Picked up a 1998 Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4 4x4

[mr49erguy]

Good morning all,

I just purchased a 1998 Expedition Eddie Bauer edition 5.4 litre 4x4 vehicle last weekend and will be working on it on Saturday. It runs and sounds great, but the brakes need work so that is the first thing I will be giving attention to Saturday morning. Beyond that, I have a phase 1 list of items that I will be addresssing, but wanted to know if anyone else had a list of items that they would start with and would like to share. Below is my phase 1 list (basic):

1. PCV valve replacement
2. New Sparks plugs and inspection of the wires (coil packs have been replaced recently).
3. Windshield wiper replacement on front and rear
4. Rear window struts (s) replacement because they shot
5. Oil filter and oil change

I am also going to inspect the rear trailing arms because this seems to be an area that is often an area of concern based on what I've read so far on the thread.

The interior is rather worn and I want to eventually address this, so any suggestion on that front are also welcome.

Are there any other specific mechanical items that anyone would suggest me looking at to get this up to par and ready for a short adventure?

Water pump, fuel pump, gaskets, belts . . . are any of these things particularly problematic in the 1998 Expedition?

Thank you,

 

[GAINMOB]

Welcome to the site and if u go to 1st generation area on home page u should fine a "things to watch or look for" thread

 

[Hit By Thunder]

Hey Mr49erguy, welcome to the site. Nice to hear another 1st gen is getting some attention. I bought mine about 9 months ago.

leather seats,
they were badly worn and ripped up. I put a set of cloth seats in from a 2000ish supercrew f150. They were clean and mint. If you have 3rd row seating and want to keep that option, you'll have to remove the seat brackets and install them on your donor seats. The seats bolt right up to the existing floor spuds. Plus I got the added option of heated seats cause the seat module and controls are all in the seat and tracks. If you know you way around electrical a bit, this is a great upgrade. Clean, warm soft firm seats.

exhaust manifolds,
studs usually break off giving way to annoying exhaust leaks (in the process of fixing this).

I did the usual first list stuff too. But lubed hinges, front end, u-joints, cleaned all weatherstipping and sprayed with silicone lube. Check through ALL fluids, tire pressures including spare.

I have done ALOT of work/tinkering with the Expedition. Enjoy the time with your new to you toy. I still do

 

[mr49erguy]

Hit By Thunder - Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I plan to have a lot of fun with the new (to me) Expedition. I have been wanting a project vehicle for a while and this one seems like it will keep me busy and happy for a while. I plan to enjoy the journey of getting it up to *****.

I like the idea of getting some new front seats. It's nice that I could pull some from a Ford Truck of the same generation. I will keep my eyes open.

I plan to remove the 3rd row bench as I do not need it, although this is in the best condition. I want to reduce a little weight and open it up as a way of hauling more stuff for the family on camping trips.

I will be driving it from Northern Virginia to Utah and back in July and need to have it in tip top shape for that. I have time and will systematically go through the vehicle with a friend, from stem to stern between now and the end of April.

 

[mr49erguy]

Thanks. That is a great thread. I have started looking through it and have found some things that I will definitely look for on mine tomorrow morning.

 

[Canadian Expy]

Welcome to the site!