New 96 Explorer owner wanting tips, etc. (Female, little mech skills)

[MsSuzAllen]

Hi all, haven't ever been an active participant in one of these, hope I do things correctly. I've recently bought a 96 Ford Explorer XLT 6.0 4wd. It was a steal and really love it. Its got some minor ossues and a couple that aren't so minor from a safety standpoint (no horn) and I realized just how much a couple times. But most I can live with. It has 226,147 miles on it. If anyone wants to share things I should do or keep an eye on, I'm very interested. I'm female, always been married til recently I lost my husband so now I find myself wishing I had taken auto shop some 35 years ago.....

 

[Mike65]

Welcome to EF.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the stock 1995 - 2001 Explorer section on this site.

 

[Gilbert G. Jr.]

Welcome from Costa Mesa, California!

 

[96firephoenix]

welcome to the forum. I'm sorry for your loss.

Best advice is to start small with youtube videos as your guide. Do the spark plugs and the air filter - they should be pretty easy to do on your own, and they will help the car run a little better and boost your confidence.

Did your husband have a set of tools? if not, they are expensive to get good ones. You can get cheap ones at Harbor Freight Tools, and they have a lifetime warranty on hand tools, but I prefer to buy things that don't need the warranty to come into play.