Anybody know how to determine the year of an Explorer?

[kidakat]

I have to replace my transfer case in my '97 Sport (V6 OHV - 5sp manual), with a properly functioning unit. I was told that I can only use t-cases from 1996 & 1997 explorers because other years have either the wrong speed sensors or the wrong drive shaft configuraitons.

After the recent Cash-For-Clunkers promo, there are lots of good t-cases in the local U-Pull-It salvage yard, but as I walk around looking at these Explorers, I'm unsure of what year they are.

Does anybody know how I can determine if any given Ford Explorer that I'm looking at is either a 1996 or 1997 model year truck? To me, a 1995 or a 1998 Explorer looks the same as my 1997.

thanks,

Aaron

 

[Iceman83]

Open the driver's door, ad there is a sticker on the door. the upper right corner will show the manufature date. Usually anything after 07/XX is the model year for the following year. Mine was made in 08/95, so I know it is a '96.

 

[kidakat]

That makes perfect sense. Thanks for the tip Iceman83!

Seems like I should have known that...

 

[firepop5]

The 10th digit of the VIN number designates the model year. If the vin number is present, 1996 should be "T" and 1997 should be "V"

 

[KPT]

I think 1997 is the only year that will work for you.

96 has the non-cv front output shaft and 98 doesn't have the vss.

Its easy to spot 98+ though, the liftgate and tail lights are different.

 

[gijoecam]

At a glance, the 95-97 will have the 'older' tailgate with the license plate in the bumper and the 't-handle' to open the tailgate window.

If the tailgate has the license plate integrated into the tailgate, with the bubble-rear glass like this:

then it's a 98-01, which won't have the right case for yours. So, you can narrow them down that way first.

For the 95-96, they'll have a u-joint front output shaft. You need the case with the rear output shaft speed sensor and the CV joint front output which they ONLY used in 97.

You can glance at the door sticker (if it's there and if you can get the door open), or look at the VIN plate. The 10th character will be the model year as follows:

T = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998

Does that help?