Ford Expedition Model-by-Model Year-by-Year Encyclopedia


Introduction ...

Encyclopedia directory:

• News/Facts, Accolades, Current Events

• Rumors/Spy photos (noteworthy rumors of possible future changes)

• Ford UN93 Program

• Ford U222 Program

• Ford U324/U354 Program

• Ford XXXX Program

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Please note:
• Due to the nature of the information given, some of it may reiterate.
• More information will be added as it becomes known.
• The Encyclopedia is complete at the time of this date: 1/6/2009
• The Encyclopedia Itself was updated (changes made to organization,
readability and aesthetics) at the time of this date: 1/6/2009

News/Facts, Accolades, Current Events ... New and old


• 2000 - Expedition becomes the first full-size SUV to receive a Double Five-Star frontal crash test safety rating.

• 2003 - Expedition becomes the first full-size SUV to employ a multi-link Independent Rear Suspension (IRS)

• 2003 - Expedition gets Ford’s SafetyCanopy™ 2-Row curtain side impact/rollover airbags.

(Above) 2-Row SafetyCanopy™ side impact/rollover airbags


• 2005 - Expedition gets Ford’s class exclusive AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC)

• 2006 - Redesigned 2007 Expedition gets new 2nd generation advanced SafetyCanopy™ curtain side impact/rollover airbags. SafetyCanopy now extends rearward to protect not only the first and second rows of occupant seating, but the third row as well. When fully deployed, SafetyCanopy will cover approximately 85% of window area and will stay inflated up to several seconds after collision to further enhance occupant protection.

(Above) 3-Row SafetyCanopy™ side impact/rollover airbags


• 2006 - Ford Motor Company holds a product demonstration of the new 2007 Ford Expedition in Portland Oregon for the press, consumers and magazine editors.

• 2007 - The Ford Expedition has been awarded recognition for meeting and exceeding the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility impact standards, a full two years ahead of the required time. The deadline for participating auto manufacturers is September of 2009.



The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is an elite group consisting of Ford Motor Company, General Motors, BMW Group, Chrysler LLC Group, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. More information can be found here about this and other topics: Auto Alliance

• 2007 - Expedition EL named Motor Trend’s SUV Of The Year

• 2007 - Expedition EL is awarded the Strategic Vision Total Quality Index Award

(Above) Strategic Vision Total Quality Index Award


• 2008 - Expedition receives a Double Five-Star side impact crash test safety rating.

Rumors/Spy photos ... New and old
(noteworthy rumors of possible future changes)

• 2000 - Rumors were spreading that the Expedition was getting a Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) for the 2002 or 2003 model year. The rumor was confirmed to be true when a secret test-mule (disguised as a first generation 1999 model Expedition) was spied while undergoing road testing in 2000. The Expedition got the (IRS) for the 2003 model year.

(Above) Secret test-mule caught testing

(Below) The above secret test-mule and it’s (IRS)


• 2004 - In summer of 2004 a heavily camouflaged Ford SUV was caught undergoing marathon testing. With news of Ford discontinuing the Excursion soon – it was obvious that this new extended Expedition was it’s replacement. Rumors about the new lengthened Expedition varied from it getting a turbo diesel V8 to it’s final production name. Many of which were suggested: Ford Everest, Ford Max, Ford Expedition Everest. Ford announced it was to be called Expedition EL and Expedition Max (outside of the U.S.) The Expedition EL (Max) went on sale in 2006 as a 2007 model.

(Above) Extended Expedition test-mule caught testing in 2004

(Above) Extended Expedition test-mule


• 2007 - Ford has been hinting at the possibly of a Navistar Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 powered Expedition for some time now. However Ford still refuses to confirm or deny this rumor. Some (unconfirmed) reports say that Ford is testing a diesel Expedition and that it will be ready for sale in 2009, possibly as a 2010 model. For now only time will tell.

• 2008 - Ford has finally confirmed the Expedition will get a diesel engine for the 2010 or 2011 model year. This comes as no surprise, since pictures have leaked onto the internet of the new diesel V8 itself and with it powering a 2010 Expedition test-mule.

(Above) 4.4L V8 Turbo Diesel Expedition test-mule caught testing

Ford UN93 Program
Introducing the beast ...

The first generation Ford Expedition (known internally as the UN93) was first introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. Based directly off of the venerable Ford F-150 pickup truck, the Expedition shared all of the F-150’s muscular attributes – attributes which endowed the Expedition with an aggressively handsome exterior, pleasant interior and a strong work ethic. With very little modifications to differ the Expedition mechanically from the F-150 the Expedition took on a brutish beast persona. The UN93 had no road manners and gave the impression that it was the one in control, not the driver. Expedition’s suspension consisted of a Independent Front Suspension (IFS) and a five-link solid rear axel with coil springs. A Electro Pneumatic self leveling/load leveling suspension could be optioned with the Heavy Duty trailer tow package. The UN93 could accommodate up to eight passengers, however if equipped with a front bench seat, it could seat up to nine comfortably. Safety features consisted of dual front airbags, seat belt limiters, side intrusion door beams and ABS. XLT and Eddie Bauer started off the 1997 model year trim line, with a special Commercial Package version made for Fleet sales. The Expedition exuded utility with respectable off-road capability, payload and towing capacity. Engine choices consisted of a humble 4.6 liter Triton V8 (215+hp) and a healthy 5.4 liter Triton V8 (230+hp) Maximum towing capacity was rated 7900+ lbs.


