Future explorer owner in need of advice.

[otterizer]

Hello. I'm in the market for an Explorer, but since I've only owned Hondas my entire 3 years of driving, I have no idea where to start. I know the basics about them, like which trim levels come with what, which generations are which, etc. My parents have a 2000 Explorer XLT, and I like it a lot. However, being a poor college student, the newest model I could afford is probably a '95. So anyway, here are my questions:

1) I have the option of getting a '94 Limited with only 55k on the clock for a good price. I could also go with a '95 XLT (no leather ) with about 80k for about the same price too. Which would you all recommend as far as reliability goes?

2) I have been told by many explorer owners to stay away from the 91-93's due to many bugs in the design. What about the '94s?

3) From your guy's personal experiences, has your explorer been reliable and easy to maintain?

4) Would you recommend an Explorer to someone who will NOT be doing any mods for offroading, show, etc?

5) On the 95-98(?)'s, the tailgate is just plain flat, but on the 99-2001's it has an inlet for the license plate. Can these be swapped out?

6) I know this is a Ford message board, but what do you guys think about the 4runner? I couldn't find any info on that one anywhere..no club sites or anything.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated...I'm outgrowing my Accord, and I need something that I can take snowboarding!

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Alec]

Between the 94 and 95, the 94 sounds better: lower miles and better trim. Depends on the body style you like. As for the hatches, 91-97 are the same, 98+ is different. If you change the hatch, you'll need to change the taillights, too. But I think everything swaps out.

Question: why do you want to swap the hatches? Spend the money on audio or something you'll probably enjoy more than a newer hatch.

The Explorer is a great vehicle. Mine has been very reliable and good to me; even with the beating and the **** I dish out. With regular maintenance and a bit of TLC, they last a long time. Case in point, you see a lot more 91-94 Explorers out there than most vehicles of that age. Good luck, and let us know if you need anything else.

BTW, Welcome to the club!

 

[otterizer]

Thanks for the reply! The reason I asked about swapping the hatches is because I personally like the 98+ hatches with the license plate in the middle, but my mom likes the older style, and she said if I did the work I could change them out if I wanted.

Anyway, I like both bodystyles alright, but I like the interiors of the 95+ models WAY better...but reliability is what I'm mainly concerned with. I've heard both ends of the story as far as explorers go. Some have owned one since '91 and never had a problem, some are on their third engine, etc. If anyone has any more info as far as reliability, feel free to share it.

 

[Alec]

They both have the same drivetrain, so I'd go with the one with lower miles. But 55 vs 80 probably won't ultimately make that much difference. The difference is how they've been maintained, a reasonable amount of stuff should be done around 60k.

If you're just swapping between 2 explorers, might as well try. Check the curvature and angles of the rear sides of the truck where the hatch mates. If that's ok, you should be good. You'll probably need to swap the hatch, taillights, and bumpers (plate issues). An afternoon of playing with stuff will tell you if you can do it. If it doesn't work, just put em back together!

BTW, are they 2 or 4 wheel drive? 2 should be more reliable.

 

[Rick]

91's and '92s had more bugs than '93s and '94s. You can look at the TSBs at Alldata.com to see for yourself what kind of problems there were.

We have the '93 with 140k of hard mileage and none of the bugs have showed up.

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by Alec
As for the hatches, 91-97 are the same, 98+ is different. If you change the hatch, you'll need to change the taillights, too. But I think everything swaps out.

No, they don't just swap out. Not only are the taillights different in design, the contour of the newer style hatch is different. If you wanted to swap hatches, it will take HEAVY modification, which pretty much means cutting the old rear end off, replacing the rear quarter panel glass, etc. This would be major $$$ for a shop to do.

 

[otterizer]

so since the 94-95's are the same drivetrain it's basically which one looks better? I know for a fact the 94 has been taken care of like it was a baby or something. religious maintinence, all that good stuff.

I'm not gonna worry about the hatch if it needs lots of modification...I was just curious to see if it'd work.

One more question, are the manual transmission models any more reliable or in any way better than automatics? (other than slightly better gas mileage) I haven't seen very many manuals, but I figured I would ask..

Oh yeah, how would I be able to tell the difference between a 2wd and 4wd, other than actually looking inside to see if there's a switch for it? are there specific models that are 2wd only?

