Ford, Are you Listening? 2018+ Change/Wish List

[MonkeyBrains]

Thanks for you comments.

What about the front cup holders and also front console don’t you like?

Are you referring to the cup holders on the back of the front console?

Talking about the primary two cup holders up front next to the drive select knob. They’re too small, too close together, not configurable, there’s only two. They suck. ...OK they don’t truly suck, they’re just lacking compared to what Ford has already offered in other vehicles. Compare to the center console in the Super Duty, which is light years better. I suppose it’s kinda nifty they wanted the drive mode and gear select on knobs right there, but what a terrible waste of space. Why not the push buttons like they did in the Navigator? What’s wrong with having them on the steering column like always before?

And yeah, since shane_th_ee brought it up again, I’ll give another +1 for towing mirrors. The mirrors a nice and sleek for driving around town and being a soccer mom vehicle. Pulling a 20ft+ camper trailer behind an Expy Max, these mirrors are totally inadequate.

Load leveling would be nice and should be included with the FX4 package and definitely optional with non-CCD XLT/Limited trims. On the CCD suspension I’m not so sure how that would work and if and or where a point of compromise would set in.

 

[proeasy]

Very interesting. I, during the summer months tow a boat that weighs 6000 lbs. I am very interest in some kind of load leveling shock or air ride suspension. Where can these be purchased for the Expedition? I tried a Google search without any results...

Perhaps start here. While my 2007 GM was not listed as GM went to the air shocks I was pretty certain the mounting points did not change so I took the chance and ordered them and the fit great. Loved not hearing the air pump every time I started up (when it worked)

https://www.zf.com/usa_canada/media...nter_sachs_us2/zfmig_download_pdf/Nivomat.pdf


Back on track

Would like to see the third row seat as an option, would be a cost and weight save. In addition to more cargo room, but with the 3rd seat and the 2nd row bench folded, make for a nice perfect flat floor, as an empty nesters, seats are in that position 90% of the time

 

[Fordalways]

...

What about the front cup holders and also front console don’t you like?

Are you referring to the cup holders on the back of the front console?

...

I tend to drive with my right arm on the console armrest. If I turn to look over my right shoulder, I often hit the drink that's in the cupholder at the back of the console. This old dog just needs to learn new tricks. Our old Expy had flip down cupholders below the console for rear seat passengers and this is, different.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I'd love to see middle row cup holders integrated into a flip down center armrest. Like we had in our Nissan X-Trail.

 

[Meeker]

Some software changes I'd like to see after driving my 2018 XLT for a while:

- keep the drive mode the same as the last selected. I hate having to reselect every time I turn on the vehicle.
- since it can detect a trailer is connected, why not ask which trailer or automatically select it if there's only one defined?
- get rid of some of the notifications in the display, or make them configurable (e.g. Parking Brake Released, Cross Traffic Deactivated (when trailer connected), etc.)
- on the center screen, stop bugging me about setting up a wifi connection to get updates already! Every day I have to clear that message even though I've hooked up wifi to my house (it doesn't appear to be doing anything though) - and the message never times out.
- speaking of which, some ability to diagnose wifi issues would be nice. The only thing I can think of doing is trying a firmware update, but that always times out after a few minutes with no failure reason.
- I'd like to see the external temperature on the screen in front of me - it's only available on the center console home screen as far as I can tell. Using carplay it doesn't appear at all of course.
- I should be able to have the power liftgate disabled automatically when I connect my trailer - that should be one of the configuration options. It often gets triggered while I'm hooking up the chains and it's only a matter of time before I get whacked in the head (bearable) or it hits the tongue jack of the trailer (unacceptable!). I'm disabling it manually but it's 3 levels deep in the menus.
- There should be a button that gets you to the Sync3 home page no matter where you are.

Non-software:
- already mentioned towing mirrors
- when the hitch cover is removed, it looks like crap. I'd prefer to leave the cover off since I tow quite often, but it looks like it has a piece missing off the rear bumper. If it had been designed better, I would have the option to leave it off.
- speaking of the hitch cover, it interferes a bit with the connection of chains and the emergency braking wire on the two hoops. I could use another inch of space around those. This bumper seems like it sacrificed utility for looks...

