7 Reasons to Love the First-Gen Ford Expedition

The Good old days

I can still remember my parents bringing home their brand new, gleaming white, 1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer.  It was a spaceship on wheels in the eyes of my 5-year-old-self.  Instead of watching cartoons, I watched the intro-to-ownership-VHS (*feeling old*) provided by Ford so many times I think my parents had to start hiding it from me.  I couldn't get enough!  With the nameplate still alive today, Expedition has undergone many changes over the course of its 20+ year history.  Here's a look back at what made the first-generation Expedition a timeless classic!

Photos courtesy of Ford and autoevolution.

The First SUV Revolution

Ford introduced the world to Expedition in 1996 as the successor to the beloved Bronco.  At the time of its introduction, Expedition was one of few three-row SUVs on the market.  "The bigger, the better" was a dominating mindset of consumers when gas prices were low and the stock market was strong.  After Explorer was redesigned with softer lines and curves, the all-new Expedition took on many of the same qualities, which juxtaposed that of its boxy competitors Yukon and Tahoe.  It marked a turning point in SUV design for both domestic and foreign automakers alike blending comfort and visual aesthetic with power and off-road capability.

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

The Modern 4x4

In the past, four-wheel-drive seemed reserved for rugged off-road trucks.  Drivers would have to manually engage the locking hubs before electronically controlled transfer case systems swooped in to make everyone's lives a little bit easier.  Ford introduced its ControlTrac system, which on Expedition, included an auto mode, in addition to 50/50 four-wheel-drive high and low modes.  In auto mode, the vehicle would permanently engage the front axle hubs, locking them to the front axle shafts, front differential, and front drive shaft.  It wasn't until the detection of traction loss that torque would be sent forward to the front differential in small increments.  The control software allowed the center multi-disc clutch to act like a geared center differential to smooth out transitions within the driveline.  Ford's Terrain Management System would eventually replace ControlTrac.

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

Triton Power

Powering the first-generation Expedition was a pair of Ford's well-known Triton V8's.  The base 4.6-liter cranked out 215 horsepower and had a maximum towing capacity of approximately 6,000 pounds.  The larger 5.4-liter V8 bumped horsepower to 230, and increased maximum towing capacity to 8,000 pounds, perfect for all boat and camper-hauling needs.  The distinct start-up and exhaust note of these classic motors will forever bring me right back to the '90s.

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

Urban Assault Vehicle

I remember several fishing trips that involved taking over the back seat of our Expedition to set up a TV and Gamecube to keep us kids occupied.  The ability to haul a boat and comfortably seat four people with a week's worth of equipment and gear was a true work of art.  At 204.6 inches, the Expedition was five inches longer than the four-door Chevy Tahoe and 15 inches shorter than Suburban.  The 118 cubic feet of cargo space was almost a challenge for passengers to completely fill up.  I recall someone referring to the Expedition as an "Urban Assault Vehicle" and that stuck with me because that's exactly what it is.

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

Eddie Bauer Swag

One of the Expedition's most redeeming qualities was its luxury appearance.  The available Eddie Bauer styling package brought together Ford's vehicle capability with Eddie Bauer's reputation for quality, versatility, durability and outdoor adventure.  The co-branding gave Expedition features such as signature body cladding, illuminated running boards,  and specially appointed interiors with signature leather to create an upscale image for Ford without consumers needing to make a major jump into luxury price territory.  This would ultimately be reserved for Expedition's cousin, the Lincoln Navigator.

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

Three-Row'd People Mover

One of the coolest features (to me) of the original Expedition was its removable third row.  How many people had the ability to CHOOSE which row they sat in?  While it was a bit of a pain to haul and/or store the third row, it made large family outings that much easier without needing a second car or having an extra long Suburban that may not fit in your garage...

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

Forever Greatness

What made the Expedition great was that it never pretended to be something it wasn't.  It was dependable, reliable, and capable.  While it shared its underpinnings with that of the F-150, it embodied its own unique persona that made it attractive to more than one market of buyers.  Ford Social reported a buyer's first-generation Expedition surpassing 400,000 miles; if anyone is wanting to hold onto a vehicle for that long, you know its something special.  I will forever look back fondly on the memories of our family's first-generation Expedition, and I'm sure many other past and present owners share a similar sentiment. 

>>Join the conversation about the first-gen Expedition right here in Ford-Trucks.com.

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