New to me Ford Expedition

[laylow]

I just bought my mom's 2000 Ford Expedition XLT with the 5.4 V8. It's in excellent shape, 124,000 miles. Got it for the family deal of a cool thousand bucks.
Unfortunately is it indeed 2wd, but I don't plan to do any serious offroading. I'm currently looking for good instructions on how to install my Kenwood TM-281a VHF radio, a SSB CB radio, and two roof mount antennas. It's got the very large center console option, so the radios can't go under the dash.
The plan for this truck is to be a very mild offroad vehicle for camping and general exploring. Fire roads, easy trails, etc. It's recently had new pads, calipers, and rotors front and rear, new tires, intake manifold gaskets, and a radiator done on it. Should be good for quite some time. Pictures coming soon.

Any thoughts from other Expedition owners would be much appreciated.

 

[laylow]

And there it is. Thinking about losing the running boards for some more clearance, and cause I think they look silly.

 

[Madmaxwell87]

Coil spacers all around(unless you have air bags, then just leave it alone), new bilstein 5100s, loose the street wheels and get some 16x8 and 285/75/16 AT's, limited slip in the rear and some sliders/tube steps for protection and go for it. That's basically the SUV version of my truck that I've done a good amount of research and work on (as well as looking into getting a expedition myself) so feel free to ask more specific questions.

 

[laylow]

Unfortunately I do have the airbags. Where'd you get your limited slip? Any experience installing ham or CB radios?

 

[Madmaxwell87]

There is a kit to convert them to normal coil springs but other than that your stuck with them. As for the limited slip I don't have one but the Detroit tru-trac is supposed to be good for up to 33" tires but most aftermarket limited slips work well for mild use. I'd start with 4wheelparts or randy's ring and pinion to see what's out there. Also read up on clutch vs gear style limited slips- factory are clutch style, aftermarket there are some of both, the tru trac is gear style. For a cb I had a cheap one in my truck with a rooftop magnet mount and then dual firesticks but it used the cigarette lighter plug to get power so it never worked well. My next vehicle will have a true, professional installation. Also check out expeditionforum.com, entire site dedicated to expeditions.