Need help deciding on an Explorer to buy

[diyer]

Hello, I am new to this message board. I am a current Volvo and Toyota owner. I am interested in buying a 4x4, SOHC V6, Explorer with a high rear axle, nothing lower than 3:55. I need to hear from an extremely knowledgeable Explorer person, like maybe even slightly fanatical, someone who really knows his/her Explorers. I am a do-it-yourself repair person and would immediately purchase an Explorer repair manual, maybe even several, depending on the ease of use of the official Ford manual.

I like the 95 thru 2002. Is there a best year? .... perhaps a year that has fewer bugs than other years? For example, Consumer Reports has always advised not to get certain years of Explorers, in the early nineties.

A friend of mine has a 97, but is tiring of it fast. I like the 97's but many would have high mileage; and one thing I disliked about the 97's and 98's is that the rear axle gearing options were lower (only 4:11's) for the 16" wheel models, i.e., the Eddie Bauer's (the highest, stock from the factory ground clearance is important - off road camping, etc).

I never got a sales brochure for the 2000 or 2001, and I know nothing about those two years. I have the 1999 sales brochure and I see that a 3:55 rear was available, as well as, one even lower than that, a 3:3? something (good gas mileage is of prime importance to me). And I also see the 16" wheels were available on the XLT's and Limited's, not just the Eddie Bauer's. I would be using the vehicle as a second vehicle for general use, but as a primary vehicle in the winter for snowy conditions, camping, hauling building supplies, etc.

I read good things about the 2002 Explorers, with an increased width of 2 1/2" - does that small amount really make that big of a difference? But I dislike the looks of the vehicle for some reason. I also heard the 02 Explorers are lower to the ground than previous years - is this Ford's political capitulation from the Firestone fiasco, i.e., vehicles flipping over - that whole areodynamic argument against "ALL" SUV's being unsafe due to height and air pushing up under the vehicle? If they are lower then forget the 2002's. But I thought the height to ground clearance was increased, and it was the inner floor that was lowered, which in effect ended up giving you the same ground clearance, but with more cargo room.

Enough questions for now. I need some answers to get me focused on a year to look for.


-- diyer

 

[Stephen S]

Welcome to the site. You've come to the right place for Explorer info. Welcome abaord!!

I'll try to be as helpful as I can be.

First thing first...if you want the 200+ HP SOHC V6, then you'll want to stay away from the 95 - 96 models. The 95-96 models were available with the 160 HP OHV V6 engine (and the 5.0 V8 for 96+ only). The OHV is a proven engine and is very reliable. The SOHC was made available in the 97 model year. However, if you are looking at a 97or 98 (I believe) make sure that the timing chain tensioner recall was performed on the engine. I forget the TSB or recall number (whatever) but it's around the boards here somewhere if you search for it.

In 99 they tweaked the look of the Explorer a bit with new front and rear bumpers, round fog lights, moved the license plate to the lift gate...among other small changes. Don't think the driveline packages were changed much.

You seem pretty concerned about gearing. As far as I know, Explorers are available with 3.27, 3.55, 3.73, and 4.10 gear ratios. The 4.10 will likely be found in a truck with the towing package (also includes trailer ready wiring and a tranny cooler).

The 02 models are a whole different breed of animal. They were completely redesigned for better road manners and increasing the overall "soccermommyness" of the vehicle. They switched to an independent rear suspension and an uglier exterior and interior IMO (except for the seats--I like those). If you want a truck buy a 95-01. If you want a minivan on steroids, get an 02.

I hope this helps some. Much more information can be found searching this site, but the best resource for somem of this information would be here:

http://www.users.qwest.net/~ntrpriz/main.htm

I think if you spent some time looking through the different years specs on that page and take some notes, you'll find most of what you are looking for. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Jason_25]

First off-I hate Consumer Reports. They're panzies I tell you. Especially when it comes to car and truck reviews. The early explorers were (in some people's opinion) the best explorers.

Also, I would advise against getting a high-geared axle. A low geared axle won't affect the has mileage significantly and will make the truck feel more lively on and off the road, plus it's better for towing as well as it increases the tranny life.

Stay away from the SOHC V6 altogether in 97-98.
The OHV is plenty torquey for towing and offroading anyway.

Also, the V8 model explorer's tranny is more reliable than the V6 model's.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Welcome aboard!! You will love whatever Explorer you get. I have a '95 XLT given to me by my grandparents. The 4.0L OHV V6 w/ 160HP to me is ok. I would prefer to have the SOHC but it wasn't available whe it was bought. It puts out decent power. I also have the 3.27 gears which for me give about 10MPG in town and 20+ on the highway. I probably need to get new spark plugs since mine have never been replace and I have close to 60000 miles.

Personally I like the new 2002 Explorers. I don't think you can go wrong with one but I would prefer to have a 2001. Whatever you decide is up to you. Have fun lookin around!!

1995ExplorerXLT

 

[Thorbolter]

This may not help much but I read on the board here a couple days ago that the 97 explorer was the best year to buy it. They upgraded that year and it basically stayed the same since then til 02. And anything newer than 97 you will pay for that newness. Basically the best bang for your buck is 97. I wish I had a link to the thread, maybe a search will turn it up. Good luck.

 

[xlt-sport]

diyer
welcome to this site, it's everything you ever wanted to know and then some.

i am on my second explorer. i bought a '98 xlt new in aug '98. i suffered thru a bunch of recalls, the only one that really worried me was the firestone episode.

you definetly want the big v-6 sohc, it has the right power for this vehicle. the v-8 is all wheel drive, this may be right for your situation.

i would not buy anything older than a '98 [just my opinion fellas]. the '98 had the redesigned tailgate and basically everything interior wise stayed the same until the redesign in '02. the earlier pre '99 had plastic lenses on the fog lights, the later ones have the round GLASS lens ones, you can slighter upgrade bulb wattage.

the trailer towing package is nice to have even if you don't tow. it gives you a heavier duty alternator,engine oil cooler,heavy duty radiator and i believe there is something else you get.

i recently bought a '00 xlt with the sport package, fender flares and 16" wheels and tires. it is basically the same vehicle only newer.

i don't know how plush you want your ride to be, i would get at least the xlt trim one. most of theses have cruise control and privacy glass and the deluxe consoles [lower and overhead]

hope you can make sense of this rambling

peter

 

[kgd102]

My suggestion would be to stay away from any and all explorers. I've had nothing but problems with my 98 SOHC and the value of it has fell through the floor and down through the basement and about 6' under that. I bought it for $19,900 a couple years ago (it was $1,000.00 under black book value) and today the black book value of it is $9,700.00. After 26 payments is has dropped $10,300.00. It's disgusting. The service is disgusting too, probably even worse! But hey that's just my experience with an explorer, what the hell do I know.

 

[addkev]

You will find that 97 and 98 were rough years for Ford in general. My 99 has had it's fair share of recalls and TSB's, but I have put it through quite a workout and it has yet to let me down. I will agree on the resale value part of it. I am $8,000 negative right now, it makes me sick. But you are on the winning side of that equation. You are buying at the lower value. Me personally, I like the 99-01 models for the same reasons listed above, new fog lights, new back ends, etc. I have 3.55 gears, the lowest available with 4x4. 3.27's were the lowest for 2wd. The 3.55 were great on mileage and power until I got my 31" tires, now it lacks the balls. I will be upgrading to at least 3.73 maybe 4.10 soon. You will like the Explorers, they are good trucks, they got a bad rap after the Firestone deal. But hey, thats' life sometimes.