Hi there, my name is Joe Smith. My wife and I are currently looking for a small SUV. We currently live in Oklahoma, but will soon be moving back home up north (Montana/Wyoming) so 4X4 is a requirement. We are looking at the '95-'02 generation explorers. I'd like to know which ones to look for and which ones to steer clear of. We will most likely be looking for an Eddie Bauer or Limited if that matters. Are there certain years that were problematic or better than others? What are some realistic MPG numbers to expect with the different engines? Also, is the "4.9l" basically the same as the old "5.0l" or is it really a whole different engine?

My wife is leaning towards the Durango, but i'm a little worried about fuel mileage and i'm also assuming that the explorer is a better built machine (Ford). Let me know what you think, Thanks!

-Joe-

Welcome to this forum! I know 2 people with Durangos. I would recommend the Explorer. The 95 has a bad rating because of electrical problems. The SOHC is more efficient than the OHV. The transmission in the V8 is tougher than the one in the V6 if you want to tow.

welcome

I would recommend getting a the 5.0 V8 with AWD. It has an absolutely bulletproof 4r70w transmission the best ever in an Explorer. You can expect 200k+ miles out of it if its taken care of well. There really inst much of a difference between fuel economy with the V8 over the V6 either.

Welcome to the Forum

Welcome. I find it interesting that you consider Explorers and Durangos "small" SUVs. I have always thought of the Escapes, Jeep Liberty and Patriot, CRV and Rav4 as the small ones.

In those years the automatic on the 4.0 Explorer V6 will often go by about 110k miles.

Also, in the early years the Durango had a V6 which was way underpowered for it's size and weight, so you need one of the V8's and mileage will be just a bit less than the V8 Explorer (Durango 13/17, Explorer 14/18 for 1998s)

I'd stay as far away from any chrysler product if possible. They are junk. I know this because I sell the parts for all of these trucks. Very little problems with the explorer. I have an explorer for work and it takes a BEATING. I bought it used for 300 bucks and it's like new still. I love it! Do yourself a favor and read the reviews on both all over the net and I'm confident your wife will see the light and avoid chrysler all together.

I would look for a 99-01 explorer or mountaineer. 5.0L with AWD. It doesn't get any better than that

I would look for a 99-01 explorer or mountaineer. 5.0L with AWD. It doesn't get any better than that

Just curious, how come 99-01 and you left out 98?

Some of the 98's have the stamped exhaust manifolds that tend to fail a lot, and they're pretty expensive parts to replace if you don't know what your doing. The manifolds are ~$700 from ford plus labor. A guy just posted saying ford quoted him around $1400 to replace one side :eek: When you could get torque monster headers and pay someone to put them on for that, or do it yourself for half of that. And there are a few other minor differences that I can't remember right now, but that could be an expensive difference for someone not so mechanically inclined.

Also if you have kids, the back seat is not very comfortable on long trips in the durango. I know this because in 2000, my parents needed a people mover with the addition of my brother. They looked at a durango, and an explorer, and they liked the explorer overall better. however, they saw the gas mileage of the SUV's and opted for a van instead. So if you're planing on having anyone in the back seat for longer then 20 minutes.. please please do thier knees and backs a favor.. get an Explorer.

Welcome. I find it interesting that you consider Explorers and Durangos "small" SUVs. I have always thought of the Escapes, Jeep Liberty and Patriot, CRV and Rav4 as the small ones.

Well, I'm from Montana and Texas isn't the only state that likes things big. My truck is a 2001 Dodge Ram Cummins Quadcab 4X4 lifted with 33" tires (and that Cummins ain't stock either :D) My last truck was a lifted 1990 F-250, 33" tires and before that I had a lifted Suburban with a 427 cu. in. dump truck engine in it with (you guessed it) 33" tires.
So I guess anything smaller than a Suburban, Expedition or Hummer is a "small" suv to me...

Explorer HANDS DOWN! I have had both. You don't want a Dodge Gas Guzzling Durango! Plus the parts cost more to repair a Durango. They also have alot of transmission problems.