Currently have a '00 Expy EB, 4x4 with 176k miles. Only owned a few months but debating to sell and get a 2nd gen with lower miles. Not b/c anything is wrong with mine just for peace of mind.

I would love to hear pros and cons of both generations especially from owners who have had both. I know the ride is better on the 2nd generation but aside from that what is better or worse about the 2nd geneartion. Which generation is more problematic? Do they share common issues? tks

 

I've had both, and currently have two second generations. The ride is more car like, but it's still a 6000lb truck. Ride height is higher in the first gen which I like, but then again I also drive fire trucks in my free time so nothing is tall enough. Personally I like the IRS because it allows the third seat to fold flat, which is to say it is always with you which is very handy. In the first gen you had to haul the 50lb beast in and out. I like the cooled seats in the second gen. Styling is a matter of taste, I like them both for different reasons. I think I like the interior of the second gen better. All three of mine were similarly equipped - EB, 4x4, trailer tow, 5.4, 4R100, 3.73 rears. Some early build '03's had the "first year jitters" with a variety of problems, but mine was built in June '03 and has avoided those. I have had the head machining problem in both generations. I have had the clutch pack problem in the '03. My '99 was the longest I had had a vehicle at the time I sold it, and now the '03 has eclipsed that by 25% in mileage and 50% in years. I routinely say the '03 is the best car I've ever owned. The '04 is the quickest and most nimble of the bunch, although spec wise it is no different. I would suggest going with an '04 and up over the '03 because for one year in '03 they used slower ratio rack and pinion steering, and went back to the faster ratio in '04. It isn't huge, but it is noticeable in parking lots when you are sawing back and forth on the wheel. I also prefer the 4wd options in the second generation - you have 4 positions - 2wd, a4wd, hi and lo. In the first gen you couldn't get plain old 2wd. How can you hang the back end out if you don't have that????

 

Thank you for your comments. Between the 2 generations did you see the same type maintenance and repair issues or are they different. Example, I assume both generations have the COP and plug issue until you get into the 3V 2005+ years. What about front suspension. What about annoying problems on mine I have noticed (rear wiper, door actuators, fortunately my odometer lights up fine but don't know if this was fixed before I bought it.) I do like the high ride height to, lighted running boards and the glass tailgate that lifts without the hood panel. Thanks again.

So for a $3500 spread (this is selling my '00 EB, 4x4. 3.55 gears, () with 176k and buying an '03, EB, 118k, 4x4, DVD, heated/cooled, 3.73, HD tow with I think only missing option is tire pressure and AdvanceTrac is it worth the upgrade.

Appreciated the feeback

 

Same issues. I haven't had suspension problems on any of them. The rear glass opens on gen 2 also. The running board lights were replaced with puddle lamps under the mirrors in gen 2. Equally effective, but if they aren't for you it is easy enough to add an few LEDs underneath. My '04 has AdvanceTrac, but I've never had an issue without it and my wife who drives it has never had an issue. Hard to gauge it's value under those conditions. My '04 also has TPMS. I check pressure pretty frequently, it has indicated low once in the 2 years I've had it so I guess it has some value. A good feature to prevent running a low tire on the highway that might have picked up a nail or something. I probably won't think so after the senders fail and I've got to fix them.

 

Good to know what I thought were takeaways are not. Huummm. So, for $3500 is it worth for newer generation, 3.73 gears, 60k less miles. This one was an early build of 9/02. Service I have been told by PP is spark plugs and wires, trans fluild, coolant change, front brakes 40k miles ago, good tires, belts, pulleys. tks

 

Found a little history on the '03 for warranty work done. Tell me what you think. I don't like to see all this but I guess you could say at least it was done and replaced. 2nd owner has said it has been problem free and he has done routine maintenance.

1) Replaced passenger side actuator
2) replaced both side mirrors as automatic operation not working
3) replaced both back up sensors and backup sensor control module
4) Replaced clutch packs and new axle nut and seals
5) replaced driver side window motor
6) Replaced Power Steering Resevoir
7) Replaced front Hubs
8) Replaced Throttle Position Sensor
9) Installed limited slip additive in diffs due to noise
10) Replaced Power Control Module
11) Replaced rear drive shaft assembly
12) Replaced battery

After this records stop as warranty ran out. New owner bought at 40k miles. Any input is appreciated. tks

 

Some of those fixes seem to have come at low miles, and are big items, but who is to know what really happened. Could have been an over zealous dealership that didn't have much service work so they stuck it to Ford by doing warranty work. The mirrors are hit or miss, and were discontinued after '03 since they were such a problem (I'm guessing). Mine are broken. Eventually they all break I think. Clutch packs are a known problem, and one would question why they didn't put the additive in when they did the service, because they are supposed to for LSD. I'd look at this baby like it is an '03 with lots of new parts. Not clear from your earlier post - was the trans done 40k ago? It's interval is 30k. Brakes at 40k are probably going to need to be done sooner rather than later.

 

Yea, I did not put down complaints but seemed like the first owner was pretty particular about noises and such. All work done at same dealership.

History of 2nd owner is something like this:

1)FRont Brakes and rotors 40k miles ago so around 80k miles
2) front tires 2 years ago and 2 rear tires 1 year ago. Michelins on all 4 corners
3) Spark plugs and wires (possibly he means all new COP's just not sure) around 85k miles
4) At 110k miles new belt, tranny fluid flushed, coolant changed, new pulleys and he mentions spark plugs again but this may not be correct.

