Been looking for a expedition for my wife, up here in Michigan they seem to be hard to find with rocker panels still.lol I found one not too far from me that is a one owner 99 5.4 xlt that has been owned by a ladie since new.(obviously if its a 1 owner) The truck has 230k on it which is about 80000 more miles than I had set my max at. But its extra clean, not a stain or rust spot anywhere on it. She bought it brand new in 99 the day her husband retired and she drove it back and forth to her job until she retired which was abut 70 miles each way everyday. She has every reciept for anything that was ever done to it, from an oil change every 3000 miles to the gas caps she was told by the ford dealer to replace every year. I am just concerned on the miles since it will be our family vehicle that my wife drives to haul the kids around in. Dont want her to get stranded with it. Drives nice and everything seems to work on it. Is there anything specific I should be looking at on it? thanks for any help in advance.

 

Question is how much she is asking...I purchased my wifes' 2000 expedition, 5.4L, with 181,000. It's shows 198K now. Other than replacing starter, alt, rear brakes, and all O2 sensors, I still managed to stay under $6k. The salesman wanted $5995, and I offered him $4000. Said he could only do $5K, I said $4500 cash, 100's, or we are gone. We left with the expy. Our expedition was originally from Washington, but it has some rust around the lower doors, but isn't noticable unless you lay on the ground. 2 hubcaps missing and part of the pass. side cover mirror is gone, just a faceplate. Has piston slap, rocker noise in cold weather such as it is here now at 14 degrees F. Not noticeable in warmer weather.

I would check the raidiator core supports, the trailing arms and the rear sway bar deal running across the rear of the vehicle. Check for complete rusted through spots or noticable problems. It can be a pain in the *** to replace especially for inspection if it's due and your in cold weather. Look at the supports for the running boards, condition of wiring under vehicle. Listen for an abnormal sounds of start-up thru idle. Check passnger and driver side exhaust manifolds for broken/missing studs and black carbon around the flanges for exhaust leaks.

Also, be aware of the "Odometer Blackout" feature. I've encounted a few from this era that exhibit this but doesn't affect driveability.

Hope this helps.

 

Honestly for a 99, 230k is actually pretty good. You know most of that was highway miles (which puts a lot less stress on the engine). The more highway miles, the longer it might last. I would say pull the trigger on it if the price seems right. Double check everything first though.

 

I will check those spots underneath. The boards are still solid as I already looked at those since I have seen a bunch of superdutys rot out. She is at $3300 but I think I can get it for 2700 or maybe even 2600.

 

My 99 has 305k on it. If regular maintanence with lots of freeway miles, you probably will be good but always a crap shoot. I have changed the water pump, alternator twice, radiator hoses (a real pain with the lower-see threads), plugs twice (another pain), and of course brakes and general stuff. Mine now starting to use some oil.
Look and smell the color of the oil, tranny fluid, antifreeze, etc to help.

 

Ok I heard you have to lift the body off in order to get the motor out if I want to replace it? Is this true?

 

No, not true. It's much easier perhaps to lift the body off, but the motor can come out of the hood.