How capable would you consider your 4x4 Expedition?

[SnuffThePunkz]

It's actually irritating how good it is for a big ole truck.

First truck was a diesel F-250HD, ride worse than a dump truck, but nothing would stop it, I took it everywhere in the mountains. Always the tank of the group loaded with everyone's fuel, extra gear, tents, firewood you name it. More weight just meant more traction. This thing just walks up half the obstacles my old truck would triumphantly conquer, sometimes with drama, like it's nothing sitting on leather seats with the air-conditioning on like it's pulling up to my kids daycare, just another Tuesday.

 

[gtnator]

Just drove the wife and kids around in the Mesa. Lots of deep washes sand and some mud from all the rain we've been having. Buried the rear axle in a wet sandy wash. 4low pulled er right out.

That's awesome.

Do any of the Expy's have locking differential? If no, does anyone feel like they miss it?

 

[SnuffThePunkz]

Factory LS in the back end of mine. Gonna upgrade it to a Detroit when I build up the rear end.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Factory LS in the back end of mine.

Which means it’s probably long since worn out.

 

[SnuffThePunkz]

It takes a wee bit of motivation ie. right foot application, but it works. Like my ole diesels ls, it'll work, when you make it.

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

That's awesome.

Do any of the Expy's have locking differential? If no, does anyone feel like they miss it?

The LS works good enough. If I get 2 wheels off the ground I have to work the brake to transfer tourque. I've got an idea I'm gonna try with the LS, but I keep putting off. Anyway I'm not going rock crawling any time soon

 

[SnuffThePunkz]

I've heard a commonish mod is to take it apart and shove more clutch material in. Think it was the Jeep guys who do that.

 

[ChrisOIFdoc]

I've heard a commonish mod is to take it apart and shove more clutch material in. Think it was the Jeep guys who do that.

Well sheeit...that's what my plan is. Where the hell were you when I posted this question 2 or 3 months ago? Glad to know it's been done because I wasn't sure it was going to work.

 

[SnuffThePunkz]

2-3 months ago? Deep into rebuilding the front end of my truck and leveling it, and letting all this info rattling around in my head annoy my wife instead of getting it out here lol.

Link right here with a how-to and easy to follow pictures. Just replace mustang with Expedition when reading it out loud to yourself same 8.8 rear end in both vehicles. Link even includes a link to a high performance clutch pack replacement.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-88-traclok-kit-cust-install.html

 

[CaptOchs]

Very. Last week I pulled my 6000 lb camper out of a field through 8" inches of heavy snow. It was very awesome.

 

[deweysmith]

Very. I’ve gushed about it before on different threads but I’ve gone into every 4x4 situation a little pessimistic, coming from a lifted Tacoma as my last 4x4, and every time I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

 

[Trainmaster]

I've got a 2000 which was used for responding to accidents and just bought a 2008 for a personal driver. The 2000 was fabulous in the snow and could hold its own on the beach. Great on railroad tracks and over rough access roads. I didn't expect the 2008 to be a match but it's proving itself to be just about as good as the 2000.

 

[Michael McC]

To the original question of off road capability, I had a 2003 FX4. I now have a 2016 King Ranch. I have done hundreds (maybe a couple thousand) of miles in 4wd on Texas beaches and elsewhere. I have driven Jeeps, Ramchargers, Broncos, Suburbans, Blazers, International Scouts...

The Expedition does a great job as a 4wd compared to any of these, with one exception. If you start to dig in, you get high centered. You have to lift it. Spring spacer lifts are a few hundred bucks. Labor about the same. Get taller tires as well to get the control arms off the ground.

Get the 3.73 gears so it isn't a dog with taller tires. You will lose acceleration and towing ability, so start with better gears.

Love the 4-wheel independent suspension. Hate that the front end starts to rattle after you beat it up a little. I replaced parts in the front end of my 2003 over and over, and finally sold it because it rattled at the slightest bump. Same engineering in the 2016 as far as I can tell. Trying to be more gentle with this one.

 

[gtnator]

To the original question of off road capability, I had a 2003 FX4. I now have a 2016 King Ranch. I have done hundreds (maybe a couple thousand) of miles in 4wd on Texas beaches and elsewhere. I have driven Jeeps, Ramchargers, Broncos, Suburbans, Blazers, International Scouts...

The Expedition does a great job as a 4wd compared to any of these, with one exception. If you start to dig in, you get high centered. You have to lift it. Spring spacer lifts are a few hundred bucks. Labor about the same. Get taller tires as well to get the control arms off the ground.

Get the 3.73 gears so it isn't a dog with taller tires. You will lose acceleration and towing ability, so start with better gears.

Love the 4-wheel independent suspension. Hate that the front end starts to rattle after you beat it up a little. I replaced parts in the front end of my 2003 over and over, and finally sold it because it rattled at the slightest bump. Same engineering in the 2016 as far as I can tell. Trying to be more gentle with this one.

So you think the Expy performs better than a Suburban in off road capabilities? Can you elaborate please?

Also, when you mentioned the 3.73 gears, I thought the does help with both acceleration and towing? Or were you referring to the larger tires making the vehicle loose some acceleration and towing capability?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Larger tires reduce towing and acceleration. Bigger gears regain that for you.

 

[Stepcajun]

I was really surprised at how capable mine was almost stock, now it's lifted with bigger tires and good shocks.
I tag along with a group of jeepers and can run most moderate trails with them,
Always a good time

 

[Michael McC]

Larger tires reduce towing and acceleration. Bigger gears regain that for you.

What he said.

My '94 Suburban did pretty good off road, but I like the Expedition more because of the 4-wheel independent suspension and the shorter wheel base. Much tighter turning radius as well, but the front end groans at full lock.

So the Expedition is lighter, shorter wheel base (less likely to high center over bumps), and more flexible with the independent rear suspension. I felt like the Suburban would take more abuse, though. The front end on the Expedition is not well engineered, in my opinion. Also, the control arms drag through whatever you bog down in.

 

[JExpedition07]

Can’t wait till we get some nicer weather again. Cabin pic, yep these trucks plow through whatever you throw at em. This was nothing, but it’s the only pic I have of it off the road.

 

[tallsville]

My 03 has been pretty good offroad. It has mainly been on forest roads in the mountains near big bear. I've had the dirt road disappear on me at 30mph and all it did was lose the front license plate. Left a pretty good gash in the road where the front tow hooks dug in. I've also taken it in the mud, up in azusa canyon. It did fairly well on getting stuck once. But over all it has been a capable offroader.

 

[gtnator]

My 03 has been pretty good offroad. It has mainly been on forest roads in the mountains near big bear. I've had the dirt road disappear on me at 30mph and all it did was lose the front license plate. Left a pretty good gash in the road where the front tow hooks dug in. I've also taken it in the mud, up in azusa canyon. It did fairly well on getting stuck once. But over all it has been a capable offroader.

What kind of tires do you use for off roading?


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