Looking to be an X owner

[JRLCrist]

Hey there guys,
I don't yet own an x, but in about a week or two I'm hoping to be a proud owner. I had a couple questions to help me decide if this'll be right for me. Well, after driving it, I feel it's right for me, but you know how it goes

The vehicle I'm looking to get is a 1992 Explorer Sport. It has 155k miles on it and a manual transmission, and is equiped like so:

"Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Steering, Bucket Seats, CD Player, Power Windows, Rear Window Defroster, Rear Window Wiper, Alloy Wheels, Sunroof/Moonroof, A/C: Front" (copy and paste from the website )

According to the inspection ticket, it has the following problems:

Failed Alignment (Toe Out)
Failed Suspension (Wheel Bearings)
Failed Brakes (Hydraulic System, Wheel Cylinders, Drums, Lining/Pads, Mech Components)
Failed Lights (Side Marker, Tag, Headlights [they turned on for me, so I don't know what the deal is])
Failed Wipers (blades)
Failed Floor/Trunk Pans (has a small amount of rust)


My first question is, for $1,300, is this a decent buy?

Secondly, this is only my second real vehicle. I don't really know how much it would cost to get these things fixed to pass inspection. Does anyone know or can anyone point me in the right direction?

I've done some research on this forum and found that some x's last for up to 350k miles. Is that really true?!


Thanks for bearing with me, and hopefully I can help out the community :-D

LJ

 

[kert0307]

For all of the the things wrong with it, that seems high to me. The manual tranny will last along time(compiared to the auto that came in them), as well as the 4.0 ohv engine that's in it.

 

[redneck2725]

A little high is correct. I just got a 93 with 135,000 miles a couple days ago for $1400 cash. It also had tons of brand new parts, and runs really good.

 

[mikeinri]

I would avoid this one like the plague with that many miles and that many issues. If it were a $800 truck, that would be a different story.

You could easily drop $1000 just to fix the brakes, depending what's wrong (if you do it yourself, you could save some). The wheel bearing would be done while the brakes are out. Fronts are easy, rears require special tools.

Are the body and paint mint?

Mike

 

[93explorer4life]

i have ownd 2 xploders both auto trannys arent working right! one is outa the truck torn apart, and the other is getting me around! lol! the A4LD (aka the automatic) sucks pretty bad! they go out really easy!!! the 4.0 it ahs in it, both ran really strong! my first one i bought was for 2500, had some rust but the 4x4 and engine ran great! and the second i got 4 1000 and it ran great! not to much was wrong with it!
the 1gen explorers are amazing trucks, slap a set of all terans on them and they can go anywhere!
and they look great!!!!!
hope this helps, anything else you neead know just PM me and i will do my best!
godbless TJ

 

[Mud Bug 94]

my clean 94 4door was given to me..needed valve covers and radius arm bushings and that was it!

 

[JRLCrist]

Part of me is really adventurous and is anxious to fix this vehicle up and drive it to NC from PA on my regular monthly trip just because there's an element of risk to it. Plus, my job being a computer technician, I get a lot of satisfaction out of starting a job at 5 in the morning and at 9 at night, looking back and seeing the seeds of my hard work bloom. I see and agree with the points that this vehicle is a little over priced, but I can't seem to find any other manual first gen's around. I've checked eBay and whatnot, and they seem more expensive with worse problems

What I'm concerned about the most, really, are the brakes. I'm aware that the rear drums need to be redone, but beyond that, I don't know why the brakes failed inspection. Not to mention, I'm a computer tech, not a car mechanic. I'll be learning on the fly

Oh, and my Olds Alero isn't good for off-roading I've tried

 

[Mud Bug 94]

keep lookin theres too manny things wrong to fix on this one...

 

[96jeff]

keep on a looking, if it was in good condition I'd buy it but not with those issues. Good luck.

 

[Burns]

To high....we just got one almost a twin to that one and had almost the same ammount of stuff wrong...For under 500

And yes with proper care a 4.0 can last more than 300,000+
I just replaced mine after 319,000

 

[Mud Bug 94]

378,000 and counting burnsy baby.

 

[pooll]

to much

to much for all that work, but yes ive seen exs with that many miles look on here their is some reasonable prices , and ebay as well.

 

[JRLCrist]

Hah, I didn't even notice that part of the forum I saw one MiZZ has for sale and I'm going to try for that one. Hopefully I can grab it from him... this weekend or so?

