1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Few observers ever expected the Lincoln name to appear on a truck. But there it was in 1998: a full-size Lincoln sport-utility vehicle, similar to the Ford Expedition. Lincoln's SUV differed from the Expedition with unique front and rear styling, extra sound deadening, softer suspension tuning, plus standard leather upholstery and walnut trim. Lincoln also offered front and rear bucket seats with a center console. Even more noticeable than the luxury appointments was the extroverted exterior trim that was ladled onto what was essentially an Expedition underneath. Navigator was available either with rear-wheel drive or Ford's Control Trac 4-wheel-drive system, which could be left engaged on dry pavement. Automatic self-leveling air-ride shock absorbers went at front and rear on 4x4s, but rear-only on 2WD Navigators. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes were standard either way. A 3-place, third-row bench seat was installed. A 3-place split middle bench was available at no cost, to expand seating capacity from seven to eight. Towing capacity was 8000 pounds--that's right, a hefty four tons. Sole engine was the larger of Expedition's two V8s: a 5.4-liter, rated at 230 horsepower. Navigators got a special post-assembly inspection, plus a 25-mile preshipment road test. Rivals included the GMC Yukon/Denali, Land Rover Range Rover, and Toyota Land Cruiser.