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HELP: sould I buy 1st or 2nd generation Explorer?

C

calazo

New Member
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September 29, 2010
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City, State
Bogotá, COLOMBIA, South America
Year, Model & Trim Level
1994 Bronco XLT 302 E4OD
Hi all, I'm new here and just registered...
I am looking into getting an SUV to replace my wife's car (1994 Honda Civic) . My daily driver is a '94 Bronco but I'd like to get a 4-door Explorer (with A/T) for her, according to our current budget...
Now, in terms of ruggedness, reliability as well as handling/road holding, which are better: the 1st generation 1991-4s or the 1995-2001 Explorers?, (... my second choice would be a mid 1990's Cherokee XJ, any thoughts on that vs. the Explorer?) I'd love to get a 2nd Bronco (I've had two so far...) but parking issues keep me from doing so...thank you in advance:thumbsup:!

---------------
1992 Bronco A/T 300BB6 3.08 C-6 2WD Stock (2001-2005)
1994 Bronco A/T 302 E4OD 3.08 w/ Compressed Natural Gas gear (current rig c. 2008)
 



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If you're not planning to modify the truck for off-road purposes, I would get the newest, lowest mile explorer you can find in your budget...
 






Agreed. If I could pick I'd go with a 98-99 Explorer, good suspension setup and just a good overall look to it. Plus you can find the better V6 (SOHC) and get better mileage then the old OHV style engines. Even the V8's had decent mileage for their size/power
 






For street only use, I would pick the 2nd gen. For modification and off road use, the 1st gen is a better choice. After a lift, it will have more suspension articulation and take more abuse. Parts are cheaper and the interiors are surprisingly nice. As for the Explorer vs Cherokee question... The Cherokee (4.0 HO) is faster, lighter, and has solid axles. It is also a unibody design with all the squeaks, rattles and associated breakages when used harshly. The cherokee is also significantly narrower than the explorer. This could be good or bad depending on your situation. Any of these trucks would be a good choice. Your best bet is to test drive a few. Good luck
 






try to get a gen 2 Explorer V8 4WD 4R70W. Bullet proof!
>4.0L Sohc are good but only if it has the timing chain updates (otherwise it's a buck-load of $$ to fix)
>5r55e auto trans are plagued with issues (the transmission mounted to both OHV and SOHC 4.0L).
>If you are determined to get a 6cyl find one with a manual transmission

One more thing: if you do get an AWD vehicle (of any variety) make sure your tires are all uniform and have even tread wear. Noticeably uneven tread wear on an AWD could mean future or current transfer case, front and rear differential problems.

Hope this helps!
 






The 99-01 Eddie or Limited v8 would be a good choice...
 












98-01 Limited or Eddie Bauer.....OR 98-01 Mountaineer....

All with the V8....2WD or AWD...

They are the BEST all round...most reliable...cheap(er) to fix

Ryan
 






Thank you all... 2nd generation Explorers down here have a reputation (maybe 1995-7s, don't kno for sure) for chassis bending and weak suspension... The reason is that potholes, bumps, and dirt roads are not uncommon in my town (due to geological reasons, since the city was built on what used to be a lake...) plus we have lots of hills and 8.000ft altitude... As a Bronco owner, a truck suited to the above conditions, I'd like to get an Explorer model that is closest to the Bronco, my other choices have been mid 1990s Toyota 4Runner or Cherokee XJ or Nissan Pathfinder, but I am definitely a Ford fan and reliability has been great in my two Broncos, even compared to a bunch of japanese used cars I used to own... They tell me the 1st generation Explorers have better low-end torque and off road manners (plus cheaper parts)?, but of course 2nd generation's are much nicer looking... what about the Firestone related deaths; what model years were those? (I do have Firestones in my Bronco with great results)... Thank you again
 






By the way, 99% of mid/late 1990s Explorers in my local market come equipped with the 4.0L SOHC V-6, I have only seen a couple V-8s... As are Broncos here whose 90% stock engine is the 5.0L V-8...
 






Uh, I forgot, manual transmissions, despite being better performers, are out the question... too many traffic jams in my town... Thanks again...
 






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