JEEP guy considering a newer Explorer with 3rd row seating....

[wsar10]

Hello all I apologize if this is a monotonous question that comes up all the time.....
I am considering a newer Explorer with 3rd row as a family vehicle. Any time I bring this up to somebody I get the common response of "only buy it if it has a new tranny" and I have also heard from local mechanics that some of these 4.6 V8's have a design flaw in there oiling system. They have pressure issue that fails to keep the top end oiled properly resulting in failure. I personally have no experience with any other American made vehicle than JEEPS. Allot of guys also talk about JEEP issue but I have been around them my whole life and know how to prevent the issues or deal with them when they arise. I am absolutely obsessive compulsive with maintenance, You have to be with JEEPS especially if you offroad them. I Refuse to have vehicle payments, that being said we will probably spend $8,000 give or take which generally puts me close to a 100k vehicle it seems.... So lets here the ins and outs.
I tried to post this in another FORD forum but I'm not so sure those guys even change there own oil, and after looking around here for two days it seems you guys are allot like us at JEEPFORUM, you work on your stuff and know it in and out !




-what is the best overall explorer, what year to stay away from ?
-what are common issues for one that I would be looking at within the above price range ?
-Is the 4.0 underpowered ?
-do they have tranny issue with proper maintenance ?
-what tranny's are problematic and what Explorers have them ?
-what kind of MPG am I looking at ?
-what rear diff, transfer case,front diff and transmissions are offered, what are the most reliable of each ?

Any info, help ,opinion's will be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Dave

 

[Blue91Ex]

the early 4.0 ohv motor is sometimes considered underpowered, but for a newer vehicle you will most likely be looking at the 4.0 SOHC which is pretty adequate for these trucks, the 4 speed auto in the 91-94 and the 5 speed auto in the post 95 models is generally not as strong as the ones used for the 5.0L v8 and 4.6L v8, both of which are very reliable motors, as is the 4.0 OHV, while the 4.0 SOHC often has timing chain issues around 130-170k miles i believe.
since you will be looking at newer models like 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen, you most likely wont see the OHV and a4ld transmission, try and find a 5.0 or a4.6. The rearends on 95-01 and 01-03 sport models have solid 8.8 rear axle and front torsion bars, 3rd gen and 4th gen (02-10) are pretty near the same truck, with a slightly different body. they have torsion front end and rear end, and ride much better comfort wise on the road (better for a family car i would assume) there are multiple differential options, 3.73 limited slip seems to be pretty common throughout.
mpg depends on the motor mostly, the 4.6 gets slightly better mlage than the 5.0, which i believe is around 16-18. the 4.0 SOHC normally gets around 18 city 22 highway, but some of teh guys on this forum have gotten it up to the 30s highway with certain tunes and minor mods, and experimenting with driving habits from what i understand. these explorers are all very versatile platforms, i think you would be happy with just about any.

 

[wsar10]

the early 4.0 ohv motor is sometimes considered underpowered, but for a newer vehicle you will most likely be looking at the 4.0 SOHC which is pretty adequate for these trucks, the 4 speed auto in the 91-94 and the 5 speed auto in the post 95 models is generally not as strong as the ones used for the 5.0L v8 and 4.6L v8, both of which are very reliable motors, as is the 4.0 OHV, while the 4.0 SOHC often has timing chain issues around 130-170k miles i believe.
since you will be looking at newer models like 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen, you most likely wont see the OHV and a4ld transmission, try and find a 5.0 or a4.6. The rearends on 95-01 and 01-03 sport models have solid 8.8 rear axle and front torsion bars, 3rd gen and 4th gen (02-10) are pretty near the same truck, with a slightly different body. they have torsion front end and rear end, and ride much better comfort wise on the road (better for a family car i would assume) there are multiple differential options, 3.73 limited slip seems to be pretty common throughout.
mpg depends on the motor mostly, the 4.6 gets slightly better mlage than the 5.0, which i believe is around 16-18. the 4.0 SOHC normally gets around 18 city 22 highway, but some of the guys on this forum have gotten it up to the 30s highway with certain tunes and minor mods, and experimenting with driving habits from what i understand. these explorers are all very versatile platforms, i think you would be happy with just about any.

I'm pretty familiar with the 8,8's, this is a pretty common JEEP swap to get rid of a D35 and keep same lug pattern and use a locker. it seems I will be looking in 3rd-4th gen. And if it has 100k on it, sounds like I should just have the timing chain done, what $$ will I have in the TC job ? Do they make a 5.0 in gen 3-4 ?
The 4.6 concerns me, I have quiet a few LEO friends and there departments have run 4.6's for years and %50 of them don't make it to 100k, they have all since started using tahoes again. The local FORD garage mechanic told me this was do to there oiling system and @ idle they hardly have oil pressure to the top end........ Im not syaing I would not buy a 4.6 just trying to iron out issues that may or may not be before a purchase. He also mentioned "radiator problems" and that its an expensive repair, What years does that apply to ??

thanks for the help so far