Explorer or Expedition, What year(s) to avoid

[swynx]

I'm assuming you will be fixing the rig yourself when a problem happens. As a Ford technician I would say to avoid all 4.6l engines. Have yet to replace anything easy on them, they just piss me off. Even measly stuff like changing the oil. Can't get a wrench in there to take off the filter, and can't pull the drain plug out all the way cuz of the stupid design they used. Also early 5.4s like to shoot plugs out the block.

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[wildbill23c]

Thanks, I was looking into probably a mid to late 2000's model with the 5.4L Triton V8.

Yes, I'll be doing most work myself unless its something major like engine or transmission failure. I can do a lot of stuff, the trouble I run into is it seems I just don't feel like doing anything most of the time anymore, really sucks having that problem.

I was originally wanting to get another Jeep Grand Cherokee but the ones I keep finding are torn up or so high mileage I don't want to chance it. I got lucky when I bought my 96 that the previous owner was a retired couple who towed it behind their motorhome and I'm sure that most of the 146k on the odometer was towed miles because when I bought it, it looked brand new. I ran it to 232k when I sold it, and it was starting to have some transfer case issues and it needed rebuilt, it ran and drove great other than I think the chain in the t-case was stretched so it would occasionally make noise under heavy loads.

 

[adsm08]

I'm assuming you will be fixing the rig yourself when a problem happens. As a Ford technician I would say to avoid all 4.6l engines. Have yet to replace anything easy on them, they just piss me off. Even measly stuff like changing the oil. Can't get a wrench in there to take off the filter, and can't pull the drain plug out all the way cuz of the stupid design they used. Also early 5.4s like to shoot plugs out the block.

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You know the 4.6 and the 5.4 are the same thing right? The 5.4 just needed a bit more shoe-horn to get it in place.

The 4.6 is not hard to work on at all, it just sounds like you are using the wrong tools. I will admit the early ones without the oil cooler the filter is no fun, but plugs are easier, exhaust manifolds are easier, intake is easier, compared to a 5.4 because smaller engine means more space.


The earliest Expeditions, 97 and 98 will be nicest for filter access, if you have the oil cooler (which was standard with a tow-package) because it puts the oil filter out behind the bumper. Those are my favorites.

Lastly, spark plugs don't go in the block. They go in the head, and I have seen just as many 4.6s shoot plugs.

 

[swynx]

You know the 4.6 and the 5.4 are the same thing right? The 5.4 just needed a bit more shoe-horn to get it in place.

The 4.6 is not hard to work on at all, it just sounds like you are using the wrong tools. I will admit the early ones without the oil cooler the filter is no fun, but plugs are easier, exhaust manifolds are easier, intake is easier, compared to a 5.4 because smaller engine means more space.


The earliest Expeditions, 97 and 98 will be nicest for filter access, if you have the oil cooler (which was standard with a tow-package) because it puts the oil filter out behind the bumper. Those are my favorites.

Lastly, spark plugs don't go in the block. They go in the head, and I have seen just as many 4.6s shoot plugs.

They all suck. Every 4.6 I've seen has that pos half round thing on the crossmember that the oil squirts onto, can't pull the drain plug all the way out with a ratchet because of it. I have yet to work on one with the oil filter behind the bumper.

We don't get many 4.6 in the shop. But I can't ever remember having a good time working on one.

Seems that every where on the rig there is no room for tool access. Even replacing stuff like a rear diff seal. Unless you have a fancy seal puller you it's rough getting it out. And then you can't swing a hammer to get a seal back in.

Just saying I would rather work on the majority of other engines. 4.6/5.4 feel like they shoehorned a big block into a v6 bay

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[wildbill23c]

Shoehorned a big block into a V6 bay sounds exactly like people trying to put the 302's into the Rangers and Bronco 2's LOL...can be done but tight fit, worse is the 351 into a Ranger or B2 HAHA!!!.

That being said, all new vehicles are cramped to work on due to all the electronics, and gadgets in them anymore. I wouldn't want to work on some of the new cars out there, looks like an engine removal is necessary just to change the oil...wait nobody does that anymore anyhow, they drive the car till it blows up then buy a new one LOL.


I'm looking into the 5.4L V8 Triton due to the want of having a larger engine for the towing capacity. I've found myself not really needing a truck very often and if I need to haul something I have 3 trailers to do that LOL. I find I'll have more use of an SUV type platform and to haul people around more often than cargo. I like the Expedition and its more of an F150 with a permanently covered cargo area.

Being I got into amateur radio, I look at the Expedition as a better suited vehicle for radio gear as the Expeditions were/are used in certain areas for emergency vehicles...i.e. police vehicles, fire, and rescue. So they have options for radio gear installs and such as well if the need ever arises that I have to part with my 88 B2...I hope not as I really like it as a daily driver, its small so it will go just about anywhere, and its relatively simple to work on if I need/want to.

 

[adsm08]

They all suck. Every 4.6 I've seen has that pos half round thing on the crossmember that the oil squirts onto, can't pull the drain plug all the way out with a ratchet because of it.

The setup you are referencing is specific to the Gen2 Sport Trac.

 

[swynx]

The setup you are referencing is specific to the Gen2 Sport Trac.

Can't be. I've yet to rack a sport Trac.

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[adsm08]

Can't be. I've yet to rack a sport Trac.

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I've never seen a non-Explorer with one.

 

[wildbill23c]

Looks like I may have to settle for leather rather fake leather, everything I keep finding close to me has leather interior, I'll have to find some seat covers to fix that problem. I've found that the material they use for that leather look cracks and splits and comes apart due to the heat and cold here in Idaho.

 

[wildbill23c]

I found a 2009 Ford Expedition XLT 4x4 this afternoon and went to look at it. Front seats are cloth, rear seat is leather I guess, or Vinyl, can't really tell. No 3rd row seat, which is fine, don't need that many seats anyhow...and I'm sure if I did I could find a 3rd row seat somewhere if needed.

Took it out on a test drive, no odd noises or anything, transmission shifts great, no slipping, shifts smooth, engine sounds great, very clean, a few screw holes in the dash area and a couple in the rear cargo area. The dealer is asking $7995 for it, 106k on the ODO. The vehicle was a secret service vehicle used when the president or other VIPs were in the area. Has the vinyl floor in it which I like anyways. Has the remnants of some radio cables and such in the back which I'd have to trace and find out what they go to and if I could use them for any of my radio gear .

Does have the 5.4L Triton V8 and the 6R80 transmission of course. I like that it has rear heat/AC I think my mom would love that feature so she don't have to wait as long for it to heat up or cool down in the back seat.

 

[wildbill23c]

Went back today since I had today off from work expecting to make a purchase. Let's just say this dealer was a bit flakey. Came in and it was a different guy there today, he wasn't very friendly at all and to be honest didn't really seem to want to be bothered. Told him I spoke with the owner and test drove the vehicle and was there to make the purchase. I could have paid cash but thought I'd try to work with a lender and get part of it financed to help with my credit. Did all that and he says well the owner isn't here and won't be back until mid-afternoon. I said that's fine I'll go ahead and purchase it now. He says well the owner has to be there to write up the bill of sale and do all the paperwork. So I walked away. What kind of dealership does this type of thing. I thought all the sales people at a dealer were supposed to be able to do all this stuff. After dealing with that guy today I'm kind of glad I didn't follow through, I kind of seemed uneasy after that.

So back to the drawing board. I'm not in a huge hurry so I'll gladly hold back and take my time.