Found an Explorer! I pick it up tomorrow.

[Patrick98GT]

Well, the FNG found an Explorer. Quicker than I expected.

We decided that we definately don't want a big car payment at all, so that factored alot into picking this truck up.

Anyway, it's a '97 XLT 5.0L AWD with leather, sunroof and 6 disc changer. 110K miles on the clock and it's in really good shape. I'm going to give them $5500 for it, which I think is an alright deal considering that it's well-kept.

So what's going to break on it first that I need to be aware of?

 

[Milio Marsh]

cool car

You choosed a good car to begian with. that seems very cheap for a 97' explorer. I wish i can get a new explorer I have a 94' explorer and I wished I had another one.
I hope you like it, I bet you will.

 

[explorer4x493]

Watch out for the tranny. Mine went out at 115k, but i don't know the diff since you have awd.

If you have auto air then you need to watch out for the plenum going bad. It's what controls the air temp for the "auto" setting.

Otherwise, "go bad first" is just more than likely wear and tear: shocks, bearings, bushings, ball joints and so on more or less in the suspension. You should do a search on all of those categories to learn more about the symptoms.

And most of all, welcome to the site!

 

[Mbrooks420]

You shouldn't have to worry about the tranny, the problems were with the V6 units. Your tranny is stout. I'd guess ball joints, blend door, seat recliner lever, and rear inside door handles. These are all problems I had repeatedly with both Explorers I have had. The V8,AWD is a good drivetrain, and if not abused(beyond reason ) should last quite a while. Not a bad price with those options.

 

[explorer4x493]

You shouldn't have to worry about the tranny, the problems were with the V6 units. Your tranny is stout. I'd guess ball joints, blend door, seat recliner lever, and rear inside door handles. These are all problems I had repeatedly with both Explorers I have had. The V8,AWD is a good drivetrain, and if not abused(beyond reason ) should last quite a while. Not a bad price with those options.

Are your inside rear door handles non functional as well? It's almost like the child lock is on, but not. Mine occured when people would yank the handles to get out of the rear.

 

[rino351]

When ya gonna lift it??

 

[rino351]

Welcome to the site!
You will get all your questions answered.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The handle itself has a tab that breaks off. It's a poor design and should have been updated long ago. The people in the back did nothing wrong other than try and use the door handle. I replaced 4 of them and just gave up. When the rears go in the truck i have now, I just won't replace them.

 

[KrAzyWuLpH]

congrats, can't wait to see some pics =]

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

If anything goes wrong, my money would be on the AC blend door or the display in the radio HU. Unless those have already happened and now you are getting one that has already been repaired. Take some good advice. Pay for the rights to run VIN's, not only on this vehicle, but any that you may be considering for adoption. You should always try and find out the history of a vehicle escpecially since it all available to us so easily these days. It takes out all of the guess work. Those vehicles can't talk, but those sheets of papers telling the history of the vehicle sure speak loud and clear. Will be the best money you ever spent on this or any vehicle you plan on buying.

 

[Patrick98GT]

When ya gonna lift it??

As soon as the current tires wear out! Probably a torsion bar twist and shackles...for now. Maybe more later on.

 

[Patrick98GT]

I ran a carfax on it already, and am satisfied with the results.

 

[terdrocket]

I ran a carfax on it already, and am satisfied with the results.

Don't believe everything you read on carfax. I did $12,000 worth of damage when mine was 6 months old. Nothing shows up on my carfax report.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I wish someone would run one on mine. I would love to see what comes up on it. I am too cheap to buy it, LOL.

 

[Crazy5711]

Good luck with the new Explorer.

I did a carfax on mine and it came up fine, but then there are all kinds of sites like this one that help us DIYers keep alterations and damage off of reports. Not to mention all they had to do at the body shop or wherever is mix up one number or letter on the VIN and it wouldn't show up on any report, if it even gets reported. You have to be able to look for signs that everything is not as well as they say, but I'm sure there are plenty of them out there that actually don't have damage.