'97 Mountaineer, decision time?

[429CJ-3X2]

My son's '97 Mountaineer's water pump went out today, and we're wondering if it's time to replace it (the Mountaineer). V8, 2WD, 191,678 miles, probably one of the least optioned Mountaineers built. Radio won't turn off for more than a minute or so. I replaced it once with the same model and nothing changed. The a/c doesn't work as it won't hold refrigerant. Needs tires. Aside from a dented fender from a deer running into it, the body's in decent shape with minimal rust for a vehicle that's spent it's life in Iowa. Front bumper has a large rust hole on 1 corner, and the other corner is about to rust through. When it was towed home today, the tow truck driver discovered that the rear gas tank strap has rusted in two, and the tank is hanging down. Uses some oil. Has had a mystery coolant leak since we bought it 11 years ago. New water pump and gaskets might solve that.

The good - New battery in Jan '24, new starter about a year ago. I've replaced both rear spring shackles - the 1st several years ago and the second one last summer. New upper control arm last year. The radiator was replaced 3 years ago.

As I type this, it seems clear it's time for him to get something else. It's his only vehicle, and he probably puts 150 miles a week on it, maybe more. Even with a new water pump and tires, it has no resale value. I could probably fix it myself, but I'd really don't want to deal with some of the fairly common complications. One wrinkle is that it's registered in my name, even though it's his, because it was easier and less complicated for me to take care of it at the time. I have always thought I'd pay him something and keep it when he got something else, which I still might do. If so, I could work on it when I choose to, if I choose to, and if complications arise, I can quit.

Thoughts?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

With the amount hes driving, I would look at something else. Since its his only. If it was a backup, it wouldnt matter.

 

[410Fortune]

Water pump and timing cover good idea to re seal them both u less you can confirm only the wp is leaking

No way would I give up my 5.0
Mounty they are tough and she probably has at least another 50-75k in her before any real issues just my 02
Parts are cheap
They are easy to work on
Fuel tank strap and a waterpump then find the refrigerant leak, often it’s just one of the ports… easy enough to install a new schrader valve

They don’t make them like this anymore a 97 5.0 is one tough vehicle

 

[Fix4Dirt]

^^Trust Jamie not me haha he has much more experience than I. I wouldnt give up on it per say but not sure its a great DD? But as a Californian any rust intimidates me

 

[410Fortune]

Ask yourself what are he/ you going to replace it with? In what price range?
Usually I figure $3500-5000 right? That does not get you much around here anymore… certainly something that is still going to need to be gone through… and likely not nearly as tough as. 5.0 explorer, parts don’t get any cheaper then this platform… so unless your going to get something way newer and way less miles imo stick with the 302 gen ii explorer and put the money into it

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Ask yourself what are he/ you going to replace it with? In what price range?
Usually I figure $3500-5000 right? That does not get you much around here anymore… certainly something that is still going to need to be gone through… and likely not nearly as tough as. 5.0 explorer, parts don’t get any cheaper then this platform… so unless your going to get something way newer and way less miles imo stick with the 302 gen ii explorer and put the money into it

Thats true. Though here Ive seen some pretty decent rust free 5.0s for around 5000. Not that Ive looked closely and inspected them though. The beauty might only be sheet metal deep. I just hate rust

 

[Josh P]

The vultures are circling this vehicle. If you're the one doing the work, the real question is, do you feel energetic enough to invest time and or money into it? If it is like every other Iowa vehicle I've seen, the cancer is probably worse than you expect. If it was me, I'd look for something 10 years old outside the salt belt area.

 

[allmyEXes]

@429CJ-3X2 Yes, it may be time for your son to get a different daily driver, then you can pull out the 5.0 and 4R70W and refresh it to use in
an antique Ford F100 or an old Mustang. I imagine that you have other old Fords or there are other old Fords that interest you.
If my '97 (96.5) Mountaineer had been rusty, I would have pulled the powertrain to use in something else.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Thanks, guys! After I posted this, I looked online at prices for used cars. They're nuts! $15,000 to 18,000, and all with over 100,000 miles. There's a 2002 Ranger Extended cab 4WD on a lot near us, $9999. I've seen it from a distance, but not close up. It has 163,000(?) miles on it. The "best buy" of what I saw may be a 1 owner 2018 Explorer Police Interceptor with 86,000 miles, new tires and alignment & rear struts for $18,000. Spending $1000 or more on the Mountaineer doesn't look so bad.

