Expedition or Sequoia? (or GMC) Advice?

[ExplorerTom]

A first gen Expedition is based in the F-150: the single most popular vehicle in the world. You wanna talk about parts availability?

The 2v 5.4l motors spark plug job isn't that bad. Yes space is tight. Yes you need to loosen the fuel rail to get to the rear plugs. But now that I've done the job once, I could do it again in 2-3 hours.

I just replaced the intake manifold on mine. It's plastic and it cracks and leaks coolant externally. Job wasn't too bad either. There are some great YouTube videos done by a Ford tech where he details every step (of this job and lots of others).

My vacuum disconnect for the front axle needs to be replaced. I just pulled the fuse for the summer and drive it around in RWD.

Gas mileage isn't the greatest. I'm averaging 13 since I bought mine in April.

Space is nice. I've taken the family camping 4 times this summer. 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs. If the dogs weren't in the back, I wouldn't need to put stuff on the roof. And we're taking it to FL this winter.

The Toyota tax isn't only on the purchase price. Check with your insurance. They tack in their own.

 

[unplannedbbq]

Disappointed with what I have seen so far locally. Lots of hard soccer-mom miles or cigarette-smoked local sales/contractor 200k+ rides. Almost jumped on a well priced 90k '06 5.4l expedition, but somebody beat me to the sale.
I kind of like the drive & feel of the 1st gen sequoia the best, so I'm getting resigned to a long wait 'til I find the right one.

 

[Montereyman]

I have owned 3 Willys 4WD wagons and 1 truck, a Dodge Powerwagon, Ford full size 4WD SUV and 3/4 ton pickups, 2 Chevy 4WD SUV's, a Suzuki 4WD wagon, and 4 Toyota 4WD pickups. One each of the Toyota pickups I drove for more than 170,000 miles with many offroad miles and in all that time I never had a breakdown or anything other than scheduled maintenance. Having spent a fair amount of time under 4WD vehicles doing service and repairs I could see how the Toyota 4WD vehicles were built for durability and had many little extras to protect components that I have not seen on any other vehicles. The best selling used 4WD vehicles in Central America are the Toyota landcruisers and adds don't even mention the odometer reading as no one cares. They are happy to find a used Landcruiser as they go on forever.

Long answer but my choice of a Toyota over a GM or Ford or Dodge product will be the Toyota though I would be getting a 4Runner (has the same frame and other components as the 4WD trucks) instead of the Sequoia.

 

[Ivan]

ExplorerTom, what year is your Expedition? IIRC, the vacuum disconnect was only on the 1997-1998.5 Expos. The 1999.5 - 2002 is a live axle with the TC's electronic clutch disengaging the front axle, is I understood the diagrams and manuals correctly.

 

[RoyJ]

I would be getting a 4Runner (has the same frame and other components as the 4WD trucks) instead of the Sequoia.

Can't speak for other Gens, but a 4th Gen 4runner is built off a modified LC Parado platform, fully boxed with 9 crossmembers. A very good upgrade over the 3rd Gen's modified Tacoma frame.

The early Tacomas had a lot of good things going for them, but a strong frame was not one...

 

[ZMagic97]

+1 for GMT800 Sub/Tahoe. GM makes arguably the best engine/trans in the domestic market, plus parts are everywhere. Just level it, and get something like Cognito's upgraded steering tie rods, and a locker, you'll be good to go.

I agree with this. I have an 05' 4.3L Silverado work truck 2WD, and a lifted 5.3L 2006 Sierra Z71 4 door on 35's. Chevy has 145,000 miles and the GMC has 126K.

Both have treated me very well. I bought the Chevy with 83K and the GMC with 116K. The only work I've done on the Chevy is seals and brakes. The GMC had a $20 shift solenoid go out and needed some seals.

All in all, I would drive either of my GMT800's around the world without hesitation. Inexpensive, reliable, parts and plentiful, and the A/C system cannot be beat.

I cannot speak about the Expedition or Sequoia as I have not owned either. However, the Chevy has served me great for going to work, Vegas, San Diego, and more for 4 years, and the GMC in the few months I've had it, has been a great family vehicle and excellent at off-road driving and highway cruising.

 

[unplannedbbq]

Back from the dead.

I ended up shelving my full-size search in the fall of 2015, bought an RX hybrid that gets great in town milage & can easily tow our ultralight coleman popup around the south east.

Our family minivan is on its last legs; we're committed to buying a used Expedition or Expedition EL before March.

I know aftermarket is non existent, but we wouldn't be doing anything drastic anyway. Seems to be some decent leveling / 2" lift kits out there.

I'm looking @ 2nd and 3rd gen Expeditions. They made an FX4 package, but they're impossible to find. I'm searching for factory tow + skid plates + ESC.

You can't get the limited slip on the EL.

I've got a buddy w/ lots of experience working on his 5.4 (plus a box of gently used coils & other stock bits that he's upgraded.)

Hard to beat the prices on say, an '05 w/ 80K miles (dirt cheap) or a '10 w/ 120K (reasonable.)

Any opinions, specifically w/ either 2nd or 3rd gen? We're heading out west for a long haul this summer, towing the coleman. AZ, NM and CO.

I've found this on living long term w/ an '08 and I like what Adventure Driven have done (though I would not go that aggressive.)