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Looking at a 2000 5.0 xlt...awd problematic?

maybea5.0

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This is my first post...Just looking at a 2000 xlt 5.0 today online. Do all the 5.0 explorers have awd? Are these something I should stay away from? I would rather have switchable 4wd because I really don't see a need to turn all 4 wheels all year long. Any quick way around this w/o causing harm to the drivetrain? I'm sure removing the driveshaft up front would help but the case will still be turning all that hardware, right? The truck is a 2000 5.0 xlt, loaded with only 57k miles. Its at a dealer and looks perfect, but this awd may have me looking for something else unless someone convinces me otherwise. Oh, they are asking 6,400...is this reasonable with those low miles (57k)?
 



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That's a good price and awesome truck.

The 5.0 and AWD are a good combo- you wouldn't want to remove the front driveshaft for reasons to be explained later.

A different transfer case has been successfully installed from an F150 to get part time 4x4 and low range.

I'd like to have one with such low miles- Mine has 140K on the original engine and trans, still runs strong to this day.
 






I will bet that truck will never leave you stranded. Mine hasn't

And like Mountaineergreen has stated-you can swap in a 4406 transfer case pretty easily if you really want 2wd-4wd selection.

Just look in his signature under "my write ups" for the link. He's being modest
 












AWD is a 60/40 split 60% to the rear. It is a mechanical system, no wires or switches.

Mileage- bone stock, expect 17-18 highway driving it easy.

If you werent afraid to spend some money and put some time into it, you could get mileage up into the 20's.

Mine is very lifted with big tires and I still can get 17 MPG on the highway, higher than that on long trips.
 






I bought a 98 AWD in Feb this year and love it. Like you I was a little worried about problems and gas mileage. But it was a 1 owner and only had 55k, hard to pass up. We average 18mpg and better on Hwy, its gets better mpg than our 05 Town and Country did.
 






I have a 2000 5.0 AWD and have had zero drivetrain problems in 90k miles. I've kept synthetic ATF in the transfer case as they are said to be a little on the weak side if not maintained.

I can consistently get 20 mpg with mine on the hilly PA highways. Around town is a vastly different story.
 






I have a 5.0 as well and love it. Very tough. The 4406 t case swap is nice since it uses all OEM Ford parts. I'd try and get them to budge on the price, or at least throw in a decent warranty. The only things I'd be worried about replacing any time soon is ball joints.
 






Well as nice a vehicle this is, I just can't see the need for the wasteful awd. I now drive an s10 blazer and I needed the 4wd once all winter. But it sure comes in handy when needed. That swap looks darn cool, but I would like to know the cost before buying this truck. I'm guessing maybe 1-2k?
 






My swap cost $450 in parts, others did it for less. Then, I sold my AWD transfer case and got $200 for it, and another $50 for the driveshaft. So, $200. You can get more out of your low mileage case and front driveshaft.
 












I have had a 98 Mountie AWD for a couple of years now. 85k miles. Runs great. Has only had the Cam Sny Gear swapped out which there is a sticky on. Happens to most around 75k. Not too difficult of a repair. Mine is a grocery getter. Never been off road. If you use the search function, type in 5.0 AWD. This eliminates all the info on the 6 cyn models which you want to avoid. But, if you are a serious off roader, I would caution on suspension repairs. This seems to be the most talked about stuff here. Now, I have had none. But, the cost of parts for this vehicle is HIGH. The ride is also very rough, like a buck board. The ladies hate it. Lousy city gas mileage. Now, engine great; drive train great. Nice looking vehicle. Pros/cons. Good luck. Honestly, with gas headed to 5/gal, I would choose another model. Sorry. With sales down so hard on the Explorer, and the trend to cross overs, I think you can do better in a business sense.
 






The ride is rough? I wouldn't have guessed that. I don't do a lot of city driving or off=roading. As long as it can cruise through snow/ice thats fine. Oh I sometimes dump my jet ski in the water off a sandy beach...would the awd be o.k. in that kind of terrain?
 






AWD is super in the snow and ice. I plow with mine with no problems. I'm also sure it would be fine at the boat launch as long as you have good tires.
 






Well I went to go buy the Explorer and someone else was test driving it. In the meantime I was offered a test drive of a 2002 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with the the 5.3....and bought that instead. Got it for 7,700. I did actually drive the explorer and while it was a nice truck it didn't compare to the Z71. It has 140k miles but if it had 40k I would never be able to tell...simply mint condition in every way and ridiculously loaded. Thanks for your time...
 






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