Looking for some ideas, what do you think?

[BrianDye]

So ive been wanting to get a 2nd gen explorer, but cant seem to find the one i want, with what i want (low miles, blah blah) and when I do, by the time i can even call on it, theyre like oh its gone.

I still havent sold the taurus yet, I should have about 2k when I sell it. After reading a post last night, seeing a mint condition, blue 93, lifted...I kinda thought maybe I should just get a 94 thats in real good condition, not eddie bauer like mine, 4x4 is no biggie, if it has it, thats cool, if not, doesnt matter.

Im picky about options, because when your a 16 year old male, they jack the price up for every little thing they can. Mines eddie bauer, boom theres more I gotta pay, its 4x4, boom theres more I gotta pay, theres leather seats, boom...so on and so fourth.

What I was thinking (since my 92 is just in basically bad shape...after really going through it one day in the garage, and some advice from my step dad, I knew I needed something soon; I was thinking about getting like a 94, thats in real good condition, that has rockers, no rust, etc etc. Then I can swap my sound system, obv; and then ill swap my diamond cut front lights, and HID bulbs from my 92, then I can just sell that one, then hopefully I can get it painted black, and get some decent 18's for it; maybe get a set of leather front seats to throw in there...


Do you think that would be a smarter idea, rather than getting a 2nd gen?
Id really like to make the interior more "modern" (I guess would be the word), and then do some performance mods on the engine, Id like a little more acceleration than what my 92 has, dunno if the engines are any different.


Thanks guys, and once again I appreciate EVERYTHING!

 

[MrQ]

Id like a little more acceleration than what my 92 has, dunno if the engines are any different.

The engines are identical to the 92 (I have a 94 XLT) V6 OHV.The only real big difs was that the a/c was changed over to r134a so its compatible with today's freon and a small horsepower gain.

 

[Maniak]

There are some other possible diffs.. 92 may or maynot have EGR, and the 94 does have a cam sensor and the 94 has sequential fuel injection instead of multi-port and the 93 & 94 have 93tm heads (different casting than the 92).

In general though.. They are about the same..

~Mark

 

[MrQ]

There are some other possible diffs.. 92 may or maynot have EGR, and the 94 does have a cam sensor and the 94 has sequential fuel injection instead of multi-port and the 93 & 94 have 93tm heads (different casting than the 92).

In general though.. They are about the same..

~Mark

Ahh I didn't know that.

 

[Maniak]

Somewhere on here there is a thread with a post by I think 410fortune that discusses what the differences are in the 4.0 ohv. Its geared more for engine swaps but its the most complete list I've seen..

~Mark

 

[BrianDye]

well which engine was better? The 92, or 94's?

My ac was converted also btw...

 

[BrianDye]

And one more question, I decided I actually want to lower it...like 3" maybe...

Then just get a nice set of 20's probably, I heard its pretty much impossible to lower if you have 4x4...is that true?

Basically long story short, get a 94, lower it, put 20's on it.....4x4 or no lol

 

[BrianDye]

Also; one more:


did they make first gen V8's?

Dont think ive ever heard of that..

 

[MrShorty]

well which engine was better? The 92, or 94's?

'91-'94 use the exact same long block. The only differences are minor engine management differences (like the '92 doesn't have an EGR system where the '94 does). IMO, after 15+ years, condition/history/maintenance/etc. will have more impact on which engine is better than which year it was put out.

did they make first gen V8's?

No. V8 was first introduced to Explorers in '96.

What did you and your step-dad see that made you think it was time to retire the '92?

You say you're picky, and you are dissatisfied with your '92. '94 is so similar to a '92, that I don't see someone "picky" being satisfied with a '94. It depends on how serious the '92's issues are, I don't see much point in buying a '94. Either put your money into making the '92 what you want, or hold out for a 2nd gen.

