Looks like I might be car shopping very soon:
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2011/163_news110831_2012_lincoln_lineup/index.html
This confirms that the Lincoln Navigator will get the EcoBoost engine found in the F150, but it goes on to say its corporate cousin, the Expedition, will get upgrades in 2012. I really hope so. My Armada is getting a little older, and I would definitely appreciate the improved fuel economy. Now if Ford will give a tow mirror option, I will be set.
Sounds good. I wonder if Ford is just running out all of its supply of 5.4's first, or if they're continuing to make them just for the Expy in the meantime? Is anything else getting the 5.4 for MY2011? If not, I can't see them not switching over.
I think you might be disappointed -- SUVs are becoming more like CUVs, and starting to split away from truck frames. The new Explorer and Durango are examples of this.
What I worry is that the Expy will end up like the Honda Pilot -- good engine, but because it uses a lighter unibody frame, you will get 5000 pounds max towing capacity from it. I hope Ford doesn't go this route, as Chevy is almost always going to keep their Tahoes/Suburbans on a truck frame.
mlts22 wrote: I think you might be disappointed -- SUVs are becoming more like CUVs, and starting to split away from truck frames. The new Explorer and Durango are examples of this.
What I worry is that the Expy will end up like the Honda Pilot -- good engine, but because it uses a lighter unibody frame, you will get 5000 pounds max towing capacity from it. I hope Ford doesn't go this route, as Chevy is almost always going to keep their Tahoes/Suburbans on a truck frame.
While the diet-regimen of the CUVs is indeed showing up in lack of towing ability, it's worth noting that the new Durango has a 7400lb tow rating when equipped with the 5.7L V8. The towing package includes load leveling shocks that are reported to work well in real-world towing by drivers of its stablemate the Grand Cherokee. I'm curious to read some tow reports of 2011+ Durango owners.
2005 F350 SRW V10 4.10 CC LB 4x4; BW Turnover ball; LineX
2011 Sequoia 5.7L 4.30; Tundra Towing Mirrors; LT 275/65R18 C Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs on 2nd set of wheels
2005 Nash 22H TT
mlts22 wrote: I think you might be disappointed -- SUVs are becoming more like CUVs, and starting to split away from truck frames. The new Explorer and Durango are examples of this.
What I worry is that the Expy will end up like the Honda Pilot -- good engine, but because it uses a lighter unibody frame, you will get 5000 pounds max towing capacity from it. I hope Ford doesn't go this route, as Chevy is almost always going to keep their Tahoes/Suburbans on a truck frame.
Honestly, that would be fine with me, as I don't expect to tow with it much anyway. I just need a new family hauler w/ awd and reasonable gas mileage. A unibody fullsize would do the trick. however, I'd be a little surprised if Ford went the unibody route w/ the Expy, since they have the new Explorer to fill that niche. And it would be a lot of work to engineer an all-new chassis when they have the already excellent F150 chassis ready to go.
I think the main reason why the Explorer went to another chassis is they are discontinuing the Ranger, which was the chassis base for the Explorer since it's inception and for most it's life.
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