Full size SUV with best off road chops?

[85_Ranger4x4]

My '150 is mechanically the same as a first gen Expy... it has been a dang good truck but they are all getting a little long in the tooth to try to find a nice used one.

185k and rust is slowly winning the fight.

Most F-150's/Expeditions of that era around me are 200k+ and/or rotted out. I have been casually shopping for a 5.0 Explorer and it is the same story so far.

 

[Wilbah]

For me and my family (3 kids and a GSD) a Yukon (SWB not the Yukon XL) was perfect. I would have liked the extra room of the XL (Suburban) but it was my wife's DD and I/we were concerned about the extra size (and rightly so given the rock wall, dumpster et al damage to the rear bumper from her "learning curve" when backing up! Ha).

But it was a great vehicle. Careful with oil changes (Mobil 1) and other than brakes and tires the only repairs I had were fuel pump (which is a pita as it's in the tank), 1 front hub, and an airbag sensor. I had purchased a new serpentine belt and hoses for a trip out west (towed a 24' camper trailer to the 4 corners and back from MA) and finally when I hit 200K I replaced the old belt not bc it broke but I figured I might as well. LOL the original became my new spare.

I put 250K miles on it and the engine was still going strong.

I did have an electrical gremlin with the dash lights on one side. But a minor inconvenience. I never had tranny issues.

The LSD was great and in all that time the only time I got stuck was when i tried to blast through a four foot snowbank left by the plows. Now I didnt do any hardcore 4-wheeling in it but FS trails, logging roads in Maine, muddy places (within reason) were fine. I never had any hub issues so hot sure what you've experienced. I look at LSD this way- w/o it you have 2 wheels guaranteed to "drive" (one each front and back), with LSD/locker you have 3 wheels driving which is a 50% increase. And unless I was going to get a locker for the front end (at significant cost), that was plenty to see me through anything I tried to tackle.

For a family vehicle that more often than not is used to haul kids, gear, etc. I would say absolutely get one. I'm sure the Expedition is similarly good but my experiences with GM has always been good (5 total pickups and SUV's).

The one thing I would look carefully at is when you travel as a family look at what you bring to see if the size of the XL/Suburban makes more sense. Many times I had the roof rack filled plus a trailer hitch cargo rack on the back filled (yes, think Beverly Hillbillies!). The Yukon/Tahoe has very little room behind the third row seat when they're in there which as the kids got older and on longer trips was needed.

Sorry for the long winded response! Good luck.

 

[jonathon]

The question is what’s your budget? Are you looking new or used?

Used there really is only one option and that is a Suburban. Worst case you get a GMT900 that needs lifters, but other than that they are solid. 2010+ have a much stronger transmission. Gen 2 Expeditions are good trucks but their Achilles heel is cam phasers.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Gen 2 Expeditions are good trucks but their Achilles heel is cam phasers.

As a Ford guy the IRS alone would sway me to look at either older or a different breed. For offroading it adds a lot more to go wrong and much of it will never happen to a solid axle truck which is oddly easier to work on. Coil springs/struts, differential seals, 2x as many CV joints, 2x as many craptacular unit wheel bearings (which I hate with a passion)... just ick.

02-10 Explorers are stupid cheap and I am avoiding them for the same reason, I don't want to deal with IRS.

3V 5.4 cam phasers are not something to be trifled with either, you have to go pretty new to get around them though.

 

[86scotty]

I love Chevys (and own one now) but I'd buy a 300k 100 series Cruiser over a 150k Suburban/Tahoe any day. It will need new carpet and front seats upholstered......and gas. That is likely all.

Whatever you do, do NOT buy a 2nd gen. Expedition with that 3 valve 5.4l. It's a steamin' heap.

 

[frankgonzo]

There are a few great Excursion builds out in the wild.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[phsycle]

I love Chevys (and own one now) but I'd buy a 300k 100 series Cruiser over a 150k Suburban/Tahoe any day. It will need new carpet and front seats upholstered......and gas. That is likely all.

