I imagine this inquiry has been answered many times and I'll take some heat for not searching....so, sorry in advance I'm being lazy today.

A buddy owns a tow yard and ended up with a 2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition. 5.4l 4x4 112k miles. Outside looks good, couple small dings and scratches. Starts right up, no smoke, no puddles underneath, no damp areas on any oil containing components. Everything works.
Now for the not so good. Interior is disgustingly filthy. 3rd seat missing, overhead A/C vents missing, interior panels scratched and scuffed badly especially in the back. I think the carpet would have to be replaced or a few more black stains added so it's a uniform dark color instead of black & tan. Rubber door seals won't stay on when doors are opened. Has electronic HVAC control and the green plastic that would cover the LED display is missing and the LED display doesn't work. The controls work, air goes where its supposed to at the right temperatures.
No service history. Not registered and his yard is by the police station so I could only make a quick trip around the block. Accelerates smooth and strong, transmission seems to shift ok. Steering not quite right but tires are in bad shape so that could be a lot of it. Brakes work but pedal pulsates; guessing warped rotors. Didn't have a chance to engage 4x4 so that is an unknown.

I don't need this vehicle and it wouldn't be a daily driver but he offered it to me for $3500. Nothing in the above problem's list worries me as I'm an OK shade tree mechanic and not afraid to get dirty. Although not needed as a daily driver, I did really like the truck and could see myself or the wife(if I can clean the inside) driving it. Also would use for light off-road/camping trips.

Now on to the real question: Are there commom weak spots/expensive repairs that could pop up? Do they have a tendency to rust anywhere? Does the 5.4 really spit out spark plugs? Has the transmission shown to be reliable? (in so far as a Ford auto trans can be?) Will the HVAC control unit be expensive?

I've had 7 Ford trucks and 4 Ford/Lincoln cars in my vehicle past. All have been good to me and I'm a Ford kinda guy.

Thoughts, opinions, speculations and criticisms welcomed and encouraged.

Thanks

 

I'd really like to help by answering your questions, but I'm feeling a bit lazy today myself.

 

I have this exact truck. Have had it for 6 or 7 years now.

I dinged a fender a while ago and took some paint off, and was very pleased to discover that the body is galvanized. The ding ahs been paintless for a year now, and not a spot of rust on it. Although the rocker panels are starting to rust.

The transmissions on these are known to go. Mine has its second rebuilt in it now. But I'm at 200k-miles.

Never popped a spark plug. And I've been terrible at changes - as in, never changed 'em as long as I've owned it, and it runs really well still.

Brake lines have rusted out and been replaced. Stearing gear box blew a seal and was replaced. Check the rear axle trailing arms - they tend to rot out - mine have been replaced. Front wheel bearings also went and had to be replaced - its a hub - so not cheap. Then there was the head gasket leak - kept blowing the coolant reservoir. Incredibly - to my amazement - a bottle of Rislone head gasket sealer seems (8 months now and counting....) to have "fixed" the problem, as advertised. Keeping fingers crossed.

But it keeps running strong. My truck works hard. Hauls equipment and tows materials in a trailer. It's a workhorse.

There's my experience with this exact truck.

 

Hahaha, well played sir, well played.

 

Thanks Fred for your experiences.

 

Love alloro's response. You know how long it must have taken to have typed out this long post? Think how many posts you could have searched. Oh we'll.

I think the past will predict the future. This truck as noted, has not been well taken care of and you have no maintenance records! That old adage... Take care of your truck and it will take care of you... Really applies here.
Did you check the fluids yet? The 4 wd stuff, including front bearings, is a big part of possible failures and should be checked before going forward.
Yes to the plug issue, no to the 4r100 being reliable (if taken care of), yes to the hvac costs high.
I'm not sure the price matches the condition, especially if you don't need it.

Not a bargin as I see it and not something I'd buy for my wife, however, you can go down that easy road and take your chances.

 

Thought I'd follow up on this old post. I bought the above mentioned 2000 Expy right after this thread. I still have it and it's been a super reliable work horse. The interior cleaned up nicely and between Ebay & Craigslist I found the missing interior components. The transmission was hard shifting but a quick search here indicated some springs in a valve body were the issue. $13 for new springs and an afternoon in the garage to change the springs, new filter & fluid and the transmission has been fine since. Threw on heavy duty shocks, load range E A/T tires, and Trailridge towing mirrors; the Expy tows like a dream. A Flowmaster Series 44 muffler makes the 5.4 sound fantastic!