My new $400 hauler and some questions about it.

[BucktailPath]

Hey all! New to this forum and just bought my first Ford in about 10 years. I'm a Subaru guy mostly but Subaru doesn't make anything big with and 8 cylinder motor so for times when more muscle is called for, I just bought this.



$400. project. (My little apprentice is standing next to it looking for sticks and talking about daddys "big truck") 161k with AWD/4WD and eddie bauer package/ towing. No surprise that it needs a few things. I'll be getting it ready for some light towing and such. Any insight and knowledge is appreciated on the following issues.

Needs an alternator I think. Originally would not start, but ran with a fresh battery. Dies instantly if the battery is disconnected while running.

Drivers front window is stuck down. I can hear it click when the switch is pushed down but not when pushed up. New switch or window motor?

Saggy suspension and ghetto rigged reinflation from what I can see. Best to just swap to monroe springs and shocks?

Missing one of the rear 3rd row seatbelts.

Possible radiator leak or head gasket leak. The PO had been adding coolant now and again.

A question I had on the AWD. 3 of the 4 tires are Goodyear wrangler ATS and one is Goodyear wrangler RTS. Same size. Same brand. Same tread depth, but different tread pattern. How finicky is the AWD on these for producing torque bind or other issues? Anything I should change here or am I ok since they are nearly identical?

Thanks in advance! I'm excited to have a big machine around again. Used to have a 1990 Econoline conversion van with the 5.0 and loved it.

 

[Bowesmobile]

I'll jump in here. Please dont pull the positive cable off a running vehicle to test the alternator. Because it spikes the electrical system, and if the alternator wasnt bad before. It probably is now. Use a volt meter. It probably is a bad alternator.

On to towing. Get a big trans cooler. Make sure you have a good fan clutch. Do a trans fluid and filter change.

 

[98EXPnSRQ]

I'll jump in here. Please dont pull the positive cable off a running vehicle to test the alternator. Because it spikes the electrical system, and if the alternator wasnt bad before. It probably is now. Use a volt meter. It probably is a bad alternator.

On to towing. Get a big trans cooler. Make sure you have a good fan clutch. Do a trans fluid and filter change.

Yeah, I seem to remember someone frying 2 or 3 alternators by pulling the battery cable off with it running. I think it blows the voltage regulator, if I'm not mistaken. Definitely go with the spring conversion and get rid of those POS bags. The earlier modular engines are notorious for the intake leaking coolant inside the engine. Info on all of these issues can be found on here by doing a search.

 

[BucktailPath]

Thanks for the input. Anyone have an opinion about that oddball tire? Run it or replace it? Same size, same brand, different tread pattern.

Went to the local pick n pull. Found a few 98 and 99 Expeditions in there. One had an alternator that was still shiny. Pulled it off and it's a motorcraft and is dated 10-2013 so for $28. I'm thrilled there. Got a $46. battery and put both in. Starts and runs great. Going to take it to Oreillys this week and have them test the alt to be sure, but it was due anyway. The old one grinds like bad bearings so it's a safe bet that it was bad or going to be soon.

I pulled a window switch from the junkyard and no change. I pulled the window motor and ran it off the battery. it works both directions. Is there a relay for this somewhere? Good motor, good switch. Window will not operate on drivers side.

 

[Bedrck47]

What year is the expy It helps to know for electrical problems. Consider getting a Ford Service manual if you plan on doing your own work. If interested send me a PM. Also consider checking e-bay for parts if your not in a rush.

Does it have the towing package Check to see if you have a 4 or 7 pin connector on the hitch receiver. If it has the tow package you may already have a trans cooler but still you may want to upgrade. You can also go to ford etis and enter your vin number and you can see what all was on the expy when built.

 

[BucktailPath]

1999 and yes - tow package with a 7 pin connector. Are there online FSMs for it or do you have to buy a hard copy?

 

[Bedrck47]

sent you a PM

 

[AbbadonTD]

With the tow package in place, all you need is a brake controller and its plug and play, it will take you longer to decide where to mount it.

Replace your shocks, do the coil over conversion from your air ride suspension. You may even consider towing shocks or I use an Air Lift, because this thing SAGS when you tow.

Your tire should not be a problem if it is the same size and width.

My helper calls it the "big blue truck."

Wait a few years, and it will be called "the dad that drives all the field trips."

 

[BucktailPath]

Thanks. Going to order the Monroe kit this week. Drivers rear sinks lower the longer it sits.

List of to-dos for this truck is getting shorter. Still haven't figured the window, but did an oil change today. Noticed the lower rad hose is wet as well as the lower corner of the radiator. Going to dig deeper and pinpoint the leak. May just be a slow radiator leak as the culprit of the coolant consumption.

Coolant tank has brown residue on it. Got some new Prestone coolant to go in once I replace the radiator/hose most likely.

Spent a few hours vacuuming the inside and cleaning the interior. Still a ways to go. But it's looking pretty nice. Eddie Bauer edition has lots of bells and whistles.