Predicament....

[johnboneske]

What do I do?

As most of you know, I have a 2003 Expy EB 4x4 with a 5.4. a good SUV, runs good usually(seems as though I fix it alot). I tow our Travel trailer with it frequently, which loaded is about 6900 pounds. While the damn thing tows it ok, handles good, rides good, but it doesn't have enough oomph to maintain 65 MPH on the highway without dogging the crap out of it...

So, do I A) get a 5 star tuner for it and continue to drive it for another few years( and does a 5 star tune really give you much in a 2 valve?) or B) get rid of it and buy a 2010 or newer Expedition? I will skip the 2006 to 2009's for their 2 piece plug design. How much difference will I get out of a newer Expy with the 3 valve motor? Money IS A FACTOR for us... I owe nothing on mine, or do I buy a newer one and have a payment of $200 to $300/ month? I know this isn't a simple question and have been debating about it with myself for a month or so. I love my Expy, but I know it's probably only got a few more years anyways until I have to replace it.

Just pondering thoughts and what would YOU do if you were in the same boat?

 

[1955moose]

Here's another option, if your family is under 5 total, why not look into a used F250 Diesel crew cab 4 door. Finding a lower mileage one might be tough, but my friend had one and his truck was a tree stump pulling beast. He had the earlier 2002 with 7.3 international motor. But even the smaller newer 6.4liters would pull that heavy trailer way better than even the newest turbo 3.5s could. Something to consider, F250 is a nice truck.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Bain64]

Perhaps raw numbers will help: it'll net you 50 extra ponies to upgrade. Surprisingly, only 10 pounds of torque.

From wiki:
1999-2004 5.4 2v
260 hp
355 lb⋅ft


2005-2014 5.4 3v
310 hp
365 lb⋅ft

How many miles on your 2003? No monthly payment is nice! You may already do this, but anticipate those big hills and accelerate for a while before you go up, then let the hill slow you back down to where you want to be or just under.

 

[Prince_Polaris]

Well, my idea isn't exactly helpful, but I've always went by the idea that you don't have to drive at highway speed if you can't maintain it, you just stay in the slow lane. For example, my old explorer's disconnected exhaust was so darn loud that I came up the highway going 40 (speed limit is 70) because it was gonna give me a headache! I'd certainly chalk towing a trailer under "people allowed to drive under the highway speed limit"

 

[John Christopher]

I tow a 5000 lb boat and don't try to maintain 65 mph especially going up hills. I may start the hill at 65 but could be at 55 by the time I reach the top. I then pick up speed and run 65 to 70 until the next big hill. I think this is a normal part of towing and it's much easier on the truck.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

my same dilemma back in the day for my '97 (5.4L 2V); put on a supercharger & aftercooler, opened up the exhaust, upgraded the trans pan holding an extra 8 qts of fluid.

does great on flats and as a prior poster stated, build up a lil steam (traffic permitting) before the big grades & usually in the slow lane anyway.