No front suspension work since he has owned it. Synthetic oil changes every 7500 miles. I do not know if diffs or TC was changed but these are not a big deal for me to do. How does this sound? It looks very very nice in close up photos both in and out and does appear to be well taken care of.

 

Sounds ok. Lots of free work done to it. Plugs is a good one to not have to do. I'm on borrowed time at 125k and I'm not looking forward to doing them. I'm going to try to hold out alittle longer and do shocks instead. It comes down to whether or not you want to spend the cash.

 

These trucks are all pretty darned amazing no matter the vintage. I never owned a gen 1 due to exterior body style. I don't like the f-150's of that generation either.

My '04 has been magnificent. Clearly the best and most versitile vehicle we've ever owned.

Considering the work that has been done on the '03, it would be pretty safe bet that you'd be better off with it vice the '00.

I too like the IRS, the fold flat seat third row sat and the overall looks and the 17" wheels.

Tim

 

I have owned 4 Gen 1[still have 99] and we also have an 04. Personally, I like the Gen 1 because of the looks, but our 04 is easy on the eyes also[wedgewood blue/tan] The folding 3rd row is the ticket. Im getting ready to have a complete top end rebuild on my 99[126k miles] simply because I do not want to sell. Its going to be expensive but I know the history on mine and do not want to take a chance with an unknown right now.

Both of ours are Eddie Bauers and the 04 has everything except Nav. I have hear the 03,s were problematic in the above mentioned areas and were really ironed out in the 05+ models. But our 04 has been great. We bought it with 68k and now has 79k. No plans to replace it anytime soon. My previous Gen 1,s[all 98 4.6] were great, I only sold them because I used to get bored and wanted a change. Two kids changed that pretty quick.
Unless you just want something different, I say stick with the Gen 1 until it dies

 

Everytime I look at my Expy and wonder why sell it. I certainly don't mind the looks. Between the 2 I might lean toward 2nd gen but not by much. The 2nd does have some nicer features. I bought this for the primary reason to tow our popup, drive in bad weather and hunting trips. I would say if I do this I would put 7k miles on/year. However, with 176k on the odometer I just wonder if it will start to nickel and dime or worse have a major repair. At this point I could probably sell for it what I paid and put into it so I would not be out cash. I could upgrade to 2nd gen for 4-$5k more and cut my miles down to 110k or less. I did get this for a good deal that is why I can sell for a pretty good price.

 

I started going through the nickel/dime a couple of months ago now I have to do a complete top end rebuild. BUT, I know the history of mine. Ive looked at what is out there and what Im finding is high mileage[100k+] and high price tags. IF I was to sell mine and get something else, what would happen if that vehicle had a major issue? More money for a vehicle I only know for a short time. Im still up in the air if I am going to do everything or try and sell, but Im leaning towards keeping mine. It looks great and if I do go through with the rebuild, I have a refreshed motor

 

Yea, you are in a tough situation unless you can sell as is and still get a good price. If you have to fix in order to sell and get anything out of it may as well fix it. If not, I dump it. That is a big ticket item with onl 125k on the odometer. I bought mine at 174k miles and only thing I knew was plugs, 1 COP and brakes were done right before I bought it. Since it was not going to be a DD I was not too worried. But I also like change and new stuff so started looking around and thinking a 2nd gen would be a nice upgrade. If I hang onto it and start putting money into it I will never recover those costs. Whether it be a starter, an alternator, transmission etc, the value will not go up and that is wasted money. However, if I am diligent in finding good deals, which I am, I can get when below book and have some play room for future repairs that won't hurt me. I think I just talked myself into selling and upgrading.

 

I've never owned a 2nd gen expy but I do own a white '99 Eddie Bauer 5.4L 4x4 3.73 4R100 and towing package. I bought it with 85k back in July 2005 it now has 188k. In that amount of time all I've replaced on the engine is the alternator, IAC. I did the plugs and all coils around 124k because stupid me washed the engine bay after I took it mudding and fried two of the coils. Just a couple weeks ago I replaced the starter and wiring harness from the battery to the starter. That is all that Ive touched mechanically under the hood. The famous PCV hose drying up causing a lean code both banks went bad on mine as well but that was an easy fix.

Suspension wise I've done all four ball joints up front, on my second set of front brakes and the rears I've replaced once back in I think '07. I installed a set of Bilstien shocks at all four corners not because mine were bad, I just wanted a nice set of stiff shocks to make it handle better. I've replace the passenger front wheel bearing last winter, the driver front wheel bearing could very well still be factory, I've never touched it.

The only strange problem mine has had was I had one of the aluminum transmission cooling lines rub the crank pulley and wear a hole in it. Of course I was 80 miles from home and it was Christmas day when that happened.

I've changed the oil a million times, changed the tranny fluid idk 88k miles ago, changed the transfer case, front and rear diff fluids. All normal maintenance.

As far as looks go I'd prefer the 1st gen expy over the 2nd gen. I think it just looks cooler up front and I've never been a fan of the F150 that the second gen expy is modeled after.

By far my '99 has been my best vehicle I've ever owned. I have debated about selling it but I have so many good memories in it I'll just keep it and buy something else when I can afford to.

Shane