New Owner Hello and a few ?'s

[JerEazy]

Good Morning all! I became the proud owner of a new (to me) 2017 EL Limited.

Needed something to fit a bit more family while still being able to pull our camper. (2 kids, dog and wife in the cab of the truck with the camper hitched up was getting annoying).

Shes got some miles on her (early 2017 purchase, 50k on the clock) but runs like a top and is a CPO from my local ford dealership.

Taking the first camping trip this weekend after i spend tonight re-setting my W/D/Anti-Sway hitch. Shouldn't be much of an issue with the trailer as it weighs in at ~ 6600 lbs max loaded - and we travel with the tanks empty.

Anyway! I don't really have many upgrades I want to do except a few things that are bothering me I hope other 15-17 owners can help me out with. I love the LED fog lamps, but when you match them up with the yellowish halogen bulbs it just doesn't match. Does anyone have a link/part number or whatever for some low-beam bulbs that will match up? And really i would love to swap all of the exterior lights (License plate, puddle, turns etc etc.) so if anyone has that link it would be helpful. Google has brought up multiple bulbs sizes, lumens, fits etc. YouTube has a video of some guy who did them all, but didn't put any part #'s, and a search here didn't really bring up too much. So I would appreciate the help.

Second, any advice on suspension upgrades would be appreciated. I mostly commute through Bradenton/Sarasota so i don't need a sport ride. But anything to cut down on body roll helps when pulling that camper. I saw a swaybar upgrade, but no really reviews on improvement. Anyone done it and can offer some opinions?

Lastly, i upgraded to Sync 3.0 last night so I can get Waze working through the system, but it just gets stuck in the "waiting on device" spinner. Anyone else experience this and have a fix?

Thanks Again! And looking forward to MANY more miles.

(she was "detailed" by the dealer - but it's not "Eazy detailed" - so i'll get some pictures up once i'm satisfied with her appearance.

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

Good Morning all! I became the proud owner of a new (to me) 2017 EL Limited.

Needed something to fit a bit more family while still being able to pull our camper. (2 kids, dog and wife in the cab of the truck with the camper hitched up was getting annoying).

Shes got some miles on her (early 2017 purchase, 50k on the clock) but runs like a top and is a CPO from my local ford dealership.

Taking the first camping trip this weekend after i spend tonight re-setting my W/D/Anti-Sway hitch. Shouldn't be much of an issue with the trailer as it weighs in at ~ 6600 lbs max loaded - and we travel with the tanks empty.

Anyway! I don't really have many upgrades I want to do except a few things that are bothering me I hope other 15-17 owners can help me out with. I love the LED fog lamps, but when you match them up with the yellowish halogen bulbs it just doesn't match. Does anyone have a link/part number or whatever for some low-beam bulbs that will match up? And really i would love to swap all of the exterior lights (License plate, puddle, turns etc etc.) so if anyone has that link it would be helpful. Google has brought up multiple bulbs sizes, lumens, fits etc. YouTube has a video of some guy who did them all, but didn't put any part #'s, and a search here didn't really bring up too much. So I would appreciate the help.

Second, any advice on suspension upgrades would be appreciated. I mostly commute through Bradenton/Sarasota so i don't need a sport ride. But anything to cut down on body roll helps when pulling that camper. I saw a swaybar upgrade, but no really reviews on improvement. Anyone done it and can offer some opinions?

Lastly, i upgraded to Sync 3.0 last night so I can get Waze working through the system, but it just gets stuck in the "waiting on device" spinner. Anyone else experience this and have a fix?

Thanks Again! And looking forward to MANY more miles.

(she was "detailed" by the dealer - but it's not "Eazy detailed" - so i'll get some pictures up once i'm satisfied with her appearance.

Sounds like a solid purchase, especially as a CPO truck.
As far as your questions go, when it comes to upgrading the low beams, you’ll get a variety of different answers. All depends on what you are trying to accomplish, if it’s anything besides just color-matching the bulbs.
Quite a few guys have dropped HIDs in the stock projectors and been happy with them that way. A couple have gone with LEDs with mixed success, which is a battle I won’t rehash yet again. I have retrofitted HID projectors in mine and my wife’s and won’t do headlights any other way, as nothing else compares for actual light output, but it’s also the most expensive option. Stay away from any of those halogen bulbs that offer a bluish tint to the light, they produce less light than stock and are actually worse for vision.
When I upgraded to LEDs inside, I went to Superbrightleds.com and they had all the bulb sizes in there and correct. They’re also listed in the owners manual in the specifications chaptee. Puddle lamps are the same as for an F-150, but @Adieu I believe just posted a link and some pics for the ones he bought and used on his Gator.
I don’t have much input on the suspension. @NASCAR Mike put F-150 Bilsteins on his truck, and a shock upgrade is probably the easiest solution to a firmer and more-controlled ride. I can’t recall seeing many, if any, posts about using the Hellwig sway bars on a 15-17. A search turns up one attempt and the bar he was delivered didn’t fit his 16. Then it was never updated as to whether Hellwig sorted it out or not.