In my experience, 100’s have just as many issues. Early ones had front diff implosions. LBJ. Transmission (planetary gears), exhaust manifold. Pretty craptastic mpg, mediocre power (mine would struggle towing a 3k trailer), and others I’m not thinking of.

Either would be fine as long as the prior owner took care of the truck. But mileage is mileage. Twice the mileage is a lot of wear and tear.

 

[XJLI]

LC100s are amazing, but parts are a lot more expensive than domestic stuff. The interior of my truck looks like it has a lot less miles than the 100s I see for sale with 200k for $15k.

 

[86scotty]

In my experience, 100’s have just as many issues. Early ones had front diff implosions. LBJ. Transmission (planetary gears), exhaust manifold. Pretty craptastic mpg, mediocre power (mine would struggle towing a 3k trailer), and others I’m not thinking of.

Either would be fine as long as the prior owner took care of the truck. But mileage is mileage. Twice the mileage is a lot of wear and tear.

Good point on towing. For towing I would definitely go domestic and specifically Suburban, unless you want the bigger Excursion. In that case, v10 for sure.

I was not really considering towing since I don't tow campers/trailers much anymore and didn't with my LC100 either.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Good point on towing. For towing I would definitely go domestic and specifically Suburban, unless you want the bigger Excursion. In that case, v10 for sure.

I was not really considering towing since I don't tow campers/trailers much anymore and didn't with my LC100 either.

They put Powerstrokes in the Excursion too, for towing that would probably be better than a V10.

They are of the age of diesel that are now coveted and command a terrible premium however.

 

[docwatson]

My inclination is that all of these road barges are going to be pretty close in what type of terrain they can tackle, but I've never pushed one to it's limits

That's my inclination as well among current new models. I do think any of the solid axle ones will likely have more options should you choose to add a LSD/locker. I am not sure if the Ford 9.75" IRS and live have identical carriers though.

I will say anytime I've noticed a 2nd Gen Sequoia towing the rear end squat seems severe. Could be a case of incompetent owners or a soft rear suspension. Just an observation.

I would agree, since I am biased, with @Todd n Natalie on looking at the new Patrol/Armada. Lightly used ones can be had for a steal. and @leeleatherwood seems to be doing just fine off road with his.

 

[tacollie]

Isn't the 2nd gen Sequoia IRS?

 

[calicamper]

That's my inclination as well among current new models. I do think any of the solid axle ones will likely have more options should you choose to add a LSD/locker. I am not sure if the Ford 9.75" IRS and live have identical carriers though.

I will say anytime I've noticed a 2nd Gen Sequoia towing the rear end squat seems severe. Could be a case of incompetent owners or a soft rear suspension. Just an observation.

I would agree, since I am biased, with @Todd n Natalie on looking at the new Patrol/Armada. Lightly used ones can be had for a steal. and @leeleatherwood seems to be doing just fine off road with his.

The Armadas are crazy cheap thats for sure. The V8 is solid and the old AT is decent. For the cheap pricing its a good value. They aren’t as roomy regarding length compared to the others.

 

[86scotty]

They put Powerstrokes in the Excursion too, for towing that would probably be better than a V10.

They are of the age of diesel that are now coveted and command a terrible premium however.

Of course, but I didn't mention them because the 7.3s are hard to find and way overpriced and the 6.0's are junk. I'm a V10 fan. I've had them in many vehicles. If I were buying a Ford to tow anything I'd definitely get a V10. They run forever. Excursions V10's are low hanging fruit too. Probably easier to find than a 5.4l Excursion.

Anyway, back to the thread....

 

[rayra]

I see mutually exclusive criteria. You aren't doing any rough offroading with 6-7k lbs in tow.

I'd recommend a 3/4 ton GMT800 for that sort of towing. I've done plenty of lighter towing in our 1500 series GMT-400 and -800 Tahoes and my '02 Suburban. IT's doing pretty damned good. But I'm aged out of doing any 'rough' offroading. Mine's a 'cruising wessel'. Worst it gets dealt is washboarded high desert trails.