2007 Ford Expedition And Ford Expedition EL - First Look

Silverado Engines
4.8L V-8 iron block (295 hp, 305 lb ft)5.3L FlexFuel V-8 iron block, E85-capable, Active Fuel Management (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)5.3L FlexFuel V-8 aluminum block, E85-capable, Active Fuel Management (315 hp, 338 lb ft)5.3L V-8 aluminum block, Active Fuel Management (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)5.3L V-8 iron block, Active Fuel Management (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)6.0L V-8 aluminum block, variable valve timing, Active Fuel Management (367 hp, 375 lb-ft)

Sierra Engines
4.8L V-8 iron block (295 hp, 305 lb-ft)5.3L FlexFuel V-8 aluminum block, E85-capable, Active Fuel Management, (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)5.3L FlexFuel V-8 aluminum block, E85-capable, Active Fuel Management, (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)5.3L V-8 aluminum block, Active Fuel Management (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)5.3L V-8 iron block, Active Fuel Management (315 hp, 338 lb-ft)6.0L V-8 aluminum block, variable valve timing, Active Fuel Management (367 hp, 375 lb-ft)6.2L V-8 aluminum block, variable valve timing (400 hp, 417 lb-ft) [exclusive to the GMC Sierra Denali]

Transmissions
Four-speed automatic (Silverado), four- and six-speed (Sierra)

Drivetrain
2WD or 4WD

Axle Ratio
3.23 or 4.10 (four-speed); 3.42 (six-speed)

Suspension
Independent with coilovers (f); leaf springs (r)

Brakes
Disc/drum: 12.99-inch rotor (f); 11.61-inch (r)Four-wheel disc: 13-inch rotor (f); 13.5-inch rotor (r)Power-assisted, four-wheel ABS

Wheelbase
143.5 in

Turning (curb-to-curb)
47.2 ft

Height
73.7 in (2WD, 73.8 in (4WD)

Width
80 in

Curb Weight
Silverado and Sierra: 5,061 lbs (2WD); 5,290 lbs (4WD)Sierra Denali: 5,232 lbs (2WD); 5,281 lbs (4WD)

GVWR
Silverado and Sierra: 7,100 lbs (2WD); 7,300 lbs (4WD)Sierra Denali: 6,800 lbs (2WD); 7,000 lbs (4WD)

Max Trailer Weight
8,700 lbs (2WD, short box, 6.0L, 3.73 axle)8,500 lbs (4WD, short box, 6.0L, 3.73 axle)8,500 lbs (Denali, 6.2L, 3.42 axle)10,200 lbs (2WD, short box, 6.0L, 3.73 axle, enhanced tow package)10,500 lbs (4WD, short box, 6.0L, 3.73 axle, enhanced tow package)

Payload
Silverado and Sierra: 2,039 lbs (2WD); 2,010 lbs (4WD)Sierra Denali: 1,568 lbs

Cargo Bed (length x width between wheelwells)
69.29x50.6 in (short box)

Seating
2/3 or 3/3

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Mega Cab 4X4
During this period we commuted, helped friends move, and managed to drive the 1500 from the Ferris wheel in downtown Long Beach, California, to the red spires of Sedona, Arizona. The trip took about 7 hours there and 6-1/2 back. Driving home at 10 p.m. on I-40, we cut through wide-open desert lit by pale moonlight and the glare of headlamps from passing 18-wheelers rushing their cargo between California, Arizona, and Nevada. It was like cruising across the deep sea trades in a container ship during the somnolent middle watch by turning on the autopilot and commencing to snooze in a captain's chair. Not that we snoozed, but you get the point.

As a road-tripper, the Mega Cab is remarkably civilized. While its size makes it relatively unwieldy in the city (it makes L-turns, not U-turns), it's perfect for the long, straight lines and languid turns of a freeway. The interior is large enough for passengers, and even the driver, to sprawl somewhat in their seats. The wind noise is surprisingly low at "it's late and I gotta get home now" speeds. And the 30-gallon tank allows for a reasonable range between $100-plus fill-ups (almost 400 miles).

The merits of this truck as a cargo hauler can't be ignored - not even, apparently, by people who have had the opportunity to eyeball the 6-foot bed and lounge in the backseats. In fact, we'll be hauling the contents of a friend's house from L.A. to Tucson in our Mega Cab 2500 long-termer soon (not a daunting prospect at all for a Mega Cab).

This is the fifth installment of our long-term coverage of the Dodge Ram Mega Cab 1500. Miles during this period were 4,553. The overall MPG for this period was 12.8.