Noob with questions about a 97 V8

[Aerospike]

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a 95-00 explorer with V8/AWD/Towing. I've found a 97 XLT online that has 76K miles and doesn't have a towing package. My questions are:

1. Is the tow package any more than the hitch and the trans cooler? Is the gearing any different?

2. If it's just the hitch and the trans cooler to that make up the two package? how much is it to add those if I do my own work? I know it's not a lot of work, and I have a full shop that I can use on base.

3. Did some of the cars of that year come with a 4 speed auto and a 5 speed auto? If yes, which one do I want?

4. Anything I should watch out for in this year? Recalls, known problems, etc...?

5. Assuming everything is alright with this truck, what's a fair price for it?

Thanks for the help,

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a 95-00 explorer with V8/AWD/Towing. I've found a 97 XLT online that has 76K miles and doesn't have a towing package. My questions are:

1. Is the tow package any more than the hitch and the trans cooler? Is the gearing any different?

2. If it's just the hitch and the trans cooler to that make up the two package? how much is it to add those if I do my own work? I know it's not a lot of work, and I have a full shop that I can use on base.

3. Did some of the cars of that year come with a 4 speed auto and a 5 speed auto? If yes, which one do I want?

4. Anything I should watch out for in this year? Recalls, known problems, etc...?

5. Assuming everything is alright with this truck, what's a fair price for it?

Thanks for the help,

Welcome!

The AWD v8 probably has the factory towing package, which consists of nothing more than trailer wiring plug and trans cooler. They never came with a hitch from the factory. A hitch is an easy bolt on piece.

EDIT: Stock gearing is 3.73 on all AWD Explorers/Mountaineers to my knowledge.

The trans is the 4R70W, a 4 speed auto. It is the only trans behind the V8. The 5 speed auto in the v6 explorers can be problematic.

I don't know of any major problems with that year, especially the v8.

Price depends on area condition, etc. Its hard to say. That is low mileage for that year, so it may be selling at a premium.

One thing you can check for is the build date, some of the later 97's had the "P" heads, which are a little better. Its not a big deal either way.

 

[tipdrill]

This website helped me a lot.

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=1997&make=Ford&model=Explorer

 

[reserved50]

heater box and headers cracking, a lot of other things depend if it was driven where salt is used in the winter (rusted sway bar links, e-brake lines etc). 98 is a slightly safer bet if the first 2 havent been looked at. Also check ball-joints