2500 Mile First Gen Roadtrip!

[El Tortuga Diablo]

Hey everyone! New to the forums, I'm a 17 year old highschool student, and an Expedition owner from the Chicago suburbs. Drive a 2001 Expy, 4x4, 5.4L, Eddie Bauer model, with 128,000 miles. This upcoming summer I'll be going on a 2,500 mile round trip from Chicago to Denver, Colorado with 7 other people in my truck.The question is... do you think my truck will be able to handle that kind of stress? There has been no major engine or transmission problems in he history of my car. I am prepared for this trip in just about everyway I can think of, such as 4x4 recovery traction boards, offroad jack, hitch haul, spare tire, wiper fluid etc... will be getting an oil change and break servicing as well. Just put in new optimum red top battery. My Expy has been showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, aside from a crank and failed start every now and then. (Assuming it's a flywheel problem...) I've been on smaller road trips with it before where I've comfortably drove for hours at 80-90+ mph. I just don't know what the life expectancy of a 5.4L with 128,000 miles on it would be? Also any other tips for long road trips or necessities I should bring to be prepared for any situation. Thanks for reading, I would love all of your feedback!
-Nate

 

[stangracr]

There's 216k on mine and I personally know people with that plus 100k on theirs. I'd say at 128k you're good to go. Just keep the oil changed and every 10k miles or so check the torque on the spark plugs. That'll save you a ton of headaches.
BTW...nice looking Expy.

 

[El Tortuga Diablo]

@stangracr thanks for the reply! I didn't even think about the spark plugs situation, don't even remember the last time I changed those... so thanks for that. Thanks, she's about as mint as you can find in the Midwest. Bought off a family friend for a insane deal at $4k, and a couple months back a stranger offered me $8500 for it. Happy I didn't sell.

 

[stangracr]

Very nice catch, indeed! Glad you didn't sell it too.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Why do you need traction boards coming to Denver in the summer? Or are you going to the mountains?

8 people in the truck.... with external cargo I'm assuming. If you don't kill each other along I-80, you should make it just fine.

 

[stamp11127]

Find and fix the starting issue, set air pressure in all tires including the spare, practice taking the spare out and putting it back in. Make sure you have the lug wrench and good flashlight.
Stay off the phone while driving - that means you.

What makes you think the problem is with the flywheel?

Please keep speeding - that way you find all the cops for the rest of us!

Here is something to think about, yea the conditions are different but look at the ease that it happened and the results.

Keep your speed down and live longer.

 

[Bedrck47]

17 Years old and drives 80to90+ Keep it up and we will see if you live to be 18

Just My opinion but your not worth giving advice to. You are proving you will do things your way

 

[ams2737]

Keep the speed down and keep up with the routine maintenance and you should be fine. 90mph is crazy in a vehicle that size but be careful driving that far and fast with 7 other people and luggage with you. Make sure you look over steering and suspension parts before you take the trip. If one of those messes up while driving it's gonna be a bad day. Make sure your tires and brakes are in good working order.

Again can't stress enough to be careful. Take frequent rest stops or split the driving with other passengers to keep the driver fresh.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I have several years of competitive driving experience and I won't go over 80 in my Expedition. And it's in pretty tip top mechanical shape. It's just too fast. It's too top heavy and the suspension is fairly soft. And trying to maintain that speed during the heat of the summer with it loaded down like that....... no thanks. Fuel consumption goes up so the extra time you're making up while speeding is given back at the gas station.

Are you going offroading once you get to Denver? With everyone in it?

 

[Adieu]

128k miles? Your truck is barely used, man

 

[Flexpedition]

@stangracr Thanks, she's about as mint as you can find in the Midwest. Bought off a family friend for a insane deal at $4k, and a couple months back a stranger offered me $8500 for it. Happy I didn't sell.

Mint, with complete junk Primewell Valero tires? Those are the cheapest tires known to man. They make Coopers look like Michelin. Please do some research on these.

The only insane thing here is you not selling yours for $8500. Although its nice, its not been worth $8500 for several years.

 

[Habbibie]

I drove a hayabusa from age 16-18 and 15 years later I'm still here, age isn't the biggest issue its the 7 people and the distraction they'll create that's the biggest risk.

Anyways I strongly recommend you check the torque of the spark plugs that's the biggest issue 1st gens have.

 

[El Tortuga Diablo]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I'll be sure to keep the speed down with that many people in my vehicle. I am not doing any major offroading, but will be up in the mountains of Medicine Bow for a day and want to be prepared for any situation to ensure the safety of the group. And @ExplorerTom my dad thinks its the flywheel due to the crank and loud shreaking sound every now and then when I try to start. It has never left me stranded anywhere, just have to start the truck in neutral and it works like normal. But again id like to stress Im not a maniac when I drive haha, just tend to go fast every now and then.

 

[El Tortuga Diablo]

@Flexpedition When the guy offered me $8500 it was more of a blind offer, he had explained how he used to have one and he had been looking for a rust free Expy to use on his farm (met him outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin where my family's summer home is). I'm sure if he actually new the mileage or some of the engine issues the offer wouldn't have been nearly as high.

 

[Shabadoo]

I did a 3500 mi round trip from the east coast to CO and took the truck up Pikes Peak along the way. Had about 210,000 on the ODO at the time. Went through a few quarts of oil but that was the only issue. You'll be fine. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ganchan]

I'm going to be taking my new-to-me Expedition (with 180K miles on it) from San Antonio to Denver and back this summer. I will baby it, because I'm paranoid and it's the first of several long road trips i hope to survive in it. My mechanic knows this vehicle well, having worked on it for the previous owner, so I'll make sure he checks it again and gives it clean bill of health first.

 

[ExplorerTom]

my dad thinks its the flywheel due to the crank and loud shreaking sound every now and then when I try to start.

Flexplate. Automatics don't have flywheels.

Or it could be the starter bendix not cooperating.

 

[El Tortuga Diablo]

@ExplorerTom I'll suggest it, thanks! Also, any suggestions on a tire update? I'm looking for enough tread to be good offroad but be quiet enough to not drive me crazy...

 

[Coey326]

We make super long trips in ours all the time. We are headed to Belize in a couple months. I think its over 2500 miles one way, give or take. I run LT285/75/16 Nitto grapplers. They have a small bit of hum but with the radio on, its hard to hear. They also do pretty good offroad.

 

[rayseefeldt]

I'm in KC, last summer my 2005 with 130,000 on it made trips to Rocky Mountain National Park and Houston. Put on new tires prior to the trip - tires were a bit worn; but, I wanted to make sure it was aligned).