What to look for when buying a gen 1 expy

[shadow460]

Don't get me started on ball joints. They're easy enough to replace, sure, and there's a lifetime alignment service available, but it's a pain in the neck to have the truck at Firestone once a week while they guess the alignment angles over and over.

I'd also be ready for corroded light sockets. Make sure you have access to a decent self service junkyard so you can go pick out some good sockets. Mine are corroded in the running boards and in the cyclop light. I've already had one 194LED try to quit working due to that. A little soldering was all it took to fix, but the corrosion is still there.

Dunno if broken lumbar supports were mentioned.

Most of the weird stuff I had going wrong was easily fixed with a trip to Pull A Part. The basic stuff like alternators and front end work and tranny work and whatnot were fixed lifetime warrantied new parts and elbow grease.

 

[Chevymuscle218]

I saw the exhaust manifold leak is a problem. Is this for 4.6 or 5.4? Both?

 

[bedrck46]

most likely both 2001 5.4 that exhaust manifold needs replaced Pass. Side studs rusted off

 

[1stGeExpedition]

Definitely look for cracked exhaust manifolds and studs, rotten surfaces around where the manifold are bolted to the block.

Symptoms... knocks/ticks when cold and gets quieter as it warms, smells like exhaust, looks blue, and/or is pretty rusty. You'll also see bubbles if you spray it with a little water before startup but I'd only recommend using room temp water on cold manifolds.


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[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I can't vouch for how often this happens but I may be right in saying it'll be the rear most ones that break off first as on my '97 expy the back studs are broken on both banks...

 

[1stGeExpedition]

Along with exhaust I'd definitely check all fluids before buying one. Look for milky engine oil, oil in radiator and/or overflow, check for signs of overheating. Always check plugs, wires, coil packs etc... but my best advice is take a mechanic with you or bring someone who is more knowledgeable and ALWAYS take a code reader with you!

Check for codes right in front of seller! A $20 code reader can save you thousands later.

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[IMINYOURCHAIR]

a note on moisture in oil. If there is abit of milky stuff on the cap or the dipstick. drive it about 50 miles especially if the owner mentions not driving it often. sometimes just getting it up to temperature will tell if there is an internal leak or if it's just condensation build up from lack of driving.

friend of a friend just scored a pickup for 500 because of moisture (he was at $1200) when they got home with it there were no signs of moisture and oil level was normal.

 

[tjaltlm]

Just an FYI for everyone-Habor freight is giving away free small items again this month-I'm stocking up on free LED flashlights!!! You have to go to their website and print the coupon,but thats it!

 

[tjaltlm]

Tab Coupons

 

[James013168]

Infamous Windshield leak? Might be the reason for my electrical issues when it rains. Wheres the leak common at?

 

[Arctic Wolf]

We'll... I'm brand new here. Found a '97 in kijji for sale.. At a real cheap price. So not knowing much about these trucks I joined the forum. Read what to look for and it's pretty basic stuff to look for. But reading about it I'm at least not going in blind. I've had a few Bronco Ii 's in the past really loved them but are now hard to find.. So I'm going to go look at this '97 Eddie Bauer.. Guy wants a cheap price for it and by the pics she don't look bad. He wants $400 bucks... It's got a broken back window big flipping deal.. Just gotta find the time to go look at it since I drive hwy truck for a living so trying to find the time to meet up with the guy is a bit hard.. None the less.. For $400 bucks. I figure you can't really go wrong. I asked the guy to take it out for a spin and tell me if it still drives the way he remembers it. Got back in touch with me with good results. Says the reason that it sat over the winter was because the back window was smashed out due to vandalism and our cold Canadian winters @ -40 just isn't nice. So I've finally figured out a day to go look at her and figure out if I want her or not. Like I say $400 isn't that bad. Even if it needs work. I figure I can at least work on it on my reset. It'll give me something to do. I figure if I get it up and going the first year.. The second year I can start building her the way I want it..

