beach89
New Member
- Joined
- April 4, 2011
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Columbus, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 XLT V8
My 2002 explorer v8 4x4 just got totaled b/c of unseen ice. I'm fine and amazed that the explorer was still drivable after hitting a side rail at 45mph. The only problems I had up until it was totaled at 120k were the wheel bearings and the diff whine. It looks like(from the threads still on the first page) that the wheel bearings in the 4th gen still don't last much over 100k(vs 60k in the 3rd gen). It also looks like in order to get a worry free transmission that I have to get an 08+ with a 60r80, also true? Is that stupid whining differential gone for all the 4th gens, or is that still a problem? Are there any other common problems for 06-08 explorers? I liked my 02 since it towed my 5k lbs boat quite well, but it seems like ford got rid of the limited slip 3.73 for the 4th gens. Has anyone that's owned a 3rd and 4th gen noticed any difference in power/towing? How about any mpg improvement? I'm buying it solely to tow my boat, so it'll never be used for any off roading. It'll just be for towing/daily driving in the city.
I'd like to get another explorer, but I'm also kinda sick of owning a vehicle with multiple known common costly problems. I babied it and changed the engine oil every 3k and the tranny/diff oil every 30k and still was worried about a sudden $3k hit for a new tranny or diff. I'm looking at an 06 4runner v8 also if anyone has experience with them.
Thanks for any help/opinions!
I'd like to get another explorer, but I'm also kinda sick of owning a vehicle with multiple known common costly problems. I babied it and changed the engine oil every 3k and the tranny/diff oil every 30k and still was worried about a sudden $3k hit for a new tranny or diff. I'm looking at an 06 4runner v8 also if anyone has experience with them.
Thanks for any help/opinions!