Got myself a daily driver

Dmpsix · 02-21-2017, 09:44 AM

So I just got myself an 03 Eddie Bauer 5.4 Expedition, pretty sure there's gotta be a few of you here rather familiar with these 5.4's

It's been sitting for at least 2 years and the exterior is in great condition.
Other than tires, spark plugs, oil change, antifreeze, and possible tranny fluid change, what else should I look into replacing / fixing?

I bought this vehicle to be used as a daily driver and sit on the weekends, but I'm not sure how neglected it is, I bought if off some close relatives who really never used it. It has 180k miles roughly and like I said, it's been sitting for 2 years.

I've done a fair amount of research on oil/fuel additives like Seafoam, Marvel Mystery Oil, Lucas, etc. A lot of mixed opinions on it, and it seems to be a case by case kinda thing.

I just want this vehicle to last and run well. I'll do anything recommended to make sure it's running well and would love to hear some opinions on what else I should do.Thanks in advance.

flipstyledsm22 · 02-21-2017, 11:07 AM

I recently purchased a 2004 F-250 from my father-in-law. It too, sat for a long time and it has 170k miles on it. It has the 5.4L V8 motor in it.

First thing I did was change the oil, rear diff oil, topped off the tranny fluid, topped off the coolant fluid with water, and then thoroughly cleaned it inside and out.

You should expect to make some repairs, because it will most certainly have some hidden issues. I had to replace the front brake calipers, front struts, left wheel bearing, the universal joints, both race bearings, new spark plugs & wires, and then put a K&N filter on it... btw, the filter will be a cone one, not flat.

It being an Expedition, it will most likely have some worn out shocks and struts. Also, if it has power seats, the most common issue with them not working is debris built up in the button housing. Just take the button out and clean it really well... trust me, it will save you $$$ because some people will charge you for a new actuator when the old one is still good. Another common problem with Expeditions were the trannies... let's just hope you don't have to fool with yours!

Hope you don't have to do much and get a lot out of it! They are not so good on gas though... I had an 03' back in the days and I was averaging 12 mpg. That was on 22" rims... I know... so ghetto.

Dmpsix · 02-21-2017, 11:23 AM

Awesome, great advice and yup good idea on the shocks and struts, I'll be replacing those as well.

flipstyledsm22 · 02-21-2017, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmpsix

Awesome, great advice and yup good idea on the shocks and struts, I'll be replacing those as well.

Make sure they need to be changed out first. Who knows, they probably didn't have passengers in it all the time. Most SUV's carry more weight that your average truck or car... simply because SUV's are the main go-to vehicle when it comes to family outings and running small errands like picking up 'small' things from the local hardware store (usually guys wish they had brought the truck instead, but somehow were able to stuff everything in the back of the SUV

.

mariojmoe · 02-28-2017, 06:04 PM

Don't let the spark glugs break off into the block lol j/s

crysalis_01 · 03-01-2017, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariojmoe

Don't let the spark glugs break off into the block* lol j/s

*heads

That was a 3v issue. An '03 will have the 2v, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. I spent 6hrs once a changing the plugs on my wife's old '06 F-150, that was with the special extractor tool, what a pain.

Changing th plugs in her '13 with the 3.5EB took like 10min.

BMR Sales · 03-01-2017, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crysalis_01

*heads

That was a 3v issue. An '03 will have the 2v, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. I spent 6hrs once a changing the plugs on my wife's old '06 F-150, that was with the special extractor tool, what a pain.

Changing th plugs in her '13 with the 3.5EB took like 10min.

the 2V had a problem with the Plugs too! They would only go in a couple of threads and would come flying out of the head

BMR Sales · 03-01-2017, 02:16 PM

Another Issue is the Intake Crossover Tube leaking. On the 4.6, Ford did a recall, but did not on the 5.4 even though they were nearly an identical part.

crysalis_01 · 03-01-2017, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMR Sales

the 2V had a problem with the Plugs too! They would only go in a couple of threads and would come flying out of the head

Oh yeah. My brother had a '99 Mustang that shot a plug out of cylinder 7...twice. Heli-coiled it once and scrapped the head after the second time. They didnt add more threads until the '04's I believe. 4 threads. . . genius idea

Not too sure, I've only ever owned 4v modulars.

02-21-2017, 09:44 AM	#1
Dmpsix Drives: Black L99 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,862	Got myself a daily driver So I just got myself an 03 Eddie Bauer 5.4 Expedition, pretty sure there's gotta be a few of you here rather familiar with these 5.4's It's been sitting for at least 2 years and the exterior is in great condition. Other than tires, spark plugs, oil change, antifreeze, and possible tranny fluid change, what else should I look into replacing / fixing? I bought this vehicle to be used as a daily driver and sit on the weekends, but I'm not sure how neglected it is, I bought if off some close relatives who really never used it. It has 180k miles roughly and like I said, it's been sitting for 2 years. I've done a fair amount of research on oil/fuel additives like Seafoam, Marvel Mystery Oil, Lucas, etc. A lot of mixed opinions on it, and it seems to be a case by case kinda thing. I just want this vehicle to last and run well. I'll do anything recommended to make sure it's running well and would love to hear some opinions on what else I should do.Thanks in advance.

02-21-2017, 11:07 AM	#2
flipstyledsm22 Let's go fishing! Drives: a car with 8 cylinders Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 1,129 View My Garage	I recently purchased a 2004 F-250 from my father-in-law. It too, sat for a long time and it has 170k miles on it. It has the 5.4L V8 motor in it. First thing I did was change the oil, rear diff oil, topped off the tranny fluid, topped off the coolant fluid with water, and then thoroughly cleaned it inside and out. You should expect to make some repairs, because it will most certainly have some hidden issues. I had to replace the front brake calipers, front struts, left wheel bearing, the universal joints, both race bearings, new spark plugs & wires, and then put a K&N filter on it... btw, the filter will be a cone one, not flat. It being an Expedition, it will most likely have some worn out shocks and struts. Also, if it has power seats, the most common issue with them not working is debris built up in the button housing. Just take the button out and clean it really well... trust me, it will save you $$$ because some people will charge you for a new actuator when the old one is still good. Another common problem with Expeditions were the trannies... let's just hope you don't have to fool with yours! Hope you don't have to do much and get a lot out of it! They are not so good on gas though... I had an 03' back in the days and I was averaging 12 mpg. That was on 22" rims... I know... so ghetto. __________________ "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before." Mae West 1892-1980

02-21-2017, 11:23 AM	#3
Dmpsix Drives: Black L99 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,862	Awesome, great advice and yup good idea on the shocks and struts, I'll be replacing those as well.

02-28-2017, 06:04 PM	#5
mariojmoe Account Suspended Drives: C7 Z06 manual, 18 Zl1 manual, etc Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Spring Texas Posts: 1,488	Don't let the spark glugs break off into the block lol j/s

03-01-2017, 02:16 PM	#8
BMR Sales Drives: Race Car Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seffner, FL Posts: 6,226	Another Issue is the Intake Crossover Tube leaking. On the 4.6, Ford did a recall, but did not on the 5.4 even though they were nearly an identical part.