Hello all,

I'm upsizing from a mid-size SUV to a full-size. I'm a big Toyota buff, but the 1st gen Sequoia's are a bit out of my price range and seem a bit underpowered.

Pretty much have my mind made up on the Expedition, mainly due to the amazing prices right now because of our economy.

The only thing I haven't really decided yet, is 1st gen or 2nd gen? I'm liking the IRS and fold flat 3rd row on the 2nd gens.. but I've read that the 2nd gens aren't as reliable as the first.

Just looking for people's opinions. Here are 2 that I have on my radar:

Canada Used Autos, Cars, Trucks, Boats, Motorcycles Online Classified Ads - AutoTrader.ca

and

Canada Used Autos, Cars, Trucks, Boats, Motorcycles Online Classified Ads - AutoTrader.ca


I've actually driven the 2003.. it's in pretty good shape. Cosmetically, it has some paint chipping.. and the plastic "eddie bauer gold" plastic pieces on the passenger side doors seem to be loose. Mechanically.. seems okay, but I'm pretty sure I heard a slight "ticking" noise coming from the engine while accelerating. Is this normal? (I remember my grandfathers old mid 1980's F100 pickup made this same sound.. but apparently it was "normal" for that straight 6 engine). Also, could someone tell me how the "backup sensors" are supposed to work? I tried to test them while driving but it seemed to be broken. Just one continuous beeeeeep sound that sounded half dead.

Going to see the 2002 tomorrow. Have already driven a 1999.. really didn't like the setup of the 3rd row.. no leg room. Then again, it'll most likely just be the kidlet back there.

 

Never get first year models. The 03's had some issues that the 04's didn't. The ticking you heard on your test drive was probably piston slap. Fairly normal for these modular 4.6/5.4L engines. It could probably be helped by adjusting your engine weight. I run 5w-30 in my Expedition. In winter it ticks for about a minute when I start the thing. Otherwise it runs good. I've heard people using a different weight of oil to correct this.

If I got a second gen over, I would have gotten an 05. It had options my 04 didn't. I am thinking in another 2 years after I get my bachelors I'll be moving from Georgia up here to Indiana to live with my fiance and look at marriage. At that time I'll be trading up most likely to 05+. As much as I love my 04, it's 4x2 with no undercarrage coating. I need to buy a northern truck so that I have underbody coating and 4x4/awd. If you get an older model (1stgen) watch for the plug spitting issue of the 5.4L engine.

 

I agree about the '05. I'd like to go that new if I could afford it. Problem is, all the '05's in my area are about ~6K-8K out of my price range.

So between the two I've listed, you'd go with the 2002 I'm assuming.

I've heard of this spark plug spitting issue.. sounds like a hassle. But fro what I've read, it seems to be a small percentage of vehicles that have had it happen. I'm GUESSING maybe 1 in 10? Is that fairly accurate?

 

You can also check the vin on the 03, there is a alpha character of the series of the build. not sure what position it is in, but one of the decoder tools should be able to help you with it. My '03 has been relatively problem free (same issues as any other Ford) and is a "c" code, built in June '03. I would definately avoid early build '03's as they did have a large number of issues.

 

Also the 05+ got the newer 3v 5.4L engine, making 40+ hp over the 04- years.

The 04 was the first year (if i remember right) that the piston plug spitting was no longer an issue as ford changed the block design to use 8? thread plugs instead of 4? thread. So that's why I say avoid the 03. But as alwaysfords41 said, the 03's are good trucks, but you don't want a first build 03, they were too new. Your links didn't work for me, but going by things I would still choose the 03 over the 02 as I just like the second gens more from experience, though the first gens were more tank like.

 

Yeah.. one of the mods changed my links I think, I had a heck of a time trying to post them in the first place. Ended up just taking them out in the end. Then they showed up again, but they're incorrect.

Anyways.. I definitely like the look of the 2nd gen's better than the 1st gens personally. I was aware of the horsepower change in '05, so I was assuming that it was that year that they fixed the spark plug issue as well. But if it was '04, that's good to know.

I really, really, REALLY like the 3rd row in the 2nd gens compared to the first. MOST OFTEN it will be my 16 month old son sitting back there, however, IF an adult has to sit back there, the 1st gens suck. I sat in the 3rd row in a 1st gen and couldn't believe how cramped it was. 2nd gen felt 'almost' comfortable.

When you say "more tank like".. what do you mean? Better off-road capability? Because that does actually interest me... I'm a fly fisherman and occasionally and on some pretty rugged trails..

Oh.. one other question. The horsepower jump from '04 -> '05 (260 -> 300).. is it really noticeable?

 

As a mommy I can tell you that the last place I'd put my 16 month old son is the third row, not only for safety reasons but who wants to crawl back there to hook them up?????
Also the line about never buy first gen year is silly, mine is a 97 and just turned 233,500 the other day. If this was a basket case I would have gotten rid of it a long time ago but she has been super reliable and I've had it now for 9 years. Personally I like the looks of the first gen better but that is just my opinion. With regards to tank like I've been rear ended being left with a little scuff on the bumper and I've clipped a deers legs out from under it with no signs of a problem on the front. I take it through harsh terrain on some land that I own and never worry about getting stuck or messing up the body. I'm not saying it is a rock crawler but I am saying I truly feel secure driving it on terrain that would trouble lower clearance vehicles.
Good luck with the purchase, get the 02.

 

There are no LATCH attachement points in the third seat either, so getting a tight fit of the car seat will be a real experience. Ditto on getting back there with the baby - it will be a huge pain, and as mentioned safety is a big deal back there. There is about a foot of air space between the rear passengers and the back of the tailgate.

 

Those are good points that I hadn't thought about. Thank you. Actually makes me lean even more towards the 2nd gen.. that way a smaller adult can sit back there if need be.

Any comments on the off-road capability of the 2nd generations versus the 1st?

 

The second gen is a little lower, and I do not believe skid plates were even an option in '03. They were on my '99, not sure if that was true by the time '02 rolled around. As far as articulation of the suspension goes they are completely different animals - solid rear axle vs. independant.

 

Here's the '03: 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4X4 - Calgary Trucks & Vans For Sale - Kijiji Calgary

Does anyone have any comments on the plastic "eddie bauer gold" pieces on the bottoms of the doors coming loose? Is it common? Easy to fix?

 

The panels are through fastened so it is unlikely they will fall off. They fit snugly but are not glued in place (unless they got the double stick tape treatment because the previous owner complained about rattling). All Expy's have the cladding, EB's are in gold, Sports and EB Premium in body color, the rest are plain plastic.