2003 expy question
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2003 expy question
Ok, heres the deal. The wife recently wrecked our 99 expy with the 5.4. I am looking at a 2003 XLT with the 4.6. How is the power? Towing will be minimal (grocery getter and family vacations). My 97 f250ld with a 4.6 is a bit sluggish under load, when pulling a bobcat or hard accelleration. The price on this 2003 is right, its hard to pass up when a eddie bauer is $$$$$ more.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,776
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From: Foothills of NC
My '03, 4.6 is fine on power for me. I drive it in the mountains on occasion and it am satisfied. The only time I would like to have more power is when merging onto the interstate on a long uphill grade, which I have at one exit here.
The fix for this is to mash the gas and let it wind out above 3k in each gear. The 4.6 is not eat up with low end torque, but when you get to around 3500 rpm it really takes off.
This said, I have not driven the 5.4 in the Expy, so I can't compare. This is on purpose. Right now I don't know if there is a difference, so I am not always comparing one to another.
Just be sure to go with 3.73 gears, which is all that was available in '03.
I recently went on a 1500 mile trip and got just over 19 mpg going down with no A/C (because of temp) and running between 68-73 mph, and an easy foot.
On the way back it was all uphill, ran the A/C, had a horrible headwind almost all the way, ran 75+ mph, and still managed 17.2.
If you don't have a lot of large mountains you should be OK with the 4.6.
The fix for this is to mash the gas and let it wind out above 3k in each gear. The 4.6 is not eat up with low end torque, but when you get to around 3500 rpm it really takes off.
This said, I have not driven the 5.4 in the Expy, so I can't compare. This is on purpose. Right now I don't know if there is a difference, so I am not always comparing one to another.
Just be sure to go with 3.73 gears, which is all that was available in '03.
I recently went on a 1500 mile trip and got just over 19 mpg going down with no A/C (because of temp) and running between 68-73 mph, and an easy foot.
On the way back it was all uphill, ran the A/C, had a horrible headwind almost all the way, ran 75+ mph, and still managed 17.2.
If you don't have a lot of large mountains you should be OK with the 4.6.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,776
Likes: 862
From: Foothills of NC
Below is a direct copy from a 2003 Expedition sales brochure. According to the brochure the only axle available to all models of the Expedition for that year is a 3.73 in LS or non-LS. I could be wrong, but I think it was 2004 before a choice was offered.
Copied from Ford sales brochure:
4.6L V8 5.4L V8
Horsepower 232 @ 4750 260 @ 4500
(hp @ rpm)
Torque 291 @ 3450 350 @ 2500
(lb.-ft. @ rpm)
Axle ratio 3.73 3.73
Towing capacity 6050 (4x2) 8900 (4x2)
(lbs.) 5750 (4x4) 8650 (4x4)
Here is a link to many Ford brochures:
http://www.meadowlandford.com/ford-truck-brochures.htm
Copied from Ford sales brochure:
4.6L V8 5.4L V8
Horsepower 232 @ 4750 260 @ 4500
(hp @ rpm)
Torque 291 @ 3450 350 @ 2500
(lb.-ft. @ rpm)
Axle ratio 3.73 3.73
Towing capacity 6050 (4x2) 8900 (4x2)
(lbs.) 5750 (4x4) 8650 (4x4)
Here is a link to many Ford brochures:
http://www.meadowlandford.com/ford-truck-brochures.htm
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thanks all
I bought the 03. While there I drove a 06 3v 5.4, the acceleration is noticeably better but, it's going to be the wife's car and her and the kids don't need to burn up the track anyway. As far as the gearing goes, I'd like to check that on my 97 F250 light duty. I pull machinery a lot more often with that. I'll just put a k&n in the expy. That should help. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
I bought the 03. While there I drove a 06 3v 5.4, the acceleration is noticeably better but, it's going to be the wife's car and her and the kids don't need to burn up the track anyway. As far as the gearing goes, I'd like to check that on my 97 F250 light duty. I pull machinery a lot more often with that. I'll just put a k&n in the expy. That should help. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
[QUOTE=yardbird]Below is a direct copy from a 2003 Expedition sales brochure. According to the brochure the only axle available to all models of the Expedition for that year is a 3.73 in LS or non-LS. I could be wrong, but I think it was 2004 before a choice was offered.
Copied from Ford sales brochure:
4.6L V8 5.4L V8
Horsepower 232 @ 4750 260 @ 4500
(hp @ rpm)
Torque 291 @ 3450 350 @ 2500
(lb.-ft. @ rpm)
Axle ratio 3.73 3.73
Towing capacity 6050 (4x2) 8900 (4x2)
(lbs.) 5750 (4x4) 8650 (4x4)
Here is a link to many Ford brochures:
http://www.meadowlandford.com/ford-truck-brochures.htm[/QUOTE]
that is the job 2 specs. job 1 included many options that were deleted from job 2 the first year.
3.55 was eliminated, hood light , ashtray , door lights , radio wattage lowered, powerfold seat switch in second row and center console light to name a few.
Copied from Ford sales brochure:
4.6L V8 5.4L V8
Horsepower 232 @ 4750 260 @ 4500
(hp @ rpm)
Torque 291 @ 3450 350 @ 2500
(lb.-ft. @ rpm)
Axle ratio 3.73 3.73
Towing capacity 6050 (4x2) 8900 (4x2)
(lbs.) 5750 (4x4) 8650 (4x4)
Here is a link to many Ford brochures:
http://www.meadowlandford.com/ford-truck-brochures.htm[/QUOTE]
that is the job 2 specs. job 1 included many options that were deleted from job 2 the first year.
3.55 was eliminated, hood light , ashtray , door lights , radio wattage lowered, powerfold seat switch in second row and center console light to name a few.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,776
Likes: 862
From: Foothills of NC
I must have an in between model. It was built 10/02. I have all the options you said were deleted. I have a 3.73 LS, and I don't have powerfold at all.
I am not sure of the size rear carrrier. I know the 4.6 is supossed to have the smaller diff, but when I changed the fluid it took 1/3 more than was called for to fill. I haven't measured it, but it is stuffed in pretty tight. I also have the heavy tow hitch with the 7 way connector and 4 pin, and the large trans cooler.
I have the reverse sensors with the two small eyes and the long hidden sensor in the middle, which is supposed to be job 1.
I really think I have a hybrid of parts of both job 1 and job 2.
Ford sure does some strange things with their options.
I am not sure of the size rear carrrier. I know the 4.6 is supossed to have the smaller diff, but when I changed the fluid it took 1/3 more than was called for to fill. I haven't measured it, but it is stuffed in pretty tight. I also have the heavy tow hitch with the 7 way connector and 4 pin, and the large trans cooler.
I have the reverse sensors with the two small eyes and the long hidden sensor in the middle, which is supposed to be job 1.
I really think I have a hybrid of parts of both job 1 and job 2.
Ford sure does some strange things with their options.
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