00-02 Ford Exp. Eddie Bauer- pitfalls?

Status
Not open for further replies.
U

UncleS2

Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
3,200
Location
Far North East Texas
With 25X,000 mi on the clock, & a recent fender bender, my brother has decided it's time to move on from his 02 Durango & get a new ride for him & his family- wife, an 11 yr old girl, & 7-yr old triplets. The Durango never was really big enough for family + stuff, and he's looking hard at Ford Expeditions. He's already decided- wisely, IMO- on 2WD only, and is leaning strongly toward the Eddie Bauer models. He's going to look at a 2002 EB Exp today, 114k, one owner, priced at $6K or less. (He just missed an 01 EB w/67K mi yesterday!). He also prefers to get the solid rear axle w/towing package, vs the newer(03 & up?) independent rear susp setup- even though he does no heavy towing.

Are there any vehicle-specific pitfalls to look for in, say, 00-02 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer models, 2WD? He's already ruled out 4WD or AWD after talking to a few owners who've had a $5K trans replacement.
33.gif
I'm no expert, but the used Exp EBs look like a lot of vehicle for the money- and if you ever do need to pull something big & heavy, you're all set!

All info appreciated.
 
Originally Posted By: Stuart Hughes
With 25X,000 mi on the clock, & a recent fender bender, my brother has decided it's time to move on from his 02 Durango & get a new ride for him & his family- wife, an 11 yr old girl, & 7-yr old triplets. The Durango never was really big enough for family + stuff, and he's looking hard at Ford Expeditions. He's already decided- wisely, IMO- on 2WD only, and is leaning strongly toward the Eddie Bauer models. He's going to look at a 2002 EB Exp today, 114k, one owner, priced at $6K or less. (He just missed an 01 EB w/67K mi yesterday!). He also prefers to get the solid rear axle w/towing package, vs the newer(03 & up?) independent rear susp setup- even though he does no heavy towing.

Are there any vehicle-specific pitfalls to look for in, say, 00-02 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer models, 2WD? He's already ruled out 4WD or AWD after talking to a few owners who've had a $5K trans replacement.
33.gif
I'm no expert, but the used Exp EBs look like a lot of vehicle for the money- and if you ever do need to pull something big & heavy, you're all set!

All info appreciated.


The 03+ model would be better for a family- smoother riding and better handling, but they have the 4.6L or 5.4L which are both solid, just watch out for ignition coils and in rare cases, spark plugs blowing out. I dunno what the tow rating on the 01-02 is, but the 03+ with the 5.4L are rated for 8,900lbs, no small amount.
 
Last edited:
They have a Ford Aerostar, it's been a lot of trouble. Still keep it for Mom to drive around town- but another mini-van of any kind is gonna be a hard sell.
 
I guess if they needed something for towing this vehicle is OK but I never could figure out the point of a heavy, poor handling and riding gas-guzzling SUV with 2WD. With a live axle and rear wheel drive they're also lousy in the snow. If I wasn't doing any towing and just needed something safe with room for the kids, I'd prefer a minivan myself...but to each his own.
 
Originally Posted By: oilmaven
I guess if they needed something for towing this vehicle is OK but I never could figure out the point of a heavy, poor handling and riding gas-guzzling SUV with 2WD. With a live axle and rear wheel drive they're also lousy in the snow. If I wasn't doing any towing and just needed something safe with room for the kids, I'd prefer a minivan myself...but to each his own.


Personally I find that truck based vehicles handle better where the speed limit is 80 mph and you are often dealing with 40 mph plus crosswinds than minivans with the lighter chassis and suspension.
 
Ford Edge- none old enough yet, too much $$.

4.6 L not in Exp's till '02?
54.gif
Where did you come up with that?

Snow concerns- in central Texas?? Not a factor! Not sure if his is the Aerostar or Windstar- but if you want to try to sell him another minivan, have fun!
grin2.gif



Now: does anyone have any info on the Expeditions?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally Posted By: Stuart Hughes
Ford Edge- none old enough yet, too much $$.

4.6 L not in Exp's till '02?
54.gif
Where did you come up with that?

Snow concerns- in central Texas?? Not a factor! Not sure if his is the Aerostar or Windstar- but if you want to try to sell him another minivan, have fun!
grin2.gif



Now: does anyone have any info on the Expeditions?




Well, we have a 2003 with the 4.6L that's been pretty good to us with 65,000 miles on the clock. But unfortunately I can't realy say anything about the 02 and earlier since it was a major redesign. I do believe I can say that the ignition coils may be just as much of a potential problem as they are on the later models, $50 a piece, pretty easy to replace though.
 
Besides the posters who seemed to miss this is for an expedition, not an explorer, I'm confused as to the difference in 2wd versus a 4wd makes any difference in the transmission potentially having issues. Am I crazy?

