A local dealer told me that all Expeditions come with towing packages, although I have seen some without a hitch. He maintains that everything else is there (tranny cooler, radiator, etc.) and that he can have the hitch added? This is sounding fishy. We are looking at a used 2000 or 2001 model. Help!!

 

I'm not sure but I thought that the towing packages came with the remote oil filter(which I have) I also have the towing package. Just look underneath the right front bumper and you should see the oil filter. If not I don't think it has the towing package...

Big Mick



1997 Expedition XLT
K&N Air Intake
Hellwig Anti sway bar
Flow master
Plus extra mods.....

 

I was told the same thing when I was purchasing my 2001 XLT. I wasn't sure if the salesman was right or not, but I think thats what he believed. I got a 5.4L XLT program car with 17k miles, it had no hitch. He had a hitch taken off another X and installed on ours. We've had it for about 4 months now and have had no problems towing. I'd be interested in knowing whether or not this is the case...

 

I would think that a "towing package" would include the hitch. Another dealer told me that most of the 5.4L's have the towing package. Maybe someone can clarify.

 

Towing packages usually include more than just the hitch. They generally include external transmission coolers, oil coolers, high output alternators, heavier shocks/sway bar setups, and sometimes even bigger radiators. I know my Bronco has the towing package, and all of these were upgrades for it. My Expy seems to be quite comparable with options, as it also has the towing package.

 

>I'm not sure but I thought that the towing packages came
>with the remote oil filter(which I have) I also have the
>towing package. Just look underneath the right front bumper
>and you should see the oil filter. If not I don't think it
>has the towing package...
>
>Big Mick
>
>

Nope, the remote oil filter was a 97-98 4WD thing (driveline clearance issues that have been since addressed)

 

>A local dealer told me that all Expeditions come with towing
>packages, although I have seen some without a hitch. He
>maintains that everything else is there (tranny cooler,
>radiator, etc.) and that he can have the hitch added? This
>is sounding fishy. We are looking at a used 2000 or 2001
>model. Help!!

Pure fiction, plenty of Expys were built WITHOUT the towing package, I've seen them.

It is first important to KNOW what the towing package includes. I know that for 97-99 the Expy towing package included Super engine cooling (larger radiator, engine oil and transmission coolers, class III reciever hitch and 7 pin trailer wiring harness with four pin adaptor)

A close inspection will make it clear. First is a visual check for the transmission and engine oil coolers. (they are mounted in front of the engine radiator, just crawl under the truck and follow the lines) the radiator core itself is also 'thicker' and thus holds more coolant then the std radiator.

If the tow package or towing is important to you don't settle. Many of the tow package equiped models also have other desirable options on them as well. I got luck when I found my '99 XLT with 5.4L PI (Performance Improved) Factory Tow package equiped Exy as it also has the 3.73 Limited Slip rear end, Load leveling suspension and rear HVAC.

Just because a salesman or dealer says it doesn't make it so. Also don't worry about running from them just because they don't have a clue as to what they are selling, it can be to your benifit when you find a guy who doesn't know what he has and you can buy it cheap.

My advice to any car /truck /SUV buyer (new or used) is to do your homework to findout as much about the vehical of your desire. You need to then look (and I mean up & under, in & out) at as many examples of that vehical as possible to get a good baseline for content, condition and value expectations. The market for used Expys has hit the floor, especially now with the new design hitting the showrooms, the deals are plentiful as well as Ford has produced and sold hundreds of thousands of Expys a year since the 97 model introdution.

 

 

Well, the problem is solved. I have a 2003 Expedition 5.4L with a Class IV towing package (standard equipment).

 

I have a 2001 EB 5.4L with tow package and I wanted to add the following notes (for my vehicle and research):

- My oil filter is NOT remotely located
- I have the 'H6' 3.73 LS differential
- The two smaller radiators in front of main radiator are for the steeing fuild and the oil cooler....the tranny cooler is integrated in the radiator (my hoses come into the top driver's side of the main radiator)
- It comes with the hitch (Class V)
- There are two relays that were not installed by the previous owner. they were in a plastic bag in the jack compartment along with an adapter for 7-plug to 4-plug...i opened the package, read the instructions that said i need the relays before towing and installed them)
- I understand from my research as well that the harness for the electronic brakes is there
- and yes there should be a larger alternator to deal with th power wire that goes back to the trailer to provide the trailer power wire

I will hook up the popup and test it out this weekend if possible....hope this helps.

 

I also have a 2001 Ford Expedition with the towing package. What I believe you'll find if you examine the coolers closely is that one (I think the driver's side) is the engine oil cooler and the other is in fact the tranny cooler. I cannot recall off the top of my head if the truck has 2 coolers (one integrated into the radiator and the separately mounted one in front of the radiator) or if they only have one cooler...but one of the coolers in front of the radiator is for the transmission...neither is for the power steering.

The relays? Hmmm...maybe one for the brake controller and one for the reverse light circuit or charging circuit on the trailer?

But the earlier posters are correct...not all expeditions have the towing package (at least not all pre 2003 expeditions...not sure after that).