Matthew M Davis
New Member
My 98 Expy EB 5.4L seized 2 months ago. Since then, I've been waffling between replacing it and replacing the engine.
Considerations-
-4r100 tranny was solid before seizure, no detectable leaks or issues with what's in the reservoir currently
-needs new muffler and exhaust, but everything in front of and including the Y is solid
-still need to fix windshield leak
-if I replace the engine and the truck is toast, it will take me a couple months to build up to a replacement, months I no longer have
-I bought it in June of this year and put about $800 into brakes and front suspension
-local engines range from $400-600, with 135k to 85k miles, respectively.
-I'm a musician, not a mechanic. I did the front suspension work myself, with borrowed tools, through attrition and because I'm apparently at least not too stupid to work on things like this, but this would be a multi-week project in Oct/Nov in Illinois, again with borrowed tools and attrition and youtube as a guide
I DID find a 2011 Expedition XL with 65k miles locally for under $10k asking price, which is becoming more attractive with every ° the temperature drops below 50.
Given this info, should I go for fixing the known quantity of issues on this truck, or start over with newer and *slightly* less likely to break me financially though monthly repairs? Any tips, advice, or informed opinions of any kind are welcome. Y'all are the best, and I appreciate it.
Considerations-
-4r100 tranny was solid before seizure, no detectable leaks or issues with what's in the reservoir currently
-needs new muffler and exhaust, but everything in front of and including the Y is solid
-still need to fix windshield leak
-if I replace the engine and the truck is toast, it will take me a couple months to build up to a replacement, months I no longer have
-I bought it in June of this year and put about $800 into brakes and front suspension
-local engines range from $400-600, with 135k to 85k miles, respectively.
-I'm a musician, not a mechanic. I did the front suspension work myself, with borrowed tools, through attrition and because I'm apparently at least not too stupid to work on things like this, but this would be a multi-week project in Oct/Nov in Illinois, again with borrowed tools and attrition and youtube as a guide
I DID find a 2011 Expedition XL with 65k miles locally for under $10k asking price, which is becoming more attractive with every ° the temperature drops below 50.
Given this info, should I go for fixing the known quantity of issues on this truck, or start over with newer and *slightly* less likely to break me financially though monthly repairs? Any tips, advice, or informed opinions of any kind are welcome. Y'all are the best, and I appreciate it.