Need Sound Advice

[MrQ]

I have recently run across a 93 exploder 4x4 for $350. What I want to know is if you guys think its something worth working on in my spare time (Student). I already have DD (the link is in my sig) however I am really interested in working on a 4x4.

Here is the link http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1108262621.html .


Me >What is wrong with this vehicle specifically? Does the 4x4 work? Interior?

Dan

Seller >Man it needs some work...lol All i can tell you about it is it runs. I just put on a new alternator, battery, plugs, wires, and oil change. It don't have a back peice of plexiglass, it needs an ignition and key, and the transmission fluid needs to be changed. I have $350 in it. If you give me what i have in it and come get it, it's yours.


Me >Do you have any more pics? It would help me out. Is it drivable? I need to get it back to Ft. Bend County.


Seller >It drives. I only have a auction sales receipt, but that can be taken care of at the courthouse when you go to get your registration. I will say it does need work but i started and moved it today to mow so i know it runs. I can't promise you nothin with this explorer. All i can say is i got it running and now i want it gone..



What are your thoughts?

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Being a fellow student myself, I think you need to figure out how much you'll have to spend on it, where you'll store it and things like that. You can take any Explorer whether working or not and get it going right adn then modify it for what you want to do, but figure out what that is first.

If you have the time and money to work on it on the side, I say go for it. Make it your trail crawler and forget about normal driving. Have fun with it.

 

[boggs1227]

buy it .... a 4x4 explorer with either the motor shot or the transmission shot will go for at least $ 500-700 with stuff wrong with it plus with at least a major dent somewhere on the body to fix .....good deal ...but look over really good tho ,just to be on the safe side

 

[MrQ]

Being a fellow student myself, I think you need to figure out how much you'll have to spend on it, where you'll store it and things like that. You can take any Explorer whether working or not and get it going right adn then modify it for what you want to do, but figure out what that is first.

If you have the time and money to work on it on the side, I say go for it. Make it your trail crawler and forget about normal driving. Have fun with it.

ATM the area I am in has beaches...lotsa beaches, but I prefer more of a mudding 4x4 than a beacher. Fortunately it doesn't look too bad on the outside so I can park it at my house without the HOA getting on me.

So far if I can just get it back to my house, all I need to do out of pocket is the 15 for ignition lock cylinder and the 50-60 bucks to get it in my name...and the 350. So not bad.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

He said the transmission fluid needs to be changed, so I assume the fluid color is not good. Thats just something to consider about the transmission. I would have a back up plan just in case you buy it and... forbid it doesn't make it home. A Uhaul rented truck would be a good alternative to tow it with as a plan B

 

[Tony H]

It sounds Like a mess.
And not just the Drivetrain.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

As far as the drive train goes. The engines and axles are quite stout. As everyone knows the only weak link is the A4LD.

As far as the engine and axle: Change the oil in the rear end and it should be good for another 50k. And if worst comes to worst with the engine, I couldn't imagine it needing any more than some head gaskets and a pair of rebuilt heads- all of which you could learn to do yourself fairly easy for not that much $$ (IF you do it yourself), it would just be a summer project.

But if the A4LD started to slip on you, that is the only mechanical problem that I can see causing you actual problems that could require intensive labor and possibly lots of $$, unlike the engine and axle.

In summation, the only wild card that is going to make or break this deal is going to be the transmission.

If the transmission works correctly in all 4 forward gears plus reverse, I would just drop the pan and change out the filter and fluid that comes out with it and call it a done deal and not worry about the transmission any more. If it is already working correctly than it should stay that way for at least while, and I doubt you would mount on that many miles on this rig anyway if its not going to be your daily driver.

 

[Robrt32]

I gave 300 for mine , best money I ever spent.....

 

[ifergusson]

I would check to make sure that it can be licensed before you buy it,doesn't need any inspections and checking for liens wouldn't be a bad idea as well.The fact that it was sold at auction without a key indicates to me that it was probably impounded.The impounded vehicles around here sold at auction need a mechanical inspection before they can be licensed.Many times by the time you do the repairs necessary to pass the inspection you end up spending more money than if you just bought something with a clean title to begin with.It is possible the current owner found out there are registration or licensing issues and that is why he is trying to unload it

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Wow, just looking on craigs list here locally in north texas. Tons of explorers can be had for cheap! You can pick up a nice 1st gen for no more than $1500! And there are lots like this!

hmmm...

 

[Tbars4]

...I would be very concerned with the title and transition into your name as well as any State requirements...It also could be a leftover from the Hurricane...

..Deja Vu:

...:scratch:...I made the same decision 2 years ago...The results of the never ending progress can be found by clicking "Project X" in my signature...It is time consuming, money consuming, and to me, well worth the price...

 

[nitro71]

Don't do it.. Sounds like a POS to me. He should pay you to tow it from his place.. Spend a little more and get something project worthy.

 

[MrQ]

Well I asked for it and I got it - GOOD ADVICE!!

Thanks all.

 

[Tbars4]

...So, what happened???

...Did you get the vehicle or could you give us some more info on what took place???

 

[MrQ]

...So, what happened???

...Did you get the vehicle or could you give us some more info on what took place???

No I didn't get the vehicle. I decided that it really wasn't I needed to deal with right now.

 

[nitro71]

Find one with a blown tranny or something for $500 and save yourself the headache of the title and whatnot...

 

[Tbars4]

...Thanks for the update and letting us know...