Alas, my beloved 2001 Pathfinder is dead. I need an SUV to move stuff around in and I was thinking of getting a 2003-4 Lincoln Navigator. I've seen a few with about 90-120k miles for around $5k or so. Can anyone chime in on these trucks and tell me what I should look out for?
Thanks
[MENTION=126]Dasfinc[/MENTION] knows these like the back of his hand.
I'm probably one of the big "Ford SUV" guys on the boards; yea.
Any reason why you want a Navigator? Most of them are REALLY ragged to be honest, and they still have the whole Spark Plug issue.
I'm a big fan of the Pre 2004 Expeditions because they are still solid rear axle, and can be had disposably cheap with the 5.4.
As @Bikrboy already corrected me on; late 90's 4.6/5.4s are prone to spitting plugs, then early/mid 00's are prone to cracking plugs in half when trying to remove them from the heads.
So long as they have some level of service history, its not a problem, and its common enough that even if it happens, its usually not apocalyptic and a skilled shop with the right tools can recover from it.
Other issues that are common on that chassis is the rear control arms rot out and are flimsy to begin with
You can see some of what I tackled with my last Expedition here:
http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/member-rides-sightings/130477-das-tow-pig.html
Over-all VERY easy to work on, and very robust trucks, but they are prone to rotting out like every other large SUV in the mid-west, but they can be had for thousands less than a comparable Tahoe/Burban and are every bit as capable.
MAKE NO MISTAKE,
A Tahoe or Burban is a better truck, (coming FROM a Ford guy), but they do have a price premium over the comparable fords. I keep ending up in Fords because their price of entry is so much lower, and at the end of the day they can still tackle the same tasks when needed.
Last note here, 3rd gen Explorers with the V-8 built after 2003 are exceptionally stout trucks as well, and you could get a cherry example of one for under $3k. I'm a HUGE fan of 2nd gen Explorers (and have one as my DD), and push them on everyone, but if you'r looking at Navigators I assume you have a larger/more common hauling need?
If you DON'T need to haul crazy things, you can get send gen V-8 explorers all day long for around a grand... V-8 Second Gen Explorers really only have 2 common issues, front suspension components are often neglected and cause bad camber wear (Control arms, ball joints), and Rust that hides under running boards, or in the Rockers. The SBF 5.0 and 4R70W are nearly bullet-proof so long as people keep fluids in them.
Here's my current DD:
http://www.thechicagogarage.com/for...de-mistake-aka-dasfinc-has-mental-issues.html