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Ford Expedition

1707 messages,  Last post on Sep 24, 2012 at 7:42 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, SUV

Messages Page 163 of 171

#1620 of 1707 AdvanceTrac RSC vs. ControlTrac by canddmeyer

Jun 05, 2006 (3:51 am)

I’m considering trading in my 2003 SR5 V6 4Runner 4X4 for a 2006 Expedition 4X4, mainly due to road noise and a bouncy ride (whether in 2wd or 4wd). But I have two questions.
 
To preface my question, if I purchased the Ford, I’d permanently leave the 4wd selector in the 4X4auto set & forget mode, just like I do on my 4Runner. What I can’t figure out is why Ford touts their AdvanceTrac RSC, yet equips ControlTrac and LS differentials on the most loaded models, including every Limited in my area. Ever since I once got stuck a long time ago watching my 4X4 spin tires w/o LS, I’ve always had LS on my vehicles until the 2003 4Runner. The 4Runner traction control apparently does the job of the LS as I haven’t been able to get my 4Runner stuck yet in snow or shallow mud, and the stability control has been fantastic. Although I’d really like to find an Expedition Limited with the RSC, my first question is, which is the better system for the Expedition, the AdvanceTrac RSC with the stability & traction control, or the optional ControlTrac with Limited Slip?
 
Question #2: Where’s the $45,000+ ashtray hidden?
 
I’ll admit my personal preference is the AdvanceTrac RSC version, but I’d like to hear from owners, or leasers, or renters. Also, if anyone leaves their Expedition in 4x4auto, I’d like to hear from you on how your vehicle rides. Thanks in advance.

#1621 of 1707 Low Side Fill Port by jestabrook

Jun 08, 2006 (11:56 am)

Want to recharge my system. Have '96 Expedition - where is the low side fill port located?

#1622 of 1707 Oil Change Light 1999 Expedition by norman_classen

Jun 14, 2006 (5:19 pm)

The light on my Expedition came on a few times so I added more oil which usually fixes the problem. However, the light remained on. I took it to get an oil change and light is still on. It's been almost two weeks and it hasn't gone away. Anyone have the same problem or any ideas what to do??
 
Thanks

#1623 of 1707 Windshield Wiper on 1999 Expedition by norman_classen

Jun 14, 2006 (5:24 pm)

Whenever I turn on my windshield wipers they won't turn on. If I put the wipers on they still keep going as if I had it on the first click. Only way for me to stop the wipers completely is to restart the car. Any ideas??

#1624 of 1707 Thinking about an Expedition... by fordbman

Jun 20, 2006 (7:41 pm)

Well I'm going against the tide away from SUV's here and actually thinking of trading in my Oddessy for an Expedition. We have 2 kids and the Oddessy has served us well but now we're expecting our 3rd and thinking it might be time for a larger vehicle. Plus I live in small town Texas and very often travel off the beaten path. Normally, I shove everyone in my extended cab pickup but it'd be nice to be able to take the family vehicle. I've always liked the clean looks of the Expedition so thats what we're leaning towards.
 
What do you guys think of the current 06 model? Will I have a lot of issues moving from an Oddessy other than the expected size difference?

#1625 of 1707 Re: Thinking about an Expedition... [fordbman] by ahightower

Jun 21, 2006 (5:50 am)

Replying to: fordbman (Jun 20, 2006 7:41 pm)
With three kids I would actually wait for the Expedition EL. Some friends of ours had an '05 Expedition Eddie Bauer, and they really liked it a lot, but when baby #3 came, they realized there wasn't enough room behind the third row for all of their gear. They traded for a Suburban, and are much happier. You'll actually have a lot more usable space behind the third row of your Odyssey than you would an Expedition, because of the deep well for the folding third row seat.
 
Unless of course you want to put all three kids side by side in the middle row and leave the third row folded down, or maybe one kid in the back and half of the third row folded. We have the captain's chairs in the second row of our Yukon XL, and have three kids. We put two kids in the third row, one in the middle and we have the extra seat open for when Grandma tags along, or long trips mom or dad can sit back there and hand out snacks and stuff. Just a thought.
 
If you do think the Expedition will work for you and has plenty of room, I think you'll be pleased with it. I think it has a much nicer interior than the GMs, and if you buy a current version rather than the updated 2007 version coming soon, you'll probably get huge rebates and stuff.
 
Just my two cents.

#1626 of 1707 Re: Thinking about an Expedition... [ahightower] by fordbman

Jun 21, 2006 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: ahightower (Jun 21, 2006 5:50 am)
Thanks for the info. Yea we are kind of concerned about the space but the 3 in the middle row is what we're leaning towards. The middle seat being able to scoot forward is what made us think this would work. That way, mom can still ride shotgun and hand out toys, snacks, etc. Can't do that in the Oddessy. But I haven't test drove it yet and it might not be that simple.
 
The Suburban definetly crossed my mind but like you stated, its hard to ignore the 06 model deals going on at Ford right now. Chevy has already made the switch over to 07 and 06 models are hard to come by. None in my immediate area.

