Tips for an Expy newby appreciated.

[wtknght1]

I just bought my first Expy (08 EL Limited 4x2) and don't know a ton about these vehicles except for the great owner's ratings, the room, and reliability. If any of the experienced owners out there have any helpful tips/suggestions for me, I'd sure like to hear them.

I'm looking for any possible weak spots (or electronic tips) about the truck in general that could be improved.

Fire away....

 

[Knautical2001]

Other than just HP upgrades and after market looks and performance, I don't really see any possible weak spots. I have a 2007 EL E.B. 4X2 with the 5.4L and I LOVE it. I would like to have sync, but it isn't going to kill me. Mine does everything I want it to do and I am ordering a Hypertech Max Energy for more HP and MPG.

 

[Dib52]

I had a bad rack and pinion early on after delivery back in 07. No issues after that until last November, when I had 2 coils go bad(#2 and#5). Kinda just the nature of the beast, coils go bad in these things, regardless of generation. Put on a set of brakes at the 45k mark just for piece of mind as we were getting ready to travel a lot throughout last summer. After pulling all 4 corners, still had about 50% left. Other than that, full synthetic oil changes at 6k intervals and fuel(a lot f it). Tranny flush will be the next maintenance item, probably sometime this spring/summer, then followed by a full plug changeout(not looking forward to that one). Welcome and enjoy you nex Expy.

 

[GAINMOB]

im getting duals like you have them...sold

 

[rburch]

IMO the only thing you have to worry about is routine and preventative maintenance. I would stress that you change the tranny fluid at least once a year.

 

[wtknght1]

IMO the only thing you have to worry about is routine and preventative maintenance. I would stress that you change the tranny fluid at least once a year.

Once per year on tranny fluid?!?!!? I won't be doing any towing with this thing, so I can't imagine the fluid going bad that fast. I don't even change the tranny fluid in my F350 that often!

 

[SOLISIMO]

Lets see...two fuel pumps, two fuel pump relays, left window motor, ac condenser. That was just on mine. They are know for weak trannys so keep an eye out.

 

[Shender1042]

On mine iv'e had to replace the fuel pump twice, spark plugs twice but its up and running again but overall its where I want it now..... Just keep up on the maintainance

 

[wtknght1]

So the fuel pump looks like it might be an issue. I wonder what year(s) that affects? Mine is an 08 and there was nothing listed in the CarFax or the Certified Pre-Owned inspections they did on the thing. ...hopefully Ford figured out those problems by 08 and used a better version.

 

[Dib52]

08 here, never an issue with the fuel pump(yet). I'll be keeping my eyes out as well with fingers crossed.

 

[Knautical2001]

Freeway, you getting my duals? LOL I love it, it has the throaty sound and looks great. I didn't get to take a picture, but they painted the pipes black with high heat paint up to my tips. It looks great. Once I get home I will take a picture and post it along with everything else I do to it.

As for fuel pump, I haven't had any problems with mine. Just regular scheduled maintaince.

 

[GAINMOB]

i always wanted duals but was told couldnt do it...but they were trying to run through spaces like they normally do...yours isnt like that...it outside the frame...i can do that...

 

[GAINMOB]

oh...my 2004 got a new alternator and fuel pump

 

[SOLISIMO]

To the op. Remember that a lot of the problems are generation specific. A lot of the people posting do not have a third gen so take that with a grain of salt. The fuel pump I do tell you is a problem along with the tranny. This is from personal experience and from doing tons of reading over on ford trucks.com If you have the time take a look at their 3rd gen expi section and do a search for trannys.

 

[Drth Vdr]

My '08 has 42,*** miles and I've had 2 problems - (1) paint bubbling on the rear hatch (repainted under warranty at 35k miles) and (2) driver's side window is getting slow. I plan to tear it apart and take a look in the spring. I understand that some lubricant goes a long way toward fixing this if it's caught early enough.

I change the 100% synthetic oil every 6k-7k miles (1x per year at the current rate, I also do an oil filter change at 6 months) and had the tranny flushed at 30k (plan to do it again at 60k). I also do the fuel filter with the oil changes, 1x per year.

I also make sure to come to a complete stop at stop signs to let it shift into 1st - hoping this will extend the life of the transmission.

 

[dariod]

I had 2007 that I put 350K miles no major problems. Traded it for 2011 EL expo in october and already have 40K miles in 5 months no problems so far.

 

[GAINMOB]

you live in the country and drive to the city daily? what do you do to gain so many miles so fast? looks like you live in CHI

 

[dariod]

you live in the country and drive to the city daily? what do you do to gain so many miles so fast? looks like you live in CHI

nope we use Expedition and Navigators as limos.