While I enjoy my Expedition I just love driving a truck. I bought the Expedition back when we needed a big 3 row SUV to move the family and their strollers and the like around as my wife’s Highlander did not cut it.
I had hoped to build the Expedition for some decent off-roading and overlanding. Being that almost nothing is made specifically for the Expedition I have had to piece together stuff that fits from the F150. While it works kind of I have just not been happy with it.

Now my wife has the Suburban we rarely (as in pretty much never) take the Expedition as a family and the Suburban will certainly be our travel vehicle over a lifted truck.
I do have a 2000 Silverado I got from my grandfather but with 3 in car seats/boosters the rear bench with no center shoulder belt does not allow for the whole crew to jump in and go. Plus he is coming back from Florida for awhile and I have done a ton of work to the truck and have it driving like new would like for him to enjoy it so I’ll have granny drive him around in it.

We have the Suburban the Expedition can be dumped for an F150. All the parts I have will swap onto the F150. I am getting the V8 so a hidden winch will reside behind the factory bumper. No more need for costly custom winch mounts, or rock sliders.
Plus when the boys want to go ride bikes somewhere besides around the house I just put them in the bed instead of spending 30 minutes setting up and loading the bike rack.
Fishing poles work much better in the bed of the truck as well.

So now the search is on. I hate vehicle shopping.

2015+ F-150, Crew Cab, 5.0 V8, 4x4 with rear locker, backup camera, between 50-60k miles, around 25k is all I need.
Color is not a huge deal I’d like to find one in that dark emerald green like color. I will not be buying a sports car red one, the ruby maroonish is not too bad, black or white will have to be a killer deal for me to buy but not a deal killer.

These setup seems to be pretty Prevalent though it seems there are a lot more Ecoboosts out there.

Will be a nice little setup.
Fox 2.0 Coilovers w/ BDS Upper Control Arms (Already have)
Fox 2.0 rear shocks (trying to determine if Raptor rear shocks will work the take offs are pretty
cheap).
33” Falken Wildpeak Tires
RCI Off-road Skid Plates (already have)
Rock Slider Steps (not sure whose yet)
Hidden Winch Plate with Badland 12k Apex winch

Should be good to go.

Anyone know if I can use a Group 65 battery in place of a 94R battery.
I just put a really good battery in the Expedition I would like to swap to the F150. Or I may look to do a dual battery setup.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Black92LX,

quote:

So now the search is on. I hate vehicle shopping.

For someone who hates it so much, you sure do a lot of it !

I think your reasoning is pretty sound, and the F150 makes a lot of sense since you can re-use the parts off of your Expedition. From your posts in the past, I know there's no way you're leaving it stock, so you might as well get your money out of those parts .

As someone in a similar situation to you (I have 4 kids, two still in boosters), I will say think long and hard before you walk away from that SUV. We currently have an 03 Suburban (which still runs like a top with over 380k on it!) and an 01 Silverado 2500HD, and the only reason I haven't replaced the truck with another bigger, badder Suburban is because it's paid for and it's dependable.

Don't get me wrong...I love my truck, but it's so much easier to haul a family (and all their associated crap) in the SUV, and aside from hauling loads of dirt and gravel (which I do do on occasion), there's really nothing the SUV can't do that my truck can. If the truck ever dies, I'm going to be looking for a clean 2500 Suburban of similar vintage, and a trailer. Or maybe I'll some day be able to talk the wife into letting me have all three .

I would go 2016 & up to avoid Sync2. Sync3 is much better IMO.

Have a similar set up on my 2013. Went with ICON Uca's but the Fox shocks have been excellent.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

So now the search is on. I hate vehicle shopping.

For someone who hates it so much, you sure do a lot of it !
As someone in a similar situation to you (I have 4 kids, two still in boosters), I will say think long and hard before you walk away from that SUV.

Don't get me wrong...I love my truck, but it's so much easier to haul a family (and all their associated crap) in the SUV, and aside from hauling loads of dirt and gravel (which I do do on occasion), there's really nothing the SUV can't do that my truck can. If the truck ever dies, I'm going to be looking for a clean 2500 Suburban of similar vintage, and a trailer. Or maybe I'll some day be able to talk the wife into letting me have all three .

