buy an Ecoboost if I was shopping today. They're a heck of a lot faster, can reportedly tow just as well (if not better), and the push-button suspension offered on some sounds cool in theory (don't know in practice). You sound like you've already decided on a third gen though. In that case, I will say what I always say: 2009+.

 

[1955moose]

Your on track with the 2011. They hit the higher 310 horsepower by then, and most of the problems that plagued the earlier 3 valvers were addressed. Spark plug breakage was done, cam phasers and solenoids seem to act up way less on later models. As suggested in earlier posts, listen for any cam chain, or phaser noises both on cold start up as well as warm. Ask to see service records for maintenance, especially oil changes. Of course you or a separate shop check for any rust condition, as well as the usual full prepurchase inspection. 100k is a good starting mileage for a 8 1/2 year old Suv. Good luck.

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[JExpedition07]

11’ is a good year, so is 10’. I would buy a 14’ if I was going to upgrade today.

 

[Adieu]

More miles, less money

Check out 3rd gen Navigators if you want a 5.4L triton truck and don't depend on using 4L (gators use a different 4x4 system, 2R/4A/4H no 4L), some great deals to be had price-wise.... same truck with better noise insulation, nicer interiors, better stereo, and most bells and whistles come standard --- HIDs, cameras, sensors, vented hot/cold seats, digital climate controls, signal mirrors, auto wipers, navogation, bluetooth, satellite radio (which actually sucks lol), etc.

Biggest peeve: they deleted the door cupholders down below for no apparent reason on gators (why????)

Except for the different 4x4, rest of the mechanicals are the same so maintenance is cheap and easy

 

[Machete]

I would buy an Ecoboost if I was shopping today. They're a heck of a lot faster, can reportedly tow just as well (if not better), and the push-button suspension offered on some sounds cool in theory (don't know in practice). You sound like you've already decided on a third gen though. In that case, I will say what I always say: 2009+.

I am not a fan of putting a tiny v6 in a large heavy truck then having to bolt in a forced air pump to make power. You’re running that lil engine on the far end of power band to get turbo spool and in time those air pumps fail $$$

 

[Machete]

Here’s why I’m leaning towards last gen of 5.4 3v, Ford doesn’t seem to be hitting the sweet spot on the truck market (conventional truck buyer) w their powe plant line up.

5.0 has oblong cylinder failures “ticking noise” well documented. 5.0 was designed for the mustang and tweaked for the F150. No offering for Expy.

3.5 tt is an attempt at CAFE standards and Ford was genius in marketing the performance albeit a high maintenance upside and down stream repair cost nightmare.

5.4 3v the issue w the VVT is really due to a weak oil pump design that under load weeps on the edges thus reducing oil pressure. It also has a high dependence on oil maintenance ie proper viscosity which is 5-30 not 5-20 the latter is a change post manual print again see CAFE regulations.

A 5.4 3v w clean high quality oil and the upgraded Melling oil pump makes these a good long term engine option. Again I stress oil integrity on the VVT issue.

 

[JExpedition07]

You get it and see through the marketing BS, good for you.

The 5.4 3V Triton is a good engine. Cast iron deep skirt block, forged pistons, forged rods, steel 8 bolt crank with cross bolted caps and dowels. Metallic pans and covers instead of plastic ones. It’s a strong short block. It’s weakness of the timing set gives it a bad rap.

The EcoBoost also has well documented timing set woes of phaser failures and chain stretch. The early 5.0 had that oblong cylinder thing but they cleared that up. Newer offerings are aluminum less “truck-like” engines. The 4.6 & 5.4L were shared in 3/4 ton vans and the like, they were different animals and suited for the job.

 

[Machete]

You get it and see through the marketing BS, good for you.

The 5.4 3V Triton is a good engine. Cast iron deep skirt block, forged pistons, forged rods, steel 8 bolt crank with cross bolted caps and dowels. Metallic pans and covers instead of plastic ones. It’s a strong short block. It’s weakness of the timing set gives it a bad rap.

The EcoBoost also has well documented timing set woes of phaser failures and chain stretch. The early 5.0 had that oblong cylinder thing but they cleared that up. Newer offerings are aluminum less “truck-like” engines. The 4.6 & 5.4L were shared in 3/4 ton vans and the like, they were different animals and suited for the job.

Your paragraph about cast iron block, forged pistons and metal pans and covers ....I was ignorant of all that, that just sealed it.

 

[1955moose]

J, this is a little off topic, but do you know what year they fixed the oblong cylinder problem on the 5.0 F150 motor? Also, is their any other items to worry about? Or are they dependable engines.

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