Considering a Ford Explorer 4x4

[elementalnature]

Specs:
93 Ford Explorer 4-Door
V6?
I didn't get a lot of a look. But I'm going to go down there in a couple of days cash in hand.

Just some general questions:

Anything to look out for?
And I see it's a push-button 4x4... any problems there?

 

[James909]

Overall they are very good trucks and the OHV (4.0 V6) engine that is in the '93 is very reliable, I think you will be happy with it. I have a '92 myself and love it.

One major thing you should know, although you can't really watch out for it is that the transmissions on these trucks (A4LD) are undersized and don't last very long.

There is nothing wrong with the push button 4x4, the main problems are the hubs. If it has auto hubs and they are working, that's great, but they often break especially with oversize tires. This isn't a big deal however because you can get a manual hub conversion cheap and they are much stronger.

 

[Burns]

I would mainly look at mileage and how the tranny acts. (slipping bucking chattering ect.).

I have a 91 and have arond 328000 before the engine was needing a replacment

 

[elementalnature]

Okay. It sounds like this is a great and reliable truck. Warn manual hubs available if the auto ones break. Errr, one thing I noticed, the push button has a 4x4 hi and lo, no two wheel, that normal?

 

[James909]

Yes that's normal. You just push the 4x4 button again to turn 4wd off. There's lights on the dash that will tell you if you are in 4wd or not.

 

[elementalnature]

Great. We'll start working on it in a couple of days. Thanks guys

And what would you recommend for quick accessories. Already have a CB and Antenna in mind. What else?

 

[James909]

If you take a look at my signature it says the mods that I've done to my truck. I recommend any of those mods. Most of them were pretty cheap too except for the disc brake swap. Most of my mods though were aimed at making the truck better at hauling my boat. What do you plan to do with the truck? It will give us a better idea of what mods would suit your needs. Do you want it to be a serious off road rig, daily driver, etc. Watch out though because now that you've found the site you are just going to want to keep modding and modding your truck.

 

[elementalnature]

It's going to be my Daily Driver. I know I want to lift it, lock it (with e-locks, maybe from ARB Air lock if they have them), and throw some tires and wheels on it. It's going to be overhauled progressively over time. Right now I'm just looking for some starter items. Audio is probably a good place to start.

 

[troy11556]

audio... i can help there i replaced all the factory with 6x8 5 way speakers, and for a head unit i have a blackmore cd/dvd player with a 4 inch screen that puts out good audio and video. its a cheap radio to around 150 i got it from overstock.com and it sounds good with the 12" kicker comps in the back and for me the entire radio system minus the subs and acc with subs was around 300. i also have added vid monitors but i did not include them in it.

 

[troy11556]

just a hint go ahead and either use the factory amp which i have done with the wireing plugs easier install. or you will need to bypass the factory amp which means to rewire the speakers cause the speaker wires runs to the factory amp at the top of the fire wall, then to the speakers.

 

[troy11556]

oh and for 600 or little less you can get the disk conversion for the explorer. here the place i used.... http://www.tsmmfg.com/ it was the cheapest place and a few friends used their parts and were very happy with them....

 

[elementalnature]

oh and for 600 or little less you can get the disk conversion for the explorer. here the place i used.... http://www.tsmmfg.com/ it was the cheapest place and a few friends used their parts and were very happy with them....

Disk brakes? What does the conversion kit do?

 

[troy11556]

make the rear drum brakes into disk brakes which improves brakeing. it used to take me a decent distance at 60 to 70 to stop and now it takes me 2/3 of that distance. so now when i hit the brakes it 1) does not bow up in the front with the aftermarket proportioning valve "the vehicle stays level at hard braking" 2) its a more stable stop 3) the stoping power is increased.