Considering an 02 Explorer

[AGodlyCanuck]

My father offered me his 02 Explorer. he is a mechanic and kept it in good condition.
recently he did the Timing Chains on the engine. Lows KMs. Under 150k. but they're looking for something smaller.
I would get it for very cheap.

My thing is, i had always considered 02 Explorers 100% failure rates.
Yet, up until this point I've never had a transmission failure on any of my explorers.

I guess what im asking is, would you consider this? Has anyone ever had an 02 and never experienced transmission issues?
After all, when you sell millions of vehicles you WILL have a lot of failures. that's just numbers.

What do you think?

 

[fordysenior]

I own an early model 2002, 4.6L. 4 X 4. It has 154k miles, bought it with about 26k on it back in 2004. The tranny has never been touched or serviced. The number is 5R55W. I change the engine oil every 5k miles. The biggest issues I've had is with wheel bearings. There has been a minor hiccup here and there, but overall, it's been a good vehicle.

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

I own an early model 2002, 4.6L. 4 X 4. It has 154k miles, bought it with about 26k on it back in 2004. The tranny has never been touched or serviced. The number is 5R55W. I change the engine oil every 5k miles. The biggest issues I've had is with wheel bearings. There has been a minor hiccup here and there, but overall, it's been a good vehicle.

yeah, i've driven it. It's fine. at least it was the last time i drove it lol

 

[dvdswan]

I currently have an 02 Explorer XLT 4WD, actually the wife's, and it has been great. We've had it for 3 years it just crossed 150K. Only issue were the hubs making noise about 6 months ago. Swapped them out about a 3/10 job. Front bushings are starting to squeak on bumps so bushings will be replaced soon. Other than that is has been a great vehicle. Good ride and easy to maneuver.

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

I currently have an 02 Explorer XLT 4WD, actually the wife's, and it has been great. We've had it for 3 years it just crossed 150K. Only issue were the hubs making noise about 6 months ago. Swapped them out about a 3/10 job. Front bushings are starting to squeak on bumps so bushings will be replaced soon. Other than that is has been a great vehicle. Good ride and easy to maneuver.

View attachment 448493

Thats definitely the kind of info I've been looking for.

Thank you, looks very clean by the way.

 

[plasticseng]

My '02 has 362,000 miles on it and is still going strong. It had the servo bore problem in the transmission way back at 140K, but the transmission has been fine after the rebuild (included sleeving the bores). I did the timing chains at 250K, and have done wheel bearings, struts, ball joints and other odds and ends. All in all, it's been a really good vehicle.

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

My '02 has 362,000 miles on it and is still going strong. It had the servo bore problem in the transmission way back at 140K, but the transmission has been fine after the rebuild (included sleeving the bores). I did the timing chains at 250K, and have done wheel bearings, struts, ball joints and other odds and ends. All in all, it's been a really good vehicle.

What would the symptoms of the servo bore issue be?
does the transmission have to come out to fix that?

 

[sandsprayer]

Treat the 5R55W like a baby, and continue the maintenance and you should make out like a bandit!

 

[AGodlyCanuck]

Treat the 5R55W like a baby, and continue the maintenance and you should make out like a bandit!

thats the plan, im no longer into hauling ass everywhere i go.
I got people to live for now, people to keep safe with my driving lol

 

[plasticseng]

What would the symptoms of the servo bore issue be?
does the transmission have to come out to fix that?

OD light flashing, won't stay in overdrive, skips second gear.

It can be fixed in the car now, with a servo that has an o-ringed pin. Check out these guys:

Ford Servo Bore Fix

 

[Argentimage]

Those are the major issues on the gen 3. once you fix the slush box then the 4x4 chain stretches and a junk yard box is cheaper than the rebuild kit. Only thing if you need it as daily driver, have to take it to a shop that can do the repair in a day or so.

Timing chains means pulling the engine, ac refridgerant, radiator and water pump while you are in there, once you go that deep all sorts of things can break on a 20 year old car that frod never intended to last that long

 

[Stynx]

I'd expect the trans to go at some point but if the timing chains have already been done, the rest will be nickel and dime stuff. I did the trans, a/c compressor, EGR valve and had all the fluids changed. IIRC the front struts and ball joints were replaced too. This is all stuff related to the age of the vehicle IMO. It runs and drives fine. The transmission guy said he thought the engine had been replaced but I have no idea if it was true. I hope it was since that's one less thing to worry about.

We need to get about another year or two out of it then we will either give it to one of my kids as a starter vehicle or sell it. That said, we drive it like it's old and fragile since basically it is.

 

[dkl]

If you have already done the timing chains, I wouldn't hesitate to take a 2002. I have the 5R55W and it had the classic problems early on (40K miles). Slow engagement in reverse would literally throw you forward. Also a little harsh on coast-down shifts. Dealer replaced the solenoid body and solved the problem. They also installed an external transmission filter (XC3Z*7B155*G). Since then, I just have a drain and fill done every 45K along with a BG transmission service and it shifts great. These are not heavyduty transmissions but okay for occasional towing with the 3.73 rear end.

Other minor nits; wheel bearings gone at 100K but easy to replace, on the rear I went with the full knuckle (MOOG). Door ajar switches are flimsy, keep some in stock, easy to diagnose and replace if you have a scan tool. Early model 2002 had a smaller toe-link setup than late model and forward. The new rear wheel knuckles solved that with a larger 17mm socket stud. Bose OEM stero has classic problem of the floating volume knob. LED display in the instrument cluster (mileage, compass, temperature) went out fairly early but learned on this forum that it was simply a bad solder joint on the back of the cluster. Was able to remove the cluster and use a pencil gun to resolder.

Give your truck a treat and reach way back and change the PCV valve. Also pull the return line on your power steering and flush the powersteering fluid. Brakes are easy and last incredibly long for a vehicle that heavy. I've never had any problems with OD, differential or transfer case. Rock Auto, MOOG and Motorcraft are your friends.

 

[swshawaii]

YMMV

CARCOMPLAINTS.COM NOTES: The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.

The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.

2002 Ford Explorer problems

The 2002 Ford Explorer has 8054 problems & defects reported by Explorer owners. The worst complaints are transmission, body / paint, and accessories - interior problems.

www.carcomplaints.com