I'm looking at buying

[aaklingler]

I'm looking at buying an explorer in this age range. One that I have found is a 97 5.0 All wheel Drive only, the AWD part is what concerns me, I'm old school I like to be able to choice 2wd or 4wd, is this something I should be concerned with with icey pa winters and regular driving? It also makes a clicking noise from behind the glove box, what is it? Anything else with the vehicle I should look at?

 

[FIND]

AWD is easier to drive on ice and snow than 4wd, though you can convert it to selectable 4wd if you really want. There is a thread somewhere that tells you how to change it to a manual transfer case from an F150. The AWD transfer cases are EXTREMELY reliable and shouldn't cause you any problems as long as they are maintained properly.

There could be a lot of things causing the rattle This is, after all, a 16 year old SUV you are looking at. Things get loose.

As with any vehicle, you should have a mechanic inspect it, or at the very least, someone who is experienced with buying used cars and is mechanically inclined. The 302 is a very reliable engine, but it is subject to wear just like any other. Standard inspection procedures. There aren't many things that stand out on these as a problem area when compared to average cars. Exhaust manifolds are prone to cracking I suppose. Check operation of tailgate, power windows, doors (inside and outside) and rear wiper. Don't be surprised if the rear wiper doesn't work... That seems to be one fairly common problem. Anything else is standard maintenance issues that you should check on any vehicle.

Good luck with your purchase, and if you decide to go with the Explorer, remember, we love pics on here.

 

[Fastest Caskets]

Dont forget to check for cancer under those nifty plastic rocker panel covers, they all get some but make sure theres still some truck left under there.

 

[aaklingler]

The clicking noise happens when you adjust the temperature, its a limited with climate control. Is there anything in particular to look for when checking for cracked manifolds, is there aftermarket ones available?

 

[aaklingler]

I can hear what sounds like a air leak around the motor while driving, it seems to get more noticeable the higher the rpm, but it doesn't seem to do it at idle so I can't find it, anybody have any ideas?

 

[windsors03cobra]

I dont know about the air leak sound when driving but can tell you the AWD no shift T-Case is much more reliable than any late model electric shift transfer case, the shift motor on most T-Cases is nothing more than a glorified electric window motor and with salt and rust and corrosion the things just do not hold up. Not to mention crappy axle locking systems and their related modules, sensors and switchgear. With the "mechanical" AWD, its always locked, loaded and ready to go. This applies to other makes and models as well not Just Exploders.
Do you lose MPG ? Sure maybe 2, its a heavy truck on a true truck frame with a V8, what do you expect ? When you need to go somewhere in the snow or mud you dont have to worry about anything provided you have decent tyres.

The clicking is the blend door actuator which is a little motor that moves a plastic door in the HVAC plenum to control the temperature of the air, the door hinge pin has broken and the door is jammed and the motor can do noting but attempt to move the door, the result is the clicking and probably a lack of change in air temp. Blend door problems are also common on all makes and models or automobiles.

As for the manifolds, look for one with no leaks or minimal leaks. Mine has only a smidge of a leak, not a heavy click or leaky muffler sound and has not changed in the 100k miles I've had the truck. My 99 AWD EB has 230k on it and runs and drives like a dream. Wife drives it 60 miles 6 days a week.
Plenty of these trucks out there for sale I wouldnt buy the one your looking at with those issues unless the price was very right, there is an easy cobble for the blend door but you lose control of the temp at the HVAC control and will be limited to manual control of the blend door on full hot or full cold.

Good luck.