First check the connector to see if it can still be used. There is a little tab in each hole that holds the wire in place. If they're broken off, you'll need a new connector. You can get a new one from a parts store, but that doesn't solve the problem of which wire goes in which hole. When I had this problem, I went to the local pick 'n pull and found a good one. If the wires are firmly in the connector, it's good. Try to get one from the same year Explorer if possible to help ensure the wires will be the same color. This may or may not be a problem. I don't normally cut wires at the salvage yard knowing someone else may need what I'd be cutting, but in this case, you'll want to cut the wires several inches from the connector. This way you can see which wire goes in which hole. Install the "new" connector by removing one wire at a time from salvaged connector and plugging in the same color wire from the original wiring harness. A small screwdriver can be used to depress the tabs and release the wire. The wire should "snap" into the slot in the "new" connector and the tab will keep it locked into place. Not all the slots in the connector are used, so there will be empty slots.
Sometime during this process, cut the tape that holds the bundle of wires to the steering column. There's probably 2 or 3 places where it's taped. This problem occurred because the bundle of wires doesn't have enough slack at the connector to allow for movement when the steering wheel is tilted down. Cutting the tape will let the wires move enough so this problem doesn't happen again.