 

[MiZZ]

JRL, It's all yours if your seriously interested.. and I believe the asking price is pretty decent for quick sale! sent you a reply to your PM, let me know whats up if interested. -Mike

 

[Explorer93RDB]

Wow I don't know what Roses these guys are smelling , but in florida that X would be a fair price at $800 to 1200 I just can't find deals like that.. Run myself crazy on the net for a month looking and bidding but the price on the "you better Haul it on a trailer Home " was high also. I can't drive to NY to save $1000. and have to tow it Home.. So if you like it buy it. I Did paid a little extra for a 2 owner X.. No tears inside and only one quarter panel rusted . this will be cut out for Flairs.. Good Luck

 

[ma96782]

Prices are regional......like up here in the Pac Northwest.......Explorers and most any 4x4 are popular vehicles.......so you pay.

Now, since you said you're a computer guy and not an auto mechanic......does that mean you don't have tools to fix cars?? Or the know how??? I see that you're willing to try, "Bravo."

IF you do get it......IMHO....get a repair manual for it.......Haynes or Chilton's is OK.......or download the FORD one.

Got some additional questions.....ask away.

Oh yes........you could go to one of those mechanics that you trust.....pay them the fee (usually $40-60)......and find out how much it'll cost to get it back so it could pass the state inspection. Or, bring a knowledgeable friend along.

Personally.......it would depend on how much $$$ I had to spend on the vehicle??? You know, repairs can add up. Or, I'd pay a little more for one that was in, "Excellent Condition."

BTW......'92 has R-12 A/C.....and rear only ABS (I could be wrong). Since you mentioned brakes.....the repairs for ABS can be an expensive item, IF that is the problem.

Aloha, Mark

PS......some thoughts on the subject:

There are some KNOWN problems w/ first Gen Explorers.....among them: V6 4.0L ohv head crack, over heating, rear hatch closing on your head, radius arm bushings, shift motors, auto hubs, broken interior door handles and the weak trans. And, remember you're using older computer technology (EEC IV aka: OBD I). The 4.0L ohv has only 160 HP.........IMHO, from climbing mountains (paved road, 5-6% grade)........it's a DOG.

______________________________________________________________________

Consider these points for any 2nd Gen Explorer (4.0L ohv, 4.0sohc, or V8 equipped vehicles):

The 2nd Gen has the OBD II and a better trans (compared to the 1st Gen). But, they also come w/ KNOWN issues. Among them: V6 4.0 sohc (205 HP) timing chain cassette, the usual 4.0L ohv engine problems (ohv head crack, over heating), the V8 (and trans) is better for reliability though it gets about 1-2 MPG less (per Govt.), the 4.0 sohc and V8 are good for towing (due to hp), the V8 is better for torque (so, even better for towing). Then, there is the HVAC blend doors, torsion bar pads, and broken interior door handles.

You put your money down....you take your chances......you hardly never KNOW how well the previous owner treated it (since it's USED).

Aloha, Mark

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New USED Car Owners….advice:

IMHO.....for those that have just purchased a USED vehicle from someone/some car lot (questionable history) and have noticed some issues...............

IMHO, may I suggest a complete tune up. Include the: air filter, motor flush and re-fill w/oil and new filter, fuel filter, pcv, cooling system flush and re-fill w/ new coolant, plugs and wires, run some sea foam, and don't forget the fuel system cleaner added to the fuel.

Clean the MAF and IAC……it’s a little more involved:

Explorer Maintenance

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144066&page=1&pp=20

Explorer MAF cleaning

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154711&highlight=cleaning+mafs

IAC Cleaning:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84220&highlight=iac

And, another IAC Cleaning thread:

http://www.moddedmustangs.com/cleaning-your-iac.html

IF you feel energetic........do the transfer case, frt diff. and rear diff. Expand that to a check of the breaks, bearings, trans mounts, motor mounts, shocks and RAB (for the 1 Gen Explorer). Anything else....feel free to, "just do it."

Check for codes. Get a “base” to work off of.

Aloha, Mark

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As you know.....4x4 are $$$ around here (Pac Northwest).

Most dirt guys like auto transmission equipped vehicles. And the auto trans in the 1st Gen Explorer doesn't have a good reputation. But, the manual trans also has it's detractors. IMHO......get what you like.....or what your "other half" can also drive. Always nice to have a 2nd driver.

As you may KNOW the 1st Gens have their share of other problems:
V6 4.0L ohv head crack, over heating, rear hatch closing on your head, radius arm bushings, shift motors, auto hubs, broken interior door handles and the weak trans. And, remember you're using older computer technology (EEC IV aka: OBD I). The 4.0L ohv has only 160 HP.........IMHO, from climbing mountains (paved road, 5-6% grade)........it's a DOG. (You know, Mt. Shasta between CA and OR.)

I get a little over 20 MPGs pure Hi-way and about 15-16 MPGs everyday driving (city/Hi-way).

On the plus side.......there are a lot of 1st Gens still on the roads around here.....lots of parts in the junk yards. Lots of room to sleep in the back w/ the rear seat folded down. And, Great advice on the web.

 

[JRLCrist]

I just want to say that I hate being poor