I agree with most of your statement, but it sure doesn't make it any easier on the little guy in the real world.

TC

 

On a side note, the Indiana plant you mentioned was probably in Fort Wayne. That plant is about 2 miles from my office. SUV's and Trucks and they ship the H2's on rail that are brought down from the Mishawaka plant.

 

Personally I think Ford rushed to production with the EXpy, threw ALOT of weight on a truck without upgrading key parts to handle the extra weight (tranny, transfer etc).
It seems that there is hardly ANYTHING good on these boards about the vehicle..
when you pay almost 40,000 dollars you dont expect plugs to "pop" out, and then go buy a new head. You dont expect Oil to leak from warped heads, or the tranny to go after 35,000 miles,
You expect it to have BRAKES that can handle the wight without being replaced much more frequently thean they should.
You dont expect ball joints to have premature wear.
I know its a problem when FORD adresses it as a problem..
IE tranny, Heads (both for leaks and plugs popping out).
I PRAY the 03's are a better vehicle... I think MAYBE they took sometime, and adressed some weaknesses.. BUT.. I will say this I have owned My fair share of vehicles.. Ones that have been abused in off-road conditions/ mechanically..etc.. and nothing ever worried me.. this thing is on the other hand is on the road, there will be no off-road excursions except maybe some beach driving..I just dont feel the vehicle can handle it. WHich is Disappointing since I love to wheel.
I do LOVE the ride and drive, but wished I had at least SOME peace of mind when driving the dang thing..

Ron
99 XLT

 

I have a 1999 XLT 4.6 4x4 with 60,000 miles. Repairs?

Replace the 2-3 shift modulator at 50,000 miles. Cost: $240

Replace the IAC valve at 51,000 miles: Cost: $65

That's it. Not too bad for 4 1/2 years of ownership.

 

Has anyone taken their expy to the dealer for front brake wear? What was the outcome? A $30,000 vehicle should not have to be driven around with black wheels.

 

BajaB -

I hear its the Motocraft pads. Several people have suggested switching to Wagner or another brand to stop the dust.

ktmguy70-

I've a good friend that has a '98 EB. He likes it. 88,000 miles with no major repairs other than the standard tires and brakes. I dunno if he pulled anything with it or did any serious offroading. I do know he's an avid skier and does mucho snow driving in the mountians.

I felt the new Expy couldn't be any worse than my '97 Tahoe:

52,000 - Alternator - $150 (self repair) $350 at the dealer

78,500 - Fuel pump - $385

83,000 - Intake manifold gasket leaking water into intake. Very common prblem with Vortecs. $700

87,000 - EGR valve goes out and Chevy says I MUST clean fuel injectors while I'm at it. - $480

92,000 - AC exchanger under inside dash developed hole. $625 most of which was labor at the Chevy house to completely disassemble the dash.

103,000 - Water pump - $375

110,00 - Intake manifold gasket fails again. Chevy obviously has a problem with this junk gasket but will not admit it. This same problem happened to my Dads '96 Suburban and a friends '98 Suburban. - another $700

This doesn't include brakes because I consider that normal wear to replace brakes every 30-40,000. An alternator at 52,000 ain't too bad or even the water pump at 103,000. But I've had trucks with 190,00 miles and the original water pump. However the intake gaskets, AC problem, and the fuel pump was TOTALLY uncalled for. The fact that Chevy refused to admit their intake gaskets were problematic really upset me. Especially in light of the fact that I showed GM numerous people that had the same problem (many posting at Google). The AC under the dash should've never EVER leaked. That is ridiculous. The fuel pump in my opinion is a poor design. If you run out of gasoline it burns the fuel pump. Why doesn't the fuel pump simply shut down once the fuel level gets so low?

After all this experience my opinion of GM and Chevy (much like my jaw:-staun) has fallen .....................LIKE A ROCK!

Cody

 

Lots of Mercedes and BMW's have had the brake dust problem too and they cost a lot and are lots lighter vehicles. I don't care for the dust,but my 03 Expy stops a heck of a lot better than my 98 Expy did..

 

I had the same dust problem on my 99 MB ML320.
I stuck with the MB factory pads and the problem didn't improve with a change.