Ford Expedition owners? (I might be joining you....)

[ganchan]

I've been referred to a very highly-respected local mechanic who will be checking out a 2004 Toyota Sienna for me as a potential road-trip camper. But this guy also has a lead on a 2000 Ford Expedition that he worked on himself. (No, he isn't the seller.) High miles but brand-new engine (complete with warranty), new tires and new AC system for $4000. he says it's super-clean, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm thinking this might my #2 choice if the Sienna doesn't work out, especially if (as he tells me) the Expedition is cheaper and easier to work on than a Sienna would be.

I know these things are gas hogs, but maybe the lower upkeep and like-new engine would make up for it over time.

Any Expedition owners want to offer their 2 cents on this?

 

[OutdoorFT]

Not an expedition owner, but $4000 seems hard to beat. Before I got my F350, I was looking at SUVs. Expedition, Excursion and Suburbans. I might be biased as I like Ford and Dodge vehicles, but it would he my choice over a sienna. Mainly because an SUV has more what Id want than a minivan. Im obviously not concerned on gas mileage

As for price on upkeep, maybe Ford parts vs Toyota may be cheaper. Not a mechanic nor have I had to repair mine yet.

Best of luck on whichever you choose.

 

[jimindenver]

I love my Expy but it's a 2003 with the independent rear suspension. I call it my rolling recliner that can 4x4 and tow my 25 ft trailer at the same time. The original Expedition was built on the F-150 platform so it will ride like one. They have never been rated as 150/250/350 so each has its own payload depending on the options it has. I have seen payloads in the second gen Expy range from 1500 to 1800 pounds.

A new engine and A/C sound great but there are a lot of things on that truck that are 17 years old. The nice thing about them is that they can be lifted for off road use just like a F 150.

 

[ganchan]

I love my Expy but it's a 2003 with the independent rear suspension. I call it my rolling recliner that can 4x4 and tow my 25 ft trailer at the same time. The original Expedition was built on the F-150 platform so it will ride like one. They have never been rated as 150/250/350 so each has its own payload depending on the options it has. I have seen payloads in the second gen Expy range from 1500 to 1800 pounds.

A new engine and A/C sound great but there are a lot of things on that truck that are 17 years old. The nice thing about them is that they can be lifted for off road use just like a F 150.

Well, one thing the mechanic pointed out was that, even though the transmission is old, if I ever have to replace it it'll be a cheaper and easier fix than making a similar fix on the Sienna. (He worked on Toyotas for 20 years.) Apparently both the engine and the trans have to be taken out of the sienna for the necessary work to be done, whereas the Expedition labor is much easier and the trans itself is a less expensive component. and even though the Sienna is 3 years younger, it's still 14 years old itself....

But all this will be academic if the Sienna seller tells me that the van is due for a new timing belt, water pump and seals, which may be the case. If so, the total make-ready cost will shoot up way beyond my max budget.

 

[bullfrog]

I had a supervisor at work that had an 11 year old Expy, California spec emissions 4 x 4, locking diff, 7.3 diesel, auto and all the extras with a little over 30,000 miles. Had the oil and filter changed every 6 months as he used it only a few times a year to pull his 28' camper or boat. He loved that thing because of the power and mileage. It was dark green with a dark interior. When he parked it he locked it up tight to keep out dust and from being stolen. It hit 117 degrees here one day and exploded the rear side window, took weeks to get installed correctly as it is glued in with no gasket and the trim has to be installed just so or it won't look right. After all the hassle getting the window he started leaving the drivers window down about 1/3 of the way. Sure enough we had one of our 1" ten year rains a few hours later. He got there just as the storm was almost finished and rolled the window up. Hours later in the hot sun he got in the car and tried to roll the window down and it wouldn't. He started the Expy up and got all sorts of lights and warnings on the dash. Four wheel drive would not engage. He called his insurance and had the vehicle towed to the closest Ford garage 165 miles away. They called a week later and said he needed to take it to a larger Ford dealer as they had had no experience with California spec vehicles and could not get everything working as they were unable to get the right computer from Ford parts as it was over 10 years old and a limited production part specific to this one vehicle and year. Two dealerships and two months later the insurance totaled the vehicle due to unavailability of parts. He took the money and bought a new Dodge crew cab long bed.

 

[ganchan]

I'll also have to drive the Expedition and see whether I hate the whole setup, since I have no experience with truck-based vehicles. I know the Sienna, being basically just a big car, won't be nearly as much of a "culture shock."