(Above) 1997 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(Above) 1997 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(Above) 1997 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim


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1997 Model Year:

• First model year for (UN93) Expedition


1998 Model Year:

• No major cosmetic changes

• Wedgewood Blue Clearcoat color added


1999 Model Year:

• Expedition gets updated grille and grille trim (instead of flowing strait across, it now droops in the center, protruding into the front bumper) See Picture (A)

• All-New three piece front bumper – fog lamps are moved to lower bumper valance, new aerodynamic roof racks are added. See Picture (A)

• Both V8 engines, the 4.6 and 5.4, were updated and power output was now rated at 232+hp and 260+hp respectively.

• New XLT-Sport trim is added to the line up. See Picture (B)


(A) 1999 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(B) 1999 model
Shown in XLT-Sport trim


2000 Model Year:

• Front fender mounted radio antenna disappeared in favor of a hidden radio antenna for a tidier appearance.

• Eddie Bauer trim got updated; lower front bumper valance and running boards are now in Arizona Beige (rather than black) to match the other Eddie Bauer Arizona Beige trim. See Picture (C)

• Gentex auto-dimming electrochromatic rear view mirrors become available. See Picture (D)

• On Eddie Bauer models, side view mirrors get redundant turn signals integrated into the mirror housing assembly.

• Side impact airbags (outward side seat mounted) become available along with rear bumper mounted park distance/backup sensors. See Picture

• Power adjustable acceleration and break pedals become available.


(C) 2000 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(D) Gentex rear view mirror

(E) 2000 model
Rear (bumper mounted) park distance/backup sensors


2001 Model Year:

• No major cosmetic changes

• Two new special trim versions were added to the Expedition
line up - Eddie Bauer Premier and XLT-No Boundaries. See Pictures (F) and (G)

• Side impact airbags (outward side seat mounted) become available along with rear bumper mounted park distance/backup sensors. See Picture (G)


(F) 2001 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer Premier trim

(G) 2001 model
Shown in XLT-No Boundaries trim



2002 Model Year:

• No major cosmetic changes

• Expedition gets new BeltMinder™ Driver seatbelt monitoring system.

• Last model year for Eddie Bauer Premier, XLT-No Boundaries and XLT-Sport trim.

• Last model year for the (UN93) Expedition

Ford U222 Program
Taming the beast ...

The Ford Expedition was revamped from the ground-up, nose-to-tail and became available in the latter of 2002 as a 2003 model. The U222 received an all new front fascia and rear end, including new rear quarter panel windows, liftgate, bumper and taillamps. The U222 received a whole host of changes, but the most important and controversial change occurred under the Expedition – it now had a unusually sophisticated four wheel independent suspension (something that no other Full-Size SUV had at that time) This new unprecedented Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) endowed the U222 with outstanding road manners. XLT and Eddie Bauer trims were still mainstay trim levels. Engine choices were familiar - the U222 carried over the same two refined V8s from the UN93 program. Both Triton V8s (the 4.6 and 5.4) were refined yet again for the U222 program, however they saw no change in power output – but due to their further refining both V8s now allowed the Expedition to earn ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) status. XLT and Eddie Bauer return as primary trim levels for the Expedition’s 2003 model trim line. Expedition still retained it’s off-road capabilities boasting a BorgWarner 2-speed electronic transfer case, AdvanceTrac, Electro Pneumatic self leveling/load leveling suspension, and almost 10 inches of wheel travel. Expedition’s payload and towing capacities were now best in class. Maximum towing capacity was rated 8900+ lbs.

(Above) 2003 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(Above) 2003 model
Shown in XLT trim

(Above) 2003 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim


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2003 Model Year:

• First model year for (U222) Expedition

• A new off-road version of the Expedition is offered, called FX4, which is based off of the standard XLT. XLT-FX4 adds blacked-out headlamps, special high-performance shock absorbers, tubular step bars and chrome steel wheels. See Pictures (A) and (B)


(A) 2003 model
Shown in XLT-FX4 trim

(B) 2003 model
Shown in XLT-FX4 trim


2004 Model Year:

• Eddie Bauer versions get Pueblo Gold running boards (rather than black) See Picture (C)

• Eddie Bauer Premier trim is back - sporting blacked-out headlamps, body color trim and two-tone silver/gray alloy wheels. See Picture (D)

• XLT-Sport trim is also back – sporting Dark Stone Gray Clearcoat body cladding and tubular step bars. See Picture (E)

• XLT-FX4 is renamed NBX.

