Intro - Looking to buy

[Frank R]

Hello there!

After a line of Tahoes, I have decided I want an Expedition. The main purpose of this vehicle will be to haul our 33' 5700 lb (dry) travel trailer. My Tahoes have always performed admirably in this regard, but I feel that the slightly longer wheelbase and increased towing capacity of the Expedition will make it an even better choice.

I have found a 2009 XLT SSV with 85k miles for sale somewhat locally. I went to check it out and it seems to be what I'm looking for - not fancy by any means, but very clean inside, outside and underneath (I can't believe this thing spent 10 years in the PA road salt for how clean the undercarriage is). It has 3.73 gears, which I was looking for and I'm 90% certain it has the HD tow package. I'm basing this on the fact that it has the 4 and 7 pin trailer wiring sockets, which appear to be factory - and there is a sticker on the underneath of the hitch which lists a max weight of 9200lbs when equipped with a WD hitch setup.

I negotiated a price which I feel is fair ($10k out the door), and will be going down tomorrow night to give it one more look over and if it all checks out I will be bringing it home with me. Can anyone give me anything else to look for to verify that it has the HD tow package? I've seen some folks here that can post build sheets from the VIN, so I'll post that here: 1FMFU16579LA10989 I've tried to pull the sheets online, but it seems all the sites that used to offer that service have been shut down. Also, information on any other potential issues to watch for would be appreciated.

Thank you for any and all input, and I look forward to joining your ranks.

Frank

 

[Adieu]

Price is quite high, miles are suspiciously low.. government typically auctions intact and functional vehicles at 125 - 175k miles, and SSVs aren't sold to individuals in USA (Canadians can buy em though)

I'd be way more comfortable with 130-150k mile vehicles, since I'd suspect an overpriced lemon here.... clean inside is even more suspicious for an SSV.

Also, $10k can get you a fully loaded Navigator of that age (same truck platform under the styling and gizmos, like Tahoe > Yukon > Escalade), not an empty SSV

If buying an SSV, spend $4k ('09-'10, ~150k mi) not $10k imho

 

[Trainmaster]

Google the VIN and you'll see that the truck sold at an August auction in New Jersey for $4000. I'm sure it has been cleaned up and had some work done.

Look at the rocker panels under the doors for rust bubbles. That's where rust seems to start on these. If it has the HD towing package, look for a separate transmission cooler in the grille. You'll see hoses and tubing going to it. The trucks without the tow package used the radiator's cooler.

I noticed a tear in the driver's seat back cushion. A replacement cover may not be available from Ford and no aftermarket company makes the cloth covers. You'd have to find an upholster who could make a new panel for that cover.

One problem with a lower mileage SSV is that they sometimes come from small police departments and have heavy hours on them... they sit and idle all day and night long. Also some are used for dog cars and smell in the damp weather.

On cold startup, listen for timing chain rattle in the front of the engine. If it rattles for ten seconds when starting cold, walk away.

See if you can get a CarFax on it. It may tell you something more.

 

[Frank R]

here is a link to the Carfax, if it works... https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?vin=1FMFU16579LA10989&partner=WDB_0

The rockers are clean, as is the tailgate. There are 2 very small bubbles on the leading edge of the hood, both less than dime-size.

I appreciate the info thus far - thank you.

 

[Adieu]

Google the VIN and you'll see that the truck sold at an August auction in New Jersey for $4000. I'm sure it has been cleaned up and had some work done.

Look at the rocker panels under the doors for rust bubbles. That's where rust seems to start on these. If it has the HD towing package, look for a separate transmission cooler in the grille. You'll see hoses and tubing going to it. The trucks without the tow package used the radiator's cooler.

One problem with a lower mileage SSV is that they sometimes come from small police departments and have heavy hours on them... they sit and idle all day and night long. Also some are used for dog cars and smell in the damp weather.

On cold startup, listen for timing chain rattle in the front of the engine. If it rattles for ten seconds when starting cold, walk away.

See if you can get a CarFax on it. It may tell you something more.

Do in-house department mechanics report to carfax? Afaik, they wouldn't


PS whoa, he's not kidding... auction results logged, $4k indeed. Not one like it, but THAT one. Didn't know you could google a vin.
https://www.marketbook.co.tz/listings/trucks/auction-results/27446837/2009-ford-expedition

 

[JExpedition07]

Well I can’t comment on price because it depends on your location. The 5.4L will be a nice upgrade for towing, has more bottom end and mid range grunt than the GM 5.3L....doesn’t have to rev as hard to do the work. This is because it’s an undersquare V8 (Stroke is more than cylinder bore).

 

[Trainmaster]

Since municipalities usually auction their SSV's, the original listings almost always appear somewhere on the Internet with the VINs. The agencies are often very honest in their descriptions. And the Internet usually never forgets anything.

When I was shopping for an SSV, I found what I thought was a nice one until a VIN search on the Internet found the original police department's village board auction notes. They said it developed a "timing issue" after running for ten minutes and required engine work. The small department used it to patrol three square miles, it was their only car and had thousands of running hours with only 30K miles.

