New vehicle for playing. Looking for input about my possibilities.

[socal4x]

Let me start off by saying this is my first post after reading many, many posts throughout the forum. Nice forum, it appears that the people hear actually use their vehicles and have some great experience.

I have owned the following and am looking for something new and domestic.

Previous vehicles:
1984 Toyota std cab short bed 4x4 (my first vehicle, I loved this thing)
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Rock Crawler 4" Long Arm lift (hindsight, I would have rather cut up/flared the fenders a little more rather than go so high for the "small" tires it afforded me)
1994 Jeep XJ 4" Teraflex Long Arm lift
1998 Ford Expedition 4x4 (stock) Never really used it off road to be clear.

I truly enjoyed all of them and each has its place, but now I have a small family and want to get back on and off the trail with room to spare. Most likely will never go out for weeks at a time but weekends and 3-4 day trips are in my sights. I am considering the following vehicles and want opinions and input good or bad. Please note that I plan on upgrading the suspension, lockers etc as would anyone else that is serious.

Not your typical list but I really would like to remain with a domestic vehicle and clearly I prefer Ford.

Ford Explorer
Ford Expedition
Ford Excursion (Diesel of course)
F250/350 extra cab short bed (not crew cab, I already have one for work and it's too long and turning radius just doesn't exist)

Here is my take on the three options to get things started. I haven't even begun breaking them down into their various model years but figure you might have some input into that issue as well.

Explorer, a little small and not certain of the suspension without a solid axle swap. V8 is plenty of power.
Expedition, good size but not the best departure angle and again with the question of front drivetrain strength, solid axle swap?
Excursion, great power, but too big? I did read a lot about the white and red Excursion previously owned by AZJP and like what he had set up. I remember days on tight switch backs and loving the Jeeps and the tiny Toyota of yesteryear and haven't driven an Excursion to see what it's like but am assuming at this point it's probably close to my f250.
F250/350, probably too small interior for a growing kid, but it seams like it might be a good option to consider "Turtle Expedition" style.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Alaskan1Ton]

I would say the vehicle that will yield you the most power and TONS of room for gear, passengers and a big comfy place to sleep would be the Excursion, but with this truck you will weigh ALOT and you better have a winch on front. Also with bigger/longer vehicles you will need to go with bigger tires to help with your departure/breakover/approach angles. You dont want a truck thats hung up all the time. If you dont need alot of room go for the Explorer, that V8 is a good motor for that smaller vehicle. Shy away from the expedition...........I just hate those damn things. If you go for a pickup then go for a F350 for the straight axle dana 60, you dont want the TTB front suspension set up on the 80-96 F150's/F250's. Just my opinions.

 

[Rovertrader]

Just looking at your previous 4 vehicles, and the comments on the existing CC you have, I would be concerned you will be disappointed with the 'big' rigs. I had an Excursion, and it is a great long distance traveler with a family- tons of room, comfort, etc. But the '04 and earlier 250/350s suffer in the turning department. '05 and later are much better as the coil front susp allowed a fix for turning radius. The Exc never got the coils.
I have spent many years trying to find that 'perfect' vehicle, and it eludes me. Budget is a biggie to determine first, but the second real world consideration needs to be family comfort IF you have plans on doing said trips as a family. If you can keep the wife and kids happy, aka comfortable, and they in turn enjoy the same pursuits you do, then you will all be going much more often. It is better to compromise a bit on the extreme end of your desire vehicle wise, to accommodate their wants. After the budget and real evaluation of use is determined, buy and build accordingly. Don't over build- save the $$, and use said savings to get out and enjoy the world...

 

[Buliwyf]

2005-2008 F350/250 XL 4x4, ExCab, shortbed. (as long as it isn't diesel)

The XL's have a nice bench seat that seats 3 adults, and two kids fit in the back fine, maybe an adult in a pinch (center back). I grew up in the back of an'86 F250 ExCab.

Sure the XL's are spartan, but they are cheap to buy because everyone is after XLT's and Lariat's. The seats are easy to replace, if the foam is good a Wet Okole cover is a nice touch and a bit cheaper. The rubber floor is easy to replace with carpet. I prefer the crank windows and manual locks. Crank windows don't get stuck in the winter as often, and if they get really frozen you can feel it in the crank. Manual locks don't lock you out as often. Less to break and go wrong, and it reminds me of the old school trucks I love.

 

[socal4x]

Alaskan1Ton,

Thanks for the input. A freind of mine has an Exc and I plan on taking it out to see if I like it. As for the Exp, I really liked it when I had one but never got it dirty and am somewhat concerned with IFS strength. Explorer's are still in the running and now I will have to do some more reading as in all honesty I threw it out there but haven't really started doing my homework. I love the input about the F250/350 axle suggestions, this is why I am here researching as I would never have known that, thanks.

