New expedition owner

[Limab93]

So hey all I have a few questions for you guys I just recently picked up a 1998 expedition 5.4l 4x4, 140k miles, and it's got suspension issues to what extent I do not know as I just got it last week but I'm going to be modding it and slowly but surely replacing things on this truck. So im wanting to start straight off the bat at the steering problems.

This truck is all over the road, and needs new tires to where I fear of getting pulled over just to take a sobriety test lol... Now it's not vibrations or anything "life threatening" it's drivable it's just 1/4 turn of steering wheel before it actually turns, very very spastic so it seems worn out parts/ the person I bought it from thinks hitting bumps at 45mph is "alright because it's a truck it's made for that".

1st question I'm wanting to put on a set of XD Monsters 20" and fit 33" tires on there, it will be simply just looks will not be off-roading in it street driven and may even pull a little enclosed motorcycle trailer from time to time, do you think this is to big for a Moto trailer? And do you recommend body lift? Or Susp? To what degree how many inches?

I've been researching on here and saw a lot of back and forth looking for a concrete answer. I work offshore so basically until I replace everything I need to replace I will be having parts coming in lol...

2nd question I have a electrical problem somewhere and have no clue where to start searching, driver side interior fuse box... The little fuse that gives power to the windows up/down, running board lights, and some lights I have to take out everytime I get out the truck or it will drain the battery, so if I ever want to roll the windows down or look for something in the truck I got to slide this little fuse in, anybody have this issue before?

Thanks everybody!!!!

 

[black 4x4]

I've had the same issue and the new power steering gearbox fixed the problem.
I rcently replaced the entire front end of the truck. It wasn't that expensive and it's worth the piece of mind on a 17 year old truck.
I bought the 12 piece front end kit from eBay for $125, new gearbox was $165 and the front shucks were I think $45 a piece.

 

[AbbadonTD]

These things fly on bumps, as I have learned. It'll pull a moto trailer quite easily, you may need a drop hitch if the trailer is not tall enough (if you put big tires on).

 

[black 4x4]

These things fly on bumps, as I have learned.

Don't know what you mean when you say "these things fly on bumps" but if you are losing control every time you hit a bump I'd check your suspension components. Start with your shocks.

 

[AZ59apacheguy]

When I bought my 2000 Expedition, steering and handling was very squirrelly. Changed out all shocks and front/back stabilizer bar bushings and everything tightened up tremendously.

 

[AbbadonTD]

I just replaced my 17 year old shocks because of this. Yours may need new ones if you are riding factory, as I was (mines at 148K) I also added an air lift for keeping the shoulders high when towing.

 

[crowncrazy87]

I'd check everything. Steering linkages, ball joints, bushings, shocks,etc. I would imagine after all those years and the previous owners habits that it could all stand to be replaced.