I'm going to be scrapping my EXPY, possibly looking for another.

[98EXPY 5-0]

By mid-march, I'll be scrapping my 98 Expedition due mainly to rust issues. I am a State Constable and I use my Expy like a Police Vehicle. Radios and scanners, laptop mount and prisoner cages. To be honest, I've been looking at Tahoes for a replacement. I've hated my Expedition since I bought it. I think that I have had almost every "common" problem with mine. Then again, I bought a truck with 250k on the odometer for $1k. So I can't complain too much. Lately I've included 1st Gen Expeditions in my search, and I've found some decent looking units in my price range. The other up side is that my cages, console, antennas, and other equipment will swap right over. So as much as I am not a FORD guy at all (this is my first Ford Product), I might be sticking around.

These are the issues I've had since I bought it.
Rear wiper
Windshield Leak
Bad Coils
Rusted Trailing arms
Broken Manifold stud (leak)
hatch switch/ Dome light issue
Lots of underbody rust
Stuck fuel filter
Idler pully exploded and took out the belt.
Stripped brake caliper bolts


I think the only "common" problems I didn't have was Torque Convertor and air suspension (cause I have coils).


One question I have, since I might be looking at another Expedition, is about the motors. Mine is a 5.4L. Should I stay away from the 4.6s? Are they grossly underpowered, as compared to the 5.4L? It's not a Porche, and I don't do high speed chases, but I'd like it to be able to get out of it's own way when I need to. I'll never tow with it either.

Also, mine had extensive rust issues. Is this inherant with the Expeditions, or simply a product of living in the Northwest (we salt the roads often)? The Police Department that I bought it from is quite rural, with many roads that are just gravel. Also, being a PD vehicle, I'm sure it wasn't regularly washed and cared for like a personal vehicle would have been. I'd like to be able to roll around under any one that I look at and check for rust issues. Other than the trailing arms? (from bottom of the axle going forward to frame), what other areas are rust prone? Mine also started getting rust behind the rear wheels coming through the quarter panel. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to check for that before it bubbles the paint.

 

[SourMashII]

Northwest? or Northeast....

IF Northwest, I'll buy it....

If you are disillusioned with the 5.4, don't go 4.6.

I preferred Tahoe's, and winced when I couldn't get her off the idea of (the wife) an Expedition.

Now, I sorta really really like the Expeditions.

Tahoes are smoother, with lighter steering feel, and I think a Vortec 5.7 is nutsier than a 5.4, just an apples to apples there.

If anything, I would look at similar Expy's, just for swappability.

160,000 on a 1998, and not an ounce of rust. It is a product of where you live.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Northeast, sorry. I'm in PA.

 

[BakerEdition]

I bought mine from a Police department in California and had it shipped to Michigan and the first place it went was to Ziebart and had them undercoat the shit out of it...and then moved to Tennessee and it still has not seen snow or salt...there went 600.00 but it rides quieter....My has the 5.4 and a Edge programmer and get great mileage and performance...had 77k when I bought it last feb. now just rolled 90k and trouble free...I will sell you mine for 10,900

 

[Thermo]

98, if you are looking for an Expy with some off-road capability, let me know. Nukie is for sale. It may be more than you are willing to spend, but with only 130K on the clock, may be a good alternative.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Thermo,

Thanks. I am looking to spend around $4k. Though I am not looking for what you are probably calling an Offroad Capable truck. I need some ground clearance and 4wd due to some rural roads in the orchard areas as well as snow and flooding prone areas, but nothing lifted. In fact, I will probably be looking at how difficult it might be to lower it a couple inches. I have found that some shorter ladies have a difficult time getting in and out while cuffed and also with leg shackles, it's a little high to step up onto the running board.

I did stop at a lot near my house that has an all white (paint, grill, bumper) 2000 XLT for $3800 with a 7500 mile warranty. I didn't talk to the lot owner yet, or really check anything out. I guess the odometer is digital on the 2000s? I couldn't see the mileage. I won't be really ready to start looking until next week, so for now I'm just taking mental notes on what's around.

 

[clok1966]

I been a firm GM man all my life.. but in the last few years im just not impressed with anything.. they are all rounded off turds in my eyes.. no lights and park um side by side int he dark.. none have any style they all look the same.. SO.. whne shopping for cars the last few years , PRICE and shape of car/truck have been my main goals. I have purchased a 96 Explorer, 96 Jimmy, 98 expedition ( why im here) a 99 VOyager Van, and sevcral other cars.. I buy um with problems and fix.. drive and sell or whatever.. Car nut.. may not like the new ones, but like to wrench and check um out still.. with all that said..

Cant say anything bad about the fords i owned. The explorer was a bit nicer then the Jimmy, but the Jimmy was the better "truck".. more power, towed a bit better, etc.. but so close it was a wash.. the JIMMY had alot fo plastic noise inside i didnt like.. My expediton has 150,000 on it.. a door ding (ok bit more then a ding) and miss and an exhuast leak... picked it up for $1000.. $150 for plugs wires and coils on EBAY and ... smooth as silk. (plug chaning sucked.. moslty just time wise). Exhuast leak... well it was the donut..but both studs broke so I had a muffler shop work on it (anotehr $150)... and when done i see my EGR tube is bad..

