About to pick up a 2001-what should be done first?

[duneslider]

I am looking to pick up a 2001 expedition with 117k miles. Looks pretty good and seems to run well. The owners didn't use it a lot, mostly to pull their camper in the summer months. I'm pretty sure it hasn't had any of the normal major maintenance done since nobody seems to do that. I plan to do all the fluids once I get it, oil, transmission, coolant, diffs, t-case.

I have heard tons of horror stories about the plugs on the 5.4, I am sure they haven't been done yet. I normally do all my own work, how big of a pain am I really looking at here? If I give them a soak of PB and let it sit for a while is that the best bet?

What else is a must due at this age, mileage?

I'm probably a little crazy going for something older but I feel like this drivetrain has a lot of life left in it and it should be reasonably easy to work on. I do currently have a 2020 Expedition Max, love it but hate how complicated the newer stuff is. I currently daily a 2007 jeep wrangler with 260k miles but will be letting my son drive it.

 

[jr1under]

That's fairly low mileage for a Gen1. If there's not much frame rust and no serious engine or transmission issues, it sounds like a worthwhile undertaking. It'll definitely be simpler to work on than your other two Exp's.

Re: spark plugs, I heard enough of the same horror stories to not try doing them myself. Ford's recommended interval is 100k miles and I had a shop do mine about 10 years ago. Probably won't need to change them again.

Most of what I've had to replace has been suspension related - control arms, sway bar links, ball joints, shocks and such. Those tend to let you know when they're failing. Then, of course, there's the innumerable hoses and emissions components but the hardest part of fixing them is usually finding out which one is bad.

Good luck!

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Plugs were not crazy at all when I did mine, I didn’t even know about the issue and I just did my normal 1/4 turn past washer crush, never had a blowout in 100k miles. That being said I do remember there’s a torque spec that usually assures trouble free operation. On top of that the repair kits are good enough I wouldn’t worry.

If it’s an Eddie Bauer, look into the Monroe spring conversion to ditch the air springs if failed, don’t forget about the wiring mod to rid yourself of the check suspension light.

Lastly, look into the brown wire mod if you have auto 4wd, saves weird feeling turning on dry pavement with tight turns.

 

[omgjedis]

On the 5.4L at least plugs weren't terrible...with the right tools. I believe it ended up taking me 3 extensions (like 2x10's and a 6" with swivel sockets between basically each extension to reach some of the plugs. To get the Ignition coil plugs off can be tough 5-8. They are iirc a 7mm socket and got the fuel rail in they way. Of course replacing these not is the best time since you already have them off. Motorcraft OEM parts of course always recommended as cheap amazon and ebay knock offs love to fail.

 

[John Honcoop]

I use NGK Iridium plugs, never had a problem with them. When you do the spark plugs I recommend getting a 40 piece fuel injector seal kit. To get to drivers side plugs you gotta pull the fuel rail off to get the coils and plugs out. Since your there replace the seals, filters and hats. Injectors sucking air cause all kinds of issues.