Expedition vs. Suburban vs. Durango

Is this an ok thread to start here? I don't want to get too far away from GRM in my threads...

If so, lets say 2002 model year. Needed for passenger capacity and/camping. No towing. Needs 4x4 and third row seating.

The spark plug and other issues steer me away from the Ford. Durango's have the Ghost of Failed Transmissions Past haunting them. Can't find too many common issues with the Burb.

Any thoughts?

Burban. I love my Durango but it gets crappy mileage and access through the hatch door is a PITA for camping situations. 4x4 works ok but very few have LSD rears and it's very embarrassing to get stuck while in 4wd with 2 wheels spinning. Front diff is aluminum and can't really be made into a locker for woodsy stuff.

2nd Gen Trooper!!!! Almost all had rear LSDs, lockers are cheap and available front and rear, 33s fit with about an inch of lift, available with a 5 speed, bulletproof everything, 3 rows, real load and towing capacity.

That's funny Tom! I've seen you reply this way many times. I actually love what you suggest to be honest. Always loved Troopers.

However, I'm solidly stuck on the three choices above. The Durango is the smallest I date to go having learned too late not to underestimate interior dimension and seating needs in the past.

In reply to oldtin:

Trust me, no one loves Quigley more than me. But alas the "2002 model year" gives a clue as to my budget.

My wife's uncle buys and sells vans and work trucks for a living and gets these once in a while. Lets just say they blow my budget three times over at least!

How about an e250 2wd - good mud terrain tires and a rear locker? All the capacity, very good capability. If in doubt throw a 12k lb winch on the front. Of your 3 - Suburban.

Don't Expeditions have really bizarre issues with the control arms rusting out?

The last Suburban I dealt with (company truck) showed me that they are not built terribly well, especially in regards to interior quality, but are decent trucks overall. I recall it blew a lot of light bulbs and started to rust around the edges pretty early in its life.

I can definitely tell you to avoid the barn-door rear option, they rust MUCH worse than the regular door back there. Our liftgate looked more or less fine after five Wisconsin winters (truck was an '02) but every barn door model I could see of the same generation was developing nasty scaly rust around the same time.

I was leaving out some "why's" in the op. I am considered "mandatory personnel" in Massachusetts as a nurse for the state. I "have to" get to work no matter the weather.

4x4 is a must for me. I cannot rely on "good enough" in the middle of a snow storm (which actually stranded a couple fellow employees at work for 24 hours this winter with 4wd)

I love vans too, just can't do a 4x2. Most of my friends ride motocross and each has told me their vans suck in snow no matter the tires or added weight.

If the Expedition can be had with the 5 speed auto, do that. Pickuptrucks.com did a test once of a Expedition with 5 speed auto vs a 6.0L 4l80e suburban, Expedition beat it loaded or unloaded in acceleration and fuel economy.

You need awd, you need cargo capacity, you don't need to tow.

Uhmm

'Burb. The rest are just pieces of jewelry in comparison. Vehicles that ppl buy to make it look like they are tough.

Without knowing much detail about the Durango or the Ford, I would say the Burban as well. Driving my 96 GMC pick up truck stangely makes me wish I had a 96 Burban 4WD to go with it. Easy to work on, and I think the Burban, including the 2002, is the best looking of the three.

The Durango look has not aged well. Its been a while since I've seen one that was clean and looked tended after, and didn't have so much brake dust sitting on the wheels they looked positively black.

Even with snow tires, a van sucks in snow, unless it got so much weight in the back, that it's close to GVWR.

I would normally say Suburban, but since you don't want to do any real truck stuff with it (towing, off-roading, etc.), I'm going to suggest the Ford. It's nicer to drive and has a better 4WD system for road use. If you can stretch to it, try to get a 2003. They revised a bunch of stuff (IRS, interior, etc.), making it even less truck and more comfortable SUV.

On the generation up to 02, they do have the rear control arms that rust, but it's not a big deal to change, and they have up-rated arms in the aftermarket. As for the spark plugs, a lot of the ones for sale around here, have already been fixed.

Yeah I've been looking at these monstrosity's lately as well. I'm SERIOUSLY leaning towards the burb.

On 4x4 'Burbs from the early 2000's, watch out for transfer case issues. I did some quick research on one after seeing it on CL, there is an expensive ($600?) part that is a common failure / regular maintenance item and a lot of talk about replacing transfer cases.

I saw enough to know I didn't want a 4x4, but i don't really need one either. Be sure you dig around enough on that to know if the issues are really issues.

Sequoia?

Or older Land Cruiser?

tuna55 wrote: You need awd, you need cargo capacity, you don't need to tow. Uhmm

See budget... Plus we have one already. Looks just like that. It's my wife's vehicle.

Just thought of something else:

I honestly love these threads and appreciate the replies, I really do. You guys are fantastic!

I just have to wonder though how you get so many suggestion that don't seem to take the original title and subject into consideration.

That's gonna sound harsh but I don't mean it that way. Seriously I don't.

97-00 Mitsubishi Montero with rear locker!! Should have enough clearance and not get stuck in the snow. Comes with 2 jump seats in back, never sat in em though so not sure how roomy they are. Fairly cheap (though most SUVs are. mine was $3k with good maintenance)

But out of your three, I'd say the burban or expedition that you find in the best condition for the right price. My family had an expedition that we loved in the snow, never had spark plug issues but I guess we got lucky. The transfer cases do seem to be a common replacement item for the burbans, so both have their issues.

Condition over model IMO

fanfoy wrote: Just thought of something else:

I can see your point there... I just HATE the footwell of those things!

I'm really looking for full size with Durago's bring the very smallest I'd go.

And I guess I wasn't detailed enough earlier. Body on frame is where I'm going here, big, heavy and tank like!

I never gave an actual budget figure but the 2002 MY was a hint I suppose.

Thanks again for the responses!

I believe the 2002 model year for the Expedition does NOT have the spark plug issue. I don't think that came around until the 04 version of the modular V-8. I know my 03 F150 has no spark plug issues.

In reply to Entropyman:

Hmmmmmmm, interesting!

EDIT: dang it!!! http://m.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1021488&styleid=19