What Mods Should I Do for My 2008 Escape Limited?

General
1

Hey everyone! I just got my first Ford, an 08 Escape Limited with 17x,xxx miles. I’ve mainly owned Japanese and German cars before, so I’m new to the domestic scene. Eventually, this will be my daily driver with some light off-road capability for camping trips.

I’m thinking of starting with a suspension upgrade or lowering springs, plus a general tune-up. What mods or maintenance items would you recommend?

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2

Definitely change the transmission fluid if it hasn’t been done recently. It’s probably 15 years old by now.

3

Yan said:
Definitely change the transmission fluid if it hasn’t been done recently. It’s probably 15 years old by now.

Thanks for the tip—I’ll add that to my list!

4

You could swap in the black grille and headlights from the Sport trim for a sleeker look. Also, consider window tint!

5

It’s a sexy beast as is!

6

Nuri said:
It’s a sexy beast as is!

Thanks so much! :smile:

7

Add running boards. They’ll help prevent door dings from careless drivers who park too close.

8

Jade said:
Add running boards. They’ll help prevent door dings from careless drivers who park too close.

Great idea—thanks!

9

Jade said:
Add running boards. They’ll help prevent door dings from careless drivers who park too close.

Do you know where to get them?

10

Honestly, it’s pretty capable as-is. Throw on some all-terrain tires, and you’re good to go.

Heads up—my transmission gave out around this mileage. You might also want to check for oil leaks at the timing chain cover near the oil pan. Take care of it, and it’ll take care of you. My 08 V6 4WD is at 217k miles now.

11

I’ve got a 2012 Escape Limited in the same color! The transmission was super harsh until I reset the transmission tables with FORScan. It drives so much smoother now—it’s worth looking into. Also, as others mentioned, changing the transmission fluid isn’t a bad idea.

For mods, replacing the stereo is at the top of my list. The stock one rattles like crazy on certain songs.

12

Check the front crossmember for rust if you haven’t already. If you need a replacement, I know a guy who sells rust-free ones for Escapes from 2000–2009. :eyes: