Lincoln Navigator

[Falcon_LS]

I've always liked the first generation ('98-'02) of Navigators, and came across an early production '99 with the 5.4L Triton V8 and 72,000 miles. It's a US gray import, equipped with 4WD and air suspension. Colour is Laser Red. Shame it's not a later production '99 with the 5.4L InTech, but this truck is too good and clean to pass up.

I was wondering if anybody here actually owns/oned one from that generation, and what their ownership experiences are/were like.

I know the rear air suspension is the same as those fitted to the Panther platform, but I understand the front air shocks with traditional coils are prone to wearing out earlier than expected. I reckon this also affects other front end parts, such as the ball joints and tie rod ends.

Other than those, some vehicles suffer from windshield leaks, which is an easy fix if you use silicone around the rubber gasket channel. The truck also loves to eat keypads and door actuators, and the auto parking brake release doesn't always function correctly. The LED third brake light also has the tendency to fall into the rear hitch shell, and the rear wiper chews away at the window's surrounding molding.

Any other issues I should be aware of?

Thanks!

 

[panthermike]

I see plenty of Navigators at the airport with saggy front ends. When I talk with the drivers though, they all say that they love them.

 

[Nick R]

I think the earlier 5.4s were known somewhat for blowing one of the spark plugs out of the head (I want to say it was number 6)

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
I think the earlier 5.4s were known somewhat for blowing one of the spark plugs out of the head (I want to say it was number 6)


It is any of the plugs. And it is not isolated to the 5.4L. The 4.6L and the 6.8L V10 share the same issue.

Changing them out and using anti-seize on the threads does quite a bit to prevent it from happening.

 

[01rangerxl]

A lot of Navigators have problems with the air suspension. I see a bunch of them riding around with the back end practically on the ground. I'm not sure what exactly fails on the air suspension, but check everything over.