Which one to keep ?? 2003 or 2000

[FX4FOUR]

I have 2 Expeditions, a 2000 XLT Florida Rust free 4x4, 5.4 3.55s, ( posi)few options, but excellent (I mean new smell ) cloth interior, manual HVAC, super nice exterior in silver, power locks with fob, but , no goodies like the EB's...ie fog lights, no electric vent windows, really tight andmotor / trans has NO noises , 181 on the clock....16 " steel wheels...

I also have a decked out 2003 EB, wth every option minus screen radio, 373s(posi), common laser red, tan metalic trim, interior has heated/ a/c seats, leather, power3rd row, Sun roof (that leaks) but the interior is that light cream a real #itch to keep clean. The exterior has a lot of dings and a dent here or there, really kind of poor at best,,,, The motor is tight with 200 on the clock, but the transmission has this common TICK TICK TICK.....NO RUST....... I have repaired the leaking sunroof and a few other things...runs great wuld takeboth anywhere..

Problem ,, HELP need your opinion,

I love the classc 2000 profile and the fact that the 2000 xlt has less options to repair or break, sits high with spring suspension...3rd row, But a little doggie with the 3.55 gears... I have some rally nive stock 265.70/17 aluminums, and may go larger if I keep it, Looks like a tow package.... But I am really scared that the gears are gonna hold back all the first gen potential..

Now the 03 is sharp but is beat up on the outside, runs smooth but has that tranny noise, and I need to repair or re skin the lower seat covers, alot of"little" work, that drives me crazy, Like almost a full day on fixing the sunroof leak ( but the un roof is cool) as are all the options, i mean the seat moves back when I get out, and moves forward when I get in....373s pull hard, 17" tires...

I am stuck,,,, I feel like that trans is gonna have to come out of the 03, and it is beat up, VS the 2000 xlt that is plain janer, but classic , high gears scare me (3.55)


Let me know what you think, wich one to keep ????

 

[Bedrck47]

Does it really matter what others think. You will get different opinions and all that really counts is the BOTTOM LINE Its your decision and from the sounds of your post you most likely have already made your decision. KEEP THE ONE YOU WOULD BE HAPPY WITH and then hope you made the right decision

 

[Gruz7]

2nd gen


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[Am3ricanInfid3L]

1st gen for sure IMO. But I'm not in your shoes. Only YOU know what you need/want. I don't know your lifestyle, so I can't make that decision lol.

 

[Bedrck47]

Well that's one for the 1st gen and one for the 2nd gen. Seems like he will still be Totally confused as to what to keep. But then the final decision is all up to him

 

[cman1120]

I personally vote 2nd Gen myself. But again the decision is totally up to you- at the end of the day, it is the truck that you enjoy more and the one that puts a big grin on your face every time you drive it.

 

[Bedrck47]

Looks like 2nd gen is winning at least for the time being

Maybe he should sell them both and get a 3rd gen so he can ask for more opinions

 

[DetroitDarin]

1st gen; my ex's 02 F150 (mechanically same +/-) has run wonderfully since we got it in 2004/5. My 06? ************* when it comes to 'having cost me money'.

 

[Bedrck47]

well back to a tie again So what's the OP going to do?

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

if you can afford to keep both then do that, use one for one purpose or another. if you plan to do anything to the 1st gen you an use the 2nd gen as a backup vehicle or the other way around. then sell one or the other when YOU decide which one you enjoy more.

from what I have heard both have their downfalls, weigh them out and see which is better for cost to own or "smiles per gallon" or whatever you want to use to decide.

personally, I'd go with the 1st gen and replace the rear end to the gears you want in there, invest in a programmer to tune the pcm/ecu to the new gear. that and you can add the fog lights in, the wires should be there for it. manual ac isn't all tht bad and is easier to repair compared to the auto etac. all you lose there is the auto temperature control.

 

[71Rcode]

First gen is better looking ---- like a stretched Bronco I don't think I could own a 2nd gen as I don't care for their appearance.

If I had to choose based on the info you provided, I'd say the Gen 1 hands down. Slow moving and all.

 

[Bedrck47]

WOW looks like the 1st gen is leading.

We should have more of these very informative threads on the forum
Should be a great help to other members on how to fix an expy.

And the OP hasn't been back on since he started this thread

 

[Mediamonkey11]

It seems as though the only reason you're not gung ho about the 1st gen is due to the 3.55's, and maybe I missed the reason why but they're a good gear set for the 5.4's unless you plan to have gigantic tires or tow constantly. Compared to the 3.73's I can see where you'd notice a difference but they are still a good gearing IMO.