So far some light "Kid" (stupid stuff) like 4X4 playing.. I kinda like it. it rides nice for a big truck.. and while I wont say the 4.6 is powerfull its just fine for me. I was going to shoot for anotehr Explorer/jeep/jimmy thing.. but why get the small truck when you can buy the big one and get almost the same gas mileage?

SO as a GM guy.. no bad words (except plug design) on my expedition..

 

[Knautical2001]

I know they are kinda far, but here are a few.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/2819091730.html
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/2840037959.html

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Yeah Florida is a bit of a hike. Though those prices seem kind of high for the mileage given. I guess large SUVs are in demand in FL.

The 2000 I looked at popped up on Craigslist, so I was able to see more of the description than when I stopped to see it. $3900 for 187k miles with 6 month/ 7500mile warranty. I'm not sure I want to go that high in mileage, but most of what I've seen with less mileage in a similar price range has a problem that needs fixed. So 187K might be what I'm stuck with in my price range.

 

[Knautical2001]

Ouch, lots of miles, but as long as they have been taken care of they will last. I wouldn't rush into it though. You could probably talk them down in price too.

 

[ExpeditionDrew]

i know its kinda far, but there is tons of expys for sale on c list.. that's where i got mine 01 with 161xxx, and got it for under 3000 with leather and just about every option....just took it on a 5 hour drive...it was damn nice.....

but is a few around here that have between 100xxx and 180xxx for around that price....just take a look.....interstate 80 shoots from pa straight thru to Omaha....only about 20 hrs....just a thought....

 

[SourMashII]

use search tempest or something, here locally, I can find two craigslists 600 miles apart, you can buy at face value on one of 'em, and sell at face value on the other one, nad have a tidy profit, in theory.

Point of the story, different regions place a different value om the rigs

 

[gharris129]

sucks your expi is done for. ill buy some interior parts if you want some extra scratch before you scrap it.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

What parts do you need?

 

[gharris129]

cup holder inserts for non armrest vehicle

oval dash piece in front pass seat not the airbag but on to of the dash

rear seatbelt cover for the shoulder hinge point.

over head console temp gauge i think mine had one button

female center seatbelt in middle row

guage cluster

driver door master switch.

center console lid.

spare rim

leather pull on the inside of hatch

im sure other things too if i think about it

my int is grey and i live in northeast pa

thank you for being interested and replying

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

T hats quite a list. Would you be looking to drive down and strip it or have me ship pieces.

 

[gharris129]

Yea its a lisr alright, But in these times I cant really afford to dump tons of cash on anything. two kids wife out of work you know the stoery wont bore you w it. probably drive if for no other reason than to meet someone new. where is down here i know you are in pa also but it is one of the larger states also not sure when we could do it i doubt you want to keep it in the driveway very long. but yea if it means saving a buck and we can come together on a time i would love to come down of that would be ok w you\would you consider sellin the whole thing might just be easier I dont know what it would be worth

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Sorry, I didn't realize my town wasn't listed. I'm near Gettysburg. Originally I was going to drive it to the scrap yard, which would limit what I can remove. But my neighbor works for a towing company and usually has his roll back parked at the house. So I am trying to work a deal for him to tow it for me. I definately want the tires, but if he can tow it without wheels I might keep them too.

Since my truck came from a police department, the center console was never mounted. Just stored on a shelf wrapped in plastic.

Oh, I know the situation. I've got 3 kids and my wife doesn't work either.

 

[gharris129]

well m me and we can see what we can work out. this thread was suposed to be about your new truck. btw have you been looking more

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I've been casually looking. I didn't want to start talking to people and wasting their time until I got all of the money I want to spend together. My Tax refund is supposed to be deposited today and I am using part of that to buy this vehicle. So this week I'll actually be making some calls and visiting some car lots. I've found a couple decent sounding ads on craigslist. I've also seen a few that sound too good to be true. I even found one that I'm not interested in because of the mileage, but the seller described a problem and based on my own experience and this forum, I emailed him what the cause was and how to fix it. I told him specifically I wasn't interested in his vehicle, but FYI here is whats wrong with it.

I keep seeing trucks where the owner says they put a new transmission in it less than a year ago. At first this sounds like a good thing. However, I can't imagine spending the money on a tranny, just to sell the truck for $3000. Makes me think more is wrong with it. It also makes me wonder if the transmission was neglected and if anything else was also neglected and is ready to go.

The one unit I found with a warranty has 180k on it. KBB is close to $5k on most of these trucks, yet I found one with 82k for $3000. She says it belonged to a family member that died. I would think a 14 year old SUV with insanely low mileage would demand a premium. Therefore, I'll probably get robbed if I go see it.