The big and brawny Ford Expedition is a favourite target of SUV haters. However, many people love this vehicle and find it a perfect fit with their lifestyle and vehicle requirements. In fact, and unfortunately for buyers, Expedition's tend to move fast when they are offered on the used vehicle market.

If you need a vehicle that can pull a heavy trailer (up to 3,600 kg - 8,000 lb.) or carry up to nine people around, an Expedition could be the ideal vehicle solution.

When launched as a '97 model year vehicle, Expedition came in XLT and Eddie Bauer trim levels and 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains. It's a little bigger than its' primary competitors, GM's Yukon/Tahoe and smaller than the really big Chevrolet/GMC Suburban.

From the front windshield's A-pillars forward, an Expedition is basically an F-series pickup truck. The front body parts (hood, fenders etc.) are all interchangeable, except the grille. So is the front suspension and front part of the chassis, but that's where the similarity ends. The Expedition's rear suspension has tapered rear coil springs, upper and lower control arms and a stabilizer bar. The optional load-leveling suspension, ideal for pulling a trailer, has an automatic kneel-down feature that lowers the vehicle about 3 inches, when stopped, to allow easier entry and exit.

Two modular Triton series engines were the power choices. A 4.6 litre V8 was standard and an optional 5.4 litre motor, with more low-end torque, was the other one. Both of these engines have a fail-safe cooling system feature that allows you drive (more like limp) up to 80 km (50 miles) following a total loss of coolant. Fuel consumption is high but perhaps not as bad as you might expect. Even a 4x4 with the 5.4L engine gets 14 l/100 km on the highway and 18.3 L/100 km in the city.

The Control-Trac 4x4 system has 4 settings, a 4x2 mode and three 4x4 modes. The AWD mode allows continuous on-road 4x4 use and has an auto-lock feature engages the transfer case in a locked 50/50 drive-split condition if the system senses continual operation in high-slip conditions (i.e. snow, sand etc.). You can also select the 4x4-high mode (locked 50/50 drive split) or a 4x4 low mode, when the going really gets tough!

The front air bags were de-powered in '98 Expedition, to reduce the risk of injury in low-speed collisions. Engine horsepower was boosted in both engines (4.6 to 240 (from 215) and 5.4 to 260 (from 230) and towing capacity also went up to 3765 kg (8,300 lb.), in '99. An complete interior upgrade included a new adjustable pedal system for the bake and accelerator in all versions of the 2000 Expedition. Side air bags and a reverse sensing system were also added as new options.

Although Expedition is generally rates well in consumer surveys, electrical repair problems are above the norm. Some transmission shift problems and driveline noise problems also show up fairly often in Ford technical bulletins. And also check the list of safety recalls (attached), which, if applicable, will be corrected for free by a Ford dealer.

Whether it's all dressed up or in just basic attire the Ford Expedition is a tough and durable full-sized sport utility vehicle, with the emphasis on utility.

Recalls:

• 97-00 (23,801) - Trailer hitch rattles due to loose attachment bolts.
• 97/98 (14,1580) - Loose wheel lug nuts and potential wheel separation from the vehicle.
• 97/98 (72,763) - A shift cable problem may cause the transmission to stick in gear, even though the selector indicates "park".
• 97 (1630) - The rear axle lower control arm bracket may separate due to inadequate weld penetration.
• 99/2000 (114791) - A faulty resistor may cause a loss of daytime running lamps.
• 99 (2824) - Vehicles equipped with 17-inch chrome steel wheels may have lose lug nuts.
• 99 (106) - Improperly installed or missing retainers can cause the brake pedal arm to disengage from the brake master cylinder and result in loss of braking.