Thanks for all the replies. I'll try to explain my thinking better. Need more room than the 1st gen Xterra, a 4runner isn't going to do it. Don't hate or love the looks inside or outside of the Ex or Tahoe so that's a wash. I've never been scared driving my son's Z71 on the road and honestly haven't driven an Ex, only ridden in them so a test drive is in the near future to see what people are talking about, no need for heavy AS bars to fix road manners of the Tahoe. This is the 3rd vehicle, haul dogs, bikes, grandkids in car seats, camping stuff. Mostly local adventures. Dirt roads, light trail duty. 5-6K a year.
If we have an 05 Expedition and 05 Tahoe each with 100K miles, both stock, in comparable condition, not EB or Z71, what needs done to the Ex to make it the equal on dirt to the Tahoe? The Ford has the spark plug issue, the GM has intake manifold gasket leaks sometimes. Some think the stock trannys are weak, others think both are fine. Sounds like some think the 5.4 is down on power from the 5.3, not a big deal I've got a light foot and won't be towing.
I would level both with a 3/2 lift and upsize tires after doing all fluids and necessary maintenance. No bumpers, winches, rock rails, lockers, etc. (maybe skids). Is the IRS going to stop the Ex at some point and the Tahoe is going to keep going?
