I'm new and I need advice on a 1996 Explorer.

[wwbc]

I am going to look at buying a 1996 awd Limited Explorer to day. I think it has the 5.0L and 150,000 on it. Can any one give me some insite as to what to look out for (common problems) when seeing this vehicale to day. I am exited becuase I think this will be a fun SUV. Can any one tell me the tow rating practictically.

 

[410Fortune]

You need to make sure it has the 5.0L in it if you plan to do towing

in 1996 two engines were avail the 4.0L OHV V6 and the pushrod Gt-40 5.0L

the big advantage to the V8 is the transmission behind it, this transmission is twice as stout (thats right V6 guys I said twice) as the smaller V6 automatic

150K miles is JUST GETTING STARTED as long as it was well cared for

since this is a 15 year old truck (96's were bought in 95) you can expect it will need some work, if it is the AWD 5.0L V8, then you will likely need to do some work on the front end unless it has all been addressed... around 150K miles this sucker likely needs:

inner tie rods, outer tie rods, upper and lower ball joints, cv shafts, and hubs

also shocks and brakes of course......

now dont let that scare you, that is the good news! any other 96 SUV with a V6 will likely be looking at those repairs and alot more (like a new transmission soon, new t case soon, etc) the V8 doest suffer from this... and 96 was a VERY good year for the 5.0 explorer, I LOVE MINE and I consider 96 to be one of the best years.. in 97 they made a change to the front d shaft that just plain sucks to deal with

I absolutely love my 96, I would not hesitate to budget build another one:

 

[my pos mounty]

The 5.0 and the transmission in these trucks is darn near bulletproof. 150,000 miles is just broke in. The typical things that go wrong are; broken front sway bar links, front driveshaft failure (expensive), the clutches in the Limited Slip Differential (nothing new there, all LSD's have the same issue that I know of), The radio display takin a crap on you - but the radio still works, might have issues with the drivers seat recline lever, the fore mentioned balljoints and tierods. No well known issues with the 5.0, and if you have any trouble, help is right here on this forum.
If you get tired of the AWD system, (or want a more capable trail truck) it can be changed to a true 4X4 by swapping out the driveshafts and transfercase with some trimming/cutting. Not too expensive to do, and not that difficult either.
PLEASE keep in mind that when you replace tires on that truck, you need to do all 4 (5 with spare if you change make/name of tire)! It is of VITAL importance that all 4 tires are exactly the same circumference, but if you check your pressures and rotate as you should, this will not be a big deal.

 

[410Fortune]

96 doesnt have the radio display problem I dont think???

everything else he just nailed it!!!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[wwbc]

so if I See that this truck has differant tires at all I should asome? there mite be damadge to the AWD? and that is because?

 

[410Fortune]

with an AWD vehicle all 4 tires must be teh same rotating diameter, otherwise the drivetrain (read transfer case) will bind up and cause problems, even a difference in tire pressure can cause binding......

 

[my pos mounty]

Well, first lets look at how the AWD transfer case operates. Its input shaft (from transmission) is attached to a viscous coupling. The rear output shaft is at the rear of the viscous coupling. On the outside of the viscous coupling there is a chain that drives the front output shaft for the front driveshaft. Fluid dynamics allow the front and rear shafts to turn at different speeds (such as going around corners) without too much heat being generated. If you have different sized (circumferance wise) tires on the front or rear (or even just 1 tire) it will generate LOTS of heat. This will fry your viscous coupling and transfercase. Now suppose you only have one tire 1/4 inch larger circumferance. You are asking the differential (and viscous coupling) to absorb that 1/4 inch with EVERY rotation, now think about how many tire roatations in a mile...2 miles...10?
Thats alot of heat and that will fry your front differential, possibly break a CV axle (or both) along with it. Now ask me how I know about all this... Lets just say that my wife didnt understand all this and neither did her relative that gave her a 15 inch spare tire to run on my truck (16 inch tires). She was in New York City and attempted to drive back to New Hampshire. She made it to the southern part of Connecticut before she broke the drivers side CV axle, severly damaged the passenger side CV axle, burned up my transfercase and the front differential. Her relative should have known not to do this as he sell tires and has a garage in New York, perhaps he was looking for work?

 

[wwbc]

thinks, these are good things to look for.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site.Yes all of the tires should have the same tread pattern and be worn the same.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. I would recommend installing a transmission cooler, and an external filter if you plan on doing any towing.

 

[Electrohacker]

Have the spark plugs done at a shop the first time in case they're ceased.

I have read now of two other cases and my own where the #7 plug ceased in the head and had to be "extracted", mine forced a head replacement because of the stuff we tried to remove the remains of the plug.

then when it comes home from the shop remove the plugs and check that they either used anti-cease or double platinum plugs or both

 

[SmoothJimmy]

...and, according to the Borg Warner website regarding the Hy-Vo chain in the transfer case...

http://www.morsetec.com/Hy-vo.pdf

"If the chain has been in service for over 60,000 miles,
if the unit is torn down, or if the unit shows
signs of problems, neglect, or abuse – replace the chain. "

Curiously, Ford makes no mention of this in their service schedule.

 

[FloridaState]

I absolutely love my 96, I would not hesitate to budget build another one:

Dude, where did you get those wheels?? Those look awesome!

 

[SA-Xplorer]

the big advantage to the V8 is the transmission behind it, this transmission is twice as stout (thats right V6 guys I said twice) as the smaller V6 automatic

What is the difference between the V6 Tranny and the V8?

 

[my pos mounty]

The transmission mated to the 5.0 V8 (4r70w) is far superior to the transmissions in the V6 explorers. It is designed for a much heavier duty truck than the mounty/explorer platform.

 

[Electrohacker]

the V8 is the 40R70W found in some F150's, so its a 1/2 ton trans in a 1/4 ton truck

 

[bisjoe]

The transmission mated to the 5.0 V8 (4r70w) is far superior to the transmissions in the V6 explorers. It is designed for a much heavier duty truck than the mounty/explorer platform.

the transmission in the 4.0 V6 1996 is lucky to make it to 120k miles. I know from experience. Oh, and $2,500+ to rebuild.

 

[SA-Xplorer]

Now you guys are starting to depress me! I am about 12000 miles from y'all and getting spares costs a packet. Getting even a used box out here would cost as much as buying the whole car! BUMMER.

 

[SA-Xplorer]

How difficult is it to recon the tranny? What is involved? What can I do to lengthen the lifespan before el callapse-o?