Looking to buy a gen 3 sploder...

[sullys_ranger]

ok, time to bite the bullet. looking to trade in my ranger in a few weeks to get a gen 3 explorer. Is there anything to look for? Any differences in the 4.6 or 4.0 mpg-wise? better option with 4x4 or awd? I know alot about the rangers but not so much the explorers. Thanks in advance!

oh, this is what Im getting rid of...

 

[Ronin8002]

ok, time to bite the bullet. looking to trade in my ranger in a few weeks to get a gen 3 explorer. Is there anything to look for? Any differences in the 4.6 or 4.0 mpg-wise? better option with 4x4 or awd? I know alot about the rangers but not so much the explorers. Thanks in advance!

oh, this is what Im getting rid of...

I'd say go with the 4.6 if you can find one....the fuel economy difference isn't huge between that and the 4.0.

As for AWD vs 4WD, depends on what you're planning to use it for. For offroading I would suggest 4wd.

 

[sullys_ranger]

basically just use 4x4 for winter and going to the hunting property. I didnt figure there was a diff in mpg. Any year better or different?

 

[Ronin8002]

basically just use 4x4 for winter and going to the hunting property. I didnt figure there was a diff in mpg. Any year better or different?

Some say to stay away from the 2002's. I guess the logic being that the earlier models have design problems that weren't fixed until later.

 

[sullys_ranger]

right on, that makes sense. I cant wait to get one. We have another baby on the way (our 2nd) and the ranger is our only vehicle so its time to upgrade to something nice. I dont even have one yet but Im already looking at mods.

 

[Thub]

why would you want to get rid of such a nice ranger, minus the flare side, that ranger looks to be an 05 or newer as well, i'd say getting a 3rd gen explorer would almost be a mistake, besides for the fact you need more seats. Most people say to stay away from the early models, most of the timing problems with the v6 were worked out after the 02-03 year.

 

[Thub]

Also since i did recently purchase mine I'd recommend checking all the following on 3rd gen explorers

wheel bearings, had one replaced the day after i picked it up, but i had expected it
differentials, mainly the rear
transmission issues
if its a early 4.0 listen for timing chain rattle
if its a early 4.6 i believe they had head gasket issues
check rear coil springs, 90% chance they are broken or replaced, got burned here because i was too lazy to climb under the truck all the way
check the 4x4
check the heat/cool air flow
door ajar issues

Other wise just the standard stuff when buying a used car

 

[sullys_ranger]

thanks for that! Ill deffinately check it all out. Thanks for the compliments on the ranger, its actually an 02 with the 08 front end on it and the hood is an 01-03 powerdome hood cut out for the newer front end.

 

[Thub]

Ahh u got me good on that ranger, even the badges are newer, but i missed one small thing, the old style mirrors are a dead give away.

Good luck on your search for an explorer, even though they are alot of work if you take care of it, you should be good. I'm very happy with mine despite the problems it has its a good truck, i just with it was a V8. If you can, go for one that has lower miles so you can get the "special explorer" preventative stuff out of the way and make it last.

 

[Thub]

*wish*

 

[Exproblems]

looking to trade in my ranger in a few weeks to get a gen 3 explorer. Is there anything to look for? Any differences in the 4.6 or 4.0 mpg-wise? better option with 4x4 or awd? I know alot about the rangers but not so much the explorers. Thanks in advance!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Some other things to look out for on 3rd generations Explorers is :

:Temp Blend Door actuator gear breaks, lose heat in vehicle, clunking noise heard behind dash
: Air recirculation door fall soff hinge points, door will block blower air flow to vents
: Rear tailgate panel just below the rear window tends to crack from stress, either on the left or right side of the Ford Emblem
: I've read in here the early 4.6L's have problems with blowing spark plugs out fo the cylinder heads

There are fixes posted in here for nearly all of these problems.