Lots of questions

[4x4Newbie]

Alright, like i said in my first thread in the "new members section" i am very new to this and would like to learn as much about the off-road scene and its preferred vehicles as i can, preferebly before i buy one! Right now my main consideration is a 95 Explorer, 2dr(sport?), 4x4. I have lots of plans, read hefty modifications, for this thing going thru my head. unfortunately i don't know a ton about them yet. first off, what are the explorer weak points? t-case, tranny, motor, front suspension? i know with my '05 f-150 it was a pain in the but to get the stupid thing outta 4x4 especially 4lo. it would go in fine but the dang thing wouldn't come out. (and yes i read the owners manual and tried exactly like it says). it took alot of patience to finally get it out, dang shift on the fly! so i was wondering does anybody have problems with the dash mounted electronic 4x4? my dad has a 98 f-150 with the 4 wheel drive controls mounted on the floor and never has a problem with it, was this an option on the explorers? how rare are the 5 speeds? anyways i'm sure these questions will receive alot of responses so i'll save my other ones til later. thanks in advance guys!

 

[seeyalater]

i had a 95 2dr sport also and i never had any problems with the electronic 4x4 shift.

 

[Paraphoe]

Haven't heard about any common of major problems with the 4x4 engaging/disengaging.

As for weak points, the tranny is definitely a problem. I had mine rebuilt at 75,000 or so miles.

 

[4x4Newbie]

Thanks guys. Are there any commonly swapped trannies for these? where would i be able to find info on the build numbers?

 

[4x4Newbie]

So did they ever build a 95 and up sport 4x4 5speed? thats what i'm really lookin for but i don't even know if they exist!

 

[Ray Lobato]

The 95 and 96 Explorers are 2wd, 4wd auto, 4wd Lo. I used to have one and didn't like not knowing if I was in 4wd Hi or not. Ended up buying a 97 instead.
This is just my opinion, but I would look at the 97+ Explorers for doing off roading. 97+ Explorer are 2wd auto, 4wd Hi, 4wd Lo
If you want to go off roading, then invest in a good locker, some rock sliders, and gear change. Before you go and spend tons of money on a suspension lift.
Do a search for GJarrett, and look at what he has done to his rig, then take a look at where he's gone wheeling.