 

[user 37446]

Kinda' combining answers from above.  The 2000 is the "old" suspension model that doesn't allow the 3rd row to fold down. There are advantages to the non-independent axle. Since you will likely be staying on pavement, the lower ground clearance from the independent suspension years shouldn't be a problem.  From Wiki:

"A short- & long-arm (SLA) independent front suspension with speed-sensitive power-assisted steering was combined with a multi-link rear live axle. Optional equipment included off-road under-body skid-plate protection, Traction-Lok rear limited-slip differential, and a heavy-duty trailer towing package."

"It was launched in May 2002 for the 2003 model year] and featured a new four-wheel independent long-travel suspension system, becoming the first full-size sport utility vehicle to use a fully independent suspension"


As you can see from the link below, the fancier models (Eddie Bauer) had an air suspension problem (Lincoln Navigator twin as well) that most owners have had to convert over to regular shocks:

[font=Roboto, arial, sans-serif]2000 Ford Expedition Rear Of Vehicle Rides Low, Air Suspension Failed[/font]
[font=Roboto, arial, sans-serif][size=small]www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Expedition/2000/suspension/rear_of_vehicle_rides_lo...http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Expedition/2000/suspension/rear_of_vehicle_rides_lo...[/SIZE][/font][/size]
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...nsion_failed.shtml+&cd=12&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
[size=undefined]6 days ago - The 2000 Ford Expedition has 10 complaints for rear of vehicle rides low, air suspensionfailed. Average repair cost is $1500.00 [/size]



The point about parts is certainly legitimate yet everyone in or with an older van has the same basic issue. Wrecking yards, Rock Auto and NAPA still have ways to get you what you need.

The Expy has the (notorious if you believe some) 5.4 spark spitting plug problem (Expy's came with the 4.6 standard), so read up on it and be advised. The rebuilt motor, if not a Ford reman, may not have the longest life. I don't remember where it was however a poster on the Van side of the forums recently had asked about non OEM rebuilds and was cautioned about their quality - Jasper not being the highest quality...

You'll likely have less inside room in the SUV and worse gas mileage. than if you went with the van.  Is the SUV a 2 wheel drive? If you really want the SUV, try to find the 4x4 as it really doesnt cost you more than a mpg and you have a lot more off-road ability. Course there's more maintenance too. 

High miles and a rebuild just means everything that wasn't rebuilt has those same high miles... Everything...  :s

 

[Jora]

I recently bought a 2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 at an auction for $3300, only 128,000 miles.  Add a tune up, all new tires, a few interior parts from pick and pull, and a new sunroof (get yours checked, some years are on recall--mine wasn't but Webasto still paid for the new sunroof, I paid only for labor--the glass can fly off at high speeds) and I am pretty happy about this being a reliable vehicle to live out of.  Do watch out for the air suspension though.  Mine was working okay, but is noisy, no failure yet, no warning light.  So I know I will be looking at doing that in the future, and will probably go with a conversion kit at that time.  

I looked and looked for over six months and could not find a van.  Then I came across this vehicle.  The engine purrs, and it really kind of floats over the road.  I am used to smaller vehicles, but am adjusting to this one just fine.  Also in the Eddie Bauer, the third row seat is completely removable.  I understand it sells on eBay for $200-$300.

 

[Weight]

I have a 2006 expedition. No rust holes. 4 wheel drive, V8. It looks good. It has a few rattles. Rides better than a truck. 4 new tires, brakes, belt, tie rod, alternator, battery, service. I would take $3000 in a heartbeat.

 

[jimindenver]

A 06 has more power and a better tranny than my 03.

 

[ganchan]

I checked it out in person, and man, it's a thing of beauty for its age -- even the leather seats are still perfect.(Somebody cared about this vehicle.) That plus new engine, new plugs (the good kind, not the break-apart kind), new-ish tires, new brakes, new belts, new rotors, new water plump, and a bunch of other new innards I can't even recall at the moment. Drove great too.

It's a 4x2, not a 4x4, which is fine with me.

I may have gotten lucky here....

 

[user 37446]

Other living in the vehicle concerns to check: (course the Sienna has the same issues)  Ventilation (you don't see Expies with Fantastic fans), no stealth for rooftop solar, lots of seats means less interior room unless you remove them, where does all your "stuff" go...

While I like Expies, great weekender platform, I question their advantages over a CV (cargo van) for actual living in/out of. 
For a weekender they'd be fine. As other posters have said, they can pull a 25' TT or utility trailer, (watch the tongue weight), giving you other living options.

Good luck, tell us what you decided to do. Any pictures?

 

[ganchan]

12456[/ATTACH] This world isn pid='280419' dateline='1491923019']Other living in the vehicle concerns to check: (course the Sienna has the same issues)  Ventilation (you don't see Expies with Fantastic fans), no stealth for rooftop solar, lots of seats means less interior room unless you remove them, where does all your "stuff" go...

While I like Expies, great weekender platform, I question their advantages over a CV (cargo van) for actual living in/out of. 
For a weekender they'd be fine. As other posters have said, they can pull a 25' TT or utility trailer, (watch the tongue weight), giving you other living options.

Good luck, tell us what you decided to do. Any pictures?

I went ahead and got it, since this first year will be more about road-tripping than actual vandwelling. It'll be a good "proof of concept" that will allow me to figure out what I do and don't need/want down the road. The comfort was another major dealmaker -- like driving my living room couch. 

 

[user 37446]

Thanks for checking back in. Many posters don't and it leaves the readers hanging.  That's a good looking Expie, hope you have great road'trips with it!
Join (one of the ) the Ford Expedition forum(s), you'll get lots of vehicle specific info on it.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

A friend of mine drives an expedition for a pilot car service. Her setup has to be a little different than most people would need for camping due to all the required safety equipment required to be on board.

We spent the weekend re working her setup to give her more room. The interior trim takes up way to much room. I would suggest removing it. The rear seats also take up wayy to much room. If you don't need them take them out. It will give you lots more room.

Here are pics from this weekend. Her setup is prob way different that what you would want but maybe give you some ideas.





free image hosting

 

[user 37446]

Nice that you showed the empty and the done. How did she level it out? That could be wasted space or did she use some storage containers as a frame support for the plywood?

Being that she does the pilot car service she puts on lots of miles compared to the van dweller so an alternator charging system for a house battery would be a good idea, or fancier yet a CTEK D250 D.C. To D.C. Charger (search for threads on CTEK and there's 2 pages of them that discuss various ways to charge batteries).

Again, thanks for the pictures.

 

[jimindenver]

Congrats on the Expy. I call mine my rolling recliner it's ride is so nice even while four wheeling. I love the pics with the seats removed. There's a lot of room back there like that.

 

[ganchan]

Congrats on the Expy. I call mine my rolling recliner it's ride is so nice even while four wheeling. I love the pics with the seats removed. There's a lot of room back there like that.

I my case, I'll be selling the third-row bench seat (I will never need to seat 7 people), folding the larger 2nd-row seat forward and keeping the jump seat in place as a nighttime chair. Then I will put rubber gym-mat material down on the flat portions and put a cot-sized foam mattress behind the driver's seat. Add some storage tubs, some rain guards/mosquito netting, and some privacy curtains (if I can hang them from the overhead hooks and handholds), and I'll be ready to make some road trips.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Nice that you showed the empty and the done. How did she level it out? That could be wasted space or did she use some storage containers as a frame support for the plywood?

Being that she does the pilot car service she puts on lots of miles compared to the van dweller so an alternator charging system for a house battery would be a good idea, or fancier yet a CTEK D250 D.C. To D.C. Charger (search for threads on CTEK and there's 2 pages of them that discuss various ways to charge batteries).

Again, thanks for the pictures.

The bed is leveled out with legs. The open space underneath is used for tool and equipment storage. With the seats removed it almost has as much room as my dodge 1500 van. Minus a few feet in length.

She does run an inverter for some things but for the most part her power consumption is limited to a cell phone charger and dome lights. She only runs a single high capacity battery under the hood.

She is back on the road so it will be a while untill we can finish the build. It needs some doors to keep equipment secured. I have her talked into letting me rip out the stupid plastic space hogging trim in the back and build some shelves so she has more storage for personal storage. Then add some nice trim and finishing to give it a more comfortable feel.

 

[ganchan]

The bed is leveled out with legs. The open space underneath is used for tool and equipment storage. With the seats removed it almost has as much room as my dodge 1500 van. Minus a few feet in length.

She does run an inverter for some things but for the most part her power consumption is limited to a cell phone charger and dome lights. She only runs a single high capacity battery under the hood.

She is back on the road so it will be a while untill we can finish the build. It needs some doors to keep equipment secured. I have her talked into letting me rip out the stupid plastic space hogging trim in the back and build some shelves so she has more storage for personal storage. Then add some nice trim and finishing to give it a more comfortable feel.

Does removing the trim have any impact on insulation/temperature control?