Is a 92 worth it

[Explorer23]

Hello everyone, I'm new obviously and not sure where to post this...

but i have a friend of a friend asking 1000 (could probly be mine for around 500) for a 92 explorer
cons,
needs trans
ac dosn't work (no biggie to me)
and about a foot of rust and rot under the rear doors
134 000 miles
pros,
4wd

I have wanted it for a while but thought i should get some advice from people who know explorers (and i have visited this site many times in my search for info) and this would just mainly be a weekend warrior/mudder. so are any of the above problems ones that are particularly deal breaking?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[rhauf]

lets see.. for off-road purposes, first gen explorers are better than all the others for a variety of reasons.

no torsion bars/cv joints etc. they are leaf and coil sprung and have strong axles.
they have a strong frame.
they have a steering box (not rack and pinion crap)
they have the strongest axles (8.8 rear and dana 35TTB front)
they're reasonably easy to work on
the 4.0OHV is probably the most reliable engine (although not extremely high powered)

the trans is accepted as the weak link.. although i got 215k out of mine before i swapped the trans. (and put in a beafed up one)

price sounds fair enough.. especially if you can get it for 500 bux. the rust under the doors is a pretty common rust spot. just cut the rust out and your good.

fixing the a/c is actually usually pretty easy if you decide you want it. the trans swap is a weekend job. my rebuilt trans came to about $1100 after shipping, shift kit, upgraded clutches/bands etc.

 

[1Aauto]

welcome to the site

 

[Explorer23]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. Im glad to hear the trans problem isnt THAT big of a deal sounds like the a4ld is a common weak link and the others can be addressed after it gets running. like i said this will most likley be a weekend offroader. thinking about a cage or something (maybe solid motor/ trans mounts, 6in lift and 33s?) but that wont be for a while. Don't want to get too far ahead of myself.

 

[Glen4X4]

Welcome To Explorer Forum! I would go for the deal! I miss the first gens I had, they're good trucks and like all vehicles have common issues here and there, get a reputable tranny shop to do an HD rebuild of your A4LD or swap in an M50D and you'll be in good shape for the most part, and if you want to do the 33's regear to at least 4.56's and go have some fun.

 

[Explorer23]

Souds like a good deal then. I've looked into the M5OD are they a lil more bullet proof than an A4LD? Ive heard the swaps arent too bad but then again what is easier than dropping in what came stock?

Also that gear ratio sounds a little high would 4.10s work or are 4.56s more commonly used

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Keep in mind that you are going to have to pay more to repair it than what it originally cost plus a later model in working condition will cost the same amount that you are willing to put into it. If you plan on doing the work yourself (rebuilding the transmission, and fixing everything else), then it might be worth it. If you plan on giving it to a shop for all of the repairs, then it will cost a lot in a long run since labor in a shop is very expensive.

 

[Explorer23]

You're right, I plan to do everything my self, with the exception of the trans rebuild. I havent looked into the cost of one from a junk yard or really called around for prices on a rebuild. any suggestions?

 

[rhauf]

You're right, I plan to do everything my self, with the exception of the trans rebuild. I havent looked into the cost of one from a junk yard or really called around for prices on a rebuild. any suggestions?

my recommendation is just get a new (or rebuilt) trans for it. then you have a kick-ass one with the mods you want (upgraded etc), brand new and ready to go. newer used cars dont come with brand new transmissions, so IMO the older one with a new trans for only slightly more $ is a better deal in the long term.

as for junkyard transmissions.. $100 - $200 or so... but i always spend the extra cash and get new transmissions, i figure if im going to do all the work, i want it done right so i don't have to do it again. i guess just weigh out how much you value your time.. if you have a lot of spare time, and not much extra cash, get the junkyard trans and cross your fingers. otherwise just buy a new one and be done with it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

We have a sticky thread in the transmission section called the A4LD rebuild diary. It has step by step diagrams if you want to attempt to rebuilding it yourself. I saw that you have 93 listed in your profile, but the Explorer is a 92.

 

[Explorer23]

haha i noticed i was just about to fix it, noob mistake

rhauf how much do new (or rebuilt) trannys tend to run?

 

[rhauf]

haha i noticed i was just about to fix it, noob mistake

rhauf how much do new (or rebuilt) trannys tend to run?

i got mine from "americarz" (google them). it came to about $1100 after shipping and everything. although i had about $300 worth of upgrades done to it (shift kit, better clutches/bands etc). so if you wanted a stocker, cheaper. if you pick it up in person (arizona) cheaper yet. i think the basic ones are like $650+ ship.