Reliabilty of 03 Expeditions

[Polaris556]

Hello Expedition drivers, Chevy owner here looking at getting out of my 6.0L Gas powered Chevy and into a used 03 Expedition w/4.6 XLT. Now I have owned Fords in the past but nothing new. Secretly I have had a love affair with the new body styles of the SuperDutys and F150s but now I need a family oriented SUV that can tote our ATVs around as well.

Whats your thoughts on this one: http://www.bobruthford.com/used-inv...e5124046381e00287b5861bd9889&useHistory=true#

It looks gorgeous, not had a chance to get a hands on test but is the mileage to high? Will the vehicle last another 10 years with DD duties as well as light towing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tech]

I have an 03 XLT 4.6L and absolutly love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything... well, unless I was to buy a new Expo.

That one looks nice. I am a fan of Black and Red myself. LOL

 

[Polaris556]

So then the mileage is descent and will take another 60K?

 

[Tech]

Well, I bought mine for $18,500 with 27,500 miles on it. I only got that sweet of a deal because the guy that owns the dealership is a friend of the family. It currently has 87,000 miles on it and still going strong. They only things I have had to replace is regular oil changes and 4 coil packs and spark plugs. Other than that she is running strong.

 

[Indy]

My 03 is at 95k and other than my driver side power window going out have done nothing but change the oil every 10k. Runs perfect and absolutely no complaints. Pulls 3k lbs of boat and trailer regularly all summer long too and I use it as a truck more often than a passenger hauler so I have not been easy on mine either. Absolutely no complaints.

 

[AvroAero]

If you ask me taking a smaller engine for better milage usually doesn't do anything. Especially if you tow. Personal experience though.

 

[Polaris556]

Smaller engine yes but the 6.0L Vortec is overkill for the weight I tow. The specs on the 4.6L is right were I need them to be power and towing wise, don't tow every weekend but enough to warranty the ability to tow comfortably 3 ATVs and lightweight aluminum deck over trailer.

 

[green03]

The 4.6 doesn't do too bad... I just did a tune with some shift point tweaking on a 03 4.6 expedition and it really made it easier to drive and more peppy. The 4.6 comes with a 2000 stall so it almost takes off as hard as the 5.4 which only has about 1500 rpm stall. The 5.4 does have a bit more grunt though. If i were going to tow 3500+ any distance I would definitely get the 5.4.

Matt R

 

[Tech]

Originally posted by green03
The 4.6 doesn't do too bad... I just did a tune with some shift point tweaking on a 03 4.6 expedition and it really made it easier to drive and more peppy. The 4.6 comes with a 2000 stall so it almost takes off as hard as the 5.4 which only has about 1500 rpm stall. The 5.4 does have a bit more grunt though. If i were going to tow 3500+ any distance I would definitely get the 5.4.

Matt R

Could you do that to my expo or tell me how to do it?

 

[Polaris556]

Here is the weight breakdown of towing: 3 Polaris 500 Sportsman Quads (Wet Weight of 800) and 675 for trailer = 3700.

I am looking more for DD comfort and travel with more then 3 passenger comfort then towing as the towing is occasional.

Thanks for the help folks, we are going to look at it Saturday morning, if it drives and rides nice, we might take it home Saturday evening.

1st mods out will be CAI and Exhaust, did these on the 6.0L along with A HPIII and it really woke up the truck. Along with Silverstars as I swear by them and transfer of stereo equipment (12" Type-R Alpine, 1000 watt amp)

 

[bnvus]

Too many problems with the 03's

brake dust
power window motors
rear differential whines
Front Diff clutch slippage
spark plugs pulling threads out of the cylinder heads

All have TSB's. Do your research before you buy.

 

[green03]

I haven't had any troubles out of mine (knock on wood) and you know I beat the hell out of mine.....LOL

 

[smo0othride]

Originally posted by Polaris556
Hello Expedition drivers, Chevy owner here looking at getting out of my 6.0L Gas powered Chevy and into a used 03 Expedition w/4.6 XLT. Now I have owned Fords in the past but nothing new. Secretly I have had a love affair with the new body styles of the SuperDutys and F150s but now I need a family oriented SUV that can tote our ATVs around as well.

Whats your thoughts on this one: http://www.bobruthford.com/used-inv...e5124046381e00287b5861bd9889&useHistory=true#

It looks gorgeous, not had a chance to get a hands on test but is the mileage to high? Will the vehicle last another 10 years with DD duties as well as light towing?

Thanks in advance.

The one you picked is a 4.6 and says 18mpg for freeway. My 5.4 with just a k/n air filter get 18mpg cruising in the low 60's. I think you will definitely regret not getting something more powerful after driving the 4.6 around for awhile. I have an 03 5.4 and have only had problems with the a/c and I'm over 90k.