Wife had the Highlander for 7 years and I have had the Expedition for 3 years now. So not all that much switching out.
Yes, the van before the Expedition was short lived.

As for giving up the SUV if the wife did not have the Suburban it would not be a thought.
I don’t think I have put 1000 miles on the Expedition this year since getting the Suburban.
I have not been off-roading much because I have not been happy with the suspension.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
I would go 2016 & up to avoid Sync2. Sync3 is much better IMO.

Forgot to mention that will all he removed for an Android system.
Though the 16+ has the nicer dash display so I am looking for one but not a must.

quote:

Originally posted by Andyb:
Have a similar set up on my 2013. Went with ICON Uca's but the Fox shocks have been excellent.

I wish I would have sprung for the Delta Joints but I got the BDS for $500 could not justify the extra $350 for the Delta Joint and a Uniball is not good here with all the road salt.

Hind sight what it is the Delta Joint would likely solve my front end unhappiness with the Expedition.

How well does an aftermarket system play with the systems if removing Sync3? I can't say I've seen anyone replace it.

I had the large screen Sync3 with Nav in my XLT & never really had any complaints with it. Android Auto worked well with it.

My company truck has the 5.0 V8 and it's a slug. It's a 2014 SuperCab 4x4. I suggest going with the bigger V8, or the Ecoboost option. While on the interstate, it shifts out of 6th with the slightest grade or head wind. It's constantly hunting for a lower gear. While towing, I almost always lock out it's cruising gear just to keep it from shifting incessantly.

My previous company truck was the same year and model, except it was the long wheel base with the bigger V8. It was a beast.

My neighbor bought a 2014 or 2015 F150 new and chose the 5.0 V8 over the 3.5 turbo because it was.... well a V8. He said it was very under powered and got poor MPG to boot. He said he got tired of dealing with it so in 2018 he traded it on a GMC with the largest 6 or 7 liter V8. Says it runs like a V8 should and gets no worse mpg than the Ford 5.0 did.

Just find yourself a Ford Raptor and be done.

I’ll start off by I didn’t read a single reply.

I know you’re a ford guy. So be it. Raptors are what you want, but they aren’t capable and break too easy.

Buy a Tacoma. It’s the damned mustang off-road. Where you can build an affordable 12 second mustang. You can build the equivalent in off-road in a Taco. They’re cheaper than a Ford, FAR MORE capable, and cheap AF to modify.

I get your allegiance to Ford. I was the same with Mercedes. But it’s time to choose function over brand loyalty.

If you want to mod it yourself and lift it, don’t get a Taco pro. Just get the OR version and mod the shit out of it. Or get a budget SR like I did and mod it for ages.

BTW, you being in LE... Whelen powered air horn with PA. Epic for slow traffic control.

Just got out of a ‘16 F-150 5 liter, 4x4 SCREW It has power plenty of power but you must let it rev past 3000 to get at it. It will get great fuel economy too, but you must never get near 3000 rpm.

I had a few things I wanted upgraded. The 5.5’ box was annoying, the 3.31 axles were a bit too high, and I wasn’t a fan of the folding bench seat up front.

I believe you should treat the small fuel as a deal breaker, 36 gallons is great 700 hwy miles was pretty common if you stay <70. I’d certainly look for 3.55 or even 3.70 if you are going to upsize tires 3.31 would be another deal breaker. I haven’t found the 6.5 bed to be any worse to drive honestly Garage however might be a problem. The E locker is nice as well.
The backup assist is a damn gimmick, they provide a huge knob right in front of you. However if you’re going to have any trailer brake needs look to the factory controller it’s very nice.

The ‘17 5 liter And 6 speed are reputed to be the absolute best with ‘16 and ‘15 pretty close. Oil consumption and 10 speed teething pains were a concern in newer trucks. My ‘16 had a recall for block heater, the only shop visit in 95,000 miles. 4 oil analysis reports taken at 10,000 oil changes showed absolutely no concerns about wear or oil breakdown. Coolant leaks at a t fitting are another common issue mine was showing it on -5 and below, the o rings must get hard.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:

Buy a Tacoma.

