Hey all,

New member here. We have been looking into replacing our '05 Expy EB with 2012-14 EL 4X4. Had good luck with the '05 but it's time. Main question is - is there any major things to worry about or look for that could be wrong? Any tell tale signs that there is a problem with the 4x4 drive etc. My only experience with a 4X4 was with a '02 F250 7.3 that was a beast and never had any problems. The '05 Expy replaced her.
Can't afford a new one. Maybe a '15 if the price is right...

Thanks for any input and suggestions.

 

Hi Zip.

I bought a 2011 Navi 4x4 L a year and a half ago. We like it.

As far as overall, I would just look for good maintenance history and condition of body. Check for bubbling paint all around and on bottom lip of tailgate. The aluminum panels on the trucks can get iron contamination during prep for paint and it results in bubbling. If it is in inconspicuous areas it can be fixed as a DIY.

For the 4x4, I didn't really check ours thoroughly. I would select AWD and 4x4 multiple times. When you select 4x4, you will tell if wheels are locked if you make a tight turn. Ford does not recommend this on dry pavement. Try to get somewhere wet or loose dirt and you will hear the tires sliding. This is one good indicator the 4x4 is working.

You could check the fluid qualities on the 4x4 transfer case and front and rear diff, by opening the fill plug and sticking your finger in. The transmission on mine, the dipstick is a small plastic stick at the fill plug. You have to lie under truck with truck running to check it. I would consider changing Trans, transfer case, and front and rear diff on any used car. I changed all of them at 50K miles and they were all dirty.

If you get one with loud clicking in dash or rear, that's the blend door heat/cool actuators. They can be replaced for cheaper than the dealer.

 

Thanks PLCguy. Going to look at a 2014 Expy with tow pkg - which would be ideal.

Did they completely "fix" the spark plug issue with the Tritons? Hard to do research on my phone (for me anyways)

 

Yes. It's an entirely different spark plug.

 

Depends on which plug problem. The problem with plugs getting shot out of the heads ended around 2006, I understand. The only issue with the years you are considering is plugs getting stuck and breaking. A broken plug on removal requires either a Lisle extraction tool or another $100 to your dealer. The honest ones charge you up front. I changed all my plugs at 60K miles and managed to get them all out in one piece.

 

That issue was fixed starting with the '08 models (vehicles manufactured after 10/9/07). Vehicles manufactured after that date use the one-piece SP-509 plug rather than the two-piece SP-515 plug.

 

Yeah, I was referring to the broken plugs. Been there done that. A friend had the tool thankfully.

Another question - Any major problems with buying a former rental to look out for? Seems like most of the available used ones, near me at least, are from rental fleets. I was hoping to find a low mileage gem/creampuff coming off of lease driven by a little old lady on the weekends.

 

There are, basically, 2 schools of thought on this:

(1) The vehicle was serviced regularly. Rental agencies don't want the vehicle breaking down as that can be very costly, so they try to prevent issues from occurring. (Keep in mind that only applies to very basic maintenance, not things like plugs, belts, etc.)

(2) No one owned this vehicle. Every person that drove it did so with the idea that any damage caused to the engine was not their problem.


Now while I'm generally leery of rentals (school of thought #2), I think an EL would likely be a relatively safe bet. Most people renting these vehicles are probably doing so for vacation or to try them out for a full day before buying (I did this). Just keep in mind these vehicles will typically need some maintenance as soon as you get them (brakes, plugs, etc.). To be fair though, this is often the case when buying from anyone.

 

Just a quick update - found a unicorn! 2014 EL Limited 4x4. Was not a rental, it is CPO and was leased from the dealer that I bought it from. 30k miles but the 3/36 expired 2 weeks prior to me picking it up. Ready to put some miles on it this summer!

 

Good for you. We love the room and ride of our '12 KR 4x4.