Me & my wife are considering buying a 99 expy with in afew days.
Are there any things I need to look for when we go test driving it or anything that we might have trouble out of in the near future?

I plan on buying an Expy,but which one still remains.
I'll definanitey be turning the exterior into a lightning w/ alot of go fast goodies as well. Hopefully s/c. But one step at a time.

THANKS,WILL

 

Will,
(That's also my son's name) We made the mistake of trading our '97 XLT for an '01 EB. The difference in handling is like night and day. The 01 is bouncy, has a lot of body roll, and there's more road harshness coming through the steering wheel. The '97 had a lot less body roll and bounciness, the steering responded more appropriately with less road vibration. Both vehicles were 4x4 and 5.4, but the 01 EB doesn't have the LLS, so it should be a direct comparison. I would highly recommend the four corner LLS, if you can find one with it.

I think the original design with the sort of 'buck tooth' front bumper has better fit and finish. Our new '01 has chipped paint where the front quarter panels meet the headlight assembly, along with other paint issues.
Jill

 

Will,
I suggest spending as much time in the seats as possible, preferably driving it... Before I bought my Expy I was looking at Explorers. My dealer let me take the Explorer overnight so I drove it around town for about an hour. I just could not get comfortable in it so I started looking at the Expy. I took the Expy overnight and did the same... The difference was like night and day....

BTW when you have it away from the dealer you can spend a lot more time looking it over and making sure there is nothing wrong with it....

 

Will, drive it on the highway first. I have 99 that drives like MJS's 01. Bounced all over and big time sway just like he describes.
NOT all 99 or 01's drive like this, only a few unlucky ones like me.
I did put shocks on and a swaybar which made it controllable but still on the highway I have too much play in the steering to be in total control. I had that changed out for a for a 00 and it still drives like sh#%. Anyway drive it for a while first. By the way I ordered mine so I had no choice.

 

WilliaK
I have a '99 EXPY with now 35k, interested? It only has had three engines and needs a fourth. I suggest you carefully read the posts under the "engines" catagory. I like MANY others have had alot of problems. I'm sorry for being blunt, but you asked for advice.

 

I bought my '00 EB when the '01's were first coming out, and have 0.9 finacing for 60 months. 01's should be close to that real soon. I have the 5.4 2wd with rear LLS. The ride is nice. I decided on the EB because it was ony like 2-4k more, and figured it's worth the resale value. Plus only EB has memory seats (mirrors & pedals) & flip quarter glass.
I've only put 10K on it since then, but like it so far, just wish I would have got a better rear end, I like get up and go more than towing, but it works.
I test drove an XLT for a weekend, but the ride was rough, and the leather was harder. The EB also seemed likr the only way to get both fog's & illum running boards (All the XLT's had 2 different packages, 1 with fogs & other junk, the other with illum boards & other junk)
I'd also recommend the Rear AC.

Bryan