Im going to buy an Explorer. Can you guys give me some tips?

[RydeOn]

Hey whats up guys. Right now I own a lightly modded 93 Cobra. About 2 weeks ago I sold my daily driver (a 91 Acura Integra) to buy an offroading/snowboarding vehicle. I have looked at the Bronco, Ranger but I have finally decided to go with Ford's Explorer. I did a search forums and this cool site came up. Like every car I own, I want to know as much about it inside and out as possible. Im looking for a 91 or 92 Explorer XLT or Eddie Bauer with the 4.0 and automatic trans. I dont know yet if I want a 2wd or 4wd because I have heard about too many problems about the 4x4 systems. If anyone can help me out which one to go with, that would be nice.

Any info anyone wants to give is greatly appreciated, Thanks

 

[Dannyboy]

Welcome to this site. I just want to warn you that I am giving your first response, but am not responsible(nor is Rick) for an ungodly amount of time or money spent on your Truck as a result of joining this site. Many like myself have spent far more than we could have imagined and will spend much more.
Now for your purchase. I suggest you look at it from what you plan to do. No matter what you buy there will be lots of miles this old. My 94 is on its 3rd tranny but fear not, this last one was under warranty from my first rebuild. If you want to lift it at all or not consider gear ratio. If you want to run like 31's or 32's and that's it I would look into buying one with 3.73 gears and then you wouldn't need to regear. If you want to run 33's or 35's then it wouldnt matter if you bought one with 3.27's or 3.55's cause you will not use them anyway. On one this old the 4x4 lockouts are probably about toast if they are still the Ford autos so look into being ready to buy some manual hubs if it is going to be wheeled at all. The only other advice I have about Explorers that is different than what you would expect from any other Vehicle is that some have a skid plate on the gas tank. This is a huge bonus especially if you find out like I did by getting high centered all weekend then seeing Splashman lose about 3 gallons worth of capacity in his Explorer's gas tank cause he didn't have one.

 

[bigDerk]

If you're going to use it offroad, I would recommend getting a 4WD model. The 4x4 system on the Explorers could be better, but every factory setup can be improved. Some simple tweaks such as manual locking hubs, gear swaps, etc, can make for a very capable offroad vehicle. I have a 94 4x4 with automatic hubs, and 3.27 open gears, and it performs great offroad. I've added coil spacers and shackles for about a 2" lift, and 31x10.50 ProComp Mud Terrains also. If you're looking for a 91 or 92 model, try to find a lower mileage one for the sake of maintenance. My 94 only had 55K on it when I found it, so the low mileage trucks are out there, they just take some searching to find.

Oh, and how about posting some pics of that Cobra? The 93 is my favorite year Cobra ever... *drool*

 

[rickcar]

Like Dannyboy said. Make sure to check out the tranny. Either try to find a low mileage X or if it has higher miles make sure the tranny has been rebuilt (probably want receipts showing this) or at least well maintained.
I would also suggest (along with many here) to go with the 4X4. You can have more fun and you can get alot better resale out of it. Of course I might get flamed from the 2 wheelers here for saying "you can have more fun". LOL
If you do buy an Exploder and spend any time here, I think you'll find there is a lot you can do for mods. But even stock they are fun.
Rick

 

[leenjen]

the only problem i had with my 92 (5 speed, 4X4) was the driveshaft to the rear fell off one time. i was glad i had 4 wheel drive. just picked up the drive shaft and threw it in back, pushed 4X4, and drove home front wheel drive.

if it was 2wd, i would've been stuck in the middle of nowhere at night.

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

Hey RydeOn

If you're free on saturday the 23rd, the So Cal guys on the board are getting together in Pasedena. Here's all the info:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=29978

You're definitely welcome to come and check out our cars and meet some of us. I have a 92 XLT 4x4, so you can look it over if you want, and I think all of us would love to see that Cobra of yours

peace

Mike