Looking at buying an 96 XLT 5.0 AWD

[bcorradi]

Hi All,

I'm currently looking at purchasing a 96 XLT 5.0 AWD with 125k on it from a buddy of mine. He is going to sell it to me for $1500...are there any things I should look for on it? I'm real familiar with ford vehicles (I own 7, 3 with 5.0's), but I'm not all that familiar with explorers at all. Also, what can i expect to get for gas mileage?
Thanks and any info would be greatly appreciated,
Brad

 

[Mbrooks420]

Welcome to the site. I'd buy that in a second in just about any shape. Super deal. The 5.0 Explorers are tough. The weakest link on them is probably the transfer cases, but even those are fairly reliable. The main mechanical issue I would think is due is ball joints, but at 125k they may have already been replaced. I get 15-17mpg with mixed driving and oversize mud tires.

 

[bcorradi]

Ok thank you for the welcome and for your response. I'm probably going to get rid of my 94 bronco and replace it with the explorer. I like the bronco also, but the explorers seem to be a tad more car like and wife friendly lol.

 

[X6StringerX]

Don't be fooled by the "luxury" of the Explorers/Mountaineers. They are tough. IMO, the 5.0 is the ONLY way to go with the 2nd gens.

 

[bcorradi]

Yeah I kinda fell upon this one and really wasn't looking to buy one right now. I tossed around the idea last summer, but i wasn't too keen getting a 4.0 because of the timing belt/tensioner issues i read about.

 

[mediaman67]

Hi,

That was only in the newer 4.0L SOHC engine - the older 4L is a great engine, but not as peepy as the 5.0L V8 of course....

with gas at $3 a gallon, unless I was towing with mine, I'd opt for the 4L - it's a good 4-5 MPG better, and that adds up... but I guess it just depends - for $1500 - I'd buy it if it was me... but I got my 96 Sport for $500

 

[1996explorerxlt]

I got my 1996 XLT 5.0 for $1800 last year from a family friend in great shape and couldnt be happier to have it for a toy/winter truck. I did have to replace U+L balljoints and such in the front end and please check the rear spring shackles, mine was full of holes. Other than that change all the fluids and filters, check for a tune up and you could be set.

 

[mediaman67]

good deal

Yeah, any mid 90's V8 Exp for under $2 is a steal - they are great, and I most likely would trade my 4.0L 96 for one, even with gas prices what they are...

for all you that have the 5.0L or the 4.6L V8's, which do you like better, and also, what kind of mileage do you get?

cheers!

 

[chriswells78]

$1500 is a steal! I got mine for 2k with more miles, the ball joints were already replaced though :

 

[mediaman67]

I'll take 3 at that price

 

[bcorradi]

I got my 1996 XLT 5.0 for $1800 last year from a family friend in great shape and couldnt be happier to have it for a toy/winter truck. I did have to replace U+L balljoints and such in the front end and please check the rear spring shackles, mine was full of holes. Other than that change all the fluids and filters, check for a tune up and you could be set.

Ok thanks for the information. How many miles did yours have on it when you bought it?

 

[bcorradi]

Yeah, any mid 90's V8 Exp for under $2 is a steal - they are great, and I most likely would trade my 4.0L 96 for one, even with gas prices what they are...

for all you that have the 5.0L or the 4.6L V8's, which do you like better, and also, what kind of mileage do you get?

cheers!

I guess I could probably easily find the numbers...but how do the 5.0's rate vs the 4.6's in regards to hp and torque in stock form?

 

[CDW6212R]

Get the body style which you like best, the space and gas mileage is different. FYI, the 98-01 trucks are better than the 95-97's, if you can get those for not much more, do it. Regards,

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Get the body style which you like best, the space and gas mileage is different. FYI, the 98-01 trucks are better than the 95-97's, if you can get those for not much more, do it. Regards,

My '97 Mounty has the "P" heads so I lucked out. Plus I don't have the 98-01 ugly @ss front end

 

[ZBlackBeast]

I guess I could probably easily find the numbers...but how do the 5.0's rate vs the 4.6's in regards to hp and torque in stock form?

To answer that, the 4.6's are a MUCH more powerfull motor due to the fact it has a SOHC vs OHV. They have about 250 HP vs the 5.0's 210-215 and about the same for torque at about 280. THe OHC v6s are MUCH faster, but dont have that v8 feel. Ive had both, and if i could have fixed that tensioner i would have kept that 4.0. But i love this 5.0. Just hate the gs millage. But for 1500 i would take it, and FAST. !!

 

[1996explorerxlt]

I got it with 145,000 miles from my mom's boyfriend of 10 years. I saw how he took care of it for the 4 years he had it.

 

[bcorradi]

To answer that, the 4.6's are a MUCH more powerfull motor due to the fact it has a SOHC vs OHV. They have about 250 HP vs the 5.0's 210-215 and about the same for torque at about 280. THe OHC v6s are MUCH faster, but dont have that v8 feel. Ive had both, and if i could have fixed that tensioner i would have kept that 4.0. But i love this 5.0. Just hate the gs millage. But for 1500 i would take it, and FAST. !!

Ok thanks for the information...it looks like I'll be getting it on friday. I'll keep you guys updated in case you care lol. I also listed my 94 bronco for sale last night on a local craigslist site and an interested party is supposed to look at it tommorrow. I'd really like to get rid of it before I bought this explorer....I really don't need another vehicle taking up space (I already have 3 f150's, and 2 sho's).

 

[bcorradi]

I got it with 145,000 miles from my mom's boyfriend of 10 years. I saw how he took care of it for the 4 years he had it.

Ohh ok how many miles do you have on it now? I have had 3 5.0's in the past (1 in an f150 and 2 in bronco's), but I've never had them over 125k. I was just curious on the longevity of them.

 

[CDW6212R]

Taken care of well, more miles than you will go. Other than a timing chain or valve springs wearing, the roller engines can go 2-300k miles easily. FYI, the Explorer 302 is a 240hp engine(under 200rwhp), all other book specs are wrong. Good luck,

 

[bcorradi]

Ok thanks Don. All these tidbits are helpful.