2003 or 2004 - which is better?

[Bolt snapper]

I posted earlier in the year on the sticky thread with a couple of general questions but got no replies. I'm very interested in picking up a 2nd gen Expedition, primarily because they're in my price range, but also because I really like the looks - beat the heck out of GM!

Anyway, I know that the 3 valve variable cam timing thing was in full swing in '05, and I'm assuming that's why many '05s and '06s are cheaper than the '03s and '04s. My question is: by '03 did the shooting out spark plug issue start to be corrected? and did the early '04s still have the 2v engines, so that the cam phaser problem was not an issue?

Can you give me any other advice for things to look for when looking at these? I'm anxious to become an owner and join this group, but I need some solid advice to nudge me into a purchase!

Please - any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[1955moose]

That's a rough one. If it was me, I'd take the 03/04 with the 2 valver. 05/06 models are really troublesome. Habbibie and a few others have had a booger of a time on the early 3 valvers. On top of broken plugs, they had oil pump and phaser problems that could either work great, rare, or in Habbibies case be a nightmare. The 2 valvers are less power but less problems. Supposedly the late 2 valve motors have more threads in the heads. Maybe owners of a 2003/04 can confirm that the later heads do in fact have more threads.

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[R W Carpenter]

I currently own to 06's. They are my second (Limited 191??? miles) and third (King Ranch 16???? miles). The first was an XLT model. Other than some rust on the rocker panels I haven't had any issues with the two I have now. The King Ranch has the famous tick in the motor but the Limited does not. My personal opinion would be that it is pretty much luck of the draw as to weather or not you will have any one or more of the well known issues with these vehicles. So far my luck has held out in that aside from the tick in the motor on the King Ranch and the rust I mentioned on both of them I have not had any issues with the two 06's that I currently own.

 

[JExpedition07]

Both the 5.4 2V and 3V are good motors, in 2003&4 most will be 2V. The 5.4L 3V has more problem area in relation to the timing set. They both share the problems of timing chain guides, exhaust manifolds, spark plug issues (opposite, 2V blows out, 3V can break). The 2V variant has more problems related to the head gaskets. With all that said on any motor it really depends how it was maintained as to what kind of service it gives you. If you are leaning toward the 2V go for it, they are great engines.

 

[johnboneske]

As far as I know ALL 03 and 04's that are 5.4 are all 2 valve. My 03 is a 2 valve. I never seen a 2 valve have plug problems. Have heard people talk about it on forums, but don't know anyone I have ever talked to or seen it happen. I would stay away from the 05 to 08 expeditions with the 5.4 with the 2 piece plug. Heard they are a bear to change plugs. But, then again i haven't owned a newer 3 valve motor.

 

[JExpedition07]

I changed the plugs on my 2007 myself and had no difficulty. If you follow Fords TSB it’s pretty simple. Newer plugs ford makes for them are all 1 piece.

 

[1955moose]

The only 04's that use the 3valve/ 24 valve motor is the F150 pickup. Ford waited a year 05 to introduce the 3 valve Motor to the Expy. Their might be some late 04 expeditions that do have the newer motor but very few I would imagine if any.

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[Bolt snapper]

You guys are awesome! I sincerely appreciate each of you taking the time to give me feedback!!

This is what I was looking for. I'm super excited - I'm looking at a '04 this weekend with 155000 miles (5.4). Here are my expectations for this vehicle - please let me know if you think it's realistic: I know it's 15 years old, but once i drive it for a few months to sort of shake out whatever hidden problems it might have and do whatever maintenance I would normally do to (fluids, belts, brakes, tires if needed, etc). If it seems to be ok, would you hesitate to take one of these rigs with of this age and with this mileage on a family vacation of approximately 1,000 miles each way?

 

[JExpedition07]

You guys are awesome! I sincerely appreciate each of you taking the time to give me feedback!!

This is what I was looking for. I'm super excited - I'm looking at a '04 this weekend with 155000 miles (5.4). Here are my expectations for this vehicle - please let me know if you think it's realistic: I know it's 15 years old, but once i drive it for a few months to sort of shake out whatever hidden problems it might have and do whatever maintenance I would normally do to (fluids, belts, brakes, tires if needed, etc). If it seems to be ok, would you hesitate to take one of these rigs with of this age and with this mileage on a family vacation of approximately 1,000 miles each way?

I’d trust a truck with 200k miles on it that’s been maintained before a truck with 100k miles that hasn’t been gone through. Kinks have been worked out. My 2 cents. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

 

[Bolt snapper]

That's kinda my logic. If it has made it this long and this many miles and seems to drive fine during a test drive, it's probably been decently maintained and has gone past any issues that would have required a recall or TSB or been a typical failure. I realize it's an old vehicle and there are no guarantees of dependability, but I tend to baby a vehicle in both the way I drive it and in maintaining it (2,500 mile oil change intervals, etc). I hope this approach is right!

