I am thinking about buying a 2000 Expy Eddie Bauer 4X4 with 23k miles. I test drove it and the steering seems loose and unresponsive. The tires are in good shape and no signs of wear. Any ideas?

I compared it to a 2001 Expy 4X4 the difference was night and day.

The dealer said would have checked out, but I would like to get your thoughts.

Thanks

 

I'd get it checked out if you want it. Mines not loose at all.

Something to check though. If it has rear load leveling suspension, make sure the suspension isn't turned off. If it is, you'll feel like you're driving a '82 Cadilac with 140psi in the front tires.

 

Hey,
I have a 2000 Expy XLT Sport, 2WD- and that thing's looser than a $3.00, well- I think you know where I was going with that...

My wife's 2001 SuperCrew's ride exceeds my 2000 Expy in every way. It has a tighter feel, to the ride, the bumps and in the steering.

After driving her SuperCrew, she doesn't want to drive my Expy anymore because she feels like it's going to get away from her. (In fact, it will if you hit a puddle of water, and you happen to not be focused as you should be.) Hit the same puddle in the SuperCrew, and you never notice the steering wheel jerk-motion. This happened to me on my 17" Stock Generals, on my 16" Aftermarket Goodyear Eagle GT-II's and now even on my 20" Goodyear Eagle LS's. (LS's are on both trucks, wrapping up some 20" wheels.)

Ford definitely overboosted the steering on the Expy in 2000 form. I couldn't tell the difference going from my 1999 SuperCab to my 2000 Expy. But going from the 2000 Expy to the 2001 Screw was instantly visible. I thought it was just because it was new, but after 17,000 miles on the Screw and 25,000 on the Expy, it still feels tighter and better connected to the road than my Expy.

Right now, I'm renting a 2003 Expy to travel this weekend. I picked it up 3 hours ago- It feels tighter than our SuperCrew.

Once you get used to it, you know not to take it for granted when the weather gets bad- it will bite you in the **** if you do.. Otherwise, I cannot say anything bad about the 2000 Expy.

I still can't get my wife to drive it though. She loves that SuperCrew!

Before anyone asks- I'm renting a 2003 Expy for 2 reasons:

1.) I'm thinking about getting an Expy or a 2003 Navi and this will be a 5-day, 1,500 mile test drive. (I like the Expy already, so the Navi must be light-years ahead of my 2000 Expy, as far as power & ride goes.)

2.) No way am I going to New Orleans in my Expy. Too much thievery going on down there. I know cars get stolen in Dallas, but not like in NO......

 

Make certain you are running factory-recommended tire pressures in an Expy. If the front tires are too high and/or the rears are too low, the steering will feel very light.

P.S. After mid-99, Ford went to a heavier-feeling steering box on Expeditions.