 

[JerEazy]

I'm loving it so far. Normally the Wife has had the more comfortable family vehicle and I've been the utility guy. So going from cloth interior, tow package and big engine truck into this is a huge upgrade.

For the headlights i am looking for a functional improvement as well as a making it more aesthetically pleasing (nothing wrong with purdy). I'm not the type to really do things just for looks, but for the most part that's what most lighting upgrades are.

Mine has the projectors so i was hoping an LED bulb swap would be nice and simple. But i'm not against HIDs. Quick google brought up this ( https://www.xenonhids.com/low-beam-9005-full-xenon-hid-conversion-kit.html?i=y4kBnP ) Looks to be pretty plug and play. But if you want to link me to what you installed i would definitely check them out.

I saw Adieu's post - but wasn't sure if that would be interchangeable (2009 compared to 2017) because i'm not really sure of all the model differences yet.

Would be interested in the feedback on the Bilstein rear shock upgrade. I saw the post on here about the Hellwig - was hoping he would come back and give an opinion. I'm not sure how much help you would get from a simple replacement. My Tundra didn't have a sway bar stock, so adding one was a HUGE upgrade.

i'm night the brightest bulb (pun intended) so links are VERY helpful.

Thanks again

 

[JerEazy]

Bought 6000k HID conversion and the puddle light and license bracket bulbs from Drive Bright.

couldn't beat getting the puddles and bracket bulbs in a kit for that price. and the HID kit was on sale for $89. Win and a Win.

For the interior bulbs - do we need the CanBus ones? i wouldn't think so, but would rather confirm

 

[Adieu]

I'm loving it so far. Normally the Wife has had the more comfortable family vehicle and I've been the utility guy. So going from cloth interior, tow package and big engine truck into this is a huge upgrade.

For the headlights i am looking for a functional improvement as well as a making it more aesthetically pleasing (nothing wrong with purdy). I'm not the type to really do things just for looks, but for the most part that's what most lighting upgrades are.

Mine has the projectors so i was hoping an LED bulb swap would be nice and simple. But i'm not against HIDs. Quick google brought up this ( https://www.xenonhids.com/low-beam-9005-full-xenon-hid-conversion-kit.html?i=y4kBnP ) Looks to be pretty plug and play. But if you want to link me to what you installed i would definitely check them out.

I saw Adieu's post - but wasn't sure if that would be interchangeable (2009 compared to 2017) because i'm not really sure of all the model differences yet.

Would be interested in the feedback on the Bilstein rear shock upgrade. I saw the post on here about the Hellwig - was hoping he would come back and give an opinion. I'm not sure how much help you would get from a simple replacement. My Tundra didn't have a sway bar stock, so adding one was a HUGE upgrade.

i'm night the brightest bulb (pun intended) so links are VERY helpful.

Thanks again

Pretty sure gen 3.5 expy mirrors are actually just gen3 gator mirrors.

Are your puddle lamps circular, ~1 5/8" diameter, and made of rough plastic with a puny yellow filament bulb inside?

If so that's a near-universal Ford part... my box said Edge Explorer etc.

Sway bar links and swaybar bushes upgrades *barely do anything* (!!!), even vs. trashed links and iffy bushes, speaking from experience... don't know about the bar itself. Beware there's AT LEAST THREE SIZES (bar, bushes) if you go that route anyway

Body roll vs bounce CAN be done with rancho adjustible coilovers, but REALLY hard to dial in, seems to go straight from one extreme to the other... also, your model isn't officially supported, though there's apparently a way of modding 07-13 struts to fit 14-17 control arms. It IS a giant hassle with dubious results though... moght get better experience with monroe or bilstein, idk.

Also check for a busted rear strut or mismatched rear struts (yes it happens... my ex-gubmint SSV came to me with two different brands of apparently different ages in rear)

 

[Adieu]

Set that covers front and midrow ceiling lights, license plate, and if you want iirc, side markers on headlights:

JDM ASTAR 10pcs Super Bright 194 168 175 2825 T10 PX Chipsets LED Bulbs,Xenon White


Iirc they also fit backup lights, pretty solid if you reverse using the backup camera... although if you use mirrors mostly, something overpowered and/or auxilliary LED pods mounted off the frame can be a better idea

 

[JerEazy]

Thanks!

