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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[JExpedition07]

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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The oblong cylinders were an issue in 2011-2012. Besides making a racket it didn’t really make them non dependable, just noisy.

They are reliable for the most part, I’d have no issue purchasing one. Many parts about it are better, i.e. spark plug design, oil cooler, heads. It’s the best engine offered in the F-150 currently in my book.

 

[1955moose]

Thanks, so it's just up to 12. I figured they were a strong motor with the punishment that the kids in mustangs are putting them through. My Fox body 302's were Bullit proof. Had 3 of them, 170,210,225, horsepower. Never had to tow any of them for engine problems.

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[ManUpOrShutUp]

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 $$$

I get it, but you asked what we would do so I told you. I haven't seen enough high mileage 3rd gens or even statistical data to convince me that they're any more reliable than the Ecos. If you had simply asked, what vehicle would you buy, I might have responded with some type of Toyota. I just don't have the faith in the 5.4L 3V that I did in the 5.0L that was in my '00 Merc.

 

[Adieu]

I get it, but you asked what we would do so I told you. I haven't seen enough high mileage 3rd gens or even statistical data to convince me that they're any more reliable than the Ecos. If you had simply asked, what vehicle would you buy, I might have responded with some type of Toyota. I just don't have the faith in the 5.4L 3V that I did in the 5.0L that was in my '00 Merc.

1) there's a lot of high mileage Triton 5.4 3v data
2) who cares, another engine good for another 100k or so miles at least can be dropped in for the price of....what, a couple proprietary mercedes hoses and sensors?

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

1) there's a lot of high mileage Triton 5.4 3v data
2) who cares, another engine good for another 100k or so miles at least can be dropped in for the price of....what, a couple proprietary mercedes hoses and sensors?

1. Where? I'm talking 200K+, not these absurd posts people make about 110K trouble-free miles. I sure a shit hope a vehicle can make it to 100K. A Kia can make it 100K trouble-free miles. :x I have seen some posts here about some truly high mileage 3rd gen Expeditions, but not enough of them - and not enough statistical data anywhere - to feel truly confident that these are the norm rather than the exception.

2. I care. (a) Every major repair raises the average annual cost of ownership. If I wanted to throw money away I would just buy a new vehicle every 3 years. (b) I need a reliable vehicle. Period. I don't have the luxury of being able to be without a vehicle while it sits in a shop for a week or more.

An engine replacement every 100K would be every 5.5 years for me btw. There is no alternate reality in which I would consider that acceptable.

 

[1955moose]

Back in the 60's/70's, that's what people of means did. Still do today. They got rid of their cars, every 3 years or so. Avg mileage by most family's is around 12k a year. So at 36-45 k, it was time to trade or sell the family car. 80-110k miles was the max most cars went. We're spoiled these days with 300k SUVs. Better oils, hydraulic lifters, and just better metallurgy had been a game changer. Thank God though, cars used to cost no more than $5,000. These days, that doesn't even come close to the down payment.

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[Adieu]

1. Where? I'm talking 200K+, not these absurd posts people make about 110K trouble-free miles. I sure a shit hope a vehicle can make it to 100K. A Kia can make it 100K trouble-free miles. :x I have seen some posts here about some truly high mileage 3rd gen Expeditions, but not enough of them - and not enough statistical data anywhere - to feel truly confident that these are the norm rather than the exception.

2. I care. (a) Every major repair raises the average annual cost of ownership. If I wanted to throw money away I would just buy a new vehicle every 3 years. (b) I need a reliable vehicle. Period. I don't have the luxury of being able to be without a vehicle while it sits in a shop for a week or more.

An engine replacement every 100K would be every 5.5 years for me btw. There is no alternate reality in which I would consider that acceptable.

Lol. Its a popular upscale F150/standard F250 engine option, not an Expedition-only motor...literally straight out of America's best selling vehicle. and btw there was a guy on here with 500+k miles on his Expedition too

Also, Kias? They go on and on....i got a buddy who ubered a $2k auction kia from 200 to like 370k without much more than a single balljoint and a junkyard alternator... retired it after some body damage

As to costs of repair, Ford V8s are about as cheap as it gets. Except MAYBE auction Kia compacts, but then it's not exactly a roomy all-weather go-anywhere 4x4...

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Lol. Its a popular upscale F150/standard F250 engine option, not an Expedition-only motor...literally straight out of America's best selling vehicle. and btw there was a guy on here with 500+k miles on his Expedition too

Also, Kias? They go on and on....i got a buddy who ubered a $2k auction kia from 200 to like 370k without much more than a single balljoint and a junkyard alternator... retired it after some body damage

As to costs of repair, Ford V8s are about as cheap as it gets. Except MAYBE auction Kia compacts, but then it's not exactly a roomy all-weather go-anywhere 4x4...

No matter what I or anyone else says, you'll just keep hollering Ford. Peeling paint? Who cares? Replace the engine every 100K? Who cares? Clearly, you don't. That's fine. I don't share your viewpoint though. There are things I like about the 3rd gens and things I don't. I'm not going to keep blowing sunshine up everyone's ass because I own one. I'm going to remain as objective as I can to the end. Don't get so bent every time someone doesn't share your enamorment.

 

[Adieu]

No matter what I or anyone else says, you'll just keep hollering Ford. Peeling paint? Who cares? Replace the engine every 100K? Who cares? Clearly, you don't. That's fine. I don't share your viewpoint though. There are things I like about the 3rd gens and things I don't. I'm not going to keep blowing sunshine up everyone's ass because I own one. I'm going to remain as objective as I can to the end. Don't get so bent every time someone doesn't share your enamorment.

Not every 100k lol

I'm saying you could easily buy a 5.4 v8 with 100 MORE thousand miles in it for pennies if it came to that...which it probably won't.

 

[JExpedition07]

The modular V8 is durable. Plenty of early 3rd gen owners with 200k+ on original powertrain. There are a handful at 300k.

The EcoBoost has well documented failures related to the timing set (timing chain, camphasers) in the F-150, just like the 5.4. It also has an internal water pump that if fails is known to dump all the coolant in the oil. There is no perfect engine. The key is take care of whatever it is.