Just bought a 2001 Eddie Bauer, 5.4L. Before I went searching for this type of truck I read many posts from this site and found many good tips.
After checking many local "stealerships" for used trucks in their inventory, I gave up on them because of their inability to price vehicles realistically.
I found a "mint" 2001 and couldn't be happier with the purchase. The original owner kept the truck meticulously clean and maintained....better than anything I saw at the delearships.
The truck does has the "air ride" suspension, which I've read can be problematic. It does seem to be functioning as it should, as well as all other options.
I'm sure something will pop up eventually, and I will be most likely seek advice here.
Until then I'll be lurking, reading, and learning.

 

...from another somewhat 'newbie' here. I think you'll find this board a great place to learn more about your truck, for sure!

Congrats on your "new-to-you" '01 Expy. I've got an '01 5.4 XLT (no air suspension, thank gawd) which I bought new, and now 73.5K miles later, the only problem I've had was 1 faulty front wheel bearing. She's been a real peach of a truck. Very comfy on trips, fantastic in bad weather, safe, versatile (camping, hauling, loading, etc) and the mileage, given its size, is manageable.

From what I've read here about the air-suspension, the second it starts giving you any hassle, it sounds as though it'll be most cost-effective to replace it. I can speak to one of the more popular replacement shocks (Bilsteins) which I just had installed on my truck yesterday....they are great. I like them better than the stock shocks when they were new.

Good luck and see ya' 'round the Board!

Rgds,
Tim G.
'01 5.4 XLT

 

Well congrats to you! I own a 2001 also, and in my opinion this is one of the best years of build. Bought it with around 54K miles and it now had around 75K miles, in about 9 months! Only problem was the anti theft ignition sensor faulted and wouldnt start one day but thats it. Luckily, the previous owner was a gentle driver suburban "soccer mom" and had done most of the maintenance. First thing I did when I got it though was fuel filter change and trans service as preventative. I love my truck and hope you enjoy yours too!

 

Thta's good news, at least I'm not hearing "that was a bad year". This one has 48k and looks like new.

 

...you've done all your research and chosen a 'solid' model year, only to stumble onto a terrific msg board like this one and have someone say: "Son, you've just gone and bought yourself the most troublesome model made!" heh heh

All told, I haven't heard too much bad stuff about the '01 model year either. To be honest, I had been thinking about maybe upgrading to an '03 or '04 at some point in the future, but after reading about all the reliability and fit-and-finish issues here on the newer models (at least compared to the '01), I think I'll wait 'till Ford gets its act together and corrects these problems in later model years.

For some reason, it sure seems like 'Made in America' (if that term still holds any real truth...maybe Canada or Mexico should be listed included) auto manufacturers still end-up with more "new model" issues after a major redesign than most of their foreign competitors. I mean, who has something as basic as a "door seal" fail? Gimme a break! Here my Expy has a build-date of late-'00 (e.g., basically the end of that model run), and it's been near-flawless. Since Ford did the re-design for the '03 model year, at least from my reading, there seem to be a whole lotta' silly, little issues (like "door seal failure") and a few major ones which I'd just as soon steer clear of. Maybe these issues will subside in '06.....

Anyway, just my $.02...YMMV.

Rgds,
Tim G.

 

Ditto on what Tim G said. I have 01' EB 4.6l 4X2 and it has been flawless with the excetion of COP. Have not had one go in 1-1/2 years(knock wood). We even tow our 6000 lb Travel Trailer about 8k miles per year. The 4R70W is holding up well. After we bought, I saw Consumer Reports listed the 01' as most reliable year for all major mechanicals. Nothin' wrong with used compared to some of the headaches that there selling as new...

 

I saw an '05 King Ranch Editition at the auto show that I was just drooling over, but oh well if they cant get it together then Im going to drive my '01 until the wheels fall off...