 

[BrianDye]

Well it was really more of a "guy showed up, signed papers, drove it for a few mins then he left" type of thing, it was a surprise, and at the time I thought NOTHING about really inspecting it head to toe, which I regret.

My dad lives like 65 miles from me, (step dad) and I went up there, he got me new catbacks for my bday. As we were leaving (me and the gf) I went to stop at the entrance of the neighborhood, heading home for a good hour long trip, the brakes went out, pedal went to the floor, luckily it was when I was in the neighborhood doing 10 rather than 75 on the highway, so i crept it back to his house, the rear lines sprouted a nasty hole, so he drove us home, and I had to either get it towed, or fix it there, so we ended up blocking the backline, so I still had front brakes, and I drove it home 2 days later.

He really looked at it under there, and basically its surprising that it still runs and drives, its so corroded and horrible down there. I want a 94, because I see more of them in WAY better shape than mine, full bodys w/o rust, the rockers are actually still there, etc etc. Plus there were a few changes in the interior, plus all 4 ABS brakes unlike the 92's.

Im still looking at both 94's, and 95's (well and 96, & 97's).

I love my explorer, and the body and interior, just want something thats not a money pit.

 

[MrQ]

plus all 4 ABS brakes unlike the 92's.

That's a laugh, most people who have 94's find that those ABS sensors are more money and trouble than they are worth.

I know for a fact mine don't work...which I don't give a hoot or holler about.

 

[Four0Sport]

if youre looking to buy a reliable, good looking, 'modern' explorer then i would look for a 96-01 V8 explorer. theres a few reasons for this..

-its hard to find a first gen w/out rust
-you already admitted to not liking how the first gens look
-a 96-01 V8 is a reliable vehicle, with better gas mileage than the 4.0
-it is easier to lower than a first gen.. you loosen torsion bar bolts to lower the front rather than having to put lowering springs, adjustable camber bushings, and all the steering and alignment hassles that come with lowering or lifting a first gen
-youre young and need a reliable vehicle. my 97 V8 Explorer is the best DD I have ever had.
-and its a 302.. the modifications are endless and they make great power

 

[BrianDye]

if youre looking to buy a reliable, good looking, 'modern' explorer then i would look for a 96-01 V8 explorer. theres a few reasons for this..

-its hard to find a first gen w/out rust
-you already admitted to not liking how the first gens look
-a 96-01 V8 is a reliable vehicle, with better gas mileage than the 4.0
-it is easier to lower than a first gen.. you loosen torsion bar bolts to lower the front rather than having to put lowering springs, adjustable camber bushings, and all the steering and alignment hassles that come with lowering or lifting a first gen
-youre young and need a reliable vehicle. my 97 V8 Explorer is the best DD I have ever had.
-and its a 302.. the modifications are endless and they make great power

ive actually found probably 20-30 without rust..I just need to sell my damn taurus so I can have the cash to put out for one.

If i got the v8, it would have to be a 96, just because of insurance...yeah its that ridiculous.

Would you reccomend (i have my buddy who can do it, I would just observe lol) buying a non running 96, or whatever year, and then buying an engine seperate? A few people have said thats what they did, its pretty hard to find both a good condition explorer that needs an engine or engine work, and a engine to fit it.

 

[nitro71]

91-94's are old school 4x4ing machines! They don't handle as well as the newer Explorers on the road. The older the body the more rust there is. Newer ones have a nicer looking body style. Get a newer one. You just need to look every day and have the money ready.

 

[BrianDye]

Thats the biggest thing holding me back, I would probably have one already, but i get person after person "im on my way to come look at it, blah blah" and never show up, i finally today printed out a ton of flyers for stores and whatnot, then I actually finally put a for sale sign in the window so hopefully by this weekend someone will call and want it!!

 

[nitro71]

You advertising in craigslist? Have pics and a decent add and a fair price should go pretty fast.

 

[BrianDye]

That was my first resort, just reposted it today as a matter of fact