Need some unbias opinions.

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:07 pm

I figure a jeep site would give me the best unbias opinion on the matter at hand. Well the 2nd child is due later this year and the WJ was a tight fit with the first one at a young age (so many toys and implements to carry) add in the fact that we will have a toddler on top of that load and the WJ is just too small. Normal trips should be fine but we head to the coast for a 2 week vacation every year so its everything plus the kitchen sink.

Im now looking at full sized SUVs and after lots of research and getting some opinions and limited experience in both vehicles I cannot for the life of me decide on whether a Expedition or Tahoe is the right truck for me. Anyone here own either of these and if so whats your take? Trying to buy a solid rig for family hauling and towing that will stand up to some hard work and last a LOOOONG time. Both are solid vehicles making it a wash and not an easy decision. Any and all opinions are welcome, but please no Ford or Chevy bashing as Im trying to step out of my Ford shell and become less brand bias. Thanks yall!

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:54 pm

My neighbors have a Tahoe 04 I think. Other than some dash electrical problems (was a recall or service). And a set of bad injectors( just ran terrible), it has been reliable for 100,000 +miles. He recently died and she thinks she needs something smaller and newer.
Other friends just bought a used one, they have their grandkids a lot and needed a bus. 3rd row seats. Bought it based on the fact that's what daughters have, and were happy with theirs.

Tony P. · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:27 pm

A picture is worth a thousand words. You can fit everything, including the kitchen sink and have room to spare. It's also EL & 4x4, very capable for its size. I've owned a few Expedition's and this one is a keeper!!

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:38 pm

Thanks yall!

For a cargo hauler/tower I think the expedition is king with the lay flat seating. But I think where the tahoe would shine is a bit more ruggedness with the solid rear (no worry about bearing wear hauling IRS). At this point Im assuming it will come down to the test drive, but even being a ford guy I have been leaning chevy due to the rear end, but if I want offroad performance I have a WJ for that, but being able to do light offroad (beach and remote camp sites) is a must and from what I have heard both are pretty equal in this manner but the chevy built a little more for it.

Im open to any and all opinions and again thanks for the replies.

Tony P. · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:58 pm

I've have had both solid rear, and IRS Expeditions and towed with them as well. The IRS greatly improved the Expedition's highway mannerisms (less swaying). It handles very well on the highway. I can also tell you that incredibly it also tows well. On occasions the truck has towed a dual axle 20' dove tail with electric brakes loaded with a JD and several implements and the truck hauls it pretty good. Of coarse it struggles on grades but when your on flat land your good.

I guess I'm a little Ford/Jeep bias as well.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:24 pm

Granted I'm a Ford guy(yes even before Jeeps) both have there +'s and severe -'s.

Ford------------

-Front lower ball joints
-will cost a small fortune to do the spark plugs for some years,can be as expensive as $3400 if the heads have to come off which requires the body to be pulled off the frame
-if a rear bearing goes it almost always seizes in the knuckle requiring that to

GM--------------

-waterpumps go early and often
-AC belts
-non-R&P versions have severe issues with idler arms/pitman arms
-front bearings go bad often,more if you up-size the tires
-t-cases prone to having pin holes and leaking
-MAF sensors
-if you get the electronic suspension those shocks are about $450 each for the no-name cheap ones
-fuel pumps,never ever,and I mean never let the fuel level drop below 1/4 tank and that's pushing it on a GM

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:50 am

Hmmm thats weird. Did they change the design of the spark plugs on the expedition? When I worked for ford the only issue with spark plugs and the 5.4 triton was the 3 thread design blowing them out and we never had to remove the body to R and R a head on the 1st gen or 2nd gen expeditions.

The fuel thing on the chevy is unnerving as while it gets 1 MPG better then the ford it also has 2 less gallons in the tank and I often drive to near empty on trips.

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:52 am

Tony P. wrote:

I've have had both solid rear, and IRS Expeditions and towed with them as well. The IRS greatly improved the Expedition's highway mannerisms (less swaying). It handles very well on the highway. I can also tell you that incredibly it also tows well. On occasions the truck has towed a dual axle 20' dove tail with electric brakes loaded with a JD and several implements and the truck hauls it pretty good. Of coarse it struggles on grades but when your on flat land your good.

I guess I'm a little Ford/Jeep bias as well.