 

[socal4x]

Rovertrader
Thanks for the input. Great input on the F250/350 coils. I too have been searching for the perfect vehicle and so far haven't found it but I really like your take on the more important side of this and that is the family. My daughter is young and adventurous but the wife is clearly more concerned about the comfort and the feeling of "safety". This has thrown a little monkey wrench into my decision but well deserved. Great advice.

 

[socal4x]

Buliwyf,

Thanks for the input. 05-08 but no diesel, can you expand on that? I have owned an F150 XL and found it's lack of fluff refreshing, but I still love power windows. Saving money on the XL would be great too. If not the Diesel, what motor would you recommend (not sure what the options would be anyway)?

Side note, I had an 03 Mach 1 with Vortech, nearly killed myself while wife was pregnant and put it up for sale the next day. Miss it though.

 

[Alaskan1Ton]

f150's will have a few different motor options. 80-96 will have 300 straight six(great motor) 302 V8, 351 V8 and a 460 big block. After those years you'll get into the "modular" engines like the 4.6 V8, 5.4 V8, the F250/F350/Excursions will have the 5.4 V8 or the V10 motor options and of course the Diesels. I drove a 09 F250 that had the 5.4 and it was OK I guess, I would take the V10 over it honestly for a truck that heavy. DONT get the 4.6 in a truck, get atleast a 5.4 Triton motor. look out for 99-02 Ford V8's and V10 as there was an infamous problem of spark plugs actually blowing out of the blocks LOL.

 

[RangeBrover]

If it was me I'd be looking for an excursion with a 7.3 power stroke. My neighbor has one and we took it hunting last year, ended up sleeping in the rig and there was plenty of space to spare. He hauls 3 kids and a 24 ft boat regularly and takes it pretty much everywhere. It is big though so it will limit the trails you can run. I've never been a fan of the exploder. Any reason you're not considering an f150? Do you tow often?

 

[78Bronco]

I have an 2004 Expedition and it has everything we need for now. At first I was hesitant about the IFS/IRS suspension but after driving a couple 2001's the newer Expedition was far superior in every way. I found an Eddie Baurer loaded, 5.4L, 4x4, 7300 GVW, Advance Trac, Leather, Full A/C...etc...for $15,800 after tax. 55,000 miles, brand new tires, seats 8 adults. Turning radius is vastly tighter than my 2010 F150 CC Shortbox. You can lift it and fit 35-37" tires and outfit the rear diff (9.75" ring gear) with an ARB. These trucks have a great safety rating.

The best thing to do is get out there and drive a few.

You shouldn't rule out the F150 either in the crew cab variant. Mine has a very roomy interior, good mpg, can tow 10k.

Good luck

 

[Alaskan1Ton]

my .02 cents....dont go with a half ton. Get a 3/4 ton atleast........frame strength, load carrying capacity, Axle strength, steering components..........All of these are stronger on a 3/4 ton and up truck which I believe adds to the trucks longevity and ability.

 

[Alaskan1Ton]

The older explorers with the 4.0 motors are pretty tough SOB's, I have heard of this also.

 

[Buliwyf]

Buliwyf,

Thanks for the input. 05-08 but no diesel, can you expand on that? I have owned an F150 XL and found it's lack of fluff refreshing, but I still love power windows. Saving money on the XL would be great too. If not the Diesel, what motor would you recommend (not sure what the options would be anyway)?

Side note, I had an 03 Mach 1 with Vortech, nearly killed myself while wife was pregnant and put it up for sale the next day. Miss it though.

5.4 and 6.8's are great in the later trucks. The 6.0 diesel is fairly unreliable. 6.8L 2 valve engines rule and are the most reliable of the modular bunch. The 3 valve per cylinder 5.4 engines are sometimes fragile. (Oil pressure, cam phasers) I don't think that the 3v 6.8L had cam phasers. Ford only puts the 2 valve modular engines in the 2011 vans. Vans tend to get beat on and abused more, and the older 2v design is more reliable and cheaper. But not more powerful.

You can expect to pay 7.3L diesel precies for the 6.8L gas trucks. The 2v 6.8L V10 is that good.

The Floor shifting manual transfer case and manual hubs are a nice touch. I don't like the electric shift trasfer case. But if you know how to acctuate the electric shifter under the truck in case it fails, then I have no problem with it. Shifting into 4lo isn't allways easy. I make a habit of shifting the transfer case as often as I can to keep it free'd up.

I just bought a 5.4L truck after talking it down due to a blown engine. About $5000-6500 installed, if you do all the bells and whistles, and use good parts.

 

[DoMiNiC1]

excursion with a 7.3 power stroke


^THIS^

 

[socal4x]

Thanks for the input on the Exploder gbail. I know a few people with them but none use it for off road excursions but reliability seems very strong.

RangeBrover, you know I was kind of stuck on the diesel offered in the 250/350 and didn't even consider the F150 for that reason. I do tow but not too often and am trying to limit that anyway. I had an 04 F150 and loved it for on-road but never really got it dirty. You may have opened my eyes to a great option.