By: Mr. Dune

Before...      and           After!

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   It's been almost three years that I've been using my 1998 Ford Expedition in the capacity of Daily Driver™. Now don't get me wrong, it's a great truck. 4x4, XLT, leather guts, bitchin' stereo with a disc changer, rear A/C, all the bells and whistles that FoMoCo has to offer are on the truck (with the exception of that goofy air bag suspension). The Expedition is a fine product, versatile, comfortable, easy to drive, plenty of power for those light to medium towing chores. Like running the boat out to the lake or hauling a few bikes to the track. Damn thing even gets 14-16 mpg, that's more than my 1999 Ranger 4x4, with it's anemic V6.    But...

   Let's face it, a green Expedition smells like soccer moms, infant car seats, grocery runs, and disgusting bits of half chewed flotsam and jetsam ground permanently into the upholstery.

   This is not me...

   When I'm driving my lifted F350 around town with my vicious 3/4 crazy Cattle Dog hanging out the back window, the babes both young and old, strain their necks to check me out.

   This is me...

   Unfortunately, when cruising the Expedition, such is not the case. If the babes do look, it's most assuredly to see how many car seats I have strapped into the back seat. And to dream of the day when their sugar daddy will elevate them to the status of of a full sized SUV equipped "Soccer Mom." These are not the looks of admiration a man on the verge of a middle aged crisis craves.

   Besides appearance, there is functionality. Let's face facts, a stock truck generally isn't a magical thing off-road. While the Expedition does have excellent on-road manners. It's marginal at best off-road. Sure it will get the job done for 90% of the folks out there that want a solid 4x4 to go skiing, camping, fishing and what not.    But...

   When it comes to the rough stuff, it's a turd. Not enough ground clearance, marginal tires, mushy springs that allow too much dive in the turns, shocks that well, suck. And not enough fender clearance to even run a 33" tire. This is a bleak picture for an off-roader. There is however a light at the end of the tunnel. The Ford Expedition 4x4 with it's 5.4L modular overhead cam V8 and E4OD transmission will never be a high flexing contortionist, twisting it's way through the gnarliest trails like California's Rubicon and Utah's Upper Helldorado. But it does have all the raw stuff to build on, and can make an awesome high speed desert exploration sled.

   With a little help...

Say Goodbye To Soccer Moms...

   For help with our truck's make over we sought out the experts at Performance Products in Van Nuys, CA. With 37 years in the business of high performance parts and accessories and over 250,000 parts in inventory, as well as a high tech installation facility. These guys know what it takes to put together an entire performance package.

  Performance Products produces 13 different catalogs covering Porsche, Mercedes, Jeep, Toyota, Fords, Chevrolet, and most other vehicles. With their experience in after-market parts mail order and retail sales as well as installation. They have the professional experience to know what works, who has the highest quality component for the application, how to get the installation done right the first time and most importantly how to service the customer after the sale has been completed.

   Too many businesses forget your name after the cash register has rung. Not so with the boys from Van Nuys. Performance Products has built a solid reputation and customer base by making service and customer satisfaction their number one priority since 1964. Plain and simple, that's why we chose them to do this project vehicle, we knew they would deliver.

  Click any image for blow up, or to get to the photo gallery.

This 1995 Toyota Landcruiser is equipped with a Warn 9000 pound winch, Jaos  custom wheels and Hella 2000 Lights.	Performance Products installed over $10,000 in upgrades in this 1997 Porsche Boxster, if you see it looking for a race... Be Careful!
This 1997 Jeep Wrangler is set up for serious rock crawling with Power Trax Diff Locker, Warn 9000 pound winch, and on the roof, a Wilderness Rack by Garvin with Hella HID lights.	Need that high speed grocery getter for Mom? This 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been worked over  enough to even please Dad, the household's most discriminating shopper.
While Mercedes seldom grace the pages of Off-Road.com, this 1998 M320 is worthy of honorable mention.	Need to do some towing? This 1999 Ford Super Duty Crew Cab has a Paxton blower and will light up the tires on command!