I saw NASCAR Mike’s post for the front suspension - wasn’t too encouraging. Though I found a post about replacing the suspension on a 3rd Gen ( https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/...not-springs-on-a-2007-3rd-gen-expedition.html ) - and the front isn’t as much my concern as the rear is. Rear looks
Pretty straight forward. Wonder what might interchange. It’s probably just something I’m not used to with the length weight and IRS after so long in pickups. I’ve shot some emails out to suspension companies that have stuff for 4WD but not 2WD to see if it may function.

Thanks Adieu for the confirmation. I just couldn’t see that much of an upgrade considering there’s already a sway bar there!

And thanks for the lights. Interior lights will be nice to do as I go forward. I do use the backup camera to get into my spot in the garage at work and into the driveway. Mirrors and prayers for the camper.

First pickup of the camper tonight - trip tomorrow! Will post back my trailering review. I know my butt will be more comfortable in my fancy fan blowing and heated cowhide with the family and dog comfortable situated - how the ride is will be telling. Short trip for a test run and “feeler” before the longer trips in the coming months.

 

[Adieu]

Real F150-OEM-style tow mirrors exist aftermarket if you need em for towing btw

 

[JerEazy]

Oh yah??? So they do fit eh?

I hadn’t found a solid answer.

Any chance you have a part # for what will wit? Or is there a specific year of F-150 that fit?

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

They are made specific for the Expedition. Look up Trail Ridge mirrors on 1AAuto.com, they are the exclusive distributor. Model varies on options like memory, BLIS, etc.
Here’s a good comparison between the regular mirrors and the tow mirrors. The tow mirrors are just like the F-150 ones with puddle lamp, LED turn signals, and manual fold/extend. There are no power-fold ones available.

 

[JerEazy]

Went to the site and search 17 expedition and nada on the tow mirrors. Out of stock on all the mirrors.

If I search 2015 they come up and fit the 2011-2015.

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

Went to the site and search 17 expedition and nada on the tow mirrors. Out of stock on all the mirrors.

If I search 2015 they come up and fit the 2011-2015.

They fit. I don’t want to give a 100% guarantee, but OEM mirrors are the same by part number for 2012-17, regardless of options, so no way the tow mirrors wouldn’t be a bolt-on.

 

[JerEazy]

I’m noticing it for A LOT of parts. They’ll say they fit 15-16 but not 17. I guess they just haven’t updated their charts.

 

[Adieu]

Oh yah??? So they do fit eh?

I hadn’t found a solid answer.

Any chance you have a part # for what will wit? Or is there a specific year of F-150 that fit?

1A Auto / Trail Ridge, not Ford

The casing and arms turn signals glass etc match to the point of being interchangeable.... but the mounts are different for Expy/Gator vs. Fseries

Then again, on the bright side, Ford dealer mirrors cost like 3-5x more anyway

 

[Adieu]

They are made specific for the Expedition. Look up Trail Ridge mirrors on 1AAuto.com, they are the exclusive distributor. Model varies on options like memory, BLIS, etc. View attachment 28348
Here’s a good comparison between the regular mirrors and the tow mirrors. The tow mirrors are just like the F-150 ones with puddle lamp, LED turn signals, and manual fold/extend. There are no power-fold ones available.

Actually... they just came out with powerfolders.

For an eye-watering +$500ish for the option

 

[JerEazy]

1A Auto / Trail Ridge, not Ford

The casing and arms turn signals glass etc match to the point of being interchangeable.... but the mounts are different for Expy/Gator vs. Fseries

Then again, on the bright side, Ford dealer mirrors cost like 3-5x more anyway

Correct - at 1A / Trail ridge it says 11- 15 but not 17 and 16

I sent an email and they’re looking into it.

 

[Adieu]

Correct - at 1A / Trail ridge it says 11- 15 but not 17 and 16

I sent an email and they’re looking into it.

Same difference, doors didnt change.

That basically means they didn't update the text since 2015.

Not sure if a BLIS-equipped mirror will work without adapter wire splicing, but basic functions are the same and will work... probably any year will work, but the 11-15 definitely will

 

[JerEazy]

They flat out responded they won’t fit :eyeroll:

I’ll take that leap eventually.

Towed like a champ today to the site though

 

[Adieu]

They flat out responded they won’t fit :eyeroll:

I’ll take that leap eventually.

Towed like a champ today to the site though

View attachment 28359

Chances are they outsource their crap to india, and the boys there just check the website and reply "yup what the text said"

This forum tends to know better than parts manufacturers anyway (no sarcasm). Lots of stuff is interchangeable despite specs claiming the opposite

Yup with a massive trailer like that, tow mirrors should definitely be on your shopping list

 

[1955moose]

Nothing will make your sphincter pucker more than a car or truck that snuck into your blind spot on a rainy night. Large mirrors with spots are a must have.

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