Now, not coming from the fact I own a 1st gen, judging by all of your reasoning and not wanting to have to drop the trans on a truck with 200k on the clock, the 'better' interior in your opinion, the lesser number of options to go wrong, and the less miles, I'd keep the 1st gen if you HAD to get rid of one.

I'm a sucker for the options but am VERY familiar with how frustrating it can be when they go wrong.

 

[FX4FOUR]

keeping the 2000 ! end of thread, Now...How do I figure out this new windows 8.1 ??

I thank all of you for your honest replies ! A 18 year ASE tech, Ford specialist...Mustang etc... A newbe to your group, I felt I was welcomed as even a novis new driver,,, Again, thanks....

I knew I was going to get blasted, and look kind of stupid post, but ya gotta start somewhere,,,, Thank you for taking your time to contribute to my post !

Looks like it was a 50/50 stand off...
I decided on he 2000 1st gen for the following reasons:

The 03 EB that I have just doesn't seem to have the depenability that I like to feel in a vehicle. ( one time while I was making to a parking lot exit, the 03 just shut off.....all power, guages went ape sh&t .....) scared the snot out of me, however it re started and never glitched again....
But still you can understand how I feel, what if I was in Death Valley with no cell and it would not re start? It always makes you have a mis trust.

Also, the 03 EB just seemed like it had a TON of extra options that COULD give out and cost a bunch of cash to repair.....I.E. elec climate conrol...

and , I found a small pin hole rust hole on the roof...WTF ???? where does that come from>?

The 03 5.4 transmission ahs a really annoying "TIC< TIC< TIC< TIC on idle and light excelleration.. God I hate engine trans noises, all though I have read that that noise is harm less, and people have been driving on them for years.....
I just can't eat have a trans pump blow on my way to Christmas dinner.....lol

And finally, I started out with a 98 EB, Grew to know the vehicle inside out, all the glitches, fixes....
I think the 1st gen looks like a truck should look, the 03 almost looks as a " crossover", not a "TRUCK"
I trust that 1st gen drive train, I mean a 8.8 up front and a 9.3/4 in the rear...

And to bow out and end the thread, I have seen some of the 1st gens on the forum that are lifed and lighted,,,,, Great vehicles to add andthing you want to,,,,

[HTML] I hope to do the 4 inch lift thing, some light engine mods,  swap out some gears,  and enjoy my trusty 1st gen !

 I hope I can gather much info and exchange and experince of my own to the site and members,

Thank you again for all your input !!

[/HTML]
FX4FOUR, North Florida

Now I don't want to get flamed by the 2nd gen group, but these are jsut some of my own reasoning...I REALLY like the 2nd Gen, maybe in a few years when I can find a really nice gremlin free..

 

[z168]

without understanding the specific condition of your XPs, I would keep the 2000 simply because its a late model year. As a general rule the early years of a model is a must-avoid

 

[Bedrck47]

You really didn't get all that much information and as I said in my first post the finally decision was all yours

And if you do like the 2nd gens then sell both and get something that would fit your needs with less miles and in better overall condition I am sure there are plenty around

Best advice for windows 8.1 is practice I just switched my desktop to 8.1 it is similar to win 7 with some extra learning involved

 

[FX4FOUR]

OP has been back to this thread,,,,,,,,,,

WOW looks like the 1st gen is leading.

We should have more of these very informative threads on the forum
Should be a great help to other members on how to fix an expy.

And the OP hasn't been back on since he started this thread

Yes I have read all the replies, and I have sent all a thank you for your input.

Again, thank you, and what difference does it make if a "OP" returns to a thread?

 

[FX4FOUR]

gears

It seems as though the only reason you're not gung ho about the 1st gen is due to the 3.55's, and maybe I missed the reason why but they're a good gear set for the 5.4's unless you plan to have gigantic tires or tow constantly. Compared to the 3.73's I can see where you'd notice a difference but they are still a good gearing IMO.

Now, not coming from the fact I own a 1st gen, judging by all of your reasoning and not wanting to have to drop the trans on a truck with 200k on the clock, the 'better' interior in your opinion, the lesser number of options to go wrong, and the less miles, I'd keep the 1st gen if you HAD to get rid of one.

I'm a sucker for the options but am VERY familiar with how frustrating it can be when they go wrong.

Yes, I do tow once in while, pick up a car or a body or something, I guess that is why I like the 3.73's....... I just swapped some stock 265/70/17 for the 16's. Could not really feel any difference, maybe towing I will?
Anyhow I agree, condition, condition, condition........ I would rather have a decent other maker ( springfield armory, kimbe, sig) 1911 .45 auto, than an old beat up rusty "COLT" just to say I have a "COLT".....

Again, thanks and hope to contribute and ask much in the future....