As to the rust, or lack thereof, the family we bought it from, bought it from the wife's father, who was a mechanic. I don't know how long he owned it, but one thing he did was spray oil inside the doors and on the underside to help slow the rust. We bought it 11 years ago this week after my son's 1st '97 Mountaineer got totalled when someone pulled out in front of him while he was going 55. Not a straight panel on it afterwards, including the roof and floor pan, and his only injuries were being sore from the seat belt.

We've known for a long time that this decision was going to come some day, so he's been thinking on it. Buying something else and making payments, which he's never had to do, will be a shock to him. He's already dealing with 3 of the 5 biggest events in a person's life this year - getting married in July, they just closed on a house, and moving from the only home he's lived in. He's always been good with his money, (which is why he's still driving a '97 Mountaineer despite it's problems) researching before purchasing, etc. Thanks to my father-in-law getting him into a mutual fund when he was a toddler, the down payment he had for their house was more than we paid total for our house.

One option he's thought of is a decommissioned highway patrol Explorer, due to the maintenance record it would have. He works for the state, so maybe he has an inside track on something like that.

I keep going back and forth on the best thing to do. On one hand, it might be better to move on, but if he does, that leaves me with a vehicle I don't need that's really too good to scrap. On the other hand, spending $1000-2000 fixing a decent vehicle he/we know might be better than $10-20,000 for something we don't know.

 

[410Fortune]

A 2002 ranger w 163 is going to need a lot of work very likely and it is about half the vehicle if a 5.0 explorer
Your 302 has a 3/4 ton engine and automatic transmission and a 31 spine rear axle
02 ranger usually has sohc v6 with 4 timing chains and a trans that could easily be on its way out… as I said very difficult to replace your mounty without spending a lot

 

[Turdle]

Mystery coolant leak is most likely timing cover, replace front main seal also, that could be leaking oil.
At least you know where you stand with the Mounty. It's savable.

 

[Josh P]

Thanks, guys! After I posted this, I looked online at prices for used cars. They're nuts! $15,000 to 18,000, and all with over 100,000 miles. There's a 2002 Ranger Extended cab 4WD on a lot near us, $9999. I've seen it from a distance, but not close up. It has 163,000(?) miles on it. The "best buy" of what I saw may be a 1 owner 2018 Explorer Police Interceptor with 86,000 miles, new tires and alignment & rear struts for $18,000. Spending $1000 or more on the Mountaineer doesn't look so bad.

As to the rust, or lack thereof, the family we bought it from, bought it from the wife's father, who was a mechanic. I don't know how long he owned it, but one thing he did was spray oil inside the doors and on the underside to help slow the rust. We bought it 11 years ago this week after my son's 1st '97 Mountaineer got totalled when someone pulled out in front of him while he was going 55. Not a straight panel on it afterwards, including the roof and floor pan, and his only injuries were being sore from the seat belt.

We've known for a long time that this decision was going to come some day, so he's been thinking on it. Buying something else and making payments, which he's never had to do, will be a shock to him. He's already dealing with 3 of the 5 biggest events in a person's life this year - getting married in July, they just closed on a house, and moving from the only home he's lived in. He's always been good with his money, (which is why he's still driving a '97 Mountaineer despite it's problems) researching before purchasing, etc. Thanks to my father-in-law getting him into a mutual fund when he was a toddler, the down payment he had for their house was more than we paid total for our house.

One option he's thought of is a decommissioned highway patrol Explorer, due to the maintenance record it would have. He works for the state, so maybe he has an inside track on something like that.

I keep going back and forth on the best thing to do. On one hand, it might be better to move on, but if he does, that leaves me with a vehicle I don't need that's really too good to scrap. On the other hand, spending $1000-2000 fixing a decent vehicle he/we know might be better than $10-20,000 for something we don't know.