 

[shane_th_ee]

- I should be able to have the power liftgate disabled automatically when I connect my trailer - that should be one of the configuration options. It often gets triggered while I'm hooking up the chains and it's only a matter of time before I get whacked in the head (bearable) or it hits the tongue jack of the trailer (unacceptable!). I'm disabling it manually but it's 3 levels deep in the menus.

It was while hooking up my chains that I accidentally discovered that the lift gate will clear my tongue jack.

 

[Meeker]

It was while hooking up my chains that I accidentally discovered that the lift gate will clear my tongue jack.

I did a manual test, and it cleared by 1/4" - on level ground. From past experience you can't count on it clearing in every situation...

 

[shane_th_ee]

From past experience you can't count on it clearing in every situation...

I had to buy new drop shank because the Expedition's bumper was too high. The only one the RV store had with enough drop was really long, so I've actually got more than enough clearance.

 

[Paddler]

I just ordered my 2018 XLT on Friday and was told 8-10 weeks delivery time as well. Are Navigators and Expeditions built on the same line? I would think so, but you never know...
This seems longer than would normally be the case for Ford - my Dad's F-250 only took 4 weeks to factory order. I can't see that the Expy would take much longer to physically build. I'm sure there must be a backlog of orders at the plant for these kinds of delivery times.
The really surprising thing was the lack of Expy's at the dealerships in Alberta - I test drove one of the 3 XLT models in the whole province, and even the Platinums and Limiteds are hard to find - seems like only about a quarter of the dealers even have a 2018 Expy on the lot.
I've been told by the dealers that Canada takes second place to the US for delivery because the US buys way more Expys. Does that sound right or are they just pouting?
---
Just to add a few things to the pros/cons list, based on the changes I noticed compared to my 2006 Limited (sadly totalled by a flying Silverado during the commute to work):

Pros
1) They actually have cargo tie-downs in the rear(!)
2) If you think there are issues with SYNC 3, compare to the original SYNC, which was already 1x10^6 times better than the 2006 Navigation system. That was the worst system I've ever seen in a vehicle. My list of issues with that was very very long.
3) Lots of small increases in usable space in the back, like the storage next to the jack (not there in the 2006), and the storage bins on the left side.
4) Tons of other items but I suspect they're obvious to most people. Way more pros than cons actually.

Cons
1) Not interested in the big sunroof. In 12 years with the previous Expedition, I only used the sunroof for one thing: I would stand up on the drive seat with my body through the roof to make it easier to attach my Thule to the roof rack. Other than that it was always too bright/too dark/too cold/too hot to open the damn thing. Did not add this to my new Expy order...
2) I suppose this was done for cosmetic reasons, but the roof rails still end too far back from the front windshield. To put a canoe up there properly, you either have to center it on the third row seats (doesn't work if you're towing a travel trailer), or get very creative with supports and tie-downs (which is the way I have to go). Probably only an issue for me but... oh, and very few of the competitors, if any, are any better.
3) I wanted the B&O stereo as well, but not available on XLT. Shame.
4) I was a little perturbed that I couldn't order both the FX4 and HD Towing packages for a reasonable price - even though the big items are in both packages (transfer case, ltd slip 3.73 diff, radiator), it would still have cost full price for the FX4 for basically stickers, shocks, and skid plates. I declined the FX4.

Mike

Are you mounting your canoe to the factory cross bars? I'll be using a Yakima rack and it looks like it should work okay as the cross bars will be higher. One thing I didn't like about by 2008 was that the side rails were too short, so that my towers were too close together, they're longer on the Max.. I agree that the side rails should extend farther forward, no reason to not do that. A stronger rack would be nice, with two middle supports instead of just one.

 

[Meeker]

Are you mounting your canoe to the factory cross bars? I'll be using a Yakima rack and it looks like it should work okay as the cross bars will be higher. One thing I didn't like about by 2008 was that the side rails were too short, so that my towers were too close together, they're longer on the Max.. I agree that the side rails should extend farther forward, no reason to not do that. A stronger rack would be nice, with two middle supports instead of just one.

