Just purchased '05 Explorer XLT...any tips?

[blively2]

I just purchased a nice condition 05 Explorer XLT with 69,995 miles. Any tips or things to do/look out for initially or down the road slightly? This is my first Ford AND SUV. Any insight would be helpful, especially from experienced Explorer owners like yourselves...

 

[Gus Gorilla]

Not really. By 05 most of the bugs were worked out of the EX platform. Enjoy it. If it's your average DD go easy car then no worries. But if you will drive it like a racecar you will have to maintain it like a racecar. Nascar doesn't focus on pit crews for nothing

 

[1_v8_merc]

Yep, you should be in the clear.

The 04's has some issues with the Rear-Axel whinning and making noises, but I've never had that problem with my 04.

I think all of the little annoyances were worked out by 2005.

-------

I drive my 2004 pretty damn hard, but not like "drag race" hard. More like a police officer would, which would be like an "endurance race" style of driving.

I've never had any problems.

The 4.6's are great motors when it comes to driving them hard.
Like I said, they use them in the Police Interceptors, so they gotta be solid engines to put up with that abuse.
(although they come with heavy duty trannies and suspension,etc.)

 

[thepotroast]

The 04's has some issues with the Rear-Axel whinning and making noises, but I've never had that problem with my 04.

Not just for the 04's. The TSB covers 02-05 Explorers, and Ford replaced the diff internals under the TSB, including on my 03 which had the whine appear at 60k miles (when they serviced it), and then reappeared at 100k....it's still there, and I have no plans on having it replaced again.

 

[booner]

I recently purchased the same model, basically the same amount of miles. Had it serviced, including a transmission flush. The shop said the old transmission fluid was unusually dirty. You might consider getting that done.

 

[blively2]

Thanks for the tips! This is the insight I was looking for, since I'm not too keen on getting 'surprised' the hard way! Thanks, fellas!