Ford Expedition?

[photogadam]

This is my first post btw, but I've been reading for quite sometime. And I've done searches, but it sure is hard to find threads on Ford Expeditions on on expedition forum, so maybe you guys and gals can help.

I'm thinking of building an expedition vehicle out of a Ford Expedition. I want to be able to live out of it as well(at least for a month or two at a time). It will probably be outfitted similar to Mikey's Sprinter, but suited for one person. Does anyone know of any similar sized vehicles outfitted in this manner? Most of the vehicles I see either have some type of a pop top, roof tent, or trailer.

And if anyone has one, I have a few requests for measurements too.

The main purpose for this vehicle would be for photography. Thanks.

 

[Mike S]

I have a Ford Expedition. Pretty durable truck (it's really an F150). Has 185,000 miles on it from when I bought it new.

Downstrokes - Heavy, has IFS, and soft springs in stock trim. Actually, mine has air suspension, which is still performing well. I have used it off road, but it is limited in capability due to the low clearance, weight and automatic transmission. It has provided reliable over the road transportation and it pretty good for towing. I get 16-17 MPG on the highway.

 

[photogadam]

Would you mind taking some measurements for me sometime?

I would like the dimensions of the cargo area including the space where the rear seats are. Height, width, length of the entire area.

Height where the second row seats are (if different), and the area of which the height is different.

And finally the size and position of the wheel wells (just the basic height, width, length at the largest spot).

 

[02TahoeMD]

Here is a sweet 99 Expedition here on the Portal. This is the body style of Expedition that I would recommend for any serious overlanding, as the SUV was still more closely related to a truck then. I rented one of these myself on a trip out West around 2000 and really enjoyed it.

I currently have a 2005 Expedition as my work truck, and this version of the Exped has more in common with a car ( IMHO ) than a truck. Not worthy of being used for overlanding in its current setup, would definitely need a lift and other goodies done to it. Stupid plastic bumpers, and very, very low clearance with the running boards. It is fairly comfortable, but not super reliable. Our trucks run pretty much 8 to 10 hours a shift, non stop, and we have been burning out coil packs like they are going out of style. I only have 66K on it and I think we have replaced 6 coil packs already. AND the transmission already had a complete flush and filter replace around 40K to address some isssues.

 

[photogadam]

I'm not planning on doing anything to wild with it. My father has a 1999 F-150. That would be perfect with a camper shell on the back, but I think I would really like being able to pass through to the back without going outside when the weather is really rough. That is how I came up with the Ford Expedition. Maybe someone knows of a good solution for a pass through, or another vehicle that would be better?

 

[photogadam]

The biggest thing for me is being able to sleep inside without a pop top or a roof tent btw.

 

[02TahoeMD]

If you dont have any extreme intentions, the Expedition should do fine. You may have to build a sleeping platform inside of it since the floor in back is not perfectly level. But, I do not have the third row of seats so maybe they fold flat along with the middle row to make a sleeping surface? Dunno, none of the Expeditions we have in our fleet have the third row of seats and the back cargo area all is shaped weird. TONS of space, just not flat.

Also, I would remove the running boards to improve ground clearance even if you dont intend to do anything intense with it. Makes a big difference.

 

[rdb4Runner]

Maybe someone knows of a good solution for a pass through, or another vehicle that would be better?

A Toyota

 

[photogadam]

I was planning on:

Removing the running boards, dual alternators for batteries(maybe), winch on front, maybe a small lift.

Couch/bed on the left back side with a cassette toilet that slides out on a drawer in front of the wheel well and a grill that slides out on a drawer when you open the hatch on the back.

Fridge, small sink, hot plate or toaster oven, and storage on the back right side and over the wheel well.

Several batteries, fresh water tank and storage behind the front passenger seat.

Back left door open for entrance to the back with a roll up shade on the outside.

The back hatch will open up and have a tent that folds out to the ground(maybe), and this will be the grilling area with the slide out grill.

Spare tire, jerry cans and small propane tank on a swing out arm on the back. Propane tank will end up next to the grill when it slides out.

Spare tire area underneath will have a gray water tank.

Roof will be extra storage.

Edit: Also a small shower area behind the driver's seat similar to Mikey's Sprinter.

 

[photogadam]

I was looking at an 80's series first, but I don't think it is going to be large enough to live out of without a pop top or roof tent.

 

[fowldarr]

I could have lived out of my 80, though there is not as much sleeping room as my 60 (because of the way the 2nd seat folds), but if you built a platform/couch, it would be a non-issue.

Might want to look at the sportsmobiles for what you're talking about. They come set up for it.

 

[photogadam]

I can't quite spring for a smb, but I have looked into them. I won't be able to afford a vehicle to get started with until sometime next year (2 Canon 1Dmk4 cameras come first), much less all the parts I need to outfit it. I can do all the labor myself though.

 

[UHAULER]

Why not look for a used 4wd van, even without a pop top it will have more room than an expedition.

 

[photogadam]

Where can I find one at? And what are the prices like?

 

[Spur]

I had the same thoughts and requirements for a vehicle. I love Toyotas, but I wanted enough space to sleep inside without a RTT or trailer, etc. That's why I decided to go the Suburban route. The main downside is weight and size. It's going to be a beast. I could see myself owning a smaller vehicle at some point, but for now the Suburban fits my needs.

I looked for some used 4x4 vans. Every once in a while a cheap one will show up on craigslist or ebay. I think that would be a good option to look into. I saw an old Quigley sell for $3000. Granted, it needed a lot of work, but still. That's darn cheap. There are a couple for sale on ebay right now. One is a buy it now for 15k. Just do a search on ebay motors for "4x4 van" and see what you come up with.

Personally, I've never been that impressed with the Expedition. Ford makes some good stuff, but the Expedition isn't one of them IMHO. I've had a couple friends who owned them and they were both lemons. Not saying that means much. Anecdotal evidence is just that, but I think there are better full-sized SUVs out there.

Another option would be to have a camper shell on a truck with a sliding rear window. It's not as graceful of a pass-through as an SUV, but it will get the job done when it's nasty outside. You have a lot more options in terms of great trucks with that.

Just my .02