High Belt Line on 4th gens!

[Andy B]

I recently took deliv4ery of my 2023 Expy SPP.

I am really struck by how high the belt line is. I am 6'2" and I feel short around this truck. Trying to get to the dipstick or reach in through the rear lift glass I keep wondering how to "normal" height people do it.

Anyone else feeling this way?

I mean, it's fine, I'll adapt. It's just interesting to me.

 

[Old Dog]

I recently took deliv4ery of my 2023 Expy SPP.

I am really struck by how high the belt line is. I am 6'2" and I feel short around this truck. Trying to get to the dipstick or reach in through the rear lift glass I keep wondering how to "normal" height people do it.

Anyone else feeling this way?

I mean, it's fine, I'll adapt. It's just interesting to me.

I am 5’7 and purchased a 3 step step ladder for checking the oil. I don’t bother with the rear window just open the whole lift gate. Kind of a pain but like you I’m adapting.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I am 5’7 and purchased a 3 step step ladder for checking the oil. I don’t bother with the rear window just open the whole lift gate. Kind of a pain but like you I’m adapting.

LOL, 5'7" here also. Ran into a surprise trying to do my first oil change on the Expedition. Had to grab a wash bucket to get up in there. I need to pick up a little step ladder for this as well.

 

[dlcorbett]

The gms belt line is even higher. My dads escalade belt line is noticeably higher than navs.

 

[Soliyou]

Same here. I got a step stool for oil change, but I have to use a ladder for waxing the hood.

 

[Fastcar]

I recently took deliv4ery of my 2023 Expy SPP.

I am really struck by how high the belt line is. I am 6'2" and I feel short around this truck. Trying to get to the dipstick or reach in through the rear lift glass I keep wondering how to "normal" height people do it.

Anyone else feeling this way?

I mean, it's fine, I'll adapt. It's just interesting to me.

Maybe stand on a wheel spoke? Or perhaps the top of the tire. My wife at 5'4" gets it done.

 

[NorthWestYuppie]

LOL, 5'7" here also. Ran into a surprise trying to do my first oil change on the Expedition. Had to grab a wash bucket to get up in there. I need to pick up a little step ladder for this as well.

View attachment 77459

That is awesome

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

When traveling with my 2015 Expedition, I carry a folding step-stool in the rear so I can check my oil during fuel stops.

Ford designed the engine oil dip stick on the Expedition to be low in the engine, with a receiver tube that is black and hard to see since there is no under-hood light. Very poor design.

My son has a Ram 1500 crew-cab pickup with the 5.7 Hemi engine. The oil dipstick handle is high on the engine (and the dipstick is long) and it can be easily reached from the front or left side of the front without using a stool.

 

[Zig10]

When traveling with my 2015 Expedition, I carry a folding step-stool in the rear so I can check my oil during fuel stops.

Ford designed the engine oil dip stick on the Expedition to be low in the engine, with a receiver tube that is black and hard to see since there is no under-hood light. Very poor design.

My son has a Ram 1500 crew-cab pickup with the 5.7 Hemi engine. The oil dipstick handle is high on the engine (and the dipstick is long) and it can be easily reached from the front or left side of the front without using a stool.

I'll second that! I have my wife's Expy parked side by side with my Ram 1500. The engine bays couldn't be more different when it comes to checking oil and general access into the engine compartment. And that is even with the e-torque on my Ram. I absolutely HATE the placement of the dipstick tube on the Expy.

All that said, oil CHANGES are markedly easier on the Expy compared to the ridiculous filter and drain plug location on the Ram...so I guess you pick your poison.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I'll second that! I have my wife's Expy parked side by side with my Ram 1500. The engine bays couldn't be more different when it comes to checking oil and general access into the engine compartment. And that is even with the e-torque on my Ram. I absolutely HATE the placement of the dipstick tube on the Expy.

All that said, oil CHANGES are markedly easier on the Expy compared to the ridiculous filter and drain plug location on the Ram...so I guess you pick your poison.

The spare tire on the 3rd generation Expedition is stored facing up - so to check the pressure or add air, the rear hatch must be opened, items removed and the tire and wheel lowered (and then raised).

On my son’s Ram, it was designed with the full-size spare tire wheel’s valve stem facing down- so to check the pressure and/or add air is very easy.

 

[MTB2022]

I lowered my spare down and flipped it over so I can get at the Schrader valve to check the pressure periodically....

 

[caplanm]

I recently took deliv4ery of my 2023 Expy SPP.

I am really struck by how high the belt line is. I am 6'2" and I feel short around this truck. Trying to get to the dipstick or reach in through the rear lift glass I keep wondering how to "normal" height people do it.

Anyone else feeling this way?

I mean, it's fine, I'll adapt. It's just interesting to me.

I'm 6"4", and I had a 2018 Platinum and now a 2022 Platinum. You are a 100% correct!!! I have taken to use a rubbermaid step stool, so I can reach the dipstick!!! A friend of mine has a GMC Yukon Denali (sp?) and it is worse!!

 

[GixxerJasen]

I lowered my spare down and flipped it over so I can get at the Schrader valve to check the pressure periodically....

Same, I did this shortly after getting it and checking the pressure before the first road trip.

 

[duneslider]

I only use the rear glass when stuff is pilled high enough to be near where the glass opens. I still am a huge fan of the glass opening, its a feature I really like.

 

[Deadman]

I'm 6' and I can't reach the damn dipstick either. I thought I was a kid the first time fumbling around trying to reach in there. lol. Its down low in the engine bay, but you need a step to reach over the fender, its super awkward.

 

[JasonH]

Step up on a wheel spoke or lay on the top of the fender. It is ridiculously tall. It makes common repairs, like changing spark plugs, a challenge.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I'm 6' and I can't reach the damn dipstick either. I thought I was a kid the first time fumbling around trying to reach in there.

Try being 5'7", it's all like

lay on the top of the fender

with your feet up in the air flailing around.

 

[lobsenza]

The spare tire on the 3rd generation Expedition is stored facing up - so to check the pressure or add air, the rear hatch must be opened, items removed and the tire and wheel lowered (and then raised).

On my son’s Ram, it was designed with the full-size spare tire wheel’s valve stem facing down- so to check the pressure and/or add air is very easy.

I added a hose to the spare so I can check it from underneath the SUV without lowering the spare. Takes 20 seconds to check the spare tire pressure. I do that on all vehicles in which the spare valve is not accessible.

 

[GaryH]

At 5'9", I don't have a problem reaching the dipstick to check the oil. But when I wash the Expedition at home, I need a step ladder to do the roof. Hence, the roof doesn't get washed that often, lol. Well, no one can see it anyway, except for 18 wheeler drivers.

 

[Wangle]

The spare tire on the 3rd generation Expedition is stored facing up - so to check the pressure or add air, the rear hatch must be opened, items removed and the tire and wheel lowered (and then raised).

On my son’s Ram, it was designed with the full-size spare tire wheel’s valve stem facing down- so to check the pressure and/or add air is very easy.

I am 6’3” and my wife is 5’2”. We replaced a 2003 Eddie Bauer with our 2018. She always used to check the oil on our 2003. On this one I told her never mind. LOL
I actually think that lowering the spare once a year is a good idea just to make sure it will work when you need it to.