 

[Hartman]

Personally I like the looks of the 2nd gen Ex's more than the 1st gen's, but it's all about personal preference. You gotta weigh your options, see what the vehicle will actually be used for, and just make your best choice. It's hard for us to give you recommendations, because we can't really read your mind.

P.S. - 95's RULE!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Originally posted by otterizer
so since the 94-95's are the same drivetrain it's basically which one looks better? The 94 is a TTB front end and the 95 is a IFS suspension. The 95 was the first year for the torsion bars. I know for a fact the 94 has been taken care of like it was a baby or something. religious maintinence, all that good stuff.

I'm not gonna worry about the hatch if it needs lots of modification...I was just curious to see if it'd work.

One more question, are the manual transmission models any more reliable or in any way better than automatics? (other than slightly better gas mileage) I haven't seen very many manuals, but I figured I would ask.. I have never seen a 95+ model with a manual tranny. That doesn't mean they aren't made, just I have never seen one

Oh yeah, how would I be able to tell the difference between a 2wd and 4wd, other than actually looking inside to see if there's a switch for it? are there specific models that are 2wd only?Well on the 95+ models with 4doors it will have the sticker on the back lift gate that says "conrtol Trac 4WD" right under the Explorer emblem on the drivers side

Oh and Welcome to the site.

 

[Alec]

Ya, I totally forgot about the suspension difference. Silly me. And I didn't know if the hatch would work, I just suggested you try if you have free parts

 

[Char]

Otterizer,

The other way to tell if it's 2wd or 4wd is to look under and see if the front has a pumpkin or not or if there is a drive shaft going to the front. If there is a pumpkin or a drive shaft then it's 4wd.

 

[otterizer]

sweet. I honestly don't know how often I would be using 4wd..my Accord does fine going up to the pass and it's front wheel drive only. Would it make a difference if towing a small little uhaul trailer or something? I know for a fact I will be using this explorer for some sort of road trip, so a trailer will be in order.

Here's another question for ya. Since I don't know a lot about fords, I don't know how they do their trim levels. For example, take my accord. It was offered in DX, LX, and EX. DX being the base model, no power anything, just basics. LX's all had power locks, windows, steering, and a few little things. EX's added a power moonroof and a few more little things. Is this the same with Explorers? I mean, is there a trim level that 4WD is standard? I would assume on the limited/eddie bauer it would be standard, and then optional on the XL, XLS, or XLT?

Sorry if I'm bothering all you explorer experts with these questions. if they sound stupid it's because I honestly don't know, having only owned Honda's.

And thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[towdriverb]

Bigest problem with pre 95 is front hubs have problem.



i have owned both styles will not buy another with the old style hubs

 

[Jason_25]

2WD is standard on all explorers except for one kind. (the one I've got ).

XL and XLS are basically the same thing.
91-98 had XL, and 99-up have XLS. IT's very stripped down. You're better off with an XLT, because they have "everything ya need, nothing ya don't".

Autohubs are an issue on 91-94's but they're easier convert to manual, and remember they are only a problem for 4x4's.

 

[Texan01]

My 2 cents worth:

my 95 XLT 2wd 4door has 108,000 and the few things I've done to it in the 6,000 miles I've had it was:
repack the front wheel bearings, replace a bad temp gauge sender, new belt, new tensioner pulley, change the oil, clean the intake system up, new plugs, umm, replace the heater control valve. Mine belonged to my brother-in-law and it was in good shape when I got it, I'm just more picky about my car than he is.

There are 5 speed manual Exs out there, when I worked at Carmax last summer, I drove a few of them, almost all were Sports. they are kinda weird to drive and made for great conversation when shuttling customers around. They aren't really much faster than the auto shifted versions, just more entertaining.

 

[Char]

Rick and I have a '93 XL manual 5 speed 4 dr. I guess we were lucky and found one. The only totally annoying pain the butt problem I remember was the inability to completely shut the heat off. Here in the summer the last thing you want is HOT AIR!!!!!!!!!!!! If you tried to use just the vent it would still blow hot air. Rick did some type of mod (don't remember exactly what), however he has to remember to re-engage the heater in the winter.
I personnally would not buy a 95+. I like the 91-94. I feel you can do more mods, easier than the later years as far as off road. I don't know which years are best for street rod. Not my cup of tea. My $.02.

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by Char
Rick did some type of mod (don't remember exactly what), however he has to remember to re-engage the heater in the winter.

Rick probably installed a spigot-activated heater control valve. I did the same thing in my Bronco II.