2nd gen expedition shopping some questions

Hello

I have an 05 explorer and my mechanic said it’s time for it to go. I am currently saving up money for a 2 gen expedition as I drive my car once a week now after gettin an electric bike. I will be doing an oil change once a year in stead of once a month.

What are some issues with the engine and transmission I should be aware of. Any other questions I should be asking would be much appreciated. Is there anything expensive I look out for once 1 get to certain mileage.

If you are in the rust belt area, Check the radiator support Known to rust out replaced mine in 2005 limited, rusted out where rad mounts to support

I would say get a 2v 5.4L engine, I think 2003/04 only. The 3v engine is apt to have timing issues, unless the timing chains, cam phasers, tensioners etc.. have already been replaced. Radiator support for sure, the lower frame mounts are probably rusted out as they cannot drain. The trans on these seems to be pretty solid, mine's at 271k. I change 7qts of fluid and the filter every 2yrs.

Look along the underside seams for the hood/tailgate for corrosion.

I believe I read the '03 models were a good year for that generation - no phasers. Other than that not much to offer, but have it looked over by a mechanic if possible, or at least put a scan tool on it to see if they cleared any codes and need to drive more miles.

It's a used vehicle with a 100K+ miles and it'll need things to be addressed sooner or later.

If you are in the Morgan Hill I'm familiar with (CA) rust should not be an issue.

I have an '03 EB w/144K miles bought in '19 and after another $2K it is in pretty good shape now. I did proactively do new brakes - rotors, ceramic pads front/rear, fluid change upon purchase...

It's been good.

GL,
Dick

We have had a 2004 since new, 30th July 2004, just replaced brakes all round, tyres and battery, she just rolled over 100,000, only problem I have is the AC clicking in the rear and the Petrol cap, giving a check engine light. Certainly pleased with the ride and reliability, looking to replace it with an Explorer in the near future.

The rear A/C click is fairly easy to fix. It's generally just actuator that runs $40-50. There's a bunch of videos on how to do it as well, FordTechMakuloco has a good one.

I have an '04 Eddie Bauer and bought it with 191K miles; perhaps mostly because the Craigslist photos showed all three of the factory manuals so I figured the previous owner was pretty careful with the car (car? truck? SUV? to me it is a giant station wagon and so a car); changed oil every 2000 miles etc. etc. loads of spare stuff with it including rotors and pucks, which I just had installed last week.
The problems I have had seem to be all electric system ones. More gadgets, more problems I guess; except for a coolant leak at the front of the motor; bad gasket design I was told. I like my Expy, absolutely terrible mileage of course, but that is offset by the idea that it can, to some extent, double as a pickup.
I would strongly suggest taking any possible vehicle to a dealer, or other competent shop, for a thorough inspection as some troubles can be very expensive to fix. I gave $4,500 for the car and soon will have spent another $4,500 on it keeping it up and having repairs done. Motoring is expensive, no doubt about that.
I wonder what electronic smog marvels etc. etc. can be removed from these vehicles and other gadgets to get back to basics for good old fashioned reliability?