newbie needing some insight

[Partsman109]

Hi, been lurking here for a little bit and decided to register.

A little background...
My wife's mom gave us a '97 Explorer(white,4.0ohv,no power anything) a few years ago, and it is just about dead.
While it has been a pretty decent reliable truck, I just can't put any more time and money into it. Within the last year I have changed the upper/lower ball joints, all the brake lines, I put on a set of factory alloy wheels with new tires, new radiator, alternator, plugs/wires, shocks, and brakes.
I know that replacing all that stuff is not out of the ordinary and I can do all the work myself so it's not that, the vehicle just has no options at all so tearing apart the engine to see what's wrong or even putting another engine in, is something I just don't want to do. To me, the truck is not worth fixing at this point. Plus, I would rather buy my wife one with all the power toys, sunroof, etc.

Which brings me to the reason for this thread...

1)From a mechanical/reliability standpoint, should I go with the same body style as the '97 or find an '02-later?

2)If I go with the '02-later models, is there anything specific I should look/watch out for?

3)OHV, OHC, or V8?

There are plenty of used ones in my area of each generation, and in the price range we can afford right now have anywhere from 90k to 170k. I'm not trying to spend a lot right now because once my car is paid off(next year), we will buy her a new vehicle.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Look for a 1998-2000 model with a V8.

 

[Partsman109]

Thank you and thanks very much for the reply.

So, the V8 is more reliable than either V6?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The V6 is good for everyday use, but the V8 engine, and transmission are tougher if you plan to tow or go off roading.

 

[Partsman109]

No towing or off-roading, it will be pretty much for my wife to drive around town, shopping, etc.

Is either V6 better than the other?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The OHV is the older design. The SOHC is the newer design.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[Partsman109]

welcome

Thanks very much.



I've been looking online for another Explorer...don't know if I should go with a '98-'01 or go with an '02-'03. I like the idea of the non-torsion bar front and IRS on the 3rd gen models.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Partsman109]

Welcome to the site.

Thank you.




We have decided to go with an '02-'03, as we will be needing the third row soon.

Obviously, i'm trying to find one with the lowest mileage that I can afford. At what point with the '02-'03s should I scratch the vehicle because of the mileage? 120k? 130k? 140k? Higher?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Some people have over 400K miles, so don't get rid of it because of the mileage.

 

[sport97]

I would say, avoid 02's. They were the 1st year of the new generation of explorers, and they had a few issues, such as the transmissions. If you want that body style go with 03'+.

Engine wise, the v6 is the 4.0 SOHC. By this time they have worked out the problems with the timing chains, so it is reliable. The v8 is the 4.6. It also is reliable. They get similar gas mileage, but the v8 will have more power. Chances are a v6 model will be cheaper, but you never know. I also think the v8s are AWD, vs the v6 being 4x4. (Although, maybe they did make 4x4 v8s for these models, i cannot remember)

Things to look for:
1) Listen for any sounds from the front end, as the ball joints could be bad
2) Listen for any sounds coming from they rear end, as they are also known to go bad sometimes.
3) Check to see if the rear panel on the hatch right under the window is cracking, they are known to get a crack down the middle. But this is a simple replacement.

 

[Partsman109]

I would say, avoid 02's. They were the 1st year of the new generation of explorers, and they had a few issues, such as the transmissions. If you want that body style go with 03'+.

Engine wise, the v6 is the 4.0 SOHC. By this time they have worked out the problems with the timing chains, so it is reliable. The v8 is the 4.6. It also is reliable. They get similar gas mileage, but the v8 will have more power. Chances are a v6 model will be cheaper, but you never know. I also think the v8s are AWD, vs the v6 being 4x4. (Although, maybe they did make 4x4 v8s for these models, i cannot remember)

Things to look for:
1) Listen for any sounds from the front end, as the ball joints could be bad
2) Listen for any sounds coming from they rear end, as they are also known to go bad sometimes.
3) Check to see if the rear panel on the hatch right under the window is cracking, they are known to get a crack down the middle. But this is a simple replacement.

Thanks very much for the reply...this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for! I really appreciate it.

 

[Partsman109]

I think I may have found one...'02, XLT, V8, Green, w/third row and 99k. Clean CarFax, no wrecks, one owner.
After tax, title and reg, etc, about 6 grand...

...overall it's pretty clean, a few little scratches here and there and the cracked rear panel that sport97 referred to.
It rides and drives great, the engine ran great and felt smooth. The transmission also shifted normally and pretty firm.
Speaking of which, is there a dipstick for the trans or is it a sealed unit?

Not bad, they gave me $400 for my bare bones(no power anything, engine skipping(about to blow up) '97.