I'm new so I guess this is the place

[lDaGGerl]

I don't have an explorer but I'm looking into buying one. I currently own a 1996 Ranger so I know that a lot of things from explorers and rangers work together. I have an explorer rear end under my ranger. I'm looking to upgrade to an SUV, now I'd like to get an explorer with a 4.0L SOHC as it will net me the best MPG and power. The older 4.0L OHV engine has good torque but gets say 15mpg compared to the 20ish MPG that the SOHC will get. I don't know much about the torsion bar set up but I'm going to end up putting 31's on it and cranking the T-bars a bit if I have to, to make sure it clears well and I'll throw some shakels on it in the rear to make it sit level. I will eventually get a lift kit so does the lift kit for a ranger fit an explorer to, other than the rear as I'll just flip the rear end to lift it. So please, anyone can you give me a few comments.

 

[TheChadders]

1st off welcome to the forum

i have a 97 SOHC and i wish i got 20mpg i only get around 14 but there are plenty of things to do to get better gas mileage (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372) Also you can easily put 31"s under the ex with out a torsion twist but its kinda snug
And yes the ranger body lifts will fit the explorer quite a few members here have the ranger body lift the only problem is people need to fab there own back bumper brackets since the ranger owns wont do the job

 

[lDaGGerl]

really? only 14. A lot of guys on the ranger forum get 20 MPG with there 4.0L SOHC engines. Well other than that one guy who else here can get close to 20 MPG. I plan on getting a 2 door if I can, I wish I could get a 5 speed but they only come in autos' I want to get a vehicle thats got plenty of pep. My friend has a 4.3L Blazer 2 door 4x4 5 speed and I really wanted to get a vehicle that could be him in a race as he thinks he's king **** with his truck lol. But then again I'm getting 20 MPG and he is getting like 13-14 MPG. I looked on Consumerguide.com and they averaged 20MPG so I'm hoping its not just a few people that get this kind of mileage.

 

[TheChadders]

Well i am a lead foot and have a set of 31"s on so that could also be why mine is so low but here is a few other people and their gas mileage (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=202079)I also have a friend with a blazer and he beats me off the line but i end up winning depending on how far we go and i have a pretty much stock x all i have is after market exhaust system and a cone filter. I thought that they did come in either auto or 5 speed or is that just for the 4 door?

 

[Burns]

Man with all the mods that i have done to my X im still getting 16-18 depending on how i drive to what i get. I have a 91

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[lDaGGerl]

Ok so basically as long as I take it easy on the gas pedal I can get pretty much what I'd want for mileage. I plan on putting a shift kit in it, exhaust, intake, pullies, and a tuner. That'd be probably it for a while. I want to have it last a while and I want to give it some extra pep.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum!

 

[Turdle]

Why not a v8?
In the long run-at least in my experience from reading-they are less expensive and easier to maintain.fuel economy variance is around 1 mpg.

 

[lDaGGerl]

I don't know, I really would have to hear from people who have a V8 and those who have a 4.0L SOHC. I don't know. I mean I don't think that a V8 could get the same kind of gas mileage as a v6? Plus the SOHC is newer and has become more efficient. Plus AWD isn't really something I want, I want 4wd. I don't know, I'm still leaning toward the SOHC. But please, people with both or one or can tell me your real gas mileage, I know some people like to tell lies on there mileage. I'm currently getting like 18 MPG as it cold out and my trucks getting old but thats with my 3.0L. I really don't think I could afford to get like 15 MPG. I'd love to get an older explorer with the TTB Suspension (same thing I've got) and a 4.0L 5 speed. That would be really nice but I want a new style and better ride and things like that. I don't know, I'm really thinking of not off roading my vehicle I get unless its little things. I'd really like to get another truck say an older explorer and lift that like 9 inches or so and put 35's on it and just off road the **** out of that. But I couldn't trailer it for 1,000's of miles just pull it around town or around the general area I off road. I don't know, I'm still a little stuck on what to get, but I know its an explorer. I'm a die hard ford fan and I'd love to rub my friends bow tie nose in my new vehicle lol.

Also could anyone point in the right direction for mods to do a newer truck. Not just lifting and performance but interior and exterior. I konw a lot of ranger guys put a ton of explorer things into there trucks.

 

[Tbars4]

...first, welcome here and where are you located...

 

[lDaGGerl]

East Windsor, CT.

BTW, I'm reading through a bunch of threads and a lot of people have TT marked down as a mod to there truck. What is it? does it have something to do with cranking there t bars?


EDIT: Never mind it stands for Torsion Twist I'm guessing OK. never mind thanks.

 

[Turdle]

First-
don't let the AWD feature scare you away-it is easily addressed if you find you don't like it-
l
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166726&highlight=4406

Second-(i'm sure I'll get flamed for this) the v8 engine and 4r70w transmission will "most likely" cost several thousand dollars less in repairs over a time of 100,000 miles.

I'm going from my experience reading here-but if you dig into these subjects

5r55e (this is the sohc's transmission)
timing chain
timing chain tensioners
intake manifold gasket

you'll see why I take the position I do.
Rarely are 4r70w problems reported.
And even then, the problems are less severe-

The 5.0 pushrod engine in the explorer has a few issues which are common also-but they are all external

cracked exhaust manifold-(will not leave you stranded)
camshaft position sensor noisy (once again will not leave you stranded)

The soap box is now vacant

 

[lDaGGerl]

I don't know. I'm going to just have to stick around and check out what happens on this bored. I just really can't get stuck with a V8 that will end up getting me 15 MPG when I know I could have gotten a 4.0L that would have gotten better. I understand that timing chain problems on the 4.0L but I thought they had a recall on it?