Interesting Review Video

[D__J]

Saw this recently, his remarks about quality and dependability say a lot about the 2025 Expedition. Comments about the transmission say a lot too. Can't imagine getting another Expedition again.

Should You Buy a 2025 Ford Expedition? Thorough Review By A Mechanic

A Mechanic Reviews the 2025 Ford Expedition. Should You Buy One?In this video we take a look at the latest Ford Expedition. We start with a proper technical ...

youtu.be

 

[Moeman]

I think his commentary on features is pretty good. Disregard everything he said beneath the vehicle as he has no technical knowledge. The hanger on the from of the muffler could possibly be for a lift-assist device in the assembly plant.. who cares if its there anyway... they didn't decide to just waste money for the heck of it. The straps on the fuel tank are for lifting and loading to the frame - its upside down when it starts life, and again who cares. Axle through frame isn't really that much of an afterthought - both need to occupy this space so its a solution to a problem. Sway bar link angle - the suspension is at full rebound when lifted from the frame. I'm sure the angles are optimized for the normal range between curb and design heights.

 

[rd618]

I think his commentary on features is pretty good. Disregard everything he said beneath the vehicle as he has no technical knowledge. The hanger on the from of the muffler could possibly be for a lift-assist device in the assembly plant.. who cares if its there anyway... they didn't decide to just waste money for the heck of it. The straps on the fuel tank are for lifting and loading to the frame - its upside down when it starts life, and again who cares. Axle through frame isn't really that much of an afterthought - both need to occupy this space so its a solution to a problem. Sway bar link angle - the suspension is at full rebound when lifted from the frame. I'm sure the angles are optimized for the normal range between curb and design heights.

His commentary is pretty spot on, he has far more technical knowledge than most, and 100x more than every other car reviewer on youtube.
The sway bars are notoriously an issue and ford does frequently cheap out there, the comment about after thought is spot on. The engine bay his assessment is spot on. Axle through frame is an odd design that creates a solution for a problem that could have been solved other ways.
Watch his reviews of other vehicles, he's equally as critical. The only "high praise" I've seen him give is the 6th gen 4Runner, even that he said rides terrible in the higher trims.

 

[aggiegrad05]

The "axle thru the frame" thing is interesting to me.

When the GM twins (triplets? quads? quints?) switched to an independent rear, the control arms in the back are so low! (see below...yes, I know, the pic of the tahoe is the RST, but the issue is across all trims).

I always wondered how Ford managed to not have the same issue...I wonder if that is part of it.

 

[Moeman]

His commentary is pretty spot on, he has far more technical knowledge than most, and 100x more than every other car reviewer on youtube.
The sway bars are notoriously an issue and ford does frequently cheap out there, the comment about after thought is spot on. The engine bay his assessment is spot on. Axle through frame is an odd design that creates a solution for a problem that could have been solved other ways.
Watch his reviews of other vehicles, he's equally as critical. The only "high praise" I've seen him give is the 6th gen 4Runner, even that he said rides terrible in the higher trims.

I'm listening. What are the other ways to solve the half-shaft problem?

 

[D__J]

He also laughs that the transmission will last. LOL

 

[Moeman]

The "axle thru the frame" thing is interesting to me.

When the GM twins (triplets? quads? quints?) switched to an independent rear, the control arms in the back are so low! (see below...yes, I know, the pic of the tahoe is the RST, but the issue is across all trims).

I always wondered how Ford managed to not have the same issue...I wonder if that is part of it.

View attachment 85502View attachment 85503

So to come clean, I'm actually the guy who worked with product development from the manufacturing engineering side to design the 2004 F150 front suspension, and I worked on every model up to about 2011. Also did some Expedition work. I can't see a packaging reason for the control arms on the GM to be that low. The benefit is that you end up with a very long spindle/knuckle. It makes it easier to set alignment, but reason they probably did it is better control on camber and toe curves as the suspension goes through jounce.

 

[D__J]

So to come clean, I'm actually the guy who worked with product development from the manufacturing engineering side to design the 2004 F150 front suspension, and I worked on every model up to about 2011. Also did some Expedition work. I can't see a packaging reason for the control arms on the GM to be that low. The benefit is that you end up with a very long spindle/knuckle. It makes it easier to set alignment, but reason they probably did it is better control on camber and toe curves as the suspension goes through jounce.

