'03 EB edition - proper jack?

[RichardH]

Hi folks. I have a new to me '03 EB, 5.4L. Couple of questions.

Dumb dumb me forgot to check for the spare and jack kit when I picked it up.

Yep - no spare tire and no jack. I believe it originally came with a scissor jack. I sort of prefer bottle jacks - due to the cranks on scissor jacks not too efficient. I think the lugs are 21mm. Somewhere I read 13/16's but that was too small.

I plan on having an battery powered impact for lug removal and using a tire iron for replacement (so I do not over torque).

The possible issue I see with bottle jacks is that the range of the handle might be minimized since jack point is 'inboard' - and forced to use a scissor jack. I'd also like to be able to store it in the floor in the back and wasn't sure if bottle jacks are good to store on their side.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Hamfisted]

Do you have a salvage yard in your area where you might pick up the missing jack tool kit and spare tire ? Yes the lug nuts are 21mm and torque to 140 ft lbs. I have a 1/2" drive 18v Milwaukee battery impact wrench and it sometimes struggles with the lug nuts. So I wouldn't count on it on the side of the road as my only option. The tool kit comes with a long lug wrench that allows you to break the lugs loose, but even then you'll find it challenging. If you haven't already, try breaking those lug nuts loose with whatever tool you plan on using, just to get an idea of the effort involved. Apparently stealing the spare tire and tool kit from Expies and Navigators has become a popular pastime. Because we see more and more new owners looking for these parts. How petty can people get ? But the factory scissor jack does fine for what it's meant for. I wouldn't use it at home, but on the side of the road in a pinch it works. I think I've only had to use it twice in 16 years with the Expy. I always remember the lug nuts being more of a PITA than the jack. You can get a replacement steel rim / tire combo from Tire Rack pretty easy ( or get a simple aluminum rim to save weight....). But the jack kit you can find on Ebay from previous owners or salvage yards.




https://www.ebay.com/p/03-14-Lincol...MI1Ii-_Ji34wIVStbACh38gwFXEAQYBSABEgIiJ_D_BwE

 

[RichardH]

Awesome info. Thanks. I'd rather plan for the unexpected before I need it rather than vice versa.

I'll need to try the impact w/21mm as you mentioned. On my last expy it had a bottle jack and did a tire change in about 10 minutes in mid summer, in Houston on side of fwy. A good tire iron will (almost) never fail. I like to have backup plans. On a good day my porter cable impact is supposed to have 120ft lbs - close.

Thanks for the info - I'll look for a 1.5 to 2 ton scissor and find a tire iron at Northern tool.

I have been to salvage yards and the other visitors absolutely tear everything apart to get the item they need. I still use them and found them helpful though - but I think the small items like the ones I need are gone, gone.

A steel rim spare which is fine with me I already priced out at the salvage yards (if still there) around $16 bucks and have a tire shop close by that has some used tires for $35 smacks.

That's my project for tomorrow.