 

[Lightnig]

We'll... I'm brand new here. Found a '97 in kijji for sale.. At a real cheap price. So not knowing much about these trucks I joined the forum. Read what to look for and it's pretty basic stuff to look for. But reading about it I'm at least not going in blind. I've had a few Bronco Ii 's in the past really loved them but are now hard to find.. So I'm going to go look at this '97 Eddie Bauer.. Guy wants a cheap price for it and by the pics she don't look bad. He wants $400 bucks... It's got a broken back window big flipping deal.. Just gotta find the time to go look at it since I drive hwy truck for a living so trying to find the time to meet up with the guy is a bit hard.. None the less.. For $400 bucks. I figure you can't really go wrong. I asked the guy to take it out for a spin and tell me if it still drives the way he remembers it. Got back in touch with me with good results. Says the reason that it sat over the winter was because the back window was smashed out due to vandalism and our cold Canadian winters @ -40 just isn't nice. So I've finally figured out a day to go look at her and figure out if I want her or not. Like I say $400 isn't that bad. Even if it needs work. I figure I can at least work on it on my reset. It'll give me something to do. I figure if I get it up and going the first year.. The second year I can start building her the way I want it..

Cool, another cowtown resident.

Let me know if you decide not to pick it up, I just might...

 

[Arctic Wolf]

Will do bra. Most likely I will grab it though. Like I say.. It'll give me something to do on my reset. And if she goes as good as dude says.. Well I may be able to take it out right away after changing the fluids. Go explore the fsr's haven't been any where like that in like a few yrs now. Kinda stoked about that.. Gotta get the time to go look at the darn thing though. Always the tough part..

 

[oregonn8v]

Both mine were disconnected on my 97. Never even noticed.

 

[oregonn8v]

I get 12.5 (blended highway/city) out of my 5.4...

I was getting about the same on my '97 5.4 EB. 15 highway, 12.5 mixed and 10 towing.

 

[trader ray]

Rocker panel rust..its tricky to spot if it has the factory running boards!

I see this was for sale, it is a great looking truck and I am sure it is sold by now. Very clean. JMO

 

[GaryA]

New to the forum and to the expeditions. Just picked up a 2001 cheap about a month ago. I look forward to everyone's experiences as I get deeper into the modifications.

Sent from 4G LTE

 

[zenplacefour]

I'm late to this party but... I wanted to agree with what Racenut said "Make sure to check the rear lower trailing arms for rust issues."

I just discovered the trailing arms on my 2000 (Eddie Bauer 5.4LT 4x4 - in the photo) are dangerously corroded. I've not been paying close enough attention to them and - when I was fixing a rear brake line - noticed how bad they are. YIKES!

Some of the other annoyances I've experienced:

* The "leaking window" problem
* A faulty GEM module - (A4WD didn't function)
* Body rusting out along the floorboards (New England uses a LOT of salt)
* Lost 80% of torque in reverse gear

 

[mr49erguy]

I just picked up a 1998 Expedition 5.4 litre 4x4 Eddie Bauer edition last weekend and will now be sure to check the rear trailing arms. I will be working on it tomorrow morning to get the first phase of repairs done on it, which starts with the front brakes. Needs a new driver side caliper. I will also be replacing the PCV valve, spark plugs, wipers, rear window struts, changing the oil and filter and inspecting belts, fluid levels.

Is there anything else you guys can recommend for me to check on this particular model? I'm told that the exhaust manifold can sometimes leak. Has anyone else dealt with this issue?

The previous owner tells me that the transfer case is losing fluid and needs to be filled up every 4000 miles or so. My guess is that this is a gasket issue, but I have not looked at it yet to know for sure. The loss of fluid is happening while in motion though because there is no puddle/spot under the vehicle where it was regularly parked.

Thanks in advance. I'm excited to get to working on it.

 

[broncobogger]

towing

I bought a 1972 26ft bumper pull camper that was 800 miles away. it was a hard pull to say the least I had plenty of power just didn't have enough suspension. any body know suspension up grades for an 02 expedition