#1627 of 1707 Re: Thinking about an Expedition... [fordbman] by ahightower

Jun 22, 2006 (6:26 am)

Well, there are still quite a few 2006 Suburbans out there. Looks to be a $5K rebate going on now, and you know they would go even lower to clear out their inventory, even if they have to arrange delivery from another dealer far away. I don't know how they handle transfering from another dealer or state, but I gotta believe they would make it happen. Of course there's also the certified used program if you're into that. Maybe go by a dealer and see a used one, just to get a feel for it and decide whether you like the vehicle. Then let them do the leg work and find and get a new one delivered to you. They have those transport trucks rolling all the time. Even carmax will charge only a couple hundred bucks to transfer between states, and that's made free if you actually buy the vehicle.
 
Or go to gmbuypower.com and see what's out there. It'll have you select the dealer nearest you, and if that one has none available, it'll let you see inventory of other dealers near by. I'm in the Dallas area and it was showing inventory as far away as Shreveport, Louisiana. Everything within 250 miles.
 
Just an idea. We and our friends are pretty happy with ours. Expedition is a fine vehicle, but we got hooked on the school bus length!

#1628 of 1707 Re: Thinking about an Expedition... [ahightower] by fordbman

Jun 22, 2006 (8:46 pm)

Replying to: ahightower (Jun 22, 2006 6:26 am)
One more reason we didn't want a suburban, wouldn't fit in the garage. Bought an Expedition and its great. It fits in the garage perfect and there's plenty enough room. With half the 3rd seat down, the long trips with 3 kids will be no problem.

#1629 of 1707 Update: 2 years, 3 months, 37,500 miles on '04 EB by jg88

Jul 06, 2006 (10:46 am)

Decided not to get an extended warranty for the Expy before the std warranty expired since we have had no major problems and very few minor issues. To date, our only problems have been:
 
- Shifter on column had to be adjusted to line up with the indents for park, reverse, drive. It went out of kilter somehow and was easily adjusted back. was done under warrranty.
 
- 2nd row leather seats were cracking a bit. Dealer sent truck to local upholsterer and had the leather sections of the outside 2 seats re-covered. under warranty. Have since been using a leather conditioner on all leather surfaces and it seems to be protecting the skins sections.
 
Other than that, we have been problem/trouble free. Every 5k miles I have the oil changed, wheels rotated. 15 k, also change air filter. Every 30k, all of the above and also all other fluids changed along with gas filter. Have been using oem Ford parts etc.
 
We average about 14 - 15 mpg around our local community, have gotten up to 18 - 20 mpg on trips. Last Christmas we went to Pittsburgh from Houston area for 2 weeks and overall mpg for the trip, including a lot of local, hilly Pgh driving was 18.1 mpg. This is not based on the trip computer -- we measured it for the entire trip based on miles driven divided by gallons used. (The trip computer had it around 18.7.) We also used a 20 cubic foot Yakima car top carrier that is the aerodynamic-shaped type. For those of you like me who have kids, a big dog and can never have enough room for all the items we take, particularly for long family trips, I highly recommend a cartop carrier that has a longitude shape. Where we get dinged mileage-wise the most is around town even though it is as flat as a pancake around here.
 
Also for trips with kids, we've been using a portable dvd player for a while with an 8-9" screen with headphones and slung between the front seats with a "Suspension Theatre" set-up. We can listen to music with the front speakers while the kids watch movies in 2nd row. It's portable, works in any car and is a lot less than a factory unit & has a bigger screen.
 
Still rides nicely, still handles well for a big SUV and is still pretty quiet. More than enough power for us. Have noticed some very minor squeaking in the passenger seat when it is unoccupied.
 
The original Contis are still on it and look to be able to go at least 10k more. Steering is still dead on; have not had it aligned. Other than rotation, no re-balancing. the brakes, other than inspection, have not been touched yet. That includes brake pads.
 
Even though we're in TX and have not used the 4x4 much here, it's great having it when we travel to the Rockies or North in the winter. Off road, while certainly not as nimble as our '96 explorer EB, it is no slouch. It's been on some very snowy logging roads in PA and on some sandy back roads here in TX. The only thing I haul is a bike rack that holds up to 4 mtn bikes for trail riding NE of Houston in the Nat'l Forests and State Parks.
 
The seats, cooled for TX and heated for winter climes still work fine and are appreciated. Did not get the power-fold 3rd row -- our is manual and has been very easy to configure between passenger room and cargo carrying. I did have black Lincloln Navigator mirrors installed since they have the ability power fold and it makes it much easier to get into the narrow garage openings. The local dealer installed them for us along with a swtich on the lower left side of the dash.
 
Paint is still in good shape as is the lower cladding. We use Meguier's Classic Gold wax on both the metal and cladding every 5-6 months. Have not seen a need to polish the metal yet. The grey running boards are not pristine, they have a bit of wear, but the worst marks can be cleaned up. Also, brake dust has not been a problem for us -- yes, there is a little build-up but wonder if the '04 discs are different than the '03.
 
We now have 3 drivers on the truck, my son has been using it for 8 months and hasn't hurt it too badly. Also, we added an '02 Acura RSX/S w/6 sp as a 3rd car in the last month so my son hasn't driven the truck much since. Since I have a company car that only my wife and I are permitted to drive under company insurance, we really needed a 3rd ride to keep things sane in the household. Figure I just took about 8-10k per year off the truck and off-loaded onto a more economical, fun little ride.

Messages Page 163 of 171

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