What to look for when buying a gen 2 expy

[joethefordguy]

I'm looking at a 2004 Expedition XLT 4x4 with the SSV (police package), with 96,000 miles. Looks to be in Excellent shape. No rust (Texas truck). some concerns:
· Front rotors replaced at 29K miles in 2006, at a Ford dealership. that's too soon. Carfax reports multiple instances of brake adjustments, cleaning, etc. is this a problem with this truck?
· Transmission fluid changed at 65K miles in 2011, at a Ford dealership.
· Rear Differential fluid changed at 80K miles, in 2014, at a Ford dealership.
· Brake fluid changed at 87K, in 2015, not at a Ford dealership.
· Ignition coils replaced at 87K, in 2015, not at a Ford dealership.
all of the above seem to me to be ahead of standard maintenance intervals, but I haven't read about these as problem with this truck. Any comments would be appreciated.

· Spark plugs were replaced in 2015 at 87K miles, not at a Ford dealership. Apparently, this is a 2V, so this should not be an issue.

I've read all 6 pages, and I am taking it to my mechanic on Monday. Just trying to be thorough, so any input would be appreciated. I'm being extra careful because I once bought a "great deal" F150 with the mazda 5 speed manual transmission, because I didn't do enough research. I'm not making that mistake again.

Questions:
does this one have a center differential?
are there any issues with the electronic 4x4 switch?

thanks for your time.
jg

EDIT: this truck was owned by a fire department.
Does anyone have any experience with the "J mod" on this 4R70W transmission?
Where could I buy the FX4 components, especially the skid plates?

 

[joethefordguy]

UPDATE:
the mechanic passed it; said it's basically a sound truck; drive train is in excellent shape. from the appearance of the body and interior, it appears to have been babied stored indoors when not in use. we speculate it was a supervisor vehicle and saw limited use.
has a host of minor issues. I got the price reduced again, and bought it. happy with the deal.

 

[joethefordguy]

first off 2nd gen has issues witht their frontend suspension as per dealer. check door switches for proper operation, cluster, the most important part is the tranny... i was told after mine blew that most 04-06 expys come in for new trannies so get it checked ahead of time, front wheel hubs...sigh typical ford. thats about it... imo and experiance.

yes, two of the "minor" issues on mine are the front ball joints, and the power door lock and power window controls.

 

[joethefordguy]

I have an 06 and also have some bubbling of the paint on the rear tailgate - more or less below the rear wipers assembly.

Great post guys - wish I had seen this before buying my Expy, would have had a better idea what I was looking for. Fortunately, I lucked out in most of those scenarios except the rear bubbling of the paint and my $1,500 tune-up @ 74,000 miles. 6 of the 8 spark plugs were seized inside the engine and my friend spent a week and a half doing everything he could to take out the spark plugs without tearing the engine apart and pulling out the heads. A week and a half later with 2 broken specialty tools, lots of patience, and ingenuity he was able to get them out and complete the tune up.

I've read some stories of folks taking it to the dealer and having to pay something like $3,000+ to replace spark plugs because apparently FORD will just simply pull out the heads if a single spark plug seizes inside...

because I had a working vehicle, i was able to take my time researching and waiting for what I wanted. I learned about the 2 piece spark plug problem and the pitfalls you describe, and made sure to avoid it. the 04 is the last year for the 2V engine; the 3V is the one with your two-piece spark plugs. as well, mine had the spark plugs replace about 12 thousand miles ago, so that was also reassuring. I wish they'd been replaced at a Ford dealership, but I guess you can't have everything.

 

[joethefordguy]

I don't know when they changed the from the 2v to the 3v 5.4, but I have one if the very first 2nd gens(Jan/03) and it still has the 2v. So no can phaser problems for me, but less power. And obviously the faded XLT trim, which I took care of with a couple rattle cans. Cruise control doesn't work, can't figure that one out....

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

they changed starting in 05. My 2004 is a 2V. also your truck is beautiful where did you get the roof cargo carrier? what lift kit are you using?

 

[FlatBrokeCrysta]

Looking to upgrade me collection of Expedition . Still have my 1997 Expedition Xlt over 211 k still running might leak a bit of oil but she get me safely back and forth to work. Looking to get a newer to me Ex ....looking at a 2005 Eddie Bauer edition. Has new tires, brakes, Plugs, coils and battery . I know I need to check windows to make sure they work ....anything else I should check out

 

[Hamfisted]

Looking to upgrade me collection of Expedition . Still have my 1997 Expedition Xlt over 211 k still running might leak a bit of oil but she get me safely back and forth to work. Looking to get a newer to me Ex ....looking at a 2005 Eddie Bauer edition. Has new tires, brakes, Plugs, coils and battery . I know I need to check windows to make sure they work ....anything else I should check out

Don't do it. First year of the Rube Goldberg 3V motor in the Expy. Unless it's already been overhauled with new timing set and phasers I wouldn't touch it.

 

[aircargoo]

brakeline rot...common.

 

[joethefordguy]

Nope, you just get paint fading a lot faster.

you think that's worse than rust?

 

[joethefordguy]

I meant to say: 2003s and 2004s. It sounds as if the 3v 5.4 began production, though, sometime during the 2004 model year?

2005