New Owner Recommendations

[scottdm]

I thought you were being sarcastic. That’s just a bad driver and no tint makes a difference with such a ******* driver. We used to drive around with some way illegal tint back in the day. Layers of 5%. No issues with hitting people. So legal anything is like not even being tinted to me lol.

Agreed. That's a losing battle to campaign against no front window tint especially when many states allow it by law or have exclusions for medical reasons.

 

[scottdm]

Well, back on subject. Anything else anyone wishes they would have done sooner? Not done at all? Don’t make me start asking which oil is best or something

Glad I bought good tires out of the chute. The Michelins I have ride so much better and don't develop flat spots like the stock Hancooks did. Also recommend keeping the linkages on your power running boards well lubed. I have found spray liquid chain wax for motorcycles works well since it flows into the pivot points and sets up when it dries.

 

[pittsy]

I went with 5% on front windows and on top of the tint on the rest. 50% full windshield. Wrapped C pillar in gloss black.

 

[Craigga542]

I went with 5% on front windows and on top of the tint on the rest. 50% full windshield. Wrapped C pillar in gloss black.

I see you got the ceramic coating too. What brand and level? Thoughts on it at this point? Did you do any wrap on the front?

 

[Greg Parker]

I see you got the ceramic coating too. What brand and level? Thoughts on it at this point? Did you do any wrap on the front?

I've really been throwing around the ceramic coating thing and I'm not sure I could bring myself to pony-up the cabbage for it (to have someone do it) ...but also feel like it's a process that might be better suited / better applied by "the experts." I did have film bra / protection put on the entire front, including headlights and partial hood (plus mirrors too). Looking at my wife's 4.5 year-old Honda Pilot, that's where it could've used some protection, but even it looks pretty dang good for being in the AZ heat and having close to 90K miles on it.

I like my rigs to look nice, but I question how much resale value you're getting when you dump $1500-$5000 into a ceramic coating job (or more if the shop wants to do "paint correction" first).

 

[Craigga542]

I've really been throwing around the ceramic coating thing and I'm not sure I could bring myself to pony-up the cabbage for it (to have someone do it) ...but also feel like it's a process that might be better suited / better applied by "the experts." I did have film bra / protection put on the entire front, including headlights and partial hood (plus mirrors too). Looking at my wife's 4.5 year-old Honda Pilot, that's where it could've used some protection, but even it looks pretty dang good for being in the AZ heat and having close to 90K miles on it.

I like my rigs to look nice, but I question how much resale value you're getting when you dump $1500-$5000 into a ceramic coating job (or more if the shop wants to do "paint correction" first).

Agree, there’s basically zero resale value unless you find the niche that cares. I keep mine for quite a while (7-10 years) so I’m mainly looking to keep it nice for myself. I am actually leaning more towards some front end clear bra at this point.

I see you did partial hood, are you able to easily tell where it stops? I have never done clear bra before, I really need to check some out in person

 

[Greg Parker]

Agree, there’s basically zero resale value unless you find the niche that cares. I keep mine for quite a while (7-10 years) so I’m mainly looking to keep it nice for myself. I am actually leaning more towards some front end clear bra at this point.

I see you did partial hood, are you able to easily tell where it stops? I have never done clear bra before, I really need to check some out in person

Craig ...it's definitely noticeable when you're right next to the front-end. I can see the line that wraps down the side and protects most of the front fender too. I also have the "Stealth Package" ...one of the things that does is puts the word "E X P E D I T I O N" across the front lip of the hood (black letters). They just cut a big, long rectangle around that. I've heard some shops will take the lettering off then put it back on ...making precision cuts for the lettering to go back on the paint surface.

I'm fine with the way it looks. From 6-8' away and further, you can't see it at all. I think it might disappear a little more with darker paints. The film on the front of my black mirrors is really hard to see, even close-up (but that is painted plastic, not steel or aluminum).

 

[Artie]

I've really been throwing around the ceramic coating thing and I'm not sure I could bring myself to pony-up the cabbage for it (to have someone do it) ...but also feel like it's a process that might be better suited / better applied by "the experts." I did have film bra / protection put on the entire front, including headlights and partial hood (plus mirrors too). Looking at my wife's 4.5 year-old Honda Pilot, that's where it could've used some protection, but even it looks pretty dang good for being in the AZ heat and having close to 90K miles on it.

I like my rigs to look nice, but I question how much resale value you're getting when you dump $1500-$5000 into a ceramic coating job (or more if the shop wants to do "paint correction" first).

