New to me 04 explorer What to repair first?

[dogcmp6]

So, as those who have been seeing my posts know, I recently purchased a new to me 2004 explorer with 106k miles on it. I purchased this to be a car to least me for 2 or 3 years while I work on getting my self into a better financial situation, and because my gfs dad sold it to me for the low price of $2,250. As this was a used car, the issues that came up when we had it inspected prior to purchase were:

Front and rear diff have slight leak

Transfer case has slight leak

ABS sensor is on, ABS fails to actuate ocassionly

4x4 system codes (mechnic did not copy down codes, and stated that it wasnt related to the abs sensor, but based on my research with this year car, I personally suspect it is)

End links broken (and half missing)

Ball joints are getting towards the end of their life.

Obviously with this being a temporary car, and in better shape then my new car, I want to keep it in the best running shape possible, my mechanic advised we purchase the vehicle despite these issues, as he said none of them are to the point of being too pressing, and the car is a huge step up form my current car. I am just curious what repairs I should start with, and which ones I can ignore/put off for a bit, as I do not have a solid savings

 

[Number4]

Do the ABS sensor and the end links (sway bar I assume) leave the rest.

 

[Mr. Truckles]

Welcome to the forums!

I agree with No.4, the abs sensors are very cheap and easy to replace and doing so may solve a whole range of issues. I would say the links would be the next thing because they're also cheap and easy to replace. The ball joints would be good to do after those two things if they are bad to the point where you can't get an alignment.

Do you plan on doing the work yourself or having a shop do it?

 

[drdoom]

Wheel hubs and ball joints, I would do those. And because it's easy and cheap change of the transfer case fluid. Coolant too.

 

[dogcmp6]

Welcome to the forums!

I agree with No.4, the abs sensors are very cheap and easy to replace and doing so may solve a whole range of issues. I would say the links would be the next thing because they're also cheap and easy to replace. The ball joints would be good to do after those two things if they are bad to the point where you can't get an alignment.

Do you plan on doing the work yourself or having a shop do it?

I can do any work on the vehicle where I don't have to use a Jack, unfortunately, my parents driveway where I would have to work on the car is asphalt, and they dont want me using a jack or jack stands on it, even if I put a piece of plywood/2x4 under them. so I know the abs sensor has to go to the mechanic, although I believe the end links I can do myself, its just a lot harder with out a jack

 

[Tyleryac]

I would change all of the fluids, ABS sensor, and sway bar end links.