How was the towing difference from solid rear to IRS? I havent done too much towing but Id like to eventually have a camper for the family one day and I need my next rig to be able to haul the family + all our stuff + whatever we need to tow.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:44 am

I'd go with a 2013 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel Mega Cab with a camper shell. Oh baby, that would be sweet! :mrgreen:

CIMARRON13 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 12:19 pm

What about a Land Cruiser? The early 100 series can be bought for a decent price now. Three rows of seating and are very capable off road if that is a must have. Rear locker was a factory option in the early models as well.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 2:55 pm

FJ80 was great - but the best ever tank was 13 mpg, avg was 12

no power to speak of (although I think the newer ones have more power - don't think the mileage is much better)

I'd go with the Ford

CIMARRON13 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 16, 2013 2:19 am

ATXKJ wrote:

FJ80 was great - but the best ever tank was 13 mpg, avg was 12

no power to speak of (although I think the newer ones have more power - don't think the mileage is much better)

I'd go with the Ford

That's why I'm putting a Cummins in my 80.

ncjeep · **Posted:** Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:04 am

I would pass on both BUT if i found a good deal ($2,500 - $3,500 with less than 175k) I'ld go with the Tahoe. If it was me i'ld fine an 80's Dodge Ram Charger. Can't kill em! But you would be stuck with only 2 doors. Option 2 4 door Ram truck. I'm a mopar guy for a reason lol. Don't get me wrong i didn't just grow up like that. I came from a Ford/Chevy family so i had to learn the hard way Mopar is the best.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 17, 2013 10:59 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I'd go with a 2013 Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel Mega Cab with a camper shell. Oh baby, that would be sweet! :mrgreen:

I like the way you think!

Anyways, I have no experience with either truck, but if I had to pick I would choose the Tahoe or look for a Suburban. Granted gas mileage will suck(more modern will help), but I like GM engines and the look/design of the Tahoe/Suburban more.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:59 am

Look i am going to go way out on a limb here and step it up a bit why not a nice used Ford excursion 4x4 with the 7.3L. They are extremely reliable built on a truck frame and will run longer then any small block chevy or ford. Plus they have a +600 mile range on a single tank and will pull the house off your foundation if you need it to. And lets not forget the capability to tow 10K and 8 people plus thier luggage with only slightly noticable change on the grades and still get 13 mpg. I know this for a fact my family owns 2 and both go to flordia every year with a enclosed car trailer each one with a 68 camaro and one with 53 Belair.

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:25 am

I will start by saying that non American is a no go. While landys are great and all Euro and Asian vehicles rub me the wrong way. Nothing more then I just feel awkward in them.

As for the excursion that was my first choice a 7.3l 2002 ish. I worked on them all the time and by work I mean maintenance as they never messed up. The 6.0 on the other hand made me a rich man doing injectors and replacing long blocks. But the sad reality is that diesel parts arent as cheap and the 7.3l are getting very old and to be 100% honest the wife vetoed that idea. Now say what you want about the last comment and while her "veto" is really just a guidline to making her happy and not a "no you cant!" remember these words: "Happy wife, Happy life". Nothing like driving an excursion and being completely miserable.

Between the 2 they are both more then capable to do the offroading I would ever need or want to do with them. If I want something more capable then I will a) pull the WJ with LSD solid axles and a v8 out or b) be awe struck at how I have time to wheel with how busy work and home are. Right now it will come down to the test drive which is a month or two away (just at the research phase) as everything from fuel economy to power to capabilities is a complete wash. The only advantage the expedition has over the tahoe is the folding flat seating where you have to remove the rear seats in the tahoe. SO far I have comprised the following short list of importance:

Towing/torque - AD Ford
Cargo room/seating/people hauler - AD Ford (despite the tahoe having +1 seating the rear seating is better suited for adults in the ford)
Ruggedness - AD Chevy (solid rear)
Fuel economy - AD Chevy (+1mpg but the ford has 2 more gallons in tank)

Everything else is a complete wash IMHO and from driving in and talking to owners I am of the mindset that it comes down to what badge/emblem and interior design you want.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:27 pm

Not interested in a Suburban? It's basically a larger Tahoe. My friend and his brother have a 96 and 97 2500. One has the 350, the other the 454. Both get ~10mpg(also 15 years old lol) and ride pretty nice with plenty of room to play :wink:

Just adding a few more options to bring to the table. It's all up to you, just make sure you go with your gut and get what you like.

Leeann · **Joined:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:19 pm **Posts:** 523

The bf's brother has a 2000 Tahoe. Great truck. Tows his boat - and any customer's boat - anywhere. Lots of room. If the jump seats aren't needed, they're hanging in the garage. When they are, they just pop back in. All he's ever had to do were tires, brakes and one fuel pump.

I've had friends with Excursions and all I can say is, get the 7.3 diesel. Don't get the 6.0.

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

Go with a GM over a Ford...any day of the week. Driven quite a few Suburbans and Yukons (last gen and the 07-13 gen) and think they are pretty cool long trip vehicles.

Koala'sJeep · **Posted:** Fri Jul 19, 2013 6:08 am

What about an 07-08 Grand Cherokee CRD? 420# of torque, 7400# towing capacity, room for the family and a very rugged trail rig Fuelly.com reports them to be 20+ mpg. Plus you can only tell its a diesel at idle :JEEPIN:

or accelerate

Need some unbias opinions.

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