My father has got a 98 expedition that is basically identical to mine, as much as can be anyway considering the upgrades from 98 to 2000. Both trucks are 2WD, have the 5.4, rear load leveling, and 3.55 rear end. Here is my question/delima: I have been driving the 98 expe alot the last week and have noticed a very siginificant difference in its handling compaired to my 2000. The 98 obviously steers differently (they have different steering boxes i believe) but over all the 98 seems ALOT lighter on its feet. It doesnt necessarly accelerate faster, just handles, errrr easier, for lack of a better word. Dont get me wrong, my 2000 drives very good, just seems that you can feel its weight alot more through its handling. After driving my truck, the 98 feels like driving a sports car. My 2000 has 52,000 miles and the 98 has 77,000 miles. We each purchased them new, so we know they have both been driven the same way (very easy and pampered for a truck). And both trucks are stock except I have the gibson exhaust system on mine. The only difference i could think of is my 2000 has 285/60-17 tires while the 98 has 255/60-16. This should not make that much difference as the handling differences appear to be in the suspension and steering. Has anyone that has owned/driven the 97-98 vs. 99+ trucks noticed this, and what are the differences between the trucks? Thanks for any responses.

 

I think you're right about the 97-98's having a different stteering box which made them a lot easier to steer.

 

Well, I have a 2000 XLT Sport as well- and she's VERY light on her feet....

I didn't notice going from my 1999 SCab Flareside to the Expy- But, when we got the 2001 SuperCrew, and I drove it for a few days, and got back into my Expy- she seemed REAL loose.

My wife didn't even want to drive it after driving her SuperCrew. So, if the 97-98's are lighter than the 2000--- I really wouldn't like that...

 

Bighersh,

you just let me know when you want to get rid of those wheels.

 

If the dealership doesn't BS me- I may be selling them soon.

I'm really on the fence now. I'm half-way done paying for my Expy- and I love it still...

I'm concerned because I cheaped out in 2000 and didn't get teh extended warranty. Two of my friends have Expy 4x4's, and both have had tranny problems after the warranty expired. One replaced the tranny ($3,000 plus- I assume the tranny is not a part of the "drive-train" seems like the waranty should have handled that. The other, faced with $3,000 in repair- limped into a local dealership, and got another vehicle.

I inquired about the extended warranty from Ford. ($1,200) That's a down payment on a new truck! I've only wandered into no warranty territory once. And, 1000 miles past the 36,000 limit (1 week shy of my 36th payment) the tranny started slipping. After calling local dealerships and being told to expect to pay $900 - $1,200 to repair the tranny (estimated) I traded it in that day, and got a Nissan Maxima SE!

So, I have a deal set up on an '03 Corvette, an '03 Cobra, an '03 Lightning and on a '03 Expy. I'm playing them all against each other, and whoever gives me the best deal- wins. (Or, I may just keep my truck) I can get X-plan on the Ford's- and Chevy cut 7K off the Vette, putting it under the price of a loaded 2003 EB Expy on X-plan.... they're making it hard to decide... (It's truly a buyers market- and the best time to look, is when you don't NEED another vehicle- and are content to walk away with what you bought.

So Alan- I'll post for you if I get the Vette, Cobra or Expy- because my rims won't fit either. But, if I get the Lightning- they'll bolt right onto it... 5 x 135mm