Greeting from Norway!

[NedFlanders]

Just fell in love when I figured out it couldn't cost anything just to testdrive an Explorer a couple of months ago. I had been looking at it every time I drove by the Ford dealer for a couple of months, and should have kept it by that.. I just had to have it! So now I own a lot of money to the bank(a '96 model is almost 23'000 US$ up here), but haven't regretted at all. It's just an amazing car, great for this snowy country..

There is just a couple of things I'm wondering about. I've tried looking around, but can't find very much info about the car. Does any of you guys know how steep hills it will handle? Both up/down and sideways.
Also, how do I figure out what version of the car I have. Is there any specific details I can look at? Here's a picture of it if any of you would have a look.

I haven't done any modifications(yet), and I guess previous owner haven't either. Haven't seen any modified explorers around here actually, are any of you from Norway?
I would like to give it a lift of some kind, both because it looks cool, and because I guess it would be better off road. Is there anything else you would suggest to make it better/more good looking?

Anyway, thanks for a nice site with a lot of useful information, I'll be checking in as often as I can!

 

[leebo]

WELCOME.....You've just found the best Explorer site on the net....by far. You'll find the answer to any question you may have.

As for the hills.....no problem. Mountains or valleys...the explorer has kick their butt!!!! You should see some logo's on the side of your truck somewhere that would be able to tell you about what type it is(IE...XT,XLT,EB) Tell us those and we'll tell you what all it has.

As for the lift......It looks like you may have the dreaded 95-99 models. These are a pain to get a major lift for. For a small lift, check out the main page for "Torsion Twist" This will get you about 2' of lift for about $50 or so.

Once again......WELCOME

 

[NoBoundaries]

Welcome to the site!! Like the name! Glad to see you enjoy your new Explorer!

As for UK models, from my understanding there are only two, the North Face and XLT. By all appearances I believe you have the XLT because with the North Face, you would have some badging to let you know what model you have( it's the US equivalent to the Eddie Bauer, and you can tell when you have an Eddie Bauer). I'd take North Face over Eddie Bauer! Europe always gets the best cars!

I believe you have 16 inch wheels from the picture. You can run 265/75R16 tires stock (BFG All-Terrain are the most popular). You can also put some add-a-leafs on your truck to level it out and give it some lift. I did the torsion twist (didn't have to twist the torsion bars though) and used the add-a-leafs, they brought the back of my truck to a perfect height. The tires look great and the truck no longer sags in the back! Plus acceleration improved with the tighter rear, not as much wrap in the axle. Explorers also do well in the snow, better than most SUV's I've seen, and I've seen a lot of them. The Control-Trac is an amazing system that is now being applied to other SUV's.

You truck looks good. I have a 96 XLT, unfortunately, in the US the XLT's do not have the fender flares, 16 inch wheels, side blinkers (like that), and it appears the exported Explorers also have clear headlights too. I'll be getting some pictures up at some point, you'll be able to see what the truck looks like with the add-a-leaf's and 265/75R16 tires.

The best part about the torsion lift is it is very inexpensive. All you really need to buy are the add-a-leafs and you add up to 2" of lift for $30 US.

$23,000 for a 1996, well if I ever happen to sell my truck (can't see that happening!) I know where to put it in the classifieds!

We have people from all over the world on this site. It's great to have such a far reaching and wonderful site. We're like one big community here. Always willing to help someone, near or far. We are all lucky to have this site as a resource. It's great for solutions to our mechanical, personal, and social problems!

Here's an indication of the Explorer's extreme downhill capabilities:

Welcome again and happy postin' bud!

 

[NedFlanders]

Thanks for your answer leebo! (that was quick, isn't it nighttime in the US by now?)
Just checked out my truck, and it actually doesn't have any stickers at all(except for those damn dog-pictures the previous owner put in the rear-sidewindows). It just says explorer on the rear, except for that, nothing.
But the plastic-things above the wheels(sorry, don't know what they're called in english). Does they differ? It also has A/C(not electronic), limited slip differential and a leather searing wheel.. It has some kind of a trailer package, but I don't think it's original, because the hook is placed underneath the rear bumper, and I don't think it has the extra radiator for the trans.

Anyway, back to my first question, the "hilldriving". My main concern is the "sideways-hills". How much can it take before it tips over? I guess up/down isn't much of a problem. Guess it will slip long before it tips. Went up at pile of frozen dirt the other day that my friend measured to be 32 degrees. Is that a lot? My truck didn't seem to think so, but I found it almost scary.. And fun!

Another thing. Anyone have any experience with lockers on the diffs in stead of the limited slip? Is it much better, say in the snow, or will it just help me if I'm going to drive with one wheel in the air? Is it difficult to install?