That said, the 4.6 and 5.4 are solid platforms, though the 4.6 will be doggy to some. I drove a 2wd pickup in Minnesota for years, so no need to defend a choice for a 2wd version. If I didn't feel the added weight and fuel mileage penalty was needed, I would look for a truck without it too!
 
I have a 2002, my parents have a 2000, and we also owned a '98.

They have all been EXCELLENT trucks; that's why we are on our 3rd.

As Nick R stated, you may have the odd COP die. I've had to replace two, as have my parents. That is in 200,000Km (both vehicles have almost identical mileage).

The big advantage of the pre-'03 Expeditions is that you can get the 4R100 transmission; which is rated for 1,000lb-ft of torque and just ridiculous for the application. Up to '01 the torque converter had a drain plug, so you could literally dump almost the entire contents of the transmission system by removing the plug in the pan and the converter.

BTW, that's how you tell if it has a 4R100. It should have a big drain plug in the bottom of the transmission.

The two of ours:

2002 Eddie Bauer
-Adjustable captain chairs with detached headrests
-Climate Control
-Sun roof
-4x4
-5.4L
-4R100 Transmission
-3.55 gears
-2nd row captain chairs
-Heated mirrors
-Tow package (class 3 hitch)
-9.75" rear diff
-Factory oil and transmission coolers
-Integrated TV/VCR with wireless headphones
-Off-road package (factory skid-plates)
-Illuminated running-boards

2000 Eddie Bauer
-Full-back captain chairs (Eddie Bauer scribed in the top)
-Climate Control
-Sun roof
-4x4
-5.4L
-4R100 Transmission
-3.55 gears
-2nd row captain chairs
-Heated mirrors
-Tow package (class 3 hitch)
-9.75" rear diff
-Factory oil and transmission coolers
-Illuminated running-boards


We've both towed near the max towing capacity MANY times with no issue. The 5.4L is a strong puller. It isn't the fastest thing in the world, but it has plenty of grunt for towing; noticeably more than the 4.6L which has to work MUCH harder to pull the same load. The 4R100 is spec'd to tow in overdrive and the truck will do highway speed with a load in overdrive without issue.

Being an F-150 chassis, it is prone to the same problems as the F-150 from that era:

-Ball joints
-Tie-rod ends
-Integrated parking brake in the rear disks (pads de-laminating)
-Check for rust on the bottoms of the front doors (inside)

Always use MOOG chassis parts and the first two won't be problem items.

Motorcraft brake pads give the best brake feel (IMHO), and make sure you've had the cruise control recall done.

Excellent vehicles; I recommend them in a heartbeat.
 
I would go with a pre-03 model. I owned a 06 expedition EB and it was quite the handfull to deal with. Pain in bleep bleep to change spark plugs(they break off in the head), several weak spots in the 4 wheel independant suspension, cam phasers tick and embarass you when people suggest you need oil, etc etc

I could go on and on and on but I would suggest a pre 03 model and AVOID the EB model. It adds a ton of [censored] that WILL break.
 
No knowledge of '00-02 Expy's, but I briefly had a '97 2WD XLT with the 4.6 and it was a great truck. My wife had no trouble getting 18ish mpg when she drove it.

I gave it to the kids and they still have it. They use it to tow their boat and anything else you would need a big truck for.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: milwaukee
I would go with a pre-03 model. I owned a 06 expedition EB and it was quite the handfull to deal with. Pain in bleep bleep to change spark plugs(they break off in the head), several weak spots in the 4 wheel independant suspension, cam phasers tick and embarass you when people suggest you need oil, etc etc

I could go on and on and on but I would suggest a pre 03 model and AVOID the EB model. It adds a ton of [censored] that WILL break.


Guess we've been lucky. We've owned three pre-03 Expedition Eddie Bauer SUV's and had ZERO problems with any of the "extra" stuff breaking.
 
Thanks, & Keep it coming! He's still looking, was gonna ck out a low mileage 98 Navigator(= Expy w/Lincoln nameplate, yes?) yesterday. He's also considered & looked hard at coupla 03-05s, is looking at both EBs & XLTs, both 4.6 & 5.5 engines. I'll tell him about the 03+ troubles, probably hasn't bought anything yet.
 
Yes, the '98 would have the same non-PI SOHC 5.4L as the pre-2000 EB Expedition. The newer Navigators (post 2000 IIRC) came with the DOHC 5.4L which was 300HP.

The Navigator from that era was essentially an Expedition with more insulation and a better stereo.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

OVERKILL
  • Locked
Expedition long-term ownership observations
Replies
17
Views
6K
kam327
E
  • Locked
Out With Old, In With New?
2
Replies
37
Views
9K
dareo
F
  • Locked
advice 02 civic motomaster 5w30 9222km 264482km
2
Replies
25
Views
8K
Garak
Back
Top Bottom