The auction buyer was trying to off it on me several months later, and he didn't say anything about the phaser issue.

 

[Adieu]

Well I can’t comment on price because it depends on your location. The 5.4L will be a nice upgrade for towing, has more bottom end and mid range grunt than the GM 5.3L....doesn’t have to rev as hard to do the work. This is because it’s an undersquare V8 (Stroke is more than cylinder bore).

He's in Pennsylvania, close enough might as well be your location for all intents and purposes.

The price is pretty gnarly unless they did a motor swap and a tranny swap since acquiring her.... and they're liars too, calling an auction car a "local trade-in".... unless someone dumped it already after just 3 or 4k miles

 

[Frank R]

I asked them about the 2nd owner thing when I was there earlier. Take it for what it's worth, but I was told that the person bought it at auction and didn't care for it because of the size and traded it in on a used Explorer. who knows...

 

[Adieu]

I asked them about the 2nd owner thing when I was there earlier. Take it for what it's worth, but I was told that the person bought it at auction and didn't care for it because of the size and traded it in on a used Explorer. who knows...

That's bull, an explorer is just 4% shorter

 

[Frank R]

They may not be a ton longer, but they definitely feel much bigger. Like I said, I don't know if there's any validity to the story - but it's certainly plausible.

Price-wise, for what I am seeing around here this one is well under the norm. I'm really trying to stay under 100k miles - otherwise I'd hang onto my Tahoe which I really like but is creeping rapidly up to the 200k mark and just makes me nervous with all that's inside and behind it on our camping trips.

And for me, the Navigator is not an option - I absolutely need 4lo for my purposes.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

FWIW, if you need the upholstery repaired, contact Coachworks in Nazareth. They do excellent work, but I would recommend getting the estimate in writing (based on an experience I had with them).

 

[Trainmaster]

Frank, you asked us and we told you.

You are buying a used police car for $10K that sold five months ago for $4K.

We think you're getting hosed. You are certainly being lied to.

But try this --- see if the dealer will give you a nice powertrain warranty with the car. Ford will sell you a four year, 40,000 mile one for about $1600.

Being this thing was hauling vomit or a crime dog around Harrisburg for nine years, and being that you seem to have some shred of intelligence, the dealer may settle for only doubling his money.

I can also assure you that a SSV with no console, holes in the dash and naugahyde for carpeting isn't in really high demand, so if you drive a hard bargain, this thing will probably sit for another five months until some guy walks in and wants to haul his chicken trailer or show dogs with it.

 

[Frank R]

Believe me, I truly appreciate the feedback - it's giving me quite a bit to think about. I learned a long time ago that when you know you're not the smartest person in the room the best thing you can do is shut up and listen. If I came off as argumentative, I apologize - it was certainly not my intent.

 

[Jamo]

I just went from a 2004 Tahoe to my "new" 2014 EL Limited w/tow also. I'm loving the thing. My Tahoe was just short of 200K, by EL has 81K, but I paid just over twice what you are looking at. My extended Ford Extra Care will cost me $1800 for 4 years or 36K. I will time out before mileage, so I went with that. Premium was $2400 for 3/36, no longer term for mine.
When I was looking, I had several tell me (here, for one) that 2012 and up would be the best bang for my buck, and I did want to go with the 5.4, with as new as I could afford. This was a few thousand over my budget, but you do get what you pay for...I hope. I'm happy...and good luck...

 

[Jamo]

BTW: mine came with the factory trailer brake control thing too...

 

[Adieu]

They may not be a ton longer, but they definitely feel much bigger. Like I said, I don't know if there's any validity to the story - but it's certainly plausible.

Price-wise, for what I am seeing around here this one is well under the norm. I'm really trying to stay under 100k miles - otherwise I'd hang onto my Tahoe which I really like but is creeping rapidly up to the 200k mark and just makes me nervous with all that's inside and behind it on our camping trips.

And for me, the Navigator is not an option - I absolutely need 4lo for my purposes.

There's really no reason to stay <100k... if anything, 120+k with scheduled maintenance done is probably better. Look for fresh piss-yellow coolant, new hoses, new shocks.

And if you want a rough duty vehicle, '09 SSV's auction for $2 - 4k... at that price point, pretty much look for what's got the freshest BFGs lol. Worst case, you can just rinse and repeat (unlikely to be necessary).

 

[JerEazy]

I read somewhere that "The Tahoe is better at being a car, the Expedition is better at being a truck."

Prepare yourself though, it will be a different ride when towing compared to the Tahoe because of the independent rear suspension compared to the solid axle. It'll take some getting used to and some adjustment on your WD/Anti Sway hitch. The suspension likes to sink.

But, it will tow it, and you will be comfortable. Just take some time to adjust.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Look for fresh piss-yellow coolant, new hoses, new shocks.

Didn't Ford already switch to orange by 2009?

 

[JExpedition07]

Didn't Ford already switch to orange by 2009?

Yes 07-08 is MotorCraft Gold or Zerex-G-05. 09-17 I think is orange dexcool (GM-DEX). Always check the owners manual, there is basic green, extended gold, and extended orange.