91-94 vs. 95 and Newer Explorers

[udmsvt]

Originally posted by Rhett Browning
Before I answer, let me just say that I am not a transmission guy, so there's a lot I can't tell you because I don't know. I do know that the 93-94 auto trans featured torrington bearings instead of thrust washers, and that's just one thing that was upgraded.
If you want, you can do a search on the topic and you'll see threads about these upgrades here by people who know a lot more than me!

If you're looking for a 1st gen truck, then I would either get a manual of any year 91-94, or go for a 93 or 94 auto. Back when I bought mine I went for a 94 because it was the last year of the good truckish bodystyle. If you're going to use the truck offroad I would recommend an automatic just because it's nice not to worry about shifting when you're trying to run a trail or pick thru rocks, but that's just me, some offroaders love the manual shifting. The manual trans are made by mitsu or mazda (varies from truck to truck) and are generally considered to be more reliable than the automatics.

usually its mazda trans...only problem with them is the rubber plugs tend to dry and crack and fall out, causing al fluid to drain. good news is just had the trans out last week (clutch, slave cyl, master cyl, machine flywheel) and the plugs were fine .

 

[kocke01]

As an off-roader of both a modified (running 33s w/4.10 gears) 91 auto and a 94 manual (same; I moved everything from the 91 over to the 94) I can say that I like a manual tranny hands down. Why? Because the final drive ratio? (I think that's what it's called) on the auto was very uncomfortable for me. 4 low, 1st gear and I was still hitting the brakes even on the smallest of downhills. With my manual tranny in 4 low 1st, it feels like I have crawler gears compared to my auto. Of course, I learned to off-road in a standard tranny '84 Bronco II. I didn't like the auto from day 1 so I'm sure I'm biased against it. This argument (for lack of a better term) has been discussed many times (there's even a poll out there somewhere) and probably doesn't belong here, but I have used both now and I'll never off-road in an automatic again, it just wasn't for me, and yes I know all about the foot on the brake while you accelerate trick that you can only do easily on an auto (the term escapes me though), and I used it once or twice, but not enough to justify the a$$ pucker of skidding down hills because my gears won't slow me down.

 

[kocke01]

Heh,
With that said. Good luck finding a manual 4-dr
They aren't exactly a dime a dozen. If you need the 4 door you may find yourself in an auto irregardless of your preference.

 

[Premier]

Here is a first gen that is ABSOLUTELY bad ass....

Click me---->

 

[udmsvt]

Originally posted by Premier
Here is a first gen that is ABSOLUTELY bad ass....

Click me---->

shhh! darn you, premier.

seriously 88verts is pretty bad ass.

i reall am thinking of selling mine though, even before i saw his up there.

dont forget mine has less miles

....and a 5-speed

 

[Premier]

Haha, sorry...

You just wanna sell yours, so YOU can buy verts

 

[udmsvt]

actually if you look up the one about my clutch or the one about me getting my escort, you will see i have been thinking about it for weeks and almost traded it in on a 2002 nissan sentra SE-R Vspec

 

[Premier]

well, I saw you got an escort... I just thought you would keep the X

 

[udmsvt]

i do and i dont want to keep it. the escort will get me through winter and i have alot of bills and to be honest, switching form a car clutch to a truck clutch constantly is killing me! i love driving a stick but they are SO much dif!

 

[88vert]

e-mail sent your way Barry

 

[unclemeat]

I have a 91 sport 5.5-inch lift 33x12.5 tires and a 98 ranger stock with off road package. Both are manuals. The first generation X is cheaper to lift and the lift will increase suspension performance. The engine in the newer ranger is noticably stronger. I like haveing a trail buggy that is worth less money. If I roll it I can buy another one and swap parts for a lot lesss money than a newer one. If it gets dented, I haven't lost anything.

 

[sawdust123]

finding things that would fit a 95 was a little on the hard side, but i managed. i wish i would have bought a 94 or such. i guess ill just have to do the straight axle conv.
tt, aal and body lift just doesn't feel high enough, but then again how high is high enough...