How many total miles do you expect?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
wife bought her 97 expy 1.5 years ago with 82k. it now has 105k and runs excellent. door sensor replacement is the only thing other then the usual, shocks, brakes, etc. she has our local Ford dealer change the oil every 3k, takes it to a car wash once a week, once a month to the local car wash with real people, they do the underside of the truck, looks brand new under there, the inside from front to back, and yes she uses all the fluids recommended by Ford. looking to go 250k+ take care of things as recommended and they will last.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 11
If you can afford the 5.4 get the 5.4. My previous vehicle was a 5.4L F150 SC and there was a significant difference in performance even taking towing out of the picture. With my 4.6L Expy even on small inclines the trans does downshift to 3100 rpm regularly.
I pull a 5X9 utility trailer to our cottage on the weekends and if there is a head wind or a 500lb load + in the trailer the engine/trans does overtime. I am at 106K, change the trans fluid every 30K and havent had any failures in the drivetrain yet.
With my 5.4L pickup those same inclines I mentioned above where taken with no downshifting invloved with a full load in the bed.
Good luck.
I pull a 5X9 utility trailer to our cottage on the weekends and if there is a head wind or a 500lb load + in the trailer the engine/trans does overtime. I am at 106K, change the trans fluid every 30K and havent had any failures in the drivetrain yet.
With my 5.4L pickup those same inclines I mentioned above where taken with no downshifting invloved with a full load in the bed.
Good luck.
New User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Vernon
Joepirate:
I have a 98 4.6L that I use to tow a 3k pound camper... it is a little sluggish, especially with Kids, wife and all camping gear. I did the k and n filter, and performance chip upgrade which did make a big difference, but still think the 5.4L would be a better match for towing.
EDIT:
almost forgot... gas mileage averages around 14 - 15mpg. A little better on long highway trips, maybe 16.
I have a 98 4.6L that I use to tow a 3k pound camper... it is a little sluggish, especially with Kids, wife and all camping gear. I did the k and n filter, and performance chip upgrade which did make a big difference, but still think the 5.4L would be a better match for towing.
EDIT:
almost forgot... gas mileage averages around 14 - 15mpg. A little better on long highway trips, maybe 16.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: myrtle beach
98 Expy here at 277,000 miles and counting, Other than a few minor problems this baby is like new and still has the smell of a new car. We went on vacation last Oct to Niagra Falls (4000 miles in 21 day vacation all over east coast) and plan another similar trip this summer in this family haul vehicle with no worry of any problems as this Expy has never left us stranded. I would say we have just gotten the car broken in. If you turn over the odemeter at 999,999 miles do you have to fill out the milage waiver if you sell the vehicle?? You know a lot of buyers might not know this car has a million miles on it if we don't at that point if it holds up as well as it has in the first quater million miles.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Gresham OR
I have racked up 145,000 on my '97 expy 4.6 and it still goes strong. pulls my 4,000lbs trailer like it wasn't even there.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Oak Harbor, WA
100k on my 98 5.4 4x4, just replaced the original battery, about to change the original shocks/brakes and flush the trans/cooling system. It is right as rain, aside from the rocket-ship shaped like a spark plug
I use Valvoline MaxLife 10w40, Motorcraft oil filter and change every 3,000 miles.
I use Valvoline MaxLife 10w40, Motorcraft oil filter and change every 3,000 miles.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Asheville NC
190,000 miles I'm still running strong, everything on the engine is stock save the plugs, wires, fluids and only have had 1 brake job and swapped good parts out for performance. I plan on going for at least 250,000 before the engine or tranny goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
Recent vehicles, well maintained, can easily get 250,000 miles without major component replacement and still run like new. I've done it often.
Long before you get to that, most people get involved in an accident or their needs and interests have changed.
Long before you get to that, most people get involved in an accident or their needs and interests have changed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: South...
Originally Posted by ExpyBoy
The way I have driven it Off-Raod, I have more than I expected to get already (45K+)... see the gallery for details
Nice Gallery!
Scott
I hope to keep rollin, rollin, rollin for 200,000 miles