I could carry the canoe on the factory bars, using the Thule canoe mounts that I have. But, they only raise it an inch. I wouldn't be able to open the liftgate or glass at all in the back. I need another solution. I think I need to raise it by 3-4" in the back...
I'm canoeing the next 3 days and I'm just going to use a canoe trailer to avoid the problem. It means sleeping in a tent instead of a travel trailer but I'm good with that...
Can you post a picture of your Yakima bars? I'm curious how high they raise it.

 

[Tampa Expedition]

I would like a nav map display in drivers display. Tahoe has a button to turn the door child locks on and off. Also would like the option for sports suspension and normal transmission shifts.

 

[Paddler]

My towers are older and no longer available. I think both systems raise the canoe about 2". You're probably better off with the Thule Crossroad towers and square bars. The Yakima crossbars really need to have what they call Keelovers, which are $110. Ridiculous. I had Thule square bars before, there's enough friction with them that you don't need anything to hold your canoe in place:

https://www.thule.com/en-us/ca/roof-rack/accessories/thule-crossroad-foot-pack-_-13900

 

[3rd Expyowner123]

2018 Ford Expedition, Limited Short Wheelbase- Love my truck. One suggestion to Ford Engineers- I have a tendency to rest my left knee against the driver side door panel. Now with hot summer temperatures, (90's), the door panel makes a creaking sound if leaning my knee against the door panel and it does move slightly. Suggest reinforcing the door panel in this area.

 

[Artie]

I could carry the canoe on the factory bars, using the Thule canoe mounts that I have. But, they only raise it an inch. I wouldn't be able to open the liftgate or glass at all in the back. I need another solution. I think I need to raise it by 3-4" in the back...
I'm canoeing the next 3 days and I'm just going to use a canoe trailer to avoid the problem. It means sleeping in a tent instead of a travel trailer but I'm good with that...
Can you post a picture of your Yakima bars? I'm curious how high they raise it.

I’m in the same boat so to speak. My old ride I put the canoe on top but I don’t wanna fool with it on my Navi because it’s way too tall. I got a rack for my utility trailer and it does a good job. I debated on getting a canoe trailer but couldn’t justify the single use of it.

 

[Paddler]

I’m in the same boat so to speak. My old ride I put the canoe on top but I don’t wanna fool with it on my Navi because it’s way too tall. I got a rack for my utility trailer and it does a good job. I debated on getting a canoe trailer but couldn’t justify the single use of it.

Try one of these:

 

[Artie]

Try one of these:View attachment 25253

That’s gonna be a lot of peddling to get to my campsite.. like a few days worth hahaha

 

[gtnator]

2018 Ford Expedition, Limited Short Wheelbase- Love my truck. One suggestion to Ford Engineers- I have a tendency to rest my left knee against the driver side door panel. Now with hot summer temperatures, (90's), the door panel makes a creaking sound if leaning my knee against the door panel and it does move slightly. Suggest reinforcing the door panel in this area.

I also wish there was a bit more soft touch material around the knees.


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[Mike Wolfe]

Hey FORD
How about making the LED headlights, fog Lights & Tail lights standard on the XLT model as well
The halogen lights are way too dim for these 73 year old eyes

 

[shane_th_ee]

I said it in another thread: an even more expensive towing package to include real towing mirrors, trailer TMPS, and the trailer camera system from the F-250. A 360-degree view of truck and trailer combined with the pro-trailer backup assist would be worth extra money; even for people who already know how to back up a trailer.

 

[Jeffrey Long]

'18 Platinum Expy. I would like to see an acknowledgement button (like Chevy has) on the Nav to allow input to the nav while in motion WITHOUT having to do it via voice command. Once you are moving, the current nav pretty much forces you to use voice commands for most functions. There should be a way to allow the passenger to do manual nav input while in motion. I realize that the nav lock is there to prevent distracted driving, however using voice commands isn't always prudent when you have a fussy child that has drifted off to sleep in the back.