New Purchase - Thanks Everyone!

[Defender3]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the folks who take the time to post! Please bear with my story and you'll understand my gratitude.

I have a '94 XLT 2WD w/156,000 miles and love it so much I decided to buy another Explorer. I went to a large dealer and purchased a 2000 XLT V6. I had to get my check from my credit union, so I didn' take immediate delivery. The dealer sent the SUV to service for a belt tensioner problem while I was arranging financing; the price was right (less than $16k) so I said OK to the service (the natural question being why wasn't it caught prior?). While waiting for the repair (days, not hours--wrong parts delivered), I found this board and started reading every post I could. After two days of reading, I felt the Explorer I bought had more problems as it exhibited cold starting and idle problems too. I declined to take delivery of that Explorer and instead bought a 2001 XLT V8 AWD today (I don't want to start a SOHC vs V8 debate, just my decision after reading a variety of posts here).

I certainly appreciate the folks who take the time to answer the questions by providing so much quality information!

Now, if anyone wants to make any suggestions about keeping this XLT running well, please do!

 

[Alec]

I personally think you made the better choice. The V8 5.0L is a great motor, and responds well to modifications. It's tranny is also better than the V6 tranny. The AWD system is great for most drivers, as you don't have to mess with hubs or putting it in 4wd; it's all automatic. Unless you plan on doing serious rockcrawling, the AWD will suit you just fine.

Good luck with it, and ask us anything!

 

[Mike]

GOod luck with your new truck.. and welcome to the site.. glad we could help =)

 

[88vert]

Good luck with your new ride

 

[Defender3]

I don't do much but drive 42 miles a day from my house to the Pentagon, then back again. No real desire to trick the thing out, I just want to squeeze every drop of gas mileage out I can!

 

[aldive]

I would change all fluids to synthetic.

Good luck.....

 

[Defender3]

I was thinking about synthetics and have read the posts, but I'm pretty **** about maintenance and am not sure I need to make the change just for highway driving. I'll do some more research though....

 

[hrbib21]

Yes, the 5.0L is the better choice. Less gas mileage, but still way better. I am doing a couple of things for better mileage/horsepower: an air intake which I installed a couple weeks ago (MAC Products; can find on Ebay for $119.00 if you do a search), a cat-back exhaust, and a computer chip. Still working on the latter 2. I would definitely go with the intake at least.

You don't need synthetic if you are changing your oil every 3,000 miles. I have done a lot of reading here and on other sites about the best motor oil and Mobil seems to be it. Mobil 1 if you're using synthetic and Mobil Drive Clean (which I use) for dino oil.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW RIDE!

:redexp:

 

[xfreak]

Ive got the 5.0 v8 has well, I promise youll love it. As for better gas mileage,most belive that simple mods can be effective. Air intakes or atleast a free flowing filter and a better exhaust setup yield great results. I have kn filter and recently did some doctoring to the air box, and without an exhaust I have still seen some noticeable gains in mpg and some other power perks. So good luck and congrats on the new truck

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by hrbib21
You don't need synthetic if you are changing your oil every 3,000 miles.

True, unless.... you want better protection for the motor and better performance * HP as well as mileage ).

Synthetic is the best way to go, period.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I have a 97 Mountaineer with he V8 AWD and I love it. I test drove a couple of V6 Explorerers and just did not personaly like the V6.

 

[hrbib21]

Originally posted by aldive
True, unless.... you want better protection for the motor and better performance * HP as well as mileage ).

Synthetic is the best way to go, period.

I haven't seen any facts to back that up, only opinions and we all know what they are like.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by hrbib21
I haven't seen any facts to back that up, only opinions and we all know what they are like.

Then I suggest you do some reading.

 

[james t]

before we get into another "synth vs. dino" debate, it has been proven synths give an extra 5hp or so on the dyno. seen it, been there, and its been done a million times.

either way, you have a 5 liter. just keep up on the fluid changes, and it will basically run forever.

 

[rvitek]

Originally posted by aldive
True, unless.... you want better protection for the motor and better performance * HP as well as mileage ).

Synthetic is the best way to go, period.

I dunno, I switched to Synthetic, nothing really happened as far as MPG or HP. Only thing that changed is my interval is longer and I save the environment a little bit of oil.

 

[Defender3]

I considered all the comments on the board and decided to try synthetics. I had them put in today for a good price by my local mechanic (Mobil1 for the oil and Pennzoil for the differential, tranny and transfer case). I also combined it with a tranny fluid exchange (backflush?) and new filter. You could tell the tranny had not been serviced since new (30,000 miles now) since the plastic plug thing was still in the pan.

I appreciate all the advice and comments!