My wife saw a 2000 Expy on the side of the road yesterday for sale, and called me up asking if it would be an OK short term tow vehicle for us (~1-2 years). My gut reaction based on what I have read here is to say no way, but now that I have been reading up on them a little I am a bit unsure.My trailer in the sig is less than 6k lbs, and the TW is just under 750 lbs. I spent a good amount of time getting it to tow real well behind the F150 we had. It looks like payload on a 5.4 4x4 3.55 XLT could be as high as 1800 lbs, and a tow capacity ~7k lbs... So we would be well under all ratings. If we stay away from the air suspension would it really be that bad of a TV for local flatland trips of up to 200 miles? I know the 4 speed auto sucks, but that doesn't bother me too much I think.I'd probably replace the tires with Es, and probably new heavier duty shocks. It would be a dedicated TV.Dumb idea, or plausible?

It'd be better than nothing. Really depends on condition etc. If it's in decent condition with regular maintenance so it won't cost you much to run then they are generally decent tow vehicles. It is 14+ years old though so sometimes maintenance for a vehicle that old can cost as much over a year as payments on a newer vehicle. If the costs are the same or less and you own it, then you're not really losing out. That's why I never buy new but once the maintenance costs approach the cost of new payments then it's time to trade up. Judging from your sig I'm guessing that newer isn't in the near future so do what you can afford. Hence, it's better than nothing.

There seems to be no shortage of them around ~$2-3k. We'd probably use it for 3-4 local trips per year, and maybe to haul junk around when we need to. I figure if it lasts 2-3 years without a ton of work then it would probably be more cost effective than a rental truck. It's always a gamble though with such an old vehicle...But then again, it's just a bunch of daydreaming for now.

The 5.4 is a solid engine no doubt. That era of the 5.4 was a little down on HP and TQ compared to today however it will get you there. Here's my thought, if its affordable and passes what you need and mech sound then I would do it. Its no ecoboost but the 5.4 is very relaible and should provide you years of good service. My BIL owned an F150 98 with the 5.4 and pulled all around Fl, and PA with it. He never complained just letting you know.

I had a 2002 Expe, Same engine, 5.4, and 3.55 gear. It was a great TV for our 6000lb+ 27' TT. It did have the air ride. Don't know why that would be a problem. You set the hitch with it off. It towed the TT all over North, and South Carolina. All over the Blue Ridge mountain roads, and the interstate grades as well. The mountain roads are way more steep then the interstates. We never had a problem, and never ran out of power. With the hitch correctly adjusted. It had -O- sway with the 27' TT. Did as well as the 2004 150 with the 145" wheelbase. Both do great. As for the 4 speed. Don't know why that would be a problem either. You would be towing in 3RD gear, right around 2300 RPM at 65 MPH as that year Expe was not designed to tow in OD. Manual will tell you not to. We got 8 to 9 MPG.It is a great TV

It will be fine....Make sure the Ex has at least 3.55 rear axle ratio and a transmission cooler. I towed a 2000 31 ft TT with an Expedition 5.4 AWD with 3.31 and it towed significantly worse than the 3.55 of my 97 F150. For my trailer it was the difference between living in 2nd gear all the time and spending less time in 2nd and more time in 3rd. I'm actually looking of a 97-01 Expedition as a possible replacement to my 2000 town car so I can get another TT. Just watch your axle ratings and use WD with sway control. Thanks!Jeremiah

Gen1 Expy | Good Sam Community

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
Yes, since both of these rigs were government owned they sat outside all of their lives.

One started to have problems and within a few months the other one did also.

Just something to be aware of when looking.
kw_00
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
Yep I still see a lot of them on the road. Had friends that have owened them and have never heard any negativity about them. If it checks out and is sound and for a good price then go for it.
eluwak
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
So this is sounding a bit more plausible than I had originally thought. Guess the DW was right again... One of these days I'll win! :B

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
We had two of them at work. Really nice rigs and towed great.

Then the problems started. Tons and tons and tons of electrical problems.

It was told to me that it was a defect on these rigs. Water would leak into an electrical box and short everything out. The wipers would just come on, heater would do weird things.

We had to survey them both out of service because of these issues. I would pass. Google Expedition electrical problems and you will get days of reading. It's too bad because I really like to drive these rigs.

Thanks for the heads up on that! I'll dig in and see what I can figure out. Based off the link you provided it seemed to be worst when these things were parked a lot, which this one would be.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
We had two of them at work. Really nice rigs and towed great.

Then the problems started. Tons and tons and tons of electrical problems.

It was told to me that it was a defect on these rigs. Water would leak into an electrical box and short everything out. The wipers would just come on, heater would do weird things.

We had to survey them both out of service because of these issues. I would pass. Google Expedition electrical problems and you will get days of reading. It's too bad because I really like to drive these rigs.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
The LT tires will be the biggest single improvement you can do to any 1/2 ton SUV/truck. I say you would be good!
shadows4
Explorer III
Feb 01, 2014
I towed with a 1998 and a 2001 Expy. Both 2wd and 3.31 axle with a 5.4. Towed a 25 ft TT right at 5500 lbs. Like previous posters have said 8-9 miles to the gallon in 3rd gear. Just let it rev, sit back and go. The 5.4 will pull your TT just fine. If possible do get one with the 3.73, it will pull better yet.
We currently have a 2004 Expy with 245,000 miles on it. Runs great. Just have the truck looked over well, change all fluids and anything else you feel needs attention. The Expedition is an awesome vehicle. IMHO.
Happy camping, John
rjstractor
Nomad
Feb 01, 2014
You may have checked already, but make sure it is a 5.4 and not a 4.6! A while ago I towed a little 21 foot ultralite with the 4.6 Expy and it didn't tow it any better than our previous V6 Aerostar and only got 8-9 mpg towing!
jerem0621
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
It will be fine....

Make sure the Ex has at least 3.55 rear axle ratio and a transmission cooler.

I towed a 2000 31 ft TT with an Expedition 5.4 AWD with 3.31 and it towed significantly worse than the 3.55 of my 97 F150. For my trailer it was the difference between living in 2nd gear all the time and spending less time in 2nd and more time in 3rd.

I'm actually looking of a 97-01 Expedition as a possible replacement to my 2000 town car so I can get another TT.

Just watch your axle ratings and use WD with sway control.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Terryallan
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
I had a 2002 Expe, Same engine, 5.4, and 3.55 gear. It was a great TV for our 6000lb+ 27' TT. It did have the air ride. Don't know why that would be a problem. You set the hitch with it off.

It towed the TT all over North, and South Carolina. All over the Blue Ridge mountain roads, and the interstate grades as well. The mountain roads are way more steep then the interstates. We never had a problem, and never ran out of power.

With the hitch correctly adjusted. It had -O- sway with the 27' TT. Did as well as the 2004 150 with the 145" wheelbase. Both do great.

As for the 4 speed. Don't know why that would be a problem either. You would be towing in 3RD gear, right around 2300 RPM at 65 MPH as that year Expe was not designed to tow in OD. Manual will tell you not to. We got 8 to 9 MPG.

It is a great TV
kw_00
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
The 5.4 is a solid engine no doubt. That era of the 5.4 was a little down on HP and TQ compared to today however it will get you there. Here's my thought, if its affordable and passes what you need and mech sound then I would do it. Its no ecoboost but the 5.4 is very relaible and should provide you years of good service. My BIL owned an F150 98 with the 5.4 and pulled all around Fl, and PA with it. He never complained just letting you know.