looking at getting a used Expy soon and need to haul pretty heavy, frequently. i need to haul a 24' enclosed race trailer... total weight to tow somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 lbs... i'm hoping on the low end of that. a lot of folks are telling me it's going to be pushing the limits of the Expy and to go another route. i like the low end torque of the 5.4L and don't want to go as big as an Excursion. i also want an occasional family hauler so the 3rd row seat is a must, and an F250 is out. normally my tow trip is going to be about a 4 mile drive to the local track but occasionally i'll do up to 2 hr trips to other tracks with some fairly mountanous driving. definitely would put a Troyer tune on it and maybe an intake, but that's about it. this won't be a daily driver, just a hauler/tow vehicle. want something used in the 15k-20k $ range. what do y'all think of the Expy route for me? thanks!

i'm liking the 03, 04 Expys after the updated chassis/interior. was the tow rating imprved then also? i think i read these newer models was somewhere close to 8,000 lbs.

 

I towed 4,400 with my 2000 5.4L /w 3.31 gears. It did OK, but not great in the mountains.

Have not yet towed with the 2004 5.4L (3.73 gears). We'll be fine I'm sure, but I think the "usuable" towing capacity will probably be around 6,500 / 7,000 max. I think you'll be right at the limit with your trailer. Do you have hills / mountains where you tow? I think you'd be better off with the Excursion myself.

 

After towing similiar loads with my Expy an F250LD and now a 2500HD, I can tell you your pushing it big time.
My Expy does not like to tow. And I have low gears, Troyer and an intake. With that sized load it's close to unsafe.

 

i am leaning more toward an excursion now or a (close your eyes Ford boys) suburban 2500. didn't want to go that big but it's more capable. thanks.

 

I believe the Navigator had higher tow ratings than the Expedition.
Not the '98 model.
In '99 the DOHC 5.4L was an optional engine in the Lincoln.
Starting in 2000 model year it was the standard engine.

300 hp and 355 torque.

The VIN code for engine in those vehicles would be 'A'.

 

You say your normal tow is only about 4 miles, how often is it that your going to be doing that 2hr trip? I tow my 6500lb boat (total trailer load) with my F150 plus the family and I can tell you I have room for more weight. The newer Expeditions have a 5 or 6 speed don't they? I would think it should tow even better than my 4 speed. I'm not saying not to get bigger but I think the Exp. is capiable for doing what you need if your mostly towing it local with an occasional trip.

 

The 98 Navigator tow capacity is 9000 pounds. I can personally vouch for about 8000 through the mountains of TN without a single issue. And that was before I did any mods to it.