There’s no resale in the ceramic itself but there should be in the paint correction underneath. I ponied up the cash on mine with 1800 miles on it. Paint correction and full ceramic coating including wheels. It’s been awesome, especially for cleaning the Lincoln turbine style wheels. I had a pro do it along with window tint and some clear bra in a couple areas all for $3500 I think.

 

[Deadman]

I won't pay a penny extra for things people add to vehicles. I figure thats all lost money on their end and just a bonus for the second owner. Actually if I see a modified vehicle, I specifically shy away from them because I know some car guy owned it and probably tuned it and knew what he was doing and hammered the crap out of it!

 

[Greg Parker]

I won't pay a penny extra for things people add to vehicles. I figure thats all lost money on their end and just a bonus for the second owner. Actually if I see a modified vehicle, I specifically shy away from them because I know some car guy owned it and probably tuned it and knew what he was doing and hammered the crap out of it!

LOL ...well, I'm not a tuner, but I learned a long time a go that if I want to maximize my resale value, I will take anything easily removable OFF of the vehicle just for the fact that (and you're right), most people don't want to give any extra because you put $1000-$5000 in accessories on a rig. Same thing with my Harley's (but I do put a very mild, but easier on the engine than factory tune on all my Harley's ....they're tuned so lean due to EPA regs, they burn valves and pistons quite often). Anyway, I keep all of my take-off parts ...and then put them all back on before trading-in or selling. Oftentimes, someone has their own preference for exhaust / intake, etc. anyway (and then I either re-use or resale those high-end components I bought...takes patience, but recoup is much better).

I've never really had to employ this strategy very much with vehicles. Folks usually do appreciate if you upgraded the factory stuff, or added something for greater functionality. But I reckon the situation is just as applicable to vehicles as it is my bikes. I'm already making a list of stuff to tear of my Expy in 5-7 years when I'm ready to trade it in or sell it!

 

[Paul M]

I have nephew that lives about a mile off the main road. That mile is a super dusty gravel road. We stopped by on the way home from the dealer with the shiny new Expedition and after we left I stopped at the car wash to clean the dust off. When I was wiping it down I was shocked at how much dust was in the lift gate and lift glass areas!

We made the same trip a week later after I’d installed front and back Weathertech mud flaps and again after washing there was about 75 less dust in the lift gate areas. This has happened twice now.

I guess the flaps are changing the airflow causing less dust swirl? Whatever, I’m happy.

Sad side note, my 4 year old grand niece saw it for the first time and said, “that’s a pretty sweet bus, P Pa Paul...” so it’s no longer a tough truck, just a sweet bus.

 

[Craigga542]

I have nephew that lives about a mile off the main road. That mile is a super dusty gravel road. We stopped by on the way home from the dealer with the shiny new Expedition and after we left I stopped at the car wash to clean the dust off. When I was wiping it down I was shocked at how much dust was in the lift gate and lift glass areas!

We made the same trip a week later after I’d installed front and back Weathertech mud flaps and again after washing there was about 75 less dust in the lift gate areas. This has happened twice now.

I guess the flaps are changing the airflow causing less dust swirl? Whatever, I’m happy.

Sad side note, my 4 year old grand niece saw it for the first time and said, “that’s a pretty sweet bus, P Pa Paul...” so it’s no longer a tough truck, just a sweet bus.

Thanks for the reminder that I need to order those hah!

 

[Paul M]

I have nephew that lives about a mile off the main road. That mile is a super dusty gravel road. We stopped by on the way home from the dealer with the shiny new Expedition and after we left I stopped at the car wash to clean the dust off. When I was wiping it down I was shocked at how much dust was in the lift gate and lift glass areas!

We made the same trip a week later after I’d installed front and back Weathertech mud flaps and again after washing there was about 75 less dust in the lift gate areas. This has happened twice now.

I guess the flaps are changing the airflow causing less dust swirl? Whatever, I’m happy.

Sad side note, my 4 year old grand niece saw it for the first time and said, “that’s a pretty sweet bus, P Pa Paul...” so it’s no longer a tough truck, just a sweet bus.

Edit: Ignore all the above, we went out today and my entire Expy looked like the shaggy dog van from Dumb and Dumber it had so much gravel dust on it. *&%^$

 

[sjwhiteley]

Edit: Ignore all the above, we went out today and my entire Expy looked like the shaggy dog van from Dumb and Dumber it had so much gravel dust on it. *&%^$

I think this is the nature of the beast. The vertical back end creates a vortex of air which slowly drags in the surrounding dust and dirt, shoving it into all the nooks and crannies.