new explorer owner 1996 v-8 awd xlt

[malodin]

Hi, just purchased a 1996 explorer like the title says, purchased as a bigger family car, my wife has a 2k focus and i am 6'3 and we have a 8 month old baby and live in babysitter so the focus gets kinda cramped when we have to all go somewhere, thus we needed something bigger(the explorer is perfect)

explorer has 152k on the odo all original bone stock. Slight ticking coming from the engine bay(more than likely lifters), slight clicking when curving lightly to the left(thinking either cv joint going south or ball joints) other than that its in excellent condition.

would like to swap the rear lift door with something that doesnt have that nasty handle you have to turn and is really hard to turn. dont know if that is possible but i know i have seen the push button unlock's that unlocks the window or the door.

will have plenty of questions and concerns

its only getting about 15mpg right now would like to get it up there any suggestions?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Try typing in a few search words to see if you could find what you're looking for. You could also contact a vendor like KBabiak that has been selling parts for a long time. He might be able to help you.

 

[malodin]

the door thing just came up today while i was introducing myself. the mpg i have been searching on, i am sure i gotta do a tune up to it first.

 

[celly]

Welcome to the best Explorer resource anywhere. I've got a 5.0 as well and the tick tick tick might be an exhaust leak coming from the manifold. Sometimes they're just loose. Pretty common occurence on the 5.0.

You've come to the right place. If you really want to have some fun, use "Torque Monster Headers" as a search term.

Don't expect much more than 15 mpg around town or 20-21 on the highway. It's the rated mpg for the V8 and pretty much what you can expect to get even with mods.

 

[malodin]

Welcome to the best Explorer resource anywhere. I've got a 5.0 as well and the tick tick tick might be an exhaust leak coming from the manifold. Sometimes they're just loose. Pretty common occurence on the 5.0.

You've come to the right place. If you really want to have some fun, use "Torque Monster Headers" as a search term.

Don't expect much more than 15 mpg around town or 20-21 on the highway. It's the rated mpg for the V8 and pretty much what you can expect to get even with mods.

I have researched the torque monster's just dont want to spend that kind of money on it right now.

90% of my driving is 60mph 45minutes each way on the freeway which is why i think it should at least be up a little bit.

i have been contemplating the selectable tcase swap eventually

 

[celly]

I have researched the torque monster's just dont want to spend that kind of money on it right now.

90% of my driving is 60mph 45minutes each way on the freeway which is why i think it should at least be up a little bit.

15 mpg does seem low then. I'd be getting around 18-19 assuming some stop and go traffic.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[malodin]

15 mpg does seem low then. I'd be getting around 18-19 assuming some stop and go traffic.

yah i do have some stop and go traffic and lights but 80% or more driving is freeway. i would be happy with 18-19, i am going to do a full tune up on it here in a few weeks and we will see if it goes up

 

[jlsparky7]

It will be worth all the extra gas money when the snow falls. V8 AWD EX's are BEASTS in the snow. Throw some slicks on it and you will still float through it like its nothing.

Its a possibility that the ticking is sticky valves. Try running some seafoam through your brake booster and put some in the oil too. Might free some stuff up. There is a how to link in my signature.

 

[malodin]

It will be worth all the extra gas money when the snow falls. V8 AWD EX's are BEASTS in the snow. Throw some slicks on it and you will still float through it like its nothing.

Its a possibility that the ticking is sticky valves. Try running some seafoam through your brake booster and put some in the oil too. Might free some stuff up. There is a how to link in my signature.

yah i have a 92 geo tracker with 33x14x15 super swamper boggers and locked that is my snow beater but this will be the wifes snow runner.

i am familiar with seafoam and your how to is very good.