New Toy! 1998 Expedition XLT 4x4

[AZoutdoorsman]

Well I finally bit the bullet. I lurked on here for a while and finally decided I wanted a Gen 1 Expedition to use as a camping vehicle and to tow my boat and a side by side in the future. I'm hoping for kind of an overland build by the time I'm done. I got what I thought was a good deal on an elderly owned 1998 XLT with only 149K miles on it. Super clean inside and out. Then she started leaking something today. Now I have to look into that! but here she is! Let me know what you guys think!

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

The first things I'm planning on doing (After I fix whatever the leak is) is a Supreme suspensions 2.5" Coil Spring spacers in the rear and twist the torsion bars. With this ill do the Rancho 2.5" lift shocks that they offer. Then time for some bigger tires.

 

[JExpedition07]

Welcome. Looks in good shape.

 

[craig sargood]

Congrats on your new expedition, 149k is like having no miles on these. The supreme lift you want works, but it makes a rough ride in front. I had that exact same lift and shocks before I did a suspension lift. But it is a cheap way to lift. It also beats on your ball joints. This is what my 00 xlt sat like before I changed everything and after. Good luck.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Nice find. Check out the link to my 2000 in my signature for my adventures in that rig.

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

ExplorerTom I have! All 40 pages. That was one of the best reads on here that I’ve found. Hoping to find a couple more. And make one of my own!


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[Stepcajun]

Welcome,
When I did my lift I redid the front ball joints and tie rods, it is a good time to do it and it will be better driving when you get it done.
you can pretty easy fit 35's

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

Stepcajun did you do both top and bottom? If so when you did the top did you just do the whole control arm? I know that’s how most folks do these. Have you guys found any heavier duty ball joints that work well?


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[Stepcajun]

I did the whole upper arms,
Rockauto has the upgraded greasable Moog parts,
Good prices too.
They seem to be holding up well and I've been kinda rough on them

 

[rjdelp7]

Ford made the 1st Gens so good, they had to ruin the new models. They also were the most popular in sales, 4 times what is sold now.

 

[knewblewkorvett]

Congrats! Looks to be a great find.

 

[98eb5.4]

a big plus for 98 (5.4) is the last year for alum intake manifold,

check your rear trailing arms for rot

cheers

 

[Jon Hedges]

My first Expy was a 1997 XLT 5.4 Prairie Tan just like yours. Selling it with only 150k miles on it was a big mistake.....that I corrected when I bought a 2000 XLT. 350k miles later and it’s still runs great! I’ve replaced the intake manifold & COPs, top/bottom ball joints and all door lock actuators but not much else. Hope your 1st gen blesses you like ours have!

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

Well I think I found my leak! thankfully not the transmission like I had thought. But it is the transfer case. Looks to me like there is a crack around the drain plug. Any thoughts on how to fix this guys? My first thought was to drain the T-case (again) and JB weld that crack. Think I should do that or just clean it up and throw some RTV on it?

 

[rjdelp7]

Hy Poxy h-450 alumbond, has good reviews

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

Looks like JB Weld for Aluminum! That should work. Ill see if I can find some local this week. And 2 more quarts of Transfer case fluid.

 

[Spaznaut]

Think those are just casting and not cracks. More likely theres a washer missing on the plug. If it is a crack make sure to rough up the surface good for adhesion. But if there is a crack right there I'd say it extends to where the plug is (maybe over-tightened) and that will be real hard to repair.

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

Well time for an update. Couldn't find the Hy-poxy alumbond stuff but I did find a JB weld that said it was for aluminum. Tried it out and it worked out OK. Slowed the leak but it still has a small drip. Might try to re clean it up and add some. We'll see, not sure if I want to buy two more quarts of transfer case fluid. On another note I bought wheels! found them for a good deal on Offer up so I went for it. I redid the hub caps for stock/custom look . Also started a Gotts mod to get this ole 5.4 some more air!! I cut off the end of the stock housing because it was only 2.5" ID. Epoxied on some 3" the same length as what I cut off (don't judge my epoxy job). And boy am I getting tired of sanding the piece that goes through the fender. Might borrow my buddys belt sander. Ill post some more pics when its all done.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I had those same wheels on my 2000. I had different center caps though. I really like the Ford logos you put on them.

 

[AZoutdoorsman]

Hey guys. So I found a guy that has some F250 front springs for really cheap out where I live. I've read that these can be used in place of the spacer for a 2.5" lift in the rear. Has anybody done this or have any info on this? I've tried searching but couldn't find anything. Debating on starting a separate thread for this. Let me know your thoughts.