97-02 Ford Expedition info

[311Hemi]

Ok, I am still in the market for a large SUV (have been looking everyday for Suburban/Yukon). Everything in my price range $4-7k has high miles (most around 180-22k), which I expected to a point. I have found a number of Expeditions in the $3-4k range with the same amount of miles or lower (120k-180k)...so I am considering them now as well as I can probably get one at a lower price with less miles than the burban. I would be sacrificing space though....which I am still not sure I want to do.

What do I need to look for in regards to Expeditions? Seems like I see less reports of tranny issues...which is something that worries me on the Burban/Yukon. The F150 spark plug deal also somewhat worries me if they have not yet been done.

[JosMN]

We have an 02 expy - the 5.4 is a good engine. I have worried about the plug issue, but dont at the same time. Only thing I have had wrong with it was a broken exhasut bolt that I had fixed. Other than that it is been a great vehicle the past 4 years. Pulls the boat or sleds great too. it has 140k on it. Stay away from the 4.6. Thos are a dog if your get anything hooked up to them.

[Scott K]

I would stick with the 2000-03 range. Most spark plugs, if they were going to blow out, have already, and should have the updated spark plugs in them by now. The 4.6 is rather under powered, and the 5.4 isnt really known for power either, but has more then enough to pull itself and a trailer, but you wont be doing wheelies doing it. Expect 14-18 mileage. Trannies and engines are decent, other then that just normal stuff to go bad.

[Macgyver55]

The 4.6 is rather under powered, and the 5.4 isnt really known for power either, but has more then enough to pull itself and a trailer, but you wont be doing wheelies doing it. Expect 14-18 mileage. Trannies and engines are decent, other then that just normal stuff to go bad.

I know two people with these, one is a 4.6 the other with a 5.4. The 4.6 is a real pooch and with a trailer behind it is really weak. The 5.4 is definitely better, but if its anything like my buddy's, real world mileage is going to be closer to 14 than it will be to 18

[JohnMickish]

I run a 02 supercrew 5.4 with a topper, basically the same vehicle as an expediton XL. This past weekend I made a trip down to Iowa to pick up a boat. On the way down hitting a headwind I got 16.54 MPG (calculator, not computer) with the cruise set at 75MPH.

On the way back pulling a Ranger 620 full of fuel I got 10.91 at 65MPH driving in 3rd. Could it use more power, yes it could but it has more than enough to get the job done.

The truck now has 125K on the clock and I cannot complain about it at all.

Now when you get ANY vehicle in that 200K+ range, things are going to break, especially if you are going to tow with it. Parts will need to be replaced but it's still way cheaper than a new one.

[paceman]

I drove an 01 expedition for about 3 years. It was a really nice riding/driving truck. No problems at all. It had the 5.4 It pulled my boat, fishhouse, other trailor very well. It was a gas guzzler though. pretty much 12-14 no matter what I was doing. Kind of miss that truck!

[Hillbiehle]

Knock on wood, but I have a 98 Expedition 5.4 with 245,000 miles and it has been very reliable. Gas mileage is still very good. Prior to my puchase it did have the sparkplug issue but has since been repaired and haven't had any problems.