Explorer or Expedition?

[TrondOscar]

After finding out my -97 was actually a -96, I have been arguing with the dealer about the price-difference and how much they should give me off the price because of the error. Since we've gotten nowhere, I want more than twice what they are willing to give, we have agreed upon them taking the vehicle back and refunding the entire price of it as well as my other expenses. So far so good.

So now I'm in the market for another one, preferably a 97 or 98 4.0 SOHC. However, I've come across a 2001 Expedition with a 4,6 Triton V8 with the 3'rd row seats and quite a lot of extras. It only has 93k kilometres on it. The price is indifferent, as it is in Norway and prices here cannot under any circumstances be compared to those in the US.

The question is, what are the pros and cons of an Expedition vs an Explorer? Anybody have any experience with this generation of Expedition?

 

[ronwc]

I bought an 98 Expedition (4x4) from a friend of mine a few years ago. It was fairly high milage (155k) but ran great and he sold it to me cheap - it was a real towing machine. I liked it and kept it for about a year or so, but at 12-14 MPG (at best) and a 29 gallon tank, the $100 fill ups were killing me. So I sold it and got a 00 Explorer - 20 MPG and does the job -

 

[Donner]

They are two different class vehicles. All of the differences are laid out... the comparison is like an Explorer v. Escape. It comes down to how much interior space you need, how much you're willing to spend on gas and maint'nance, where you plan on parking it (garage size), and what you are going to use the vehicle for and how often; how many passengers. If you throw in some of those items/questions, it would help determine which is best for your needs. Otherwise, it's just a matter of comparing window stickers.

 

[ThePhoenix]

gas milage....get an Expy

 

[gijoecam]

The 4.6L in the Expedition is the equivalent of the 4.0 OHV in the Explorer... it's marginal at best. For the 1mpg it costs, you'd be better off with the 5.4L in the Expedition.

Possible issues: Air suspension: It's a fairly trouble-free system for the most part, but replacement shock options are almost non-existent. You need to replace them with the originals, and that can get expensive.
Engine-wise, they're pretty solid. Occasional issues with the front axle, depending on the model year, but nothing major. The suspension and drive system is basically a super-sized version of that found on the Explorers.

-Joe

 

[chriswells78]

If your using it to tow, the longer wheel base and greater overall weight of the Expedition would be nice but if your not towing, get the Explorer.

 

[96eb96]

The 4.6L in the Expedition is the equivalent of the 4.0 OHV in the Explorer... it's marginal at best. For the 1mpg it costs, you'd be better off with the 5.4L in the Expedition.

Possible issues: Air suspension: It's a fairly trouble-free system for the most part, but replacement shock options are almost non-existent. You need to replace them with the originals, and that can get expensive.
Engine-wise, they're pretty solid. Occasional issues with the front axle, depending on the model year, but nothing major. The suspension and drive system is basically a super-sized version of that found on the Explorers.

-Joe

These engines do blow sparkplugs though (97-03 F150 and Expedition). Lots of anger on the internet over that. Thats why I can't buy a used Expedition.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_spark.html

http://www.mombu.com/ford/ford/t-blown-sparkplug-on-trition-v8-2002-54l-350-xlt-page3-1125036.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/685903-spark-plugs-blown-out-of-engine-block.html

the tsb mentions some models until 2008!!!! Wow! Seems trucks are more likely to spit the plugs though.

Lots more where those came from....

 

[TrondOscar]

Heh...

I see.
Right now I'm leaning towards just getting a Toyota Rav4 with a diesel engine and a manual transmission. It's the sensible thing to do. But I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that I am a sensible guy. Trouble is, nobody ever bothered to import any generation 3 explorers to Norway. That is what I really want. There isn't a single one registered in Norway.

Probably because we are sensible people...

 

[BIGHVM]

I owned one diesel, a Hyundai Santa fe, it was the cat I had aafter my 98 xlt and my recent 2000 Northface, I made a big mistake with that, I thought I would go all old and sensible and thought the better milage would make sense!
After a month I grew to hate it, hated driving the slow noisey diesel, missed the power on tap from the v6 Explorer and missed the comfort of the Explorer, the build strength and the look of it too....................I got rid of it and got the Northface, never looked back, It may be just me but after a 4 litre ford v6, I cant be sensible or practical-!

Just enjoy driving a car that excites me!

 

[gijoecam]

These engines do blow sparkplugs though (97-03 F150 and Expedition). Lots of anger on the internet over that. Thats why I can't buy a used Expedition.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_spark.html

http://www.mombu.com/ford/ford/t-blown-sparkplug-on-trition-v8-2002-54l-350-xlt-page3-1125036.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/685903-spark-plugs-blown-out-of-engine-block.html

the tsb mentions some models until 2008!!!! Wow! Seems trucks are more likely to spit the plugs though.

Lots more where those came from....

The 2-valve heads have issues with the plugs being spit. However, IMHO, it's not due to a factory defect, it's due to installer error. The instances of a factory-installed or properly serviced spark plug being ejected is very slim. The vast majority of the issues are from vehicles that have had the plugs replaced. Even in those vehicles that have had the plugs serviced, when done properly (i.e. torqued to the proper spec, no anti-seize on the threads), instances of failure are exceptionally rare.

My statement about the original link (I don't know where it went??) was with regards to the 3-valve '04-up F-150s. Those engines encounter a completely different issue. I didn't read very far down the page, so maybe I got the wrong impression about the problem they were referencing.

At any rate, those engine issues are exceedingly rare. Should it occur, the easiest fix would be to use the TiemSert BigSert kit. The kit isn't cheap, but it doesn't require removal of the head to do it, and I personally know a few guys that have used it with great success. (They've pulled plugs and rebuilt the motors prior to the failures though... they weren't originally installed plugs).

The only other common issue I'm aware of is the leaky heater hose. It tends to leak and drip on the #4 coil pack, shorting it out. It's a simple fix (they install a worm-drive clamp in place of the spring clamp), but the problem often isn't found until the coil pack is bad.

-Joe

-Joe

 

[Donner]

Okay, time out... I don't understand the indecision - a rav4, an Ex, an Expe? Those are not choices if you are trying to decide on space and power issues... all three are in different classes. What exactly are you trying to do?

Compared to your first post on this subject, this is not making sense. An Expedition or a Rav4???

 

[TrondOscar]

Indecisions...

Okay, time out... I don't understand the indecision - a rav4, an Ex, an Expe?

Yeah, that´s how indecisive I am. But let me try to explain:
Most of the time I don´t need more room than the Rav4 can offer. And there´s always roofboxes and trailers for those rare occasions. I have owned a 2ndgen. Explorer for just over a month, and liked it. But to tell ou the truth, it isn´t that damned much roomier in any of the places where it counts. The trunk is a joke compared to the exterior size. The whole Expedition thing was just because a nice one was for sale, but it turned out to be a 2WD. Which to me seems sort of like a contradiction in terms... Why, Ford?

Anyway, I didn´t like the Toyota much. Maybe a Land Cruiser is more my cup of tea. But now I´m looking for a 97-98 Explorer with an SOHC engine. And considering the Mercedes E-klasse 280T 4Matic. Size, power, and 4wd like the Explorer, PLUS style, comfort and build quality. And rust, which you get for free on those...

It´s hard to choose.

 

[Green68]

My compadre has 339,000 miles on his '97 Expedition with the 4.6. He's never had a problem with the engine or the transmission. Proper maintenance is the key.

That said, I wouldn't trade my 5.0 for anything. That engines got over 40 years of history.