looking at 05 explorer ,with a couple drivetrain questions

[TimBucToo]

Im looking at an 05 with 76K on it. Im trying to get as much info as i can before I take a 100 mi trip to see it.

Dealer says it has 4x4.i look at the OL pics and see no badge on the outside that references 4x4 and no H/L shifter indicating theres a transfer case

1- So is there an electronic switch I cant seem to see in the pics? Location?

2- should there be an option list in the glovebox or somewhere on the EXPLORER where i can find it?

3-v8 which tells me its a (4.6L)

4-Advance Trac RSC (some kind of stabelizing control)

5-.is there a significant difference between the electronic and the manual transfer case 4x4? (I have a manual H/L transfer case in my current montero which means Im basically familiar with this form of 4x4

 

[RangerX]

Welcome to the forum!
I moved you into the Escape section.

 

[chefduane]

The Escape never had a V8 in it. 3.0L 6 cylinder. Also, have the guy take a picture of the rear end. There should be a differential if it is a 4x. Never trust a dealer.

 

[swshawaii]

VIN available? Click vehicle, enter VIN, and click minor features.

https://www.etis.ford.com/

 

[2TimingTom]

Only the first couple years of Escape had a switch to control 4wd. The rest are AWD. The AWD is actually quite good. It engages at every acceleration: wheel slip or not. Good little cars.

I had an '06 Mariner for awhile.

 

[TimBucToo]

VIN available? Click vehicle, enter VIN, and click minor features.

https://www.etis.ford.com/

vin
Looks like the icon to post pics that Im familar with doesnt take uploaded pics from my pc like others do. It says only from url.Guess Ill have to read instructions.... The pic shows v8 with the 8 in the valley of the v. Im waiting for his return call and Ill ask hoim to ck for solid axle

 

[TimBucToo]

Welcome to the forum!
I moved you into the Escape section.

woops My other car is an escape and I cant seem too transition over to the word explorer. So explorer is the vehicle Im asking about

 

[TimBucToo]

Only the first couple years of Escape had a switch to control 4wd. The rest are AWD. The AWD is actually quite good. It engages at every acceleration: wheel slip or not. Good little cars.

I had an '06 Mariner for awhile.

sorry,I have an escape but Im looking at an explorer. i seem to interchange the names by accident and at random

 

[TimBucToo]

The Escape never had a V8 in it. 3.0L 6 cylinder. Also, have the guy take a picture of the rear end. There should be a differential if it is a 4x. Never trust a dealer.

Woops,I mean an explorer is what Im asking about and since i also have an escape,i just seem to interchange the name at random

 

[TimBucToo]

i just looked at the engine HP/Torque differences between 05 & 06. It jumps up some! 238/282 to 292/315 Hmmm

Im looking at an 05 with 76K on it. Im trying to get as much info as i can before I take a 100 mi trip to see it.

Dealer says it has 4x4.i look at the OL pics and see no badge on the outside that references 4x4 and no H/L shifter indicating theres a transfer case

1- So is there an electronic switch I cant seem to see in the pics? Location?

2- should there be an option list in the glovebox or somewhere on the EXPLORER where i can find it?

3-v8 which tells me its a (4.6L)

4-Advance Trac RSC (some kind of stabelizing control)

5-.is there a significant difference between the electronic and the manual transfer case 4x4? (I have a manual H/L transfer case in my current montero which means Im basically familiar with this form of 4x4

 

[RangerX]

Moved back to the Explorer section!

 

[TimBucToo]

VIN available? Click vehicle, enter VIN, and click minor features.

https://www.etis.ford.com/

!

this vin check is great! Thx

I ran the cars vin and heres what is says on its order data sheet
"with 2 spd trans case with ctl trac"
Still when I vew the picture of the console from the rear seat there doesnt appear to be a shift lever for the transfercase H/L .
The sales person hasnt called me back so Ill call again in the morning and see if he can walk out to the car and ck for the axle and the Transfer case shifter

 

[swshawaii]

Owners and maintenance manual links:

https://owner.ford.com/tools/accoun...s-search-results.html#/ymm/2005/Ford/Explorer

http://www.fleet.ford.com/partsandservice/owner-manuals/

 

[swshawaii]

Google is your friend. (2005 Ford Explorer Brochure)

http://hillerford.com/v2/resource_library/2005/2005brochures/2005_explorer.pdf

 

[Number4]

The 4x controls are on either side of the radio. Three buttons. Left side with no message center, right side with message center.

Can you share the link to where you are looking?

Dealers often want 2k more than street value. But the mileage is low and it's an '05, I'd say the dealer wants at least 8k, which is kinda high. Good thing is, your looking at the V8 model. My only advise, really, is only buy it if you can do most repair work yourself.

The 3rd gens ride really nice, but for the extra 1k lbs vs the 2nd gen, they didn't beef up the suspension enough, including transmission.

 

[TimBucToo]

The 4x controls are on either side of the radio. Three buttons. Left side with no message center, right side with message center.

Can you share the link to where you are looking?
wants 9K
Dealers often want 2k more than street value. But the mileage is low and it's an '05, I'd say the dealer wants at least 8k, which is kinda high. Good thing is, your looking at the V8 model. My only advise, really, is only buy it if you can do most repair work yourself.

The 3rd gens ride really nice, but for the extra 1k lbs vs the 2nd gen, they didn't beef up the suspension enough, including transmission.

It started at 8 last month now its 9K
I appreciate your advice.Im not able to work on these vehicles.I have looked at some of the instructions and they look helpful,but realistically,unless its very minor Im usless or it takes me too long to fix it, almost the same thing. The vehicle will replace the daily to work driver,and it cant afford to be laid up waiting for me to repair it. Is there any vehicle made today that is significanly more reliable than fords? Hondas? Toyodas? I guess montero sports are or I was just lucky never having to replace any part in 238K miles since new.

 

[Number4]

Every brand has its faults and I don't know which ones are most bullet proof.

The dealer wants way too much for the Ex your looking at, they always do.
These cars can be nice, but they have some common and expensive repairs that'll come up. If you aren't set up to do the work yourself, it'll get real costly.

They also aren't great on MPG. I'd strongly recommend you look into something else.

Repairs you'd be most likely to face:
Upper ball joints/control arms (look and see if te boots are already torn.) $500
Rear shocks $500
Front and rear bearings <=$1000
Rear differential <=$2000
Transmission $2500 to $3500
Timing guides and tensioners <=$1200

These are the common failures and I probably left something out. If you had the dealer do these repairs, they'd add up to 8k alone. And these are the "going to be your problems" problems.

 

[Tech By Trade]

If your looking for reliable I would go with something else.

 

[TimBucToo]

Every brand has its faults and I don't know which ones are most bullet proof.

The dealer wants way too much for the Ex your looking at, they always do.
These cars can be nice, but they have some common and expensive repairs that'll come up. If you aren't set up to do the work yourself, it'll get real costly.

They also aren't great on MPG. I'd strongly recommend you look into something else.

Repairs you'd be most likely to face:
Upper ball joints/control arms (look and see if te boots are already torn.) $500
Rear shocks $500
Front and rear bearings <=$1000
Rear differential <=$2000
Transmission $2500 to $3500
Timing guides and tensioners <=$1200

These are the common failures and I probably left something out. If you had the dealer do these repairs, they'd add up to 8k alone. And these are the "going to be your problems" problems.

\
Too bad,cause theyre nice looking and low miles.And as i recall many if not all fords have a great deal of issues nearing the 100K mark. Does that sound about right? Thanks