3:73 gears and activex seating

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X BRONCO OWNER

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Hello I'm new to this forum and was hoping for some advice. Im currently in the market for a new expedition and have a few questions. First I would really like to get the tow package or fx4 package. Being an offroad guy I can't see paying this much money for a 4x4 truck that doesn't have 4 wheel low. For some reason it seems impossible to find a truck with these options. I would rather have the FX4 or Tow package which is about the same price as the $1500 sun roof which just about every truck I have looked at has. But anyway does anyone have any experience with the 3:73 vs the stock 3:31's. Driveablilty / fuel economy / towing. Second part of the question is what is activex seating exactly. I can't get a straight answer out of the dealer. They told me it was leather but when I showed them the window sticker in the 2018 and 2019 I couldn't get a straight answer. My concern is I have had fake leather on home furniture and it does not last. I would rather have cloth of vinyl. Anyway thanks for the help.
 

shane_th_ee

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Are you going to be towing anything or do you just want the low range transfer case and the locking rear differential? If you will be towing, you can get the FX4 package and then add the ITB as a dealer installed option for ~$500. Or you can get the FX4 package and the max towing package, but the price on the max towing package drops to a little over $1000 as the only thing it adds to an FX4 is the ITB and the pro-trailer backup assist.

As for the 3.73 vs the 3.31, I don't really see any reason to get the 3.31, unless you're buying a pure family hauler and on the cheap side as the only advantage to the 3.31 is you don't need a $1500 option package and the gas mileage is, theoretically, a little better. But if you're not towing anything and you're not doing any sort of light off-roading and you're that price sensitive, you should probably take a very long look at a minivan... (If you have to have AWD, Toyota sells one.)

I don't know what active-x is other than some sort of leather/vinyl alternative, so I can't really help there.
 

aggiegrad05

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As for the 3.73 vs the 3.31, I don't really see any reason to get the 3.31, unless you're buying a pure family hauler and on the cheap side as the only advantage to the 3.31 is you don't need a $1500 option package and the gas mileage is, theoretically, a little better. But if you're not towing anything and you're not doing any sort of light off-roading and you're that price sensitive, you should probably take a very long look at a minivan... (If you have to have AWD, Toyota sells one.)
Counterpoint: I have the 3.31 because I don't tow anything. It wasn't a price sensitivity issue, I just don't like spending money needlessly on something I will literally never use. Sure, I would have got an upgraded radiator, but again, not needed as I don't tow. And sure, maybe the tow package boosts the resale value a bit, but that's 8 years from now and hardly worth it.

If you're going to tow anything, or think there's even a chance you're going to tow something while you own the vehicle, the tow package is a great option. But if you're not, don't tick a box on the order form just for the sake of doing so. Save your $1500, put in an index fund, and watch it double over the time you own the car...much better use of your money.
 

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ActiveX is a vinyl-based synthetic leather. It is basically what has been used on the 3rd row “leather” seats and trim areas of front and 2nd row seats for years. It looks and acts just like leather. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference. It typically holds up better than real leather in the long run.
 
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Thanks for the replies if I get one it won't see towing duty until my pickup dies which I'm hoping has at least another 5 good years left. At that time my wife will probably be bored of ithe expedition and it will become my truck. Towing boat, travel trailer, snow, and some beach duty. I can't find much info about the active X in the 2019's so it looks like 2018 might be my best bet considering the incentives and financing ford is offering right now. I just wish there was more 2018's on the lots with the tow package or fx4 to choose from.
 

TobyU

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ActiveX is a vinyl-based synthetic leather. It is basically what has been used on the 3rd row “leather” seats and trim areas of front and 2nd row seats for years. It looks and acts just like leather. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference. It typically holds up better than real leather in the long run.

Yes. I'd rather have the vinyl because it seems all the leather hides or at least the finishing they have used in the last 25+ years is so crappy that synthetic holds up better.
Sad but true.
I'd take the old black vinyl from a 75 Buick Electra 225. I am certain it wasn't leather but it never had one hole or rub spot or crack in it.

The fast wear out quality and stupid plethora or tan and gray is the only reason I did not buy and Escalade a while back. I only buy used so the companies not only don't care what I buy or about me....the wish I didn't exist.
Only one small possible way I can benefit them.

Navigators are a bit better but not much.


I'm about to just start buying with higher miles to lower the price by the amount it takes to buy all new front and 2nd row real factory or equivalent upholstery and then be happy with perfect condition seats.
 

TobyU

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Hello I'm new to this forum and was hoping for some advice. Im currently in the market for a new expedition and have a few questions. First I would really like to get the tow package or fx4 package. Being an offroad guy I can't see paying this much money for a 4x4 truck that doesn't have 4 wheel low. For some reason it seems impossible to find a truck with these options. I would rather have the FX4 or Tow package which is about the same price as the $1500 sun roof which just about every truck I have looked at has. But anyway does anyone have any experience with the 3:73 vs the stock 3:31's. Driveablilty / fuel economy / towing. Second part of the question is what is activex seating exactly. I can't get a straight answer out of the dealer. They told me it was leather but when I showed them the window sticker in the 2018 and 2019 I couldn't get a straight answer. My concern is I have had fake leather on home furniture and it does not last. I would rather have cloth of vinyl. Anyway thanks for the help.


Exactly why I don't think the manufacturers have any or much idea what people want.
Who exactly does JD Power and Associates....survey???

They don't even come close to making what we really want and the options and putting the buttons/switches etc in the places we want.

People that buy new cars are so enamored by a new car that they overlook it.

If you back up and think about it....IT'S ridiculous really.

Tons or little things that would make things so much more convenient or just better or just make the owner happy...and I don't even think they know it.

Not everything is a money issue. Some would make no difference its just the wrong designers are calling the shots.
 
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Hey thanks for the replies this is a big purchase for me since my families budget will feel the effects for the next 5 to 6 years. I really like the new expedition, I have test driven 3 and have been really close to pulling the trigger one. I don't get it the salesmen seem like they just don't care one way or the other and honestly I'm not beating them up I just want them to make me feel like Im getting a great deal. My last truck was decided over the GM coming out and throwing in 2 free tanks of gas lol. As far as Ford being out of touch I 100% agree. For the same price I would much rather have the 3:73 gears 4 wheel low / neutral tow ability, bigger radiator, electronic locking rear diff, etc... as opposed too a sunroof or voice nav or drivers assistance.

Off topic about 2 years ago the new mustang caught my eye so I stopped I'm my local dealer and was blown away by the price of a mustang. Don't they realize that most guys want a stripped down car with a V8 what else do you need in a mustang seriously. Maybe I'm getting old.
 

byz250f

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Thanks for the replies if I get one it won't see towing duty until my pickup dies which I'm hoping has at least another 5 good years left. At that time my wife will probably be bored of ithe expedition and it will become my truck. Towing boat, travel trailer, snow, and some beach duty. I can't find much info about the active X in the 2019's so it looks like 2018 might be my best bet considering the incentives and financing ford is offering right now. I just wish there was more 2018's on the lots with the tow package or fx4 to choose from.

I work in the auto industry and work with Ford daily...all of the engineers have said 2019 is a huge cost cutting year on the Expedition. Active X was put on these vehicles to replace leather for one reason...huge cost savings. Also the 18s have 5 years of free ford connect app, and the 19s have 1 year.
 
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I do believe that the 2019's come with large navigation screen on all models so I guess it's a trade off.
 
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