I wanted (still want) a mid-size truck. Tacoma was at the top of my list. Two different SIGforum members in my area had Tacomas for sale. I tried both of them. Did not even get as far as starting the engine. I just can't fit in one, comfortably.

My legs are so long, 36.5" inseam, that with the seat all the way back my knees are hitting the steering wheel. If there were a traffic incident that required me to act quickly, I would have difficulty getting my foot repositioned to the brake pedal. Same reason that back in the 1960s, when I so wanted a Jaguar, I could not drive it safely -- wound up with a Porsche 356B, which had all the legroom I could ask for.

The salesman at the local Ford dealer knew that I wanted a truck. When I dropped my Edge off for service, he gave me an F150 loaner with power adjustable pedals. The most comfortable driver's seat I have ever experienced. Legroom to spare, more than the Porsches (356B and 911) that I have owned, more than the Mercedes that served me for over half a million miles. I really wanted to buy that truck, until I saw the price.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
How well does an aftermarket system play with the systems if removing Sync3? I can't say I've seen anyone replace it.

I had the large screen Sync3 with Nav in my XLT & never really had any complaints with it. Android Auto worked well with it.

The Sync system is just OK. These Android systems when done right provide a much more superior amount of options.

There are a couple of ways to do it and you can use a PAC system and then use pretty much any aftermarket headunit you want. Buying the proper head unit the only thing you will loose is the Ford Sync capability but with the right head unit you will have voice control.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_...-Metallic-Black.html

Then you can do the all out giant Tesla style screen.
https://www.phoenixautomotivei..._sid=caa8e5edf&_ss=r

I really like this except for the fact it switches your HVAC controls to the digital screen and that to upgrade in the future you have to do the whole thing.

I'll likely do the PAC system and a large Joying unit.
It has the 8 core processor (I have yet to find any of the Tesla models with anything more than 6).
https://www.joyingauto.com/joy...-with-4g-module.html

I have a lesser Joying in my Silverado and have been very happy with it except everytime I get in the truck (after being powered off) I have to cycle my hotspot on my phone on and off for it to find the signal.

Though I believe this is a phone issue and not a headunit issue as the head unit always connects to my home wifi and others without having to cycle it.

These Androids are great for the money but there is a learning curve and a decent amount of setup.
I setup mine on my work bench before installing because I spent about 2 hours doing all the main set up and it is much more comfortable at a bench in a chair than trying to lean over to the center of the truck. Though you will have to do that for some setting that are vehicle specific.

quote:

Originally posted by giz55792:
Just find yourself a Ford Raptor and be done.

Would love to! Just going to need a lot more stimulus for that.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
I’ll start off by I didn’t read a single reply.

I know you’re a ford guy. So be it. Raptors are what you want, but they aren’t capable and break too easy.

Buy a Tacoma. It’s the damned mustang off-road. Where you can build an affordable 12 second mustang. You can build the equivalent in off-road in a Taco. They’re cheaper than a Ford, FAR MORE capable, and cheap AF to modify.

I get your allegiance to Ford. I was the same with Mercedes. But it’s time to choose function over brand loyalty.

If you want to mod it yourself and lift it, don’t get a Taco pro. Just get the OR version and mod the shit out of it. Or get a budget SR like I did and mod it for ages.

BTW, you being in LE... Whelen powered air horn with PA. Epic for slow traffic control.

Hopefully you read my post at least. I had a 2015 Taco as a company truck for awhile and it was a sweet little truck as long as I only had 1 passenger. I have 3 kids in car seats and there is not a chance that is going to happen in a Taco.

That being said if I raise my mileage limit closer to 75-100k miles and drop my year range back to about 2013 which I am alright with there are a good number of Tundras in my price range.

Only rub is I have a little over 2k in parts not including tires. Though they are pretty new I bet I could sell them for $1,700.
Find a rock Warrior that already has decent skid plates and should have off road tires if the kept putting them on.

I could take that $1700 and buy coilovers and rear shocks and be about even.

