A Tale of Two Explorers

[Rhett]

If I keep the older Explorer, I want to get new leather upholstery for the front seats and console cover. Where can I get that done?

Around here we have upholstery shops that will do that kind of work, although it seems increasingly they do not want to work with pure leather. Instead they prefer working with that pleather (aka plastic leather) or "leatherette" stuff that's not really leather but sorta feels like it. It might be pricey to have them do both front seats but probably worth it -- a good job will last another 20 years.

 

[Kesp4.0]

The 3rd Gen Explorers were body on frame but had a fully independent front and rear suspension, whereas the 1st Gen Explorers were body on frame utilizing a solid rear axle and Twin-Traction Beam assembly up front. I find shocks to be easier to replace than struts, but the 3rd gen certainly has a smoother ride. The 1st Gen is about as close to an old school truck suspension as you could get. I mean, the TTB is an archaic but solid design.

 

[cantornikolaos]

The First Gen is my fav. It's is more rugged than I originally thought and it's not very hard to work on.

 

[92exp4x4]

1st Gen is about as close to an old school truck suspension as you could get. I mean, the TTB is an archaic but solid design.

The cologne V6 OHV came out in 1968 and twin I-beam has been used since about 1964. First gens def have thier roots in older designs.

 

[Chirko]

One person conservative. Second innovator. Who you are? Of course generation Explorer 1 became a bestseller in 1991. He will remain as such. In all subsequent more comfort, but less spirit. Good old OHV engine, angular design, high fuel consumption. This is history. A real story.

 

[uberninja]

The First Gen is my fav. It's is more rugged than I originally thought and it's not very hard to work on.

Sure hope you keep that 94 around. Yours looks like its set up exactly like mine!

I liked the simplicity of the 94 over the 05 my parents had. But its harder to find certain parts for the 94 at times. Took me a couple months to find a grey sunroof cover for under $100. I'm also struggling to track down a rear washer jet, but that might come from a donor 94 my parents have hanging around.

Maybe you can answer a silly question for me though, are the running boards black with that body color? Mine have some sun fade going on so I wasn't sure if it was dark green or black.

 

[92exp4x4]

Sure hope you keep that 94 around. Yours looks like its set up exactly like mine!

I liked the simplicity of the 94 over the 05 my parents had. But its harder to find certain parts for the 94 at times. Took me a couple months to find a grey sunroof cover for under $100. I'm also struggling to track down a rear washer jet, but that might come from a donor 94 my parents have hanging around.

Maybe you can answer a silly question for me though, are the running boards black with that body color? Mine have some sun fade going on so I wasn't sure if it was dark green or black.

My limited has the same running boards. They are body color (white) with the black pads. All the ones I have seen are body/accent color and have black pads. Hopefully this helps answer your question.