Maybe I should be looking at 2nd Gens?

[reece146]

I'm having a bugger of a time finding a truck to buy. I've been looking seriously (money set aside) for about six weeks now.

I'm pretty picky and live in the salt belt (eastern Ontario).

My ideal 1st gen is a 2000-2001 in Estate Green with the 5.4 (don't care about EB vs XLT much) and under ~160,000 kms (~100,000 miles).

I've looked at a few trucks and keep getting disappointed with rusty rigs or rigs with mechanical issues.

I've started looking further afield.

There's a truck in Edmonton but the guy with the listing on kijiji won't answer his email or return voice mails (urgh!). A buddy of mine is out there now and could look at it...

There's another truck in Florida but the whole business of getting it across the border and the highish dealer price is off-putting.

Maybe I should give up and look at a 2nd gen? I really like the looks and the relative simplicity of the 1st gen though. I prefer the look of the interior on the 1st gen.

I also like the solid rear axle as this truck will be used off-road (mild/moderate) as well as being a tow rig (tent trailer & race car trailer). But maybe that point really doesn't matter and I'm being a dinosaur.

I guess I'm just venting. Should I consider the 2nd gen? Keep the path and let the right 1st gen truck find me?

 

[AZ59apacheguy]

ebay??

 

[reece146]

I've been watching ebay also. The truck in Florida was posted to ebay at least twice and hasn't sold (asking $7900 BIN).

Seems to be a lot of junk on ebay too - hard to roll the dice without some kind of guarantees. It's just such a PITA with the cross border thing. Should have been looking last year when our dollar was worth more than the US dollar.

 

[Flexpedition]

Here is some eye candy since you know exactly what you want.

Used 2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Sonora | Used Ford Eddie Bauer SUV - 1FMPU18L4YLB22549

 

[ExplorerTom]

You want a 14-15 year old truck with under 100k miles? Good luck. Probably not going to happen.

 

[reece146]

Yep, that is the truck. Quite the price on it also.

 

[ExplorerTom]

It only has 60k miles. I guess they are out there. But you'll pay for those low miles.

 

[z168]

Keep the path and let the right 1st gen truck find me?

friend of mine has a 2000. 4.6L white with 103K for half that asking price. Were located in SoCal though...

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

Mine has 98k miles and it's been in my family since new. They are out there. You will probably have to travel. Nothing wrong with a 2nd gen. Got one of those in the family as well.

 

[cman1120]

You most certainly can find a 1st gen out there that has been maintained and with less than 100k miles, but be prepared to pay a hefty price. You might get lucky and find the perfect though. With regards to the 2nd gens, they are very stout trucks.

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[98EXPnSRQ]

How about this one?

Cars for Sale: 2001 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer in Orlando, FL 32822: Sport Utility Details - 384336660 - Autotrader

 

[reece146]

How about this one?

Cars for Sale: 2001 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer in Orlando, FL 32822: Sport Utility Details - 384336660 - Autotrader

I was looking at that one last night... going through the pictures and got all excited about how clean (rust free) the underside was and then noticed the body lift. Something I'd have to undo...

That truck is a little far but workable.

I've started trolling autotrader.com with a radius around 13669. I don't know why but until recently it didn't seem to have many trucks now there's lots. Some interesting stuff at around the 500-750 mile mark.

Getting serious about figuring out the import/export process.

I really want a first gen so will hold the path for now.

Anyone have an idea how far south I need to go to be "free" of rust belt trucks? Is D.C. far enough south?

Thanks everyone for your input. It's helped me to "re-energize" the search.

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Just saw this guy, the fact it's super clean is what caught my eye then I saw the for sale sign...

It's a private seller in a super rich neighborhood parked in front of a very nice house, should mean it's a nice rig!

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[Mediamonkey11]

Also if it's a west coast native it'll be rust free!

 

[reece146]

A buddy that shipped a BMW X5 from Florida to upstate NY sent me the contact info for the shipper he used. I need to get organized over the weekend. He said it cost $650 to ship - can 't drive it myself for that money even with a "free" airline ticket on my airline points card.

The issue now is to find a truck where the seller (private or dealer) is willing to work with me regarding the shipping and pre-sale info I will need over long distance. I'm really nervous about buying a truck without hearing it run.

Is Wichita / Kansas city considered salt belt?

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Also find someone who's local government that can look at it for you! I saw that being done on a forum I belong to for LX-based platform vehicles.


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[reece146]

Anyone near Greenville, RI?

 

[reece146]

I looked at a 2002 Toyota Sequoia on Sunday. I figured it was worth a look to see what a competing truck of the period was like. They are nice, feel a little down on power. More modern/busy interior. I still prefer the exterior looks of the Expedition though. Seemed like the Toy's hood was longer from the drivers seat. The engine isn't shoved under the windshield so changing plugs would be breeze... easy to access, no fuel rail to move either (wtf Ford?).

Typical over priced rusty POS for this area though.

Search continues.

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

Yes! 01 to 07 sequoias are sweet. Put them on your list.

 

[reece146]

I am now the owner of a 1st gen (2001 EB 5.4 is Estate Green). I'll post a picture when I get a chance.

I probably paid too much, but for this area it was in decent condition wrt corrosion and even if I end up doing some body work ultimately it will be cheaper/easier than trying to import a better example. I got impatient and gave up on trying to find a "cream puff" baiscally.

Now to do some preventative maintenance and get it full licensed.