 

[BRIANGEE]

It probably depends on your beginning and destination points. I had few problems w/ my 2003 expy w/ 155K down here in the AZ valley at the time when I decided to take the family about 800 miles to Colorado. The cold whether and higher altitude made new problems show up and our one day trip back home took 2.5 days.

 

[johnboneske]

I would not hesitate at all to take it on a long trip. They are awesome to travel in, and always seem to have plenty of room. The gas mileage sucks, but hey I didn't buy mine for the mileage. Once you get the fluids changed, and shake it down for a little bit they usually run for ever, well 250k plus miles

My 97 has 292k on it when I sold it, my 03 has 218k on it now. Starting to show its age as they all do. If/when you need help with anything let me know. I have been through mine more than I wish I had. If you are handy and can turn a wrench you will save yourself alot of money doing stuff yourself.

May I ask how much they are asking for it? Is it a Eddie, or an XLT?

 

[Bolt snapper]

Once again, thanks for all the responses! I hope I end up with one of these and can become a contributing member of this group!

BRIANGEE, I'd be interested to hear the details of that story. I try to psychologically prepare myself for that kind of scenario, so knowing how it actually played out would be instructive.

johnboneske, I really appreciate the offer to help! I'm sure I'll probably take you up on your offer. Your post gives me the assurance I need to go ahead and pull the trigger if the vehicle seems to be solid. They're asking 3k, but until I see it, I can't tell you which model it is. They claim it runs, drives, shifts good. Only a tiny bit of rust on the rockers (I think that's what they described) over the molded running boards.

I'll report back after I look at it tomorrow!

Anyone else that can weigh in on my questions, please do! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Bolt snapper]

Well, I bought it! '04 Eddie Bauer. Not without its issues, so I'm sure I'll quickly become a pest on here. Looking forward to joining in and learning more about these vehicles! Thanks again to everyone who answered my questions!

 

[1955moose]

Congrats, you probably got the best year 2 valve. Let's hope it has a long trouble free life.

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[johnboneske]

I second that! I have had my fair share of.problems with my 03, but at the end of the day... I still love the dam thing!

Congrats, you probably got the best year 2 valve. Let's hope it has a long trouble free life.

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[Vancouver Bob]

Congrats on becoming an Expedition owner!!

Just wanted to add my 2 cents regarding a road trip. A few years back the kids and I were planning a trip to Disneyland (from Portland, OR which is almost 1000 miles. It had about 160K at the time. Was worried about taking it down with that many miles. But thought about how it's been trouble free for so many years, why would it suddenly cause me problems... so decided against a rental and took the Expy down. No problems. In fact, drove it back down and back up two more times after that... yea, we kind of liked Disneyland. She's got about 190K miles on her now and I still wouldn't hesitate to take her back down for another road trip.

 

[Plati]

Personal choice. How much risk are you willing to live with? Nobody on a Forum could know how reliable a random vehicle is, I dont even know that for my own 2 Expeditions!

In 2015 ... I drove my 2003 XLT on a 6K trip from NY out to BC and around the Rockies. Owned it since new but still took it to 3 mechanics for advice and had brakes totally redone and installed a new alternator as well as some other fluids, belt, idler pulley, and filters etc. before trip. The new alternator failed on the trip and I got stuck for one night. I never felt totally comfortable driving that old beast on that trip and it now is only used for local drives. I bought a 2014 for the big trips and its much better. All depends on the budget you have, every family is different. If that old truck is "your budget" give it a shot! Dont sit home!!

 

[rmsoul]

We have a 2004 with 245k miles on it (only owner). Never any problems. It is my wife's vehicle that she has meticulously maintained and is in immaculate condition inside and out. She now wants a newer vehicle.

 

[1969 Bulldog]

You guys are awesome! I sincerely appreciate each of you taking the time to give me feedback!!

This is what I was looking for. I'm super excited - I'm looking at a '04 this weekend with 155000 miles (5.4). Here are my expectations for this vehicle - please let me know if you think it's realistic: I know it's 15 years old, but once i drive it for a few months to sort of shake out whatever hidden problems it might have and do whatever maintenance I would normally do to (fluids, belts, brakes, tires if needed, etc). If it seems to be ok, would you hesitate to take one of these rigs with of this age and with this mileage on a family vacation of approximately 1,000 miles each way?

Have had a 2004 5.4 since new with 147k. Wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.