I had a 97 Explorer XLT v8 5.0 AWD, and now have a 98 Expedition EB 5.4l v8 4x4. My expedition lacks one defining feature: a 3rd row seat. So, the expedition is literally like a really big explorer. Explorer was comfortable and towed well, but the expedition is better, and strangely, gets slightly better millage, though it doesn't do much day to day traffic commuting like the explorer did.

 

We used to have a 1997 Explorer 4x4 4.0 SOHC 5spd auto and it was a nice truck. It towed our pop up trailer without a problem, ran great and also got much better mileage than the 2000 Expedition. The Explorer was averaging around 15mpg where the Expedition is around 11 (hardly any highway, mostly short trips). The Expedition is a much more capable tow vehicle and can haul more than the Explorer but it is also a larger vehicle.

 

05/06 Expy do have 3rd row standard (03+ have them standard and hes looking into the 05/06) so ummm I dont think that would be a deciding factor for ol boy. Also Depending on if he gets a 4x4 or 4x2 also factors his MPG. The newer 5.4L's seem to be a little more efficient, I averaged (pre exhaust/intake) 18mpg Hwy and (Post Mods) 21-24mpg Hwy but also take into account im a 4x2 but still have the towing capacity with the HD Tow package. In the end its his choice, we are all just advisors so good luck in deciding big guy lol.

 

Trailblazen What mods did you do to the intake and exhaust to get that increase in mpg? Thanks alot, Mike

 

All it was was High flow aftermarket filter and a cat back flowmaster (biggest help considering the stock muffler is huge and full of baffles which is only there to make the truck quieter). I basically had a average reading pre install on a long stretch of highway I traveled daily and then after install did the same average (I used my indash MPG readings to help) and it went up depending on speed. You also have to consider Im only 4x2 so I dont have the added weight and other things that go into 4x4 MPG. Everything I have done soo far is in my sig. Not alot compared to most the guys here but its enough for the time being for this daily driver of mine. Also big disclaimer is results may vary on MPG depending on your driving habits and conditions/terrain as well.

 

Put a chip, better exhaust and cold air intake on the Explorer and you'll have all you need to pull the popup, unless you just want a bigger vehicle.

 

i currently have 1999 ford explorer 5.0l V-8 AWD XLT and love it. Getting a 2000 ford expedition 4.6l XLT for a ltille more room and cant wait. already drove the expedition, and only complaint i have is the 4.6l V-8 just doesnt pull it along like the 5.0 in the explorer does. smaller motor in the bigger expedition is kind of silly, but oh well.

 

if it were me I would try to find a 5.4L. More bang for your buck. Love the space though in my expy. I also got a 2005 Lariat F150 4X4 about 2 years ago and loving the space/cargo in that as well. Like my Expy I got Flowmaster exhaust and K&N intake in my F150 and it helps.

 

Wow lots of former exploder owners here.

I had a 98 Explorer EB with 5.0 and AWD. I loved it but recently picked up a 99 Expedition EB with 4x4 and 5.4. There is no real comparison. The explorer is more of a large car. The Expedition is much more of a truck and having real 4x4 (hi/low), more room make it much more useful without sacrificing really anything. Interior is even more comfy and mpg seems to be about the same. I get about 12-13 around town and 16-17 pure highway.

Power is about the same between older 5.0 in the Explorer and the 5.4 in the Expedition. The 5.4 definitely feels like it has a bit more torque down low though (which it does).

In the case of either vehicle, i strongly prefer the older models in Eddie Bauer trim. 97-01 or so.

 

Had 4 explorers of various years. They all go the same mileage as my 2000 Eddie Bauer with the 5.4, but I can tow more with the Expedtion. It was worth it to upgrade to a bigger vehicle, the Explorer was way to small.

 

I had a 98 Explorer Ltd w/4.0 that I drove until the engine self grenaded because of timing chain (replaced and sold) then bought a 98 Explorer 5.0 AWD as a DD and to tow my boat. It didn't do so well with mpg's in city driving so I bought a car for a DD. I later traded both car and 98 Exp for a 06 Explorer with the 4.6L engine (292 hp) and 6 speed trans and it was definitely improved. It pulled the boat a little better but got much better economy with the newer drivetrain. It had the 3 rows of seats that I needed yet I could get 24-25 mpg on the expressway at legal speeds (empty) and with the 4wd low it pulled the boat up the ramps with the engine at idle. When I bought the boat I was told it was 6,000 pounds yet after a few years I took it to the scale and the boat/trailer was 8,000 so you know I was really suprised. Both Explorers V-8 pulled the boat safely with the last one towing it for 5 years. I now have a 03 Navigator (Exp clone) and it does pull the boat better but the fuel economy leaves much to be desired. Before I bought it I thought it would get 20 mpg on the expressway and posted a question here where everyone said it wouldn't. I thought their trucks were out of tune or worn out but this well running truck gets exactly 16.7 at 65 mph. I got this one so I could get rid of the tow vehicle for my travel trailer and this Navi tows it decent but not like a HD truck but I am saving on expenses in having 1 vehicle instead of 2. For what it was designed to do both trucks do well.

 

I have a 97 expedition 5.4L and an 05 Explorer 4.6L. The Explorer gets 3 MPG better mileage as a DD. Also while pulling our Popup (~2300 lbs) the Explorer gets better mileage. When I pull a heavy load I prefer the Expedition as it is a heavier truck so seems less susceptible to being pushed around by the trailer. The Expy air suspension is also a plus to keep the trunk level.

 

I Have a 98 xlt Expedition 4x4 with the 4.6. I get 15 around the city and 21 on the highway, of course when in 4x4 the mpg drops. The first few years of the Expedition 97 to 99 the 5.4 were junk, some in late 99 were not as bad when they had the PI head change.

 

We have an 06 eddie bauer 4x4 with programmer drop in filter and flowmaster we get 16 city 18 hwy very happy with it. would pull anything you would want to hook to it. I pull a full size bronco with it. Big comfortable and the 300 hp 5.4 still makes it fun to drive. We love it. I think the only exploder (lol) I would want would be the newest one with an ecoboost.

 

When we were looking for a truck for my mom we tried Explorers and Epxeditions and Excursions. We ended up getting the Expedition because it was big enough for the family of 6 and much more roomy. The only reason we didn't get the Excursion was because we couldn't find a good deal on it with a gas engine. We already have a F250 so no need really for a big Excursion.
Trav