Ok, I am finding the need to transport people more than stuff of late and have decided to go shopping. My current truck has given me 25K trouble free miles. Only two service calls.

I am not 100% fond of the new F150 SCrew body style but its not horrible. The Expedition is nice too.

I have heard some not so great things about the '04 - uncomfortable seats, thuming noises in the drive shaft

There is something I just don't understand about the 04... Why aren't the door handles painted?
I mean, for $25-30K how difficult would this be?

I would be looking for an 04 (or 05 depending on stock) XLT or FX4 SCrew. If anyone has any insight on the truck, I am all ears. I am more interested in problems people have had with them or things to look out for. I have read all the positive stuff

My dad has an Expedition which he has put 33K miles on in a year without incident - any vehicle that can take that kind of beating is pretty cool. Its like driving a really tall car - I love it. The cost factor is what discourages me on the Expy since it will cost an extra $10K over an FX4....

 

Your current truck is roughly equivalent to the 2001 Expy I had. The new F-150s are a whole new world. They're a much nicer truck. Some have had problems, but I think they're a small minority. I do know that mine has been trouble free after almost a year.

I don't have any experience with the new Expedition. They do have an independent rear suspension that should improve the ride and unsprung weight, along with a nicer, more functional interior than the older ones.

The reason I didn't consider the Expy this time around is what I need to haul. Too often I needed a bed that can be hosed out instead of worrying about messing up the carpet. I had a liner in my Expy (removed the rear seats), but that was just making do.

I don't know that you'll find a huge difference in price, reliability or competence between the two. If you need to be able to haul 5 people and some messy stuff, I'd get the F-150. If you want more interior space and don't carry stuff that belongs in a truck, I'd take a good hard look at the Expy.

 

I have 6 K miles on mine and I have no complaints.. smooth as glass at all speeds.... good luck GG

 

I pondered the same thoughts. But if I haul lawnmowers or gas cans for my snowmobile, I didn't want the smell inside. It was the perfect solution. Also insurance was more I believe for an SUV also.....

 

I love my truck. In my family there are 8 ford trucks, 4 Expeditions, 3 Explorers and lots of cars. All my sisters love their Expeditions, but they have kids I don't. I think if I did need to transport more people I'd keep the truck. Mileage better with truck and you can haul the occassional lawn mower, engine, smelly things, etc...

 

The more I think about it, I should have went with the Expedition. I get more calls from the family to haul stuff. LOL...

 

fordman, that is indeed a problem. Oh so-n-so has a truck we will call him for all our moving needs. Ive only had my truck a month and ive moved a desk, entertainment center and various other household items none of which were mine. All from people that own SUV's and vans instead of trucks. Its like they were storing up for when i bought it.

PW, if you have reliable truck buddy go with the SUV, otherwise you will be calling someone up when u need to move something large/dirty/etc and i guarantee it will happen. It always does.

Besides, the truck looks much better than an expy any day of the week and twice on sunday.

Dan