Mark Toljagic
In a classic silk purse from a sow's ear story, the Lincoln Navigator
furnished Ford dealers with one of their highest
profit margins by making use of a lunch-pail pickup truck as its foundation.
The Navigator was the first full-size SUV to be offered by a domestic
luxury brand. Big, flashy and intimating, it was a
bona fide status symbol – at least for a short while.
"Just driving this truck makes people respect you more," claimed an owner on the Internet.
Some complained about the numerous parking lot dents their 'Gators seemed to accumulate.
"The plastic side panels have helped on many occasions, but you can't stop all the idiots," a frustrated owner blogged.
CONFIGURATION
With the 1997 introduction of its new-generation F-150 pickup, Ford finally
had a refined truck platform for a luxury 4x4 wagon.
Gone was the archaic Twin I-Beam front suspension, replaced by unequal-length
control arms, which allowed a taller
overhead-cam engine.
The 1997 Expedition was the first Ford to go head-to-head with Chevy's
eight-seat Suburban. It didn't take a lot of badge
engineering to create Lincoln's version a year later, laden with suppler
leather, extra walnut trim and more shiny bits.
The 1998 Navigator was a traditional body-on-frame SUV with standard V8
power. Ford's Control Trac system offered
selectable two-wheel (rear) drive, automatic four wheeling, permanently engaged
four-wheel drive and a low range.
Like the Expedition, the Navigator was motivated by America's first SOHC
V8 in a truck application. It shared the larger
two-valve-per-cylinder Triton modular engine: a 230-hp, 5.4-litre making
325 lb.-ft. of torque, tied to a four-speed automatic
transmission.
Stylists took pains to differentiate the Navigator by sharing no sheet
metal with the plebeian Ford, save for the roof,
and installing self-levelling air springs at every corner for a cushier ride.
Inside it offered loads of space, enough for a third-row bench, though
the seating wasn't very accommodating due to the high floor.
The furnishings were opulent, and even the carpeting wore a premium knap
befitting the lofty price tag.
For 1999, the Navigator got exclusive access to a DOHC (four-valves-per-cylinder)
version of the 5.4-litre V8, this time making
300 hp and 335 lb.-ft., along with power-adjustable pedals (an industry first)
and easily removable third-row seats.
The following year the Navigator received front-seat side airbags, optional
reverse parking sensors and a CD-based
navigation system.
The second generation arrived for 2003, riding on a more robust ladder
frame with independent rear suspension and
rack-and-pinion steering. The suspension design allowed for a lower floor,
which opened up rear legroom while providing
fold-flat capability.
For 2005, the truck received yet another version of the 5.4-litre V8, this time losing one valve per cylinder, but retaining its 300 hp rating.
ON THE ROAD
To state the obvious, the Navigator is a big honking truck. Yet to Ford's
credit, it barely telegraphed its bone-crushing weight
at the steering wheel.
"Good suspension control, minimum body roll, accurate steering, good ride-and-handling trade-off," noted Car and Driver.
But the nearly three-ton mastodon couldn't hide its mass during acceleration:
a 1998 model with the 230-hp V8 needed 10.3
seconds to reach 96 km/h.
With a long wheelbase, modest ground clearance and limited suspension travel, the 'Gator was too big and clumsy for off-roading.
Most noticeable by owners was the truck's propensity to guzzle gas. It
typically consumed 20 litres to travel 100 km around town
– and premium fuel at that. Ouch.
WHAT OWNERS REPORTED
Owners adore the Navigator for its interior spaciousness, commanding view,
8,000-pound (3,630 kg) towing capacity and for
having the invincibility of an armoured truck.
There were mechanical problems, however. Chief among them were ignition
coils that checked out early – not a trivial expense
when there's one per cylinder. Electrical glitches included various sensors,
dashboard displays and faulty radios.
The air suspension system was another weakness; owners reported dead air
pumps and bad (air) bladders that were expensive
to replace.
Keep an eye out for rust on the inside bottom of doors, at the welded seams.
A few noted leaky windshields and tailgate window seals.
Overall, the Navigator is a decent conveyance for those who measure success
by the kilo, and who like to project a
commanding presence.
Just be sure to leave it at the far end of the parking lot.