Looking for Explorer,

[bill55az]

Living in AZ, I haven't seen the need for 4WD, but we are moving to Utah soon, the Logan area, about 20 miles from the Idaho border. They get snow there...
Up til now, I have been a Mopar fan, but Daimler Chrysler has long ago won the ugly behemoth contest for their new trucks and SUV's and they have lost me. The gunsite grill has gotten bigger and bigger, and is getting put on everything they make. Enough is enough! I still like the old Mopars, tho.
We will be looking for a fairly new Explorer, 2000 or newer, any advice as to what years had the best features? What are the generation/age brackets?
thanks

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Well i like the 2nd gens the best. Is it going to be your DD, trail rig or GG?
do you want to tow with it, what?

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Oh yeah mine is a 98 with 155grrrr on the clock and purrrs like a kitten!

 

[bill55az]

Well i like the 2nd gens the best. Is it going to be your DD, trail rig or GG?
do you want to tow with it, what?

Daily Diver, grocery getter when the wife uses it, and will be towing a 21 foot boat with inboard v8 engine when I drive it.......
We are retired, but occasionally work part time/temporary, so we won't be doing a lot of DD. Biggest concern is winter driving.

 

[Mbrooks420]

If you are going to tow I would get the V8. Most come with the AWD. Works very well in the snow, and will tow a boat nicely. The v6 transmissions have always been anemic and problematic. I wouldn't consider one if you plan to tow with it. The first generations are 91-94, the second gens from 95-02, and the third gens from 03-present. The second and third gens both came with v8's. The second gens came with a 5.0 pushrod v8. The third gens come with the DOHC 4.6. I have the 5.0 and it has served me well.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Ok find a 99-01 with a 5,0 in it and AWD thats your best bet IMO. For towing check out the towing forum here.

 

[bill55az]

99-01 with 5.0 and AWD sounds about right, thanks....
the newer ones with all the electronic gadgets just turn off old guys (60) like me. We never use them. Dealer salesman tried to impress my 80 year old neighbor with a navigation system and he let him run on and finally said, "how much off if you take the stupid thing out"?

 

[Mbrooks420]

The Explorer(and Mountaineers) use the viscous coupling AWD with no electronics. You can also get them without most of the digital gadgets if you look. All v8's I have ever seen come with the 3.73 limited slip axle which is nice for traction, and with the 5.0 grunt will pull nicely.