Advice on Ex Upgrade from 1991 to ??

[YW84U]

I currently own a 91 XLT (stuff is in my sig), and am considering replacing it with a newer model year, somewhere in the 1996-2000 range. I've tinkered with the Ex for so long, I figure I can learn the 2nd Gen maintenance and repairs, but would like to know from your experience which years or models are 'better'? I'm not looking to mod it (much ), but something reliable and stock. Is there an advantage to a 5.0 vs V6? SOHC vs OHV? Do some issues crop up in one model year more than another? I'm interested in better fuel economy as well, and noted that the 96 models seem to squeak out a few extra mpg....

I've spent most of time time in the 1st Gen forums, and really know very little about the 2nd Gens.

Any input in this regard is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in Advance,

[Green68]

All I can offer is my own experience and what I've read on this forum.

I have a '99 Mounatineer with the 5.0, the 4R70W and 3.73 LS diff. 2wd. I've had it for 6 months, it had 121K when I bought it and has 126K now, it has been trouble free so far.

Some on this forum believe the 4r70W transmission is stronger than the 5 speeds that are on the 4.0 engines.

The majority of the engine problem posts here are for the 4.0 engines, that may be because there are a whole lot more of them than 5.0's in the Explorer/Mountaineer. All I can say is the 5.0 has a 40+ year history of refinements and is considered by many (myself included) to be the best motor Ford ever built. I've had several vehicles with the 5.0 including my '68 Mustang 302, so I'm a little biased in that regard.

Basically, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. When choosing a used vehicle you have to look it over pretty well, have some idea of how well it was maintained, and do you have a feeling of trust in the person selling it.

HTH
--Mike

[YW84U]

Thanks for the reply Green68! I've been thinking about finding one with a 5.0, mostly since my experience with the 4.0 OHV seems to lead me to believe that the oiling on the top end (lifters, rockers) is not really all that great despite a fairly solid bottom end. I've got a rebuilt long block with 70,000Km, and already it sounds like a lifter has gone bad (it pains me to think about pulling heads just to inspect and maybe swap it out ). I don't know if the SOHC is improved in that regard. A stronger tranny is a good thing as well (my A4LD has had its share of turmoil!).

Economy-wise, is there a huge difference with the 5.0? The specs don't seem to indicate much, but again, real-world driving is always the best way to tell.

[Green68]

I've been keeping track of mileage with this spreadsheet since I bought it.
The first entry was a trip to New Orleans. My neighbor has an '01 with the SOHC V6, he says he gets about the same.

Miles Gallons Avg this tank
1291 75.06 17.20 Mixed Hwy & City
235 16.67 14.10
283 17.91 15.80
260.4 16.73 15.56
267.5 19.4 13.79
266 18.28 14.55
267.9 18.13 14.78
264.9 19.95 13.28
258.4 17.38 14.87
292.2 20.56 14.21
211.1 10.81 19.53 Highway
281.2 19.8 14.20
266.6 18.31 14.56
293.7 18.19 16.15

4738.9 307.18 15.43 Overall average