Contemplating a new DD, my commute isn't a long one so gas mileage isn't a big deal to me. I enjoy driving something that sits higher up and 4x4 is nice in the winters around here. Now that navigators and escalades are dropping in price i figure why not grab one and put the Jeep into full time off-road duty. So guys i know it's basically an expedition but anything to look for specifically?
Of the 6 Navigators that I have known that were picked up cheap 6 of them have developed air suspension faults that were cheaper to fix by yanking the airbags and installing coil spring conversion kits for close to a grand.
Yep, the airbag suspension fails. They aren't very satisfying to drive IMHO. The ones I've driven always feel disjointed, like the hip bone isn't quite connected to the leg bone. Maybe the examples I drove had bad suspension bushings.
I find Suburbans / Tahoes to be much better driving machines. just my .02
Just a gussied up Expedition, and our Expy has been a solid truck, with the 5.4 it has 225K on it and is about to do yet another Florida trip.
the spring swap is stupidly easy, I have done about 10 Town Cars, used springs for $25 and simply swap them out
Having spent lots of time driving both a Navi and Escalade, I would go with the caddy if I were in the market.
On the air suspension thing, they are becoming just like those town cars I used to see constantly with the back bumper practically dragging on the road. I have been seeing more and more failures driving around recently
Be aware that the 5.4 will suuuuuccck gas.
Is that the engine that has the spark plugs which are prone to breaking and require a weirdo special tool to remove?
Dohc motor
I had a 2006 Navigator and now own a 2007 Navigator L. Oddly enough it is easier to find a used Navi in my area (Ohio) than an Expedition. Especially if you want the advanced towing package etc. Most of the Navis are loaded and include the updated towing package and can be had for very close to used Expy prices.
My wife much prefers the fold down seats in the Navi/Expy to the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban/Escalade and that was a key driver in our decision as it is her daily. In fact she drove just about every SUV imaginable before settling on the Navi. Frankly a minivan would be OK for us but I needed a tow vehicle for my Spec Miata and since she puts less miles on a car, the SUV worked best for us. We have 2 year old twins and 2 Golden retrievers so we need all the space and that is what drove the move to the Navigator L. I love the air suspension for towing although I am aware that it will be an issue down the line. Since they all fail at some point you could probably find one with the airbags replaced with springs or one with a recent airbag replacement as they appear to last to 100k miles or more.
The 2007 has a much more solid feel than the 2006 that I had and is a great highway vehicle. The steering was better in the 2006 however. The gas mileage isn't great at 18-20 on the highway but we are always loaded down with the stuff for the aforementioned twins and 2 golden retrievers. The 2006 required premium but the 2007 only needs regular. I think most of the early Navis needed premium but don't quote me on that. The Navis are a nice place to be inside and always have all the toys. I looked for an Expy with the options we wanted but was unable to find one used but found multiple Navis equipped as we (she) wanted, but your experience may be different.
As a tow vehicle for my spec miata I wish it was a truck so that I didn't have to lay down a tarp in the rear to prevent damage but a truck doesn't work for my family so there you go. Other than that, it is a great tow vehicle though underpowered compared to the Escalade. I thought the escalade/suburban was great but the pricing difference was substantial between the Navi and even the suburban/Tahoe/Yukon much less the Escalade for a vehicle with similar miles condition. That price difference and my dear wife's preference sold me on the Navi/Expy and we are happy with the outcome even if I would prefer a truck for track support vehicle duty.
Appleseed wrote: Be aware that the 5.4 will suuuuuccck gas.
but has plenty of oomph to propel the vehicle's yacht-sized bulk.
So what would I need for the spring swap? Just the springs and shocks from the same year expedition? Is there a write up of this anywhere?
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