Upgrade the skid plates when I get some more money. Bigger tires when it needs tires.

I'll have to look into hidden winch options for the Tundra.

Guess I'll get these parts all pulled off and put them up for sale and see if anyone bites. Hopefully the trails will open back up around here soon so maybe someone is itching for a new setup at a bit of a discount.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/...75#listing=263038435

How about this one?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/...17#listing=269960665

PS I have the dark green metallic on my F-350 and get compliments on it all the time.

Edit to add it doesn’t have the V8 but unless you’re towing large do you need one?

The F150 fits larger men and families really well imho. I'm pretty sure I recall that OP is around my height of 6'2". I'm built like a lineman and I can fit front or back and you could easily put 5 of me in the F150. Toyota's are great, left Toyota for my F150 but I'm still happy.

To validate your budget...a little over two years ago, for 35k and around 59k miles I got a completely loaded, certified 2015 Platinum with everything except self-park. It's been awesome for the most part. I could see the suspension and tire upgrades are a good move. I think you'll be hard to find anything more than an XLT in a 2015+ with that low of miles in the low 20K range. At least around here there were not that many when I looked and drove all over town to find something in the Denver metro. I had a price range of ~25-35k and was looking at anything from 2012-2015.

I had a Line-X spray liner and their brand Bakflip cover installed on mine and it really makes the bed super versatile. Though at 5.5 ft it does have some limits.

A couple of minor recalls on the 2015. Nothing that was a real big issue other than the hassle of going in. Love the 3.5L. It is an absolute rocket. Really enjoyable vehicle to drive. As I'm sure you know, an XL/XLT is going to be pretty bare bones. The nav screen in one is like 4" and dinky on those but the Platinum comes with the 8" version. I have had no issues with Sync with my iPhone. I mostly stream Amazon music with it.

Good luck on your search.

PS - Mine is Ruby Red and it looks like kind of candy-apple-ish. I wanted white, red or blue...in that order originally. Glad I got the Ruby Red. It really pops and looks nice cleaned up.

Guard & Blue Jean's were my favorite F150 colors, but neither was available on a Sport (Guard was 2015 only & brought back for 2018 IIRC), so I ended up with Magnetic.

If you want a Ford you want a Ford, it's all good. I will say that the backseat in the crewmax Tundra will leave you room for a couple more kids

After having my Tundra crunched last week I'm in a rental Silverado and the backseat is so small in comparison it's laughable. Fuel mileage absolutely sucks in the Tundra but it's a million mile truck and aftermarket is huge.

The F150 backseat in the SuperCrew is enormous, one of the biggest things I miss on mine.

I traded a 2014 Ford F150 4x4 Platinum SuperCrew with the 3.5 Ecoboost for a 2020 RAM 1500 4x4 Limited CrewCab with 5.7L Hemi. The RAM is a much nicer truck and I like the RAM engine much better than the turbocharged Ford.

Encourage you to check out the new RAM's.

My 1st Choice would certainly be a Tundra but I have $2500 in parts for the F150 that is why it is at the top of the pack.

I have the 3.5L Ecoboost in the Expedition and it is a good motor but I do not love it. I miss the rumble of the V8 and it is impossible to make the Ecoboost sound like anything but a wet fart!

I want a hidden winch which can’t be done on the Ecoboost without swapping to a high mount intercooler which is big money.

Also when it comes down to things breaking adding two turbos to the mix just keeps you open for extra costly repairs.

So I will be getting the 5.0.

I am going to see if I can sell the parts I have for a decent price. If I can I’ll try to swing a Tundra.

As for the Ram I know jack squat about them. There appear to be a decent number of them in my price range with the Hemi but dear lord everyone I can find has the awful dual rear exit exhaust that looks like complete garbage.

Then I came across this NEW EcoDiesel for 20K off sticker.
Yes, a 46k truck for 26k or so they say.

https://www.hbchryslerdodgejee...5f1d9dd0a913d096.htm

So I ask what is wrong with the EcoDiesel these are so cheap????

Yes, I know the Tradesman is the barebones truck. That is EXACTLY what I want.