Looking to buy an Explorer, what should I look out for?

[Sworn]

Hey guy's I'm new to the site and looking to buy an Explorer! I'm actually going later this evening to look at a 94 4X4 auto with 130K. This will be a primarily a winter vehicle.......Anything to watch out for? From my "lurking" on this site it seems the auto trans can be an issue....Anything else?


Eventually looking to do 31's and maybe a two inch body lift.

Thanks in advance!

 

[eXcali]

Hey guy's I'm new to the site and looking to buy an Explorer! I'm actually going later this evening to look at a 94 4X4 auto with 130K. This will be a primarily a winter vehicle.......Anything to watch out for? From my "lurking" on this site it seems the auto trans can be an issue....Anything else?


Eventually looking to do 31's and maybe a two inch body lift.

Thanks in advance!

Depending on your price range it may be worth it to look into the 2nd gens just so that you don't have to bother with that junk tranny.

Edit: check this one out, ad says it just needs new ignition: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/1307389184.html it's in Chesterton, IN

 

[celly]

Get a 2nd gen.

 

[Sworn]

Depending on your price range it may be worth it to look into the 2nd gens just so that you don't have to bother with that junk tranny.

I put allot of money down on my car, so the budget isn't that great.
Those transmissions are really that bad?

This is my baby! (Which will be going into storage for the winter!)

 

[Sworn]

BTW this is the one I'm going to look at tonight!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1302324565.html

 

[mikewild]

Check the rear wheel wells under the back doors for rust. I see that it has the tupperware on it, and they like to collect water & eventually rust out the rockers. Other than that, maybe check the headliner around the sunroof for signs of leakage.

 

[koolaid81]

Looks really clean, a couple things to look out for...

1) besides rust on the fenders check the directly behind the gas door, there are a couple sheets of metal that join there and cancer always seems to pop up there, no big deal but may be a good price dropper.

2) all of my explorers have needed radius arm bushings about that milage, go over a speed bump slowly and listen for "creaking" (dry door hinge sound) they will most likely need to get replaced...

3) check the tranny... I personally have not had any problems with the first gen tranny yet but after writing this I will probably loose my overdrive tomorrow.

4) A/C, maybe not too important for a winter vehicle but if you at all care about a good defroster you may want to see if the compressor kicks on

5) Heater core.. if it's leaking, say hello to the sweet smell and thin film of coolant that will appear on your windshield on cold mornings.

6) U-joints, turn slowly in a parking lot and listen for a click...

7) 4-wheel drive motor... make sure it goes into 4hi and 4 lo without too many issues

Looks like a beauty, I wish you luck... let us know how it goes.

-Martin

 

[Sworn]

Looks really clean, a couple things to look out for...

1) besides rust on the fenders check the directly behind the gas door, there are a couple sheets of metal that join there and cancer always seems to pop up there, no big deal but may be a good price dropper.

2) all of my explorers have needed radius arm bushings about that milage, go over a speed bump slowly and listen for "creaking" (dry door hinge sound) they will most likely need to get replaced...

3) check the tranny... I personally have not had any problems with the first gen tranny yet but after writing this I will probably loose my overdrive tomorrow.

4) A/C, maybe not too important for a winter vehicle but if you at all care about a good defroster you may want to see if the compressor kicks on

5) Heater core.. if it's leaking, say hello to the sweet smell and thin film of coolant that will appear on your windshield on cold mornings.

6) U-joints, turn slowly in a parking lot and listen for a click...

7) 4-wheel drive motor... make sure it goes into 4hi and 4 lo without too many issues

Looks like a beauty, I wish you luck... let us know how it goes.

-Martin

Thanks for the advice! BTW didn't end up buying the above listed X. It looked allot better in pictures than in person!

As a sidenote, if any members have one they are looking to get rid of let me know!

 

[koolaid81]

Well keep your eyes open, lots of stuff out there, even though the explorers seem to be the most popular for the clunkers program (top 3 spots are second gens) As a side note, I have always had a first gen but am kinda wanting more power when I tow and another two cylinders would be kind of helpful, something to think about....