Hi from New Zealand

[Gubay]

I'm pleased I joined this site, the info has helped me out with a few niggles! I own a stock '98 XLT SOHC 4L and really love it! It's my first 4x4 and it gets it's fair share off-roading as well as being a tarmac tractor!

 

[FROADER]

Welcome to the site. I'm glad to hear it has already helped you out before your first post.

 

[rookieshooter]

Welcome. Like to see some pics of you off roading with some of the beautiful scenary that NZ has. Yea, if you got any niggles this is the place to solve it. BTW, just what are niggles?

 

[Gubay]

Thanks. Niggles are minor irritations! Such as CEL staying on, which I cured by following the instructions in post about cleaning the MAF sensor. I also took advice I read in another post and have ordered a code reader from the US.... cheaper to buy it California including post than to buy local.

 

[dogfriend]

Welcome to the site. My GF and I vacationed (went on holiday) in NZ a year ago last October. We joked about "missing" our plane flight back so we could stay permanently.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117948&highlight=Kia+Ora

You may need to be "elite" to follow that link, sorry in advance if you can't see it.

Explorers seemed to be pretty rare - so you have a unique vehicle in NZ.

 

[Gubay]

Hi and thanks, dogfriend. You would have noticed on your vacation that this country is flooded with cheap second-hand Jap import vehicles. The XLT cost me $13,995 with 102,000kms on the clock (ok, I traded my '96 Taurus for $8,000 with $6,000 cash balance) compared with the average '00 - '02 Jap import price of around $10,000. US and European cars are looked upon as a 'waste of money'. I copped a bit of flak from mates when I bought it, but I have sworn never to own a jap vehicle... or a Holden ( sorry Aussie members!).

 

[dogfriend]

Yes, we did notice that the majority of the cars and trucks were various Japanese imports. Some of them are exactly the same as ones here; others are not imported to the US and so are very weird to us.

There are a lot of small vans with the engine between the front seats (similar to the old Econoline vans). These used to be imported to the US, but have now been replaced by front engine "minivans" and have become rare here.

 

[Gubay]

Yep, I'd prefer a prefer a chunk of steel rather than just headlights in front of me in a collision.

 

[Gubay]

Mind you, colliding with things seems to be a recreational activity here, the road code is only adhered to when going for drivers' licence, LOL

 

[Gubay]

Question: Are there any benefits, other than cosmetic, in having Crystal clear tail lights? I can get a pair for $100

 

[chriswells78]

There is no befefit other than cosmetic (and that is a matter of opinion) when installing clear tail lights. I am not a big fan of them but to each their own. On some vehicles they look good (usually light colored vehicles and red ones) but on a dark colored vehicle, they seem to give a bad contrast to me. Just my opinion. Check your local DOT laws too. Most of them are compliant to US DOT laws but I am not sure about off-shore ones.

 

[dogfriend]

Mind you, colliding with things seems to be a recreational activity here, the road code is only adhered to when going for drivers' licence, LOL

I actually enjoyed driving there, but I made one error in forgetting to yield to a car turning right in front of me - that guy was mad. You have to realize that the analogous situation here is treated the opposite so it is confusing to foreigners.

I also had some problem adjusting to the turn signal lever being on the wrong side of the steering column - I kept turning on the wipers when I wanted to signal a left turn.

 

[Gubay]

Hi, chriswells78, DOT laws here? basically as long as tail-lights are red anything goes. Think I'll give 'em a miss too.

Dogfriend: There was talk of ditching that 'when turning left, give way to right-turning vehicles' rule and reverting to the 'international' standard, but it seems to have fizzled out. By the way, 2004 Explorers are becoming quite popular now, average price $45,000.

 

[udo]

Welcome on this site !! How is the situation to get spare parts for your truck in NZ?
I'm from South Africa and face reall problems. Have to import from US mostly.

 

[Gubay]

Hi, Udo, spares are pretty much available here, although, as I found with my Taurus, it is basically cheaper to get parts from the U.S. privately even with the hefty postage charges! (hatched in Zambia, family moved here while the going was good!! Used to go down to Durban every year for holidays.)