2003 Expedition Face Lift Begins

[Vancouver Bob]

I have been following your build and have a few questions. Why did you pick that yellow color for the bumper. It doesn't match the trim. Also what are you gaining my installing that bumper. Seems like a lot of work. Thanks

Yes, Tom's right... it's the color of the primer. I wasn't sure which color to go with but knew I didn't want black which was the only option WAM offered, so went primer. I'm leaning toward matching the trim but toying with white. Just so happens I have cans of touch up for both so I may just spray both on to get a feel for each and go with the one I like best.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Rig is looking mighty fine Bob! I like those fuel wheels.

Thanks, Josh! As you know, pictures don't do justice in conveying how BIG the 35" tires are. They're still new to me so every time I walk by the Expedition I look at the tires in wonder

 

[JoshA77]

Thanks, Josh! As you know, pictures don't do justice in conveying how BIG the 35" tires are. They're still new to me so every time I walk by the Expedition I look at the tires in wonder

hahahah you and me both... especially now that mine sits at 6.5" bigger... I could easily run 37s or push it and run 38s

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Looks like the level kit shortened the wheel base a bit....I wonder is the turn radius improved?
Great looking truck!

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Thanks, Phil! It did shorten the wheelbase ever so slightly. The upper and lower control arms tie into the frame at an angle so as they swing down the tire moves closer to the front.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

hahahah you and me both... especially now that mine sits at 6.5" bigger... I could easily run 37s or push it and run 38s

I remember looking at 35's on a Rubicon and thinking "Those are HUGE! No way they're going to fit on my Expedition!"

 

[Vancouver Bob]

... Also what are you gaining my installing that bumper. Seems like a lot of work. Thanks

As for why the bumper... It's one of those things that just built upon itself. I really just wanted more ground clearance because I enjoy driving on the beach and it can get really rutted at the access point and it doesn't take much to get high centered especially when trying to pull someone out that's stuck. So enter the lift and the bigger tires. But I don't like the look of my gen Expedition in white with the rounded front end and the bigger tires... nothing a new bumper can't cure. It's just tough to find a bumper for the 2nd gen Expeditions... after dealing with the mounting of mine, I can understand why. Plus I'd like to get a winch at some point. It's been a fun project... keeps me off the streets at night

 

[tallsville]

looks good. Nice build

 

[Vancouver Bob]

looks good. Nice build

Thanks! It's getting there.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Took the Expedition in to have the wheels rebalanced. Had a bit of vibration at 60-65. Asked for the road force balancing. Took it back onto the freeway and the shimmy was gone! Bought a new drill to replace the one I broke trying to enlarge the mounting holes for the lights on the bumper. Tomorrow the bumper's going on and I'm going to try a couple of colors on for size, see how she looks.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Took the Expedition in to have the wheels rebalanced. Had a bit of vibration at 60-65. Asked for the road force balancing. Took it back onto the freeway and the shimmy was gone! Bought a new drill to replace the one I broke trying to enlarge the mounting holes for the lights on the bumper. Tomorrow the bumper's going on and I'm going to try a couple of colors on for size, see how she looks.

I swear by that Road Force balancing. It makes a huge difference.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Managed to get all of the holes drilled needed to get the bumper mounted. Was a bit of a challenge because 4 of the holes didn't have enough clearance for the drill! Had to get one of those 90 degree angle drills. Wasn't super powerful but it had the form factor I needed. Still need to bore out two access holes on the side of the frame beams to allow access to the ends of the bolts.

Got out the rattle cans out and did a little painting... what do you think? Prior to painting, I was leaning toward the white but I'm REALLY liking the Arizona Beige. Paint job didn't turn out all that bad!! I might just buy a few more cans of touch up and call it a day!

Also have plans to doctor up the space between the ends of the bumper and the trim... hopefully that will happen this coming weekend.

 

[PHIL CLACK]

Managed to get all of the holes drilled needed to get the bumper mounted. Was a bit of a challenge because 4 of the holes didn't have enough clearance for the drill! Had to get one of those 90 degree angle drills. Wasn't super powerful but it had the form factor I needed. Still need to bore out two access holes on the side of the frame beams to allow access to the ends of the bolts.

Got out the rattle cans out and did a little painting... what do you think? Prior to painting, I was leaning toward the white but I'm REALLY liking the Arizona Beige. Paint job didn't turn out all that bad!! I might just buy a few more cans of touch up and call it a day!

Also have plans to doctor up the space between the ends of the bumper and the trim... hopefully that will happen this coming weekend.

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Hi Bob
Love the AZ color...you almost don't need to doctor the trim that way.
Looking really good.

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[ExpeditionAndy]

Managed to get all of the holes drilled needed to get the bumper mounted. Was a bit of a challenge because 4 of the holes didn't have enough clearance for the drill! Had to get one of those 90 degree angle drills. Wasn't super powerful but it had the form factor I needed. Still need to bore out two access holes on the side of the frame beams to allow access to the ends of the bolts.

Got out the rattle cans out and did a little painting... what do you think? Prior to painting, I was leaning toward the white but I'm REALLY liking the Arizona Beige. Paint job didn't turn out all that bad!! I might just buy a few more cans of touch up and call it a day!

Also have plans to doctor up the space between the ends of the bumper and the trim... hopefully that will happen this coming weekend.

Wow Bob both look good! The white would look great if you painted the trim. The Arizona Beige looks like a good match but if you are going to use that color, I wonder if you should paint the bumper both white and Arizona Beige like the factory bumper.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Thanks, Andy.

Yea, I was thinking of the two tone look as well. I think what I'm going to do is go with the beige (DIY style) and see how it feels after a while. If it needs more white I can always add later.

 

[Habbibie]

Bob don't cheap out now and go the rattle can way, it doesn't bond all that great and it will chip out in big chunks and flake all over.

I also agree with Andy, I think the white and Arizona like the factory bumper paint scheme would look killer.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Bob don't cheap out now and go the rattle can way, it doesn't bond all that great and it will chip out in big chunks and flake all over.

Good point, Habbie... not good to skimp on the finish. I'll play around with the two tone a bit and see how it looks. Thanks for keeping me in check!

 

[ExplorerTom]

Beige for sure.

 

[JoshA77]

Managed to get all of the holes drilled needed to get the bumper mounted. Was a bit of a challenge because 4 of the holes didn't have enough clearance for the drill! Had to get one of those 90 degree angle drills. Wasn't super powerful but it had the form factor I needed. Still need to bore out two access holes on the side of the frame beams to allow access to the ends of the bolts.

Got out the rattle cans out and did a little painting... what do you think? Prior to painting, I was leaning toward the white but I'm REALLY liking the Arizona Beige. Paint job didn't turn out all that bad!! I might just buy a few more cans of touch up and call it a day!

Also have plans to doctor up the space between the ends of the bumper and the trim... hopefully that will happen this coming weekend.

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View attachment 20443

Nice bob! the Arizona Beige looks super clean and will look really good. Glad you are finally getting this done!!

 

[John Christopher]

The color match looks excellent. The Arizona Beige is the way too go.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Thanks for all the feedback! I definitely like the beige from the side because of the trim, may be too much from the front? I have a bit of paint left so will take it a little further when I get a chance.