Calling all Gen 4 Navigator Owners!!!

[LegacyFounder]

People do it all the time, but I still don't get it... Navigator is a supposedly luxury family hauler, it will never be really fast or handle great: it's just a wrong platform. I would (and do) mod it for more comfort and reliability, but for speed and excitement I have a different vehicle, and I have fun modifying it for that. Navigator is to travel long distance with family and their things. The "all-in-one" idea doesn't work even for bicycles, let alone cars. You have extensive plans, do all that to a different platform, and you'll get amazing results. With a Navigator, I'm afraid you will be disappointed with the outcome. Just fix the known weak spots (hoses and such), replace worn parts as they age (before they fail), get lighter and smaller wheels for better ride, maybe install additional sound deadening in the back, and call it a day with the Navigator.

It will never be fast and fun to drive fast (even with 700 whp, which I don't think can be done reliably: note that 2nd gen Ford GT is about 650 hp at the crank, and there is a good reason for that), and things like "carbon fiber" air intake are, honestly, just a waste of money. Moreover, power mods (like aftermarket turbos) will just kill the resale value of the vehicle, even if it drives perfectly well.

Purchasing the vehicle like a navigator thinking you’ll ever get return on investment as a standard commuter car is probably one of the worst frames of thought we can have. I didn’t come into ownership thinking of resale value as it’s really not going to be there lol. So yes I agree.

The reality is all powertrains will eventually expire. Timing will need to be done on the vehicle or motor will be replaced, and when I do replace do I stick with oem or upgrade to performance parts which will last longer while also getting better performance?

Carbon intake is excessive, but I’ve got the money and it’s something I’d enjoy. The cheaper plastic one would flow almost the same at a fraction of the cost.

I’ve been doing a lot of research and the 3.5 ecoboost is very capable. A built longblock can easily crank out 1000hp+. But that will ruin the comfort, drivability, purpose of having this a daily.

This is why I’m buying a great condition interior/exterior 21 with higher mileage at a steal because I expect the common wear items to fail, and when they do I’ll replace with something better. So instead of buying one at 60-100k with oem features that will still fail, I can have one refreshed for a fraction of the price, last longer and get more moneys worth as it’s already at the end of its depreciation cycle. It just so happens we’ll be able to squeeze more power.

 

[Action]

^^^^^^^^^To tag onto that thought process ......

In 2016 I bought a 2006 Navigator Limited 4X2 with 110,000 miles. Purchase price was $10,800
Still driving it today and it has 224,000 miles.
Spread my purchase price over 10 years and it is dirt cheap.
In March of this year, it will be 20 years since my second gen Navigator rolled off of the Michigan Truck plant.

I have spent money doing maintenance for the most part.
Still love my Navi for what it is. Not what I could turn it into. Or modify.
I use it mostly as a driver. With occasional duty as a tow platform for boats and travel trailers.
It was designed to tow about 9000 pounds with a big beefy frame and V8
If going fast was a goal of mine, a Mustang is what I would be considering. Because a Navigator weighs too much for a mission to go-fast.

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[driller]

...when I do replace do I stick with oem or upgrade to performance parts which will last longer while also getting better performance?

I always view every repair as an opportunity to upgrade for performance and/or longevity.

 

[LegacyFounder]

Just placed downpayment on vehicle, the dealer is placing new rear brake pads and rotors, rear strut assemblies and repairing the running boards to them functional and shipping the vehicle out.

Everything out the door with financing was right around 30k.

The 2023/24s I were looking at were around $60kish.

All common leaks/failure points, turbo, transmission problems would be addressed and improved on. Doing everything BUT building the infrastructure internals on the motor, I could build the entire trans with an upgraded tq converter for the same price.

Very happy with the decision of the purchase and look forward to slowly piecing this together and getting content for you all.

First thing I’ll do when getting the vehicle is replacing the plugs and doing a compression test to check life of the motor.

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[driller]

First thing I’ll do when getting the vehicle is replacing the plugs and doing a compression test to check life of the motor.

An oil analysis would be insightful as well. Presuming the engine oil has been recently changed as part of the maintenance for the sale, I would have an oil sample tested around 50% on the Oil Life Monitor.

 

[LegacyFounder]

An oil analysis would be insightful as well. Presuming the engine oil has been recently changed as part of the maintenance for the sale, I would have an oil sample tested around 50% on the Oil Life Monitor.

I forgot about doing that, but I definitely plan to send that in to Blackstone once I do the first change. From what we've seen the oil has been changed every 10k which is too long in my honest opinion. I religiously change oil on all of my vehicles right around 3k-5k at longest. Thank you for the recommendation

 

[Action]

With the new oil, 5 to 6 thousand will be OK.
Technically 7000 to 10,000 would be OK for regular driving with no long idle times, no towing and not travel on dity or dusty road.
In my opinion.

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