2006 Expedition - what to look for?

I'm going to look at this Expedition that's for sale locally. It's an '06, 5.4L Eddie Bauer edition.  Any problem points I should be checking on this truck? I know the 5.4s tended to spit out plugs in the earlier editions, but what about by '06? Did these have the same issue with stuck plugs that the 05/06 4.6 have? It's only got 98k miles, so it's entirely possible that they're the originals.

Is there anything on the IRS that is problematic and/or easy to check? 

I know standard old car stuff (fluids, hoses, belts, ball joints, etc.) and will be more diligent about them this time after getting burned on the ZJ.

I had a 2005.  The biggest issues I had were related to it being in Michigan, and I assume we're talking Macon, GA, not Macon, MI here, but I'll relate my experience anyway.

Had a brake line fail near the master cylinder, and many of the other lines were rusty.  This was in 2015 at 80K mi.  After that, I carefully inspected the underside for other rust problems, and the other major issue was the very front body to frame mounts (integrated in the radiator support) were just about gone from rust.  Presumably both of these issues won't be a problem on a southern vehicle, but I know I'd look for them anyway.

The other issue was cosmetic.  The hood and rear hatch door are aluminum, and Ford hadn't figured out how to make paint stick consistently.  There were bubbles around the edges, on both the inside and outside of the panels, and in the rear around the license plate area.  It's only cosmetic and certainly fixable by a body shop, but for what seems like a higher priced vehicle, you might want to look for it.

Oh yeah, one other thing.  Mine also had the 5.4 (I think that was the only option at that time), and I had to replace cracked exhaust manifolds once, and at least one was leaking again audibly when I sold it in 2015.  Granted, most of my miles were towing a 24' race car trailer at 70 mph, so I can't say that's necessarily typical.  

Other than that, it was pretty much just oil changes.

I had a 2005 a while as well. Like pkingham the paint peeled off the hood and hatch. Ours was a pearl white which would have been super expensive to fix. They also rust badly under the running boards even here in dry southern Alberta.

I had to replace the battery and alternator as both died at once. The alternator was an easy job.

Personally I would avoid the 5.4 like the plague but that's my opinion. 

In addition to the stuck plugs and bad paint mentioned, I'll add cam phasers.  Had those die on my 2007 F-150.

All of the above.  2006 and up were pretty sorted.  I have a 2008 Navigator.  Knock on wood is great.  If it has air suspension, that can be problematic.  There are conversions that are not too pricey.  The transmission can be a minor issue, with delays on start off from a stop, if you don't fully stop.  I believe the dealer cn do a re flash of the computer.  Overall, I love my truck, rides great, room for all my SWMBO stuff, and 3 dogs.   Don't expect great MPG.  The best I got is 16.5 MPG.  Nice ride, check it out.

COP Ignition coils start E36 M3ting the bed around 100k

AngryCorvair said:

COP Ignition coils start E36 M3ting the bed around 100k

Yeah, I've been through some of those, too.  Good news is that they are relatively cheap if you buy them by the set, and super-easy to replace.  With 100k on the clock, I'd just do it as preventive maintenance.

Another thing, while I'm thinking of it.  Front wheel bearings.  Not hard to replace, but listen for humming when you drive it.   Any vehicle with 100k+ on the odo, is going to need PM.   Check for any paper work on the truck to see what's been done.