 

[NedFlanders]

Damn! I'm writing to slow! While I was writing you managed to post that long answer, NoBoundaries..
Anyway. Thanks for a long an quite detailed answer! I'm also guessing my truck is a XLT. As for the tires, I have 255/70-16 tires on it(think actually they're the ones that came with the car). I've actually already bought new ones to get rid of those firestones, but I'll wait until next winter until I put them on.
Guess I'll go for the torson lift(just have to convince my girlfriend that it's smart to spend some more money )
But will it be more unstable if I do it? I don't want to be afraid of tipping over in every turn..

As for the Norwegian carprices... What can I say? It's an expensive country to buy cars in. There's like 50% taxes on newer cars. Especially if it's has 5 seats. Mine has only two(or actually five, but I'll get a 10000$ fine if I unfold the backseat). For some reason that's cheaper(stupid or what!!) I think the explorer is about 89'000 USD new if you want it with 5 seats! Mostly because of the taxes...

Anyway, time to go home from work! will check back in tomorrow...

 

[jimbo74]

wow 90000 for a new explorer? here a brand new one with everything and aftermarket stuff too would still be under 40000. i say come hear and get it shipped back there. well, welcome to the site and i hope you will find everything you need. under the word explorer on the back tailgate it should have some designation like xl or xlt on a chrome plastic badge type thing like the word explorer. i hope this helps.

 

[ChrisHeapy]

Hey Ned, your Explorer looks the same as mine - even same colour! Mine also has the original Firestones which I'll dump soon in favour of BFGs or maybe Generals (not sure about buying new alloy wheels because I don't know how they stand up to off-road use).

What happened to your roof bars - you take them off?

Mine's done a respectable 70K miles, but has been well serviced. Interior and exterior bodywork are perfect, only rust I can see is inside those auxilliary driving lights - not a great position to place lights come to think of it. I'm currently making a list of jobs I want to do this spring, I would like to add about 2" lift.

I paid about 7000 UK pounds for mine, price is low here in the UK because fuel is so expensive which makes them unpopular. I'm an amateur astronomer with a big 'scope to carry around (travelling to dark sites up in the Pennines, Welsh mountains etc), The Explorer is ideal for this job!

Chris

 

[NedFlanders]

Heya.. Yes, I guess Norway i one of the most expensive counties to buy cars in.. There is like a 50% fee fro the state.. Anyway, just makes me unhappy to think about it! The gas is quite expensive to(abt. 1.11 USD pr. litre), even though Norway shold have more than enough oil..

My truck has almoust 100'000 km, that would be abt. 62'000 miles(is there a difference btw. US and UK miles?). No rust to talk about(even though they're using tons of salt on the roads aroung Oslo where I live in the winter), and there are just minor scratches on the bodywork..

About the roofbars. I'm still trying to get the dealer to understand that they're supposed to come with the car. They are, aren't they? He said he could order some new ones from the US, and that I haveto pay.. Don't know if I'll go for that or maybe try somewhere else. I would really like them, because I have an idea that the'll break ut the airflow, so that my rear window won't be so dirty.. And besides, the truck looks so much cooler!

I've actually found one guy that imports gear for the explorer, so I might try him. Gonna try to get a good price for some suspention lifts from him too.

 

[ChrisHeapy]

All the explorers imported into the UK have roofbars, but there's only the XLT (and now the North Face) models available. You get two bars and two tie-down loops. Most likely the previous owner took them off and forgot to include them in the trade? One of those boot spoilers will help keep the rear screen clear - it directs a downdraft of air across it.

I've had no luck finding UK sources of accessories and mods Particularly looking for suspension lift kits and stainless exhaust (I'm now getting one fabricated as a one-off but it ain't cheap). I've ordered a workshop manual from Amazon.com.

I found the standard driving lights poor so fitted some 80/100W bulbs and these are a distinct improvement.

Any idea what that rectangular screen is for in the instrument panel (bottom of the speedo)? No reference to it anywhere in the owner's booklet.

My overall impression so far (only put about 500miles on it) is that it drives well, but the suspension feels a bit clunky on a rough surface. I originally thought some bushes must be worn but I had an AA auto engineer check it out first and he gave it the all clear. Still suspicious though, I'd fit a Urethane bush kit if I could find one!. It doesn't roll near as much as I feared it might on corners!

I cleaned the underside with my hot pressure washer and found the actual chassis members fairly rusty - yet the floor panels are spotless. Very odd. Anyway, I treated the whole underside and panels with 1-1/2 gallons of Waxoil (r) - yucky stuff to get on but it's the DBs for protection.

Chris