Opinions of 2000 Mountaineer V8

[BBF]

I still have my '99 mounty SOHC and planned to sell it when it's back on the road, until now.

I found a 2000 V8-AWD, looks/sounds good, 135,000 miles, new 15" tires for about $2K, yet to test drive. Anything specific engine/trans I should look out for?

Is the 5.0/4R70W as big a headache as my current 4.0/5R55?

I know the engine/trans/TC won't interchange but body, glass, HVAC, electrical, suspension,... should right?

Am thinking it'd be a decent 1st rig for my 16yo daughter to learn on (slow/heavy, almost old-school, holds 5+, poor economy). She wants to drive my '89 Chevy 1-ton OBS crew, manual everything 350TBI/3spd farm truck, but she aint gonna get it.

 

[96eb96]

5.0L V8 engine and trans is one of Fords best for reliability.

 

[crunchie_frog]

All older vehicles can have issues. The V8 / 4R70W motor and trans (at the core) are rock solid, but they can have soft part issues as they age. For example, broken springs on the trans accumulators, leaking (coolant) from timing chain cover, rear main seal oil leak on engine, worn/leaking valve spring seals. Some of these repairs are weekend consuming jobs, like the one I am working on now, the timing cover coolant leak. If you cannot do them yourself, they can be pretty expensive. If you just want to check all the fluids regularly, and I mean all of them, and you are satisfied just topping them off and putting some leak sealer in, then these things seem to last forever with very little issues. The Mountaineer can rent from U haul, the Explorer cannot, aren't you glad you are not in the legal profession.

 

[koda2000]

We own two 2000 Mountaineer V8's one 2WD one AWD and 2 Explorer 2WD V8's 2000 & 2001 (same as Mountaineer). All-in-all they have proven to be very reliable vehicles. All have 200k or more on them. No engine or trans problems whatsoever.

My advice is to unload that SOHC ASAP and buy the Mounty V8.

 

[Russ Goddard]

I still have my '99 mounty SOHC and planned to sell it when it's back on the road, until now.

I found a 2000 V8-AWD, looks/sounds good, 135,000 miles, new 15" tires for about $2K, yet to test drive. Anything specific engine/trans I should look out for?

Is the 5.0/4R70W as big a headache as my current 4.0/5R55?

I know the engine/trans/TC won't interchange but body, glass, HVAC, electrical, suspension,... should right?

Am thinking it'd be a decent 1st rig for my 16yo daughter to learn on (slow/heavy, almost old-school, holds 5+, poor economy). She wants to drive my '89 Chevy 1-ton OBS crew, manual everything 350TBI/3spd farm truck, but she aint gonna get it.

Hi, I don't think the 5.0 is a headache. I bought my 2001 5.0 Mountaineer (2wd) when it had 165,000 miles on it and I paid $2000. Three years later it has 225,000 miles on it and still running strong. The engine sounds great, uses no oil and the transmission still shifts smooth and firm. I love this powertrain combination.

 

[BBF]

Thanks Guys, you've reaffirmed my thoughts. U-Haul, ya lol, I've had some odd "model" issues with them regarding my 1-ton, crazy!

 

[ZWilson07]

Sounds like heck of a deal compared to what stuff goes for around me.

 

[koda2000]

Thanks Guys, you've reaffirmed my thoughts. U-Haul, ya lol, I've had some odd "model" issues with them regarding my 1-ton, crazy!

The funny thing is that U-Haul will rent you a trailer if you're driving a Mountaineer, but will not if you're in an Explorer (and they're the exact same vehicle other than the exterior trim) but please, let's not open the U-Haul discussion again, we've already beat it to death.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

The U-Haul discussion has been had many, many times on here, almost every other post. As for the OP's question, I wouldn't second guess a V8 under 250K if it looked decent

 

[kansei]

+1 to everyone who praised the AWD V8 Mounty... I love mine (2000 Monterey). Hands down, best vehicle I've ever had. Bought it with 56.9k on it, now has 226k+, no major issues. If I can't find another one owner mint one in a year or so, I plan on doing whatever necessary to keep mine going forever. It started life in Virginia, and I bought it in late 2008 for $6500, and it has been through eight Michigan winters, always parked outside, and just started some minor rust along lower door edges. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[koda2000]

One of the biggest things with the AWD is you have to match all 4 tires and rotate them regularly to keep tire wear equal. If you don't you put a lot of stress on the AWD's viscous coupling.

Repairs I've made to our 2000 AWD Mountaineer since we bought it 4-5 years ago (paid $2100 w/167k on it).

Repairs needed at time of purchase:
New battery
New thermostat
New muffler
Driver's side outer tie rod end
Replaced yellow clip for lift-gate handle and lubed linkage

More recent repairs:
New front drive shaft CV joint
New driver's side exterior door handle
New fuel pump
New driver's side front window regulator

 

[Harpua216]

I have a 99 AWD Mounty with a 5.0 and its been my favorite and most reliable car. a little leaky, but i can honestly say the whole car would fall apart around this engine/ transmission set up. I think you have a different transmission than the 99, but both are the best that Ford made.

I just put in a 55R5 and can say it wasnt a very fun job. the 4's are a lot easier to deal with and are lighter and strong, i personally feel.

I also have an 04 Mounty V6 and would trust my family more in the 99-V8 for some reason.