Buying '92 XLT Explorer 4x4 tips or things to watch??

[ehask]

Hey Guys!! Great forum

I am looking at a '92 XLT Explorer 4x4 4.0 w/Autotrans and 99K miles. It is going to be my spare vehicle as well as to haul my boat to the ramp 2 miles away.

Is there anything I should look/watch out for befor I buy it? Despite the obvious.

Thanks!!

Eric

 

[general x]

welcome to the site
i happen to have the same truck with 150000KM's on it and i bought it in january of 2004, When i got it the only problems i had with it were a brake problem (no pad left on brake pad = nice grove in rotor) and the transmission has some wear and tear on it
The brake problem was just a lack of matanence thing from the previous owner but the trannys is a part of the long lineup of weak explorer trannsmissions. The only problem with mine is it engages a little late and seems to leak oil. Make sure you note the trannys operation when you drive it. Thats the only things i had wrong with mine really so i hope all goes well with yours. By the way, what color is it?

 

[ehask]

By the way, what color is it?

Blue. I am still negotiating with the owner on price but I am going to take it for a spin Mon.

Thanks!!

Eric

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

check out the balljoints and other front-end parts

 

[Fixxer]

Check for rust near the rear doors on the bottom. I think they are called the doglegs.

 

[ruzztec]

LOL the rear wipers go out. The metalunder the rear doors is usally rusted their called the rockerpanels. The first sign of them rusting id the paint starting to bubbel. This rust is due to salt on the road in the winter time. Find out where it came from. Flordia,KY,OH,CA they will all have diff effects on the paint and body.Check the Underbody as well, its tells the dark secrets of a cars history. Misshapes of the metal under thier can mean a rought driver.

 

[Bashman]

Another area to check for proper functioning is the 4X4 system.

Take it to a road with loose terrain (gravel, dirt etc), press the 4X4 HI button (light on switch should come on), roll down the window and drive forward turning the wheel lock to lock while listening for any clicking. Straighten out and stop, select 4X4 HI again, select reverse and drive straight back at least 10 feet to disengage the auto hubs then drive forward turning the wheel again and listen for clicking. If you here a ratcheting sound it means the front hubs are shot and not completely disengaging. If all is well, go back into 4wd HI, then either select neutral or park and press 4X4 LOW (light on switch should come on) drive forward to ensure that is working properly as well. Once you are done, take it out of 4wd and go the opposite direction (min 10 ft) to disengage. 4Hi can be selected while moving but 4LO you must come to a complete stop and be in either neutral or park (clutch depressed for manuals) and already in 4HI.

 

[Chew_12]

also ask him if the tranny has been replaced. These auto trannies dont last too long, but there has been some that have. Ask him if it has been slipping or when you test drive it make sure the tranny seems right.

 

[RedXplr]

I would pay attention to front end components like mentioned above, those can be annoying and expensive. Tranny is something to watch also as you know.

 

[general x]

Ya My explorers white on top blue on bottom, i payed 3500 (Canadian) for mine, My AC doesnt work by the way so i guess you could check that too

 

[ehask]

Thanks Everyone

I ended up with a 1992 Eddie Bauer Explorer with 120K milesfor $2500 US. Im here in florida so rust wasnt an issue. Everything is great including AC and the tranny is shifting great as well as 4x4.

I do have one concern with it Power steering seems to have a hitch in it and doesnt seem right. Is this the usual bad ford power steering pump or is there a way to tell if its the steering box??

Thanks All!!

Eric

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

hey 2500, thats a good deal with no rust

i picked up mine for 2250 before tax and license, it had the regular rust on the rocker panels and it had worn parts up front, and i thought i got a good deal


about the steering box, does it seem like it has play in it?

 

[F14CRAZY]

I ended up with a 1992 Eddie Bauer Explorer with 120K milesfor $2500 US. Im here in florida so rust wasnt an issue. Everything is great including AC and the tranny is shifting great as well as 4x4.

I do have one concern with it Power steering seems to have a hitch in it and doesnt seem right. Is this the usual bad ford power steering pump or is there a way to tell if its the steering box??

Thanks All!!

Eric

The power steering pumps on most older Fords moan when you turn the wheel. Seems to be normal, but with my trucks I always keep the fluid clean, using a turkey baster and replacing what I can suck up every once in a while like when I change oil. If you have slack in the steering box, it can be adjusted...

Under the hood, find the steering box. Loosen the nut on top a little bit, and turn the screw a couple turns. Retighten the nut, and take it for a test drive; if the steering wheel does not properly return or snap back, then back off the screw a little bit. Repeat this until it's about right. Slack is still in the tie rods, so consider that too.

NOTE: some people have said that this causes uneven wear in the steering box, and possible failure can result. I haven't worried since I have clean fluid all the time, but please, do it at your own risk.

 

[ehask]

Pump Im thinking

I think it is the pump as it seems to be full power steering one minute and a little harder to turn the next. Pump seems to groan alot more than I would expect ( I had about the same year Tbird that had same kind of whine at idle )

I was leary of buying it actually due to it having the towing package factory. I talked dealer into letting me take it out for a couple hours. So I could run it around at different speeds to test the tranny. Damn thing still had factory spare fuses in it HAHA.

Eric