• XLS is added to the trim level range, replacing the XLT as the base trim level. Prominently distinguished by lack of fog lamps.


(C) 2004 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(D) 2004 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer Premier trim

(E) 2004 model
Shown in XLT-Sport trim


2005 Model Year:

• Aerodynamic roof racks are replaced by "Bold Style" roof rails with sliding load baring bars. See Pictures (F) and (G)

• Eddie Bauer Premier trim is dropped (for the second and final time) and replaced by the Limited Edition. The Limiteds now sported body color side view mirrors, chrome roof rails and chrome-clad wheels. See Picture (F)

• A new western themed Eddie Bauer trim level is introduced, called King Ranch. See Picture (G)

• The 4.6 liter Triton V8 is dropped from the engine line up.

• The 5.4 liter Triton V8 is updated – receiving the 3-Valve setup (3 valves per cylinder, 24-valves) and acquires Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technology. Power output is now rated at 301+hp.

• Last model year for NBX trim


(F) 2005 model
Shown in Limited Edition trim

(G) 2005 model
Shown in King Ranch trim


2006 Model Year:

• No major cosmetic changes

• A new, restyled Gentex auto-dimming electrochromatic rear view mirror is featured with a squared off bottom. See Picture (H)

• Last model year for King Ranch trim

• Last model year for (U222) Expedition


(H) Gentex rear view mirror

Ford U324/U354 Program
Bigger. Smarter. Faster. Meaner.

The Expedition went under the knife for a more aggressive, tougher look, taking styling cues from the Ford Super Duty and F-150 pickup trucks. The interior was also revamped to echo the look of the upcoming 2008 Ford Super Duty. An All-New Expedition EL (221.3 in.) added 14.8 inches in length to the standard Expedition (206.5 in.) Outside of the U.S. (Canada for example) the Expedition EL is called Expedition Max. The U324 Expedition retired the old and aging U Truck Platform (which underpinned the UN93 and U222 Expeditions) for the new hydroformed T1 Truck Platform which had underpinned the F-150 since the 2004 model year. The new T1 Truck Platform was taut, sound and sophisticated, increasing the Expedition’s rigidly. The Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) was completely re-engineered, endowing the SUV with best in class ride quality and road manners. U324 carried over the same 5.4 liter 24-valve V8 (301+hp) from the U222 Program, but ditched the old Electronic 4-Speed Automatic transmission for an All-New Intelligent 6R75E 6-Speed Automatic transmission featuring Dual Overdrives. XLT, XLT-Sport, Eddie Bauer and Limited Edition return as the Expedition’s 2007 model trim line. A Power Assisted Liftgate becomes a new addition to the 2007 model options list. Off road capability remains impressive with a BorgWarner Torque-On-Demand 2-speed electronic transfer case, AdvanceTrac with RSC, Electro Pneumatic self leveling/load leveling suspension and optional skid plates. Minimum running ground clearance is 8.7 inches. Payload and towing capacities were boosted yet again. Maximum towing capacity was rated 9200+ lbs.

(Above) 2007 model
Shown in Limited Edition trim

(Above) 2007 model
EL Shown in Eddie Bauer trim

(Above) 2007 model
Shown in Eddie Bauer trim towing it’s main
competitor, the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT


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2007 Model Year:

• First model year for (U324) Expedition and (U354) Expedition EL (Max)


2008 Model Year:

• Power deploying running boards are now available. See Pictures (A) and (B)

• The western themed Eddie Bauer trim level, called King Ranch returns. See Picture (B)

• A backup camera is now available utilizing an updated Gentex auto-dimming electrochromatic rear view mirror that features Picture-In-Mirror technology. See Picture (C)

• XLT trim levels now get body color trim. See Picture (D)

• New Funkmaster Flex Edition is offered – only 650 of them will be built. See Picture (E)


(A) 2008 model
Power Assisted Liftgate and Running boards

(B) 2008 model


(C) Gentex rear view mirror

(D) 2008 model
Shown in XLT trim

(E) 2008 model
Shown in Funkmaster Flex Edition trim


2009 Model Year:

• No major cosmetic changes

• Expedition can now run on E85 Ethanol. Flex Fuel emblem is located on upper right hand side of the vehicle’s liftgate. See picture (F)

• Expedition’s navigation system is revamped with smarter software, more intuitive user interface designs and Travel Link technology.

• "SOS Post Crash Alert" activates horn and hazard lights after a collision.

• Expedition now gets a capless fuel filler port. No cap to remove or put back means easy fueling, and fuel vapors are trapped in the tank and not released into the atmosphere.


(F) 2009 model


2010 Model Year:

• Changes (if any) are unknown at this time.

Ford XXXX Program

Please Note:
This is a future section for the XXXX Program. The vehicle's internal alphanumeric program code name are unknown at this time. More information about the future (Full-Size) SUV will be added when it becomes available.