What say you about the multiple years of transmission issues on Ford Expeditions, 2020 to 2025?

Why does Ford continue to use a faulty transmission in new vehicles?

I'm not the only one wondering.

 

[Moeman]

What say you about the multiple years of transmission issues on Ford Expeditions, 2020 to 2025?

Why does Ford continue to use a faulty transmission in new vehicles?

I'm not the only one wondering.

Nothing to say. Left Ford in 2015. I heard about the train wreck launch of the 10spd in the F150 and wondered how they could let it happen. Lots of pressure to keep a program moving forward and someone didn't have the balls to delay. I think we stuck to our guns better in the early 2000's. That said, I have a 6spd F150 and a 2022 Exp with the 10spd. I was ready for the worst with this trans, but gotta say I really have few complaints with the exception of the typical calibration compromises they make to get better mileage.

 

[rd618]

What say you about the multiple years of transmission issues on Ford Expeditions, 2020 to 2025?

Why does Ford continue to use a faulty transmission in new vehicles?

I'm not the only one wondering.

Oh, that's easy. Ford is trying to be top of the stacks!
Tesla is giving them a run for their money, but when you look at driveability and mechanical recalls, Ford is by far out front.
Every manufacture has some recalls, but ford said "hold my beer" and dialed it up.
Normally i'd make some excuse, like "oh, it's not just ford it's also the part suppliers, they are also responsible for these issues", well, yes and no, ford designs and specs the components, they specs the quality checks required.

The best analogy I can think of, ford is becoming the walmart hypertough brand of vehicles. Will they work, yea, will some people love them, sure. Will they have something break or go wrong, absolutely.

 

[rd618]

I'm listening. What are the other ways to solve the half-shaft problem?

reinforce the top half with thicker steel, double boxing, increase diameter, any number of ways to add support, then cut out the bottom half. Just like most body on frame have Creating a U instead of an O. You said you worked on suspension components, you can probably come up with a design that works too.

 

[D__J]

Nothing to say. Left Ford in 2015. I heard about the train wreck launch of the 10spd in the F150 and wondered how they could let it happen. Lots of pressure to keep a program moving forward and someone didn't have the balls to delay. I think we stuck to our guns better in the early 2000's. That said, I have a 6spd F150 and a 2022 Exp with the 10spd. I was ready for the worst with this trans, but gotta say I really have few complaints with the exception of the typical calibration compromises they make to get better mileage.

Didn't mean to imply it was your fault; just wondering why a company would sell millions of trucks with a known faulty part that they need to warranty and lose so much money and tarnish their reputation. Is it that they hired moron managers who made these idiotic decisions? Or they thought it OK to use us, their customers, as part testers.

I guess I'm asking, what kind of people made such a decision about the 5+ years of transmission failures?

 

[bb37]

reinforce the top half with thicker steel

More weight.

double boxing

More weight.

increase diameter

More weight.

Ford's design looks like an elegant solution to maintain strength in the rear of the frame (possibly for crash protection, possibly for towing capacity) while keeping the weight down. What Ford has done may be unusual to some, but I don't think it's anything remarkable. I've watched some of this guy's videos and I think he sometimes makes up issues to inflate his own ego.

 

[rd618]

More weight.

More weight.

More weight.

Ford's design looks like an elegant solution to maintain strength in the rear of the frame (possibly for crash protection, possibly for towing capacity) while keeping the weight down. What Ford has done may be unusual to some, but I don't think it's anything remarkable. I've watched some of this guy's videos and I think he sometimes makes up issues to inflate his own ego.

you say this, but you'd be removing the same amount to steel from the bottom.

 

[Moeman]

reinforce the top half with thicker steel, double boxing, increase diameter, any number of ways to add support, then cut out the bottom half. Just like most body on frame have Creating a U instead of an O. You said you worked on suspension components, you can probably come up with a design that works too.

Most of the bending stress in a beam is in the top and bottom flanges. By keeping them a large distance apart, you keep the strength. Removing the middle weakens the resistance to shear, but its probably not a big factor in this area. By putting a hole through the middle of the beam, you minimize the weight being added to beef up the two flanges, and largely retain the resistance to bending. You don't want to raise the frame or you lose cargo/passenger room, nor lower the diff for ground clearance. The design they went with is good for package, weight, and strength.