6 month review, 18 Navigator VS 18 Expedition.

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dlcorbett

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None of the navigators ive test drove rode stiff, but they were test drives. I tested an 18 and 20, neither were black labels. Both were markedly better than my 18 ltd on base springs. Weirdly, I remember the 18 being way more quiet than the 20, but I think that was due to the rain when I yest drove the 20. Also, the nav drove better than 21 denali xl on coils as well, but not by much. Both navs were swb models.
 
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Deadman

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Thanks. Interesting comparison @Deadman

I have a '19 Navigator Black Label L and really like it other than I think the ride is way too stiff. The OEM Hankooks are likely to blame, but at least they are quiet. If I'm not towing or hauling, I tried airing the tires down to 35 psi but it didn't help the ride with their stiff sidewalls. When the time comes to replace the tires I'm going to have to decide if I want to keep the 22" wheels and go to Michelins, or swap on some OEM FORD 20" wheels/tires. The 20" is probably the best route for comfort....

I actually think on some of the roads that setting the drive mode to Sport helps stiffen the dampers to better control the high rear spring rates. It makes the ride stiffer, but helps control the sudden impacts a bit.

I was curious about how the Ford B&O stereo compared to the Revel, as I think the Revel lacks low bass. Otherwise, volume, clarity and imaging is awesome for the Revel.

The 30-way seats are nice, but the headrests stick out too far for my wife and I to really lean back into and rest. We're kinda on the smaller side, so maybe it's just us.

Subjectively, I think the Expy Platinum looks better than the Navigator, but I was able to get a deal on ours early during the pandemic last year for the same price as the Expy Platinum. I couldn't pass it up and therefore never got to test drive the Expy.

So far, I LOVE the Raptor engine. I boosted it with a JB4 (I have a thread on it over in the JB4 forums actually), but otherwise it's stock. The thing moves pretty good. With an ~E25 ethanol blend and Map 5, it does the 1/4 mile in mid 12's.


my expedition AND Lincoln have the EXACT SAME TIRES on them. I mean, exact same tire, exact same size, identical. The tire is NOT the reason the Lincoln rides so rough, because my Expedition rides 3X smoother and its on the exact tires. Both sets of tires have right at 20,000 miles on them too, so they're literally clones.....

The Expeditions stereo is fine, but the Lincoln is a bit crisper. Theres a factory defect on the Lincoln stereo, the rear tweeters squeal and Lincoln won't replace them. I'm pissed, they agree they are defective, but say to turn the treble down, F that they are defective!

Headrests are my absolute single biggest gripe, I hate them. They force my head so far forward that I get a sore neck. I will NEVER take the Lincoln on any long trip, my neck will be sore as heck after a long ride on those headrests. I Loe the 30 ways seats, but they really waste alot of space in the second row because the seats are gigantic. The headrests in my Expedition are "normal" and they are comfortable on cross country drives.

The HO in the Lincoln is stock and it really runs hard. I'm not crazy about all the non stop downshifting, but the thing really scoots compared to the Ford.

WE're currently working with dealer to shut the stupid active sound compensating garbage off in both vehicles, its terribly annoying on the highway. The speakers pump a huge drone into the cabin. The Lincolns is so strong my wife gets a headache after a 45 minute drive. The expeditions is annoying as well but its only about half as loud. So stupid to pump NOISE into the cabin of nice vehicles.
 
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Deadman

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Now THAT is funny lol. I just dislike hard plastic monotone part bin mediocrity.

But to each their own!

Curious, is the center console really smaller on the expy? Looks massive...

https://images.app.goo.gl/t26mx6MahwgDACsv8


t26mx6MahwgDACsv8


Its not really the center console itself, its the entire console from the dash on back in the Lincoln is MUCH MUCH taller and it makes me feel claustrophobic because the driver is trapped in the corner. The Expedition is much more open and the center console area is much lower and drops down, so it feels Alot more open. My wife loves the tall center in the Lincoln because her purse fits below in the storage by your feet, but I don't like the "trapped" sensation I get.
 

carymccarr

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Headrests...dumb question as you guys seem to know your vehicles well but you
are aware that the headrests not only go up and down but forward and back too right?


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carymccarr

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I’m convinced my Navis noise canceling doesn’t work. I wish there was a way to turn it off and on to confirm.


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