I guess it depends on the area for car prices. I'll drive way out into the desert for a good deal. I'm seeing Rangers around me for under $4k that are extended cab and 4 wheel drive, older but good to go.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Mystery coolant leak is most likely timing cover, replace front main seal also, that could be leaking oil.
At least you know where you stand with the Mounty. It's savable.

Replacing those parts will probably solve both the coolant leak and oil leak. Wherever both leaks are, they mostly burn off. It's always parked in the same spot, and there's no evidence of either oil or coolant on the ground, but I did see evidence of both on the lower parts of the engine when I replaced the starter. It doesn't seem to be burning oil.

He's planning to check with a repair shop down the street that his girlfriend uses to see if they'll work on it. I really don't want to do all that needs to be done. If this shop is willing to work on it, is it safe to drive it the mile and a half from here to there? I know it won't have power steering since the serpentine belt is off, but there are 3 turns - from our driveway onto our street, onto the main street, and into their driveway.

 

[Turdle]

I don't think I'd do that. There's no drive to the water pump.

 

[410Fortune]

Flat tow it

 

[429CJ-3X2]

He's decided to move on to something else. He's pretty set on a Police Interceptor Explorer. There are 2 or 3 for sale locally. He wants me to go with him next week, after I return from a quick road trip, to look at a 2020 PIU with 90,000 miles.
He also mentioned a Tacoma as a possible replacement for the Mountaineer. Tacomas with high miles are sky high! After seeing a 2nd Gen Sport Trac on a lot, I suggested that. There were several for sale here a year and a half ago when I bought my '04 (which he's driving for now), and they were reasonably priced. I just have too many extra parts for 1st Gen Tracs to buy anything else. There's also a 101,000 mile '02 Sport Trac on a local lot for $8,000. Looks good in the pics.

At some point, I'll go to work on the Mountaineer. I'll be able to take my time, take it apart before ordering parts, and quit if I feel I'm over my head or $$. I do not need to spend money on another vehicle, but I could use the Mountaineer for a majority of my local driving and save the wear and tear on my Sport Tracs.

 

[410Fortune]

5.0 sport trac for the win!
Smart to keep the 97 around
My daily is a 5.0 2003 trac with a manual transmission and manual t case
Wicked fun vehicle, 3/4 ton drivetrain
Rides like an explorer does work like a Ranger, best part is sunroof and power down back window 4 full doors

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I'd LOVE a 5.0 Sport Trac!!

 

[amj441]

He's decided to move on to something else. He's pretty set on a Police Interceptor Explorer. There are 2 or 3 for sale locally. He wants me to go with him next week, after I return from a quick road trip, to look at a 2020 PIU with 90,000 miles.
He also mentioned a Tacoma as a possible replacement for the Mountaineer. Tacomas with high miles are sky high! After seeing a 2nd Gen Sport Trac on a lot, I suggested that. There were several for sale here a year and a half ago when I bought my '04 (which he's driving for now), and they were reasonably priced. I just have too many extra parts for 1st Gen Tracs to buy anything else. There's also a 101,000 mile '02 Sport Trac on a local lot for $8,000. Looks good in the pics.

At some point, I'll go to work on the Mountaineer. I'll be able to take my time, take it apart before ordering parts, and quit if I feel I'm over my head or $$. I do not need to spend money on another vehicle, but I could use the Mountaineer for a majority of my local driving and save the wear and tear on my Sport Tracs.

I so highly advise against these police units. I work in a shop where all we do is work on these things. they are hard to work on and expensive. all of them have terrible oil maintenance history and 1000s of idle hours. The best ones we have are the 3.3L and they are limp noodles of engines. Id stay away from any of the ecoboosts. one of the most common repairs we get are the failing internal timing chain water pumps which are a hell of alot harder than the external one you have that's leaking.

Not to mention these things use the same terrible transmissions that are in the focus', maverick, bronco sports, and escape. they are clunky and fail quickly. we have units here with 60k miles getting new transmissions.