New Expy owner 2004 Eddie B

[kybourbon]

Been looking for a big 3rd row puller for the lake and kids as my 2022 Silverado gets pretty cramped loaded down with wife and 3 kids. Looked at lots of tahoes, Yukons, excursions, etc. after doing a lot of research I started looking for a 2003-2004 expedition with the 2 valve 5.4 pre cam phaser issues with as low miles as possible. Found her in Knoxville, 2004 with 5.4 loaded with every option and 136,000 original miles. Paid 5,000 Cash , and drove 3 1/2 hours to get her. Alternator went out about halfway home hope it’s not a prediction of things to come. Going to replace belt and tensioner and put a bigger nicer battery when the motorcraft alternator comes in. Anything else I should preempt or replace right away?

 

[GaryH]

If you don't have maintenance records, coils, plugs, coolant.

 

[outdoorman]

congrats on the new ride! those expeditions are beasts. for preemptive stuff, maybe check the spark plugs and coil packs? i think the 5.4 can be finicky with those. not 100% sure tho.

 

[DebV0420]

Buying a 2024 this week and am hoping it runs as well as my 2004 Eddie Bauer 5.4L V8 which I am still using daily. It has 315,000+ miles. I keep her up to date with service with a local mechanic (not Ford). Have not had a car payment since 2007. She is definitely a beast. Hope you get similar results with yours. If the previous owner did not do good maintenance, you may need to put a few more $ in her, but well worth it. One thing I wish I had done and will probably be what ends her usable life is doing whatever it is to keep rust at bay. I lose little pieces under the driver and passenger doors. My mechanic says he'll let me know before we become a hazard. She was garage kept until 2020 when I made a terrible decision and bought a Lexus RX350 Sport. Will try to figure this out for the new one.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

If you don't have maintenance records, coils, plugs, coolant.

^^THIS^^ as well as all belts & hoses too !

i think the 5.4 can be finicky with those. not 100% sure tho.

Yes they can, and from what I have read here & other places, most folks recommend using Motorcraft parts for this work, as they tend to not cause issues with the rest of the systems