I am considering buying another Expy. I owned a 97 which I ordered and bought new when they first came out. I got the 2nd one they had on the lot. I traded a 94 twin turbo Supra for it. My Expy was a 97 Black 4x4 4.6L. Here is a Pic...



I only kept the truck for two years and it had 36k miles on it when I traded it for a 99 Cobra when they first came out. Here is a pic of that...



The Expy I'm looking at is a 98 Wedgewood Blue EB w/ 68k miles, same wheels my first one had, overhead air, and third row seat. Naturally it has the 5.4 engine.

Question is, since my ownership experience with these vehicles was short and my truck had a different engine, are their any obvious problems/recuring issues that I should be aware of with the 97/98 EB Expeditions?

Thanks Guys!

Steve.

 

Between a '97 and '98 I wouldn't even give the '97 a 2nd look. '98 had too many improvments incuding the most popular, the PI heads.

2000 came with even more improvements.

 

I went with the 98. I found why the original owner traded it in. The 4x4 doesn't work. Everything from inside the truck indicates it is working properly, but when you get it in the slippery stuff the front wheels don't pull. I'm stumped. I can't imagine what would keep it from engaging when everything else seems to be working. Any ideas?

 

The 4wd switch is supposed to activate an electric motor that mechanically shifts the transfer case. The 4wd switch could be bad, the motor could be bad, could be a chafed wire or bad electrical connection...

 

I've never messed with electronically shifted 4x4 units. Wasn't sure how it was engaged, but from what you are saying I think that motor or connection is most likely the culprit. Is that motor on the outside of the transfer case or in the housing?

 

Outside.

 

I thought the PI heads were '99.

 

What is a PI Head???
I know what a head is, but don't know what PI means.

 

Performance Improved, I think. Better flowing, better breathing. The change was somewhere in the '99 model year. The new heads give you about an extra 30 HP (to 260), and some extra torque also(to 350).

 

Do you hear the "clunk" when shifting to 4LO (Neutral,truck not moving )? Motor working if makes clunk noise. My 97 4x4 had the front axel ****er rusted (I see you are in Ohio too, rust belt). It is near the front diff under cover,actuated by black vacuum motor. Once freed up, I lube it once a year or so. Kind of a shaft to lever arm thing, rust can stop it from moving. Mine 1st failed under warrenty. This can/will cause no 4x4 action, even when all else works (you do have a 2hi position right? They eliminated this for 99-? years I think. when 2HI was removed) Hope this helps Mark

I think PI started in 99 hence all the head gasket leaks,etc in 99

 

Just got the call telling me it was the vacuum motor. They are replacing it and I should have it back by lunch tomorrow. The check engine light came on during my trip to the dealership to drop it off and they said that is an O2 sensor that they are also replacing. Glad I had a warranty. In the furture I'll be checking that motor during my fall preventative maint. Thanks for the help guys!

Steve.

PS Ohio weather Sucks!

 

Good guess huh!!! Actually vacuum motor probably OK but they had to sell ya something (oh,warrenty). It just doesnt have the "poop" to break thru the rust. I try to got into 4x4 once a month or so to keep free. Spray with med thick oil stuffonce a year.

I just did my passenger side o2, what a bear , no room. These were know to go cause of A/C dripping on top of them .Dealers were given a "fix" (lenghten tube) , but clearance makes installing it a dream...

Other neat rust related stuff to watch out for ,park brakes,horn,hood latch spring,exhaust stud breaks...

Mark

 

Glad to hear that they nailed the problem. Now that the Expy is 100%, you have no reason to keep that Pathfinder.

 

You got that right. It is a decent little truck, but there is no comparison between that old nissan and the EB. I already miss my lightning. Getting rid of it was not something I enjoyed, but the EB is making it much easier to live with the decision. I'm running an ad in AutoTrader today on the pathfinder.

And I will be keeping an eye on that front end from now on.

Steve.

 

Ahhh, ya, you're right. I've been breathing too much black smoke!