Pros n Cons for V8 Explorers

[98 V8]

I am gonna look for a AWD V8 Ex to replace my Lifted B2..

Im prolly gonna Lift it n Stuff/Tuck 33s would like to Stuff 35s..
Can I Tuck 35s with jus Crankin the T.Bars n a Body Lift??

I know 95 Explorers Cant be lifted cause Ford Welded some parts..

I wanna know what r the Best n Worst Years for the V8 Explorers.
(Please give n Reason for your Pros n Cons)

Thanx,
Rob

 

[storlied]

I read somewhere the max tire size [recommended] with what these trucks offer is.. 35" for the 8.8, but as far as the Dana 35 is concerned, 33". Tons of people run either, IFS sucks.. hub assemblies are gonna go out. And all explorers can be lifted to some extent [depends on how much you want to spend], idk where you heard that 95 rubbish. I like my 98, all 99-01 offered is a style difference, more air bags and backup sensors n a few other comfort goodies. As far as the build n whatnot.. they're the same. 98 seems like a more solid year to work on as with most of the mods n whatnot we do are based off that time era.. like wiring things n sensors. Any of the V8 2nd Gens are gonna be good though and all the mods can be done to all the years. [95-01] With TT and bodylift.. I'm sure you're gonna have to trim for 35's though.

 

[my pos mounty]

IMHO, the biggest weakness with the V8 AWD truck is the transfercase. As long as you keep all 4 tires the same circumferance by frequently rotating your tires and keeping all the front end components in good order you should be fine.
If you are going to lift it, you might consider swapping out the AWD t/case for a manual shifting BW4406 out of an F-150. Lots of threads about this mod. I recently completed this and could not be happier. Check this thread for more information about what is needed and how to do it. CLICK HERE

 

[storlied]

Nice, I never knew you finally went for it. There's been recent arguments that it hardly changes the acceleration aspect of the truck, any truth to this? MG seems to think it helped a lot, while a few others have mentioned it made no difference.

As for the OP, x2 on the 4406. I've not done this mod yet but it's on the list..[I think] it's a definite improvement over the AWD.. the AWD is great for poor road conditions and drifting if you're into it.. but some low range and actual 4x4.. so awesome considering the parts are everywhere and it's a bolt in mod pretty much. I've driven F150's with the 302 / 4406 combo [might be slightly different in model numbers] but yeah.. the 5.0L deserves better than this AWD case if you're really into off-roading.
Depends on what you like to do.

 

[my pos mounty]

My personal "seat of the pants dyno" says it helped initial acceleration, if you keep the rears from breaking free. You get a lighter feel to the steering wheel (same as removing front driveshaft) and just a little better fuel economy as well. It isn't much but it is better.
My t/case was junk for a long time and when the time came to replace it, the junkyard near me had the replacement AWD t/case for $165. Not a bad price at all. So, I checked the prices on the 4406 and both driveshafts. I found that I could get them all for just $35 more than the AWD case. A real no-brainer there. So I did it.

 

[98 V8]

What year does the BW4406 TCase come in?? Does it
bolt right up to the X Trans n DriveShafts??

What year did the GT-40P Heads Start, 98??

What MPG do you 5.0 X Onwers Get??

 

[my pos mounty]

What year does the BW4406 TCase come in?? Does it
bolt right up to the X Trans n DriveShafts??

What year did the GT-40P Heads Start, 98??

What MPG do you 5.0 X Onwers Get??

Click the link in post#3 for all the information you want about the BW4406.

Approx. halfway thru the 97 model year

Not a whole lot less than the 6 cylinder Explorer gets. I really have not done a scientific calculation to figure out my exact numbers, but I would guess 16-18 would be average

 

[beach]

I don't think there is a good/bad year.. just get the latest/newest you can afford. My 2000 V8 is 2wd and with few bolts on's and m1 oil I get excellent mileage, I was just on a trip back and forth to GA and at 80 mph I avg just over 19 mpg, if I'm at 70-75 I can avg 22mpg or so. Plus its the effortless low and mid range torque feel thats great compared to the sohc V6... and sound with intake/exhaust lol

 

[my pos mounty]

As long as he stays with the second gen explorer/mpountaineer, there are no bad years per se. If he looks for newer, there is one year I wouldn't buy...2002.

 

[98 V8]

As long as he stays with the second gen explorer/mpountaineer, there are no bad years per se. If he looks for newer, there is one year I wouldn't buy...2002.

I dont like the 2002 style.. R the GT-40P Explorers
better then the Non P Head Explorers???

 

[storlied]

A little bit, they flow a bit better.. I think in this application it changed the HP rating from 210 to 215.

 

[wwrightsc]

I get anywhere from 16-20 mpg with mine

 

[98 V8]

What gears do V8s usually come with?? 3.55s??
I am prolly gonna try n get a V8 EB..

Thanx,
Rob

 

[my pos mounty]

3:73 limited slip is quite common with the V8 models
If you look in the drivers door jamb, and find the sticker, theres a heading for axle on it.
Heres the codes for that, if you REALLY wanted to know what it has before buying it.

Door Code/open or limited slip/ratio
41....….…… Open 8.8"…...….. 3.27
42..…..……. Open 8.8".….…... 4.10
43..……..…. Open 8.8"…..…... 3.08
44..………... Open 8.8"….….... 3.73
45..…..……. Open 8.8".….…... 3.55
46..……..…. Open 8.8".…….... 3.73
D1..……..…. L/S 8.8".…...…... 3.27
D2...…..…… L/S 8.8".…...…... 4.10
D4...….……. L/S 8.8".…...…... 3.73
D5..……..…. L/S 8.8".……...... 3.55

 

[98 V8]

Would the tow rating go up when switched from 3.73s to 4.10s??
If I get a V8 Ex Im gonna lift it, n I will swap to EB V6 4.10s Rears
cause I will tow with the Ex.. I would pull my rustang with it when

I get if b4 I lifted it jus to see how good it can pull to start with..

Thanx,
Rob

 

[blakshukvw]

I'm very pleased with my 01V8. I probably shouldn't say this but... many people on here have tons of problems with their trucks but I think the 01 being the final year of that body style and I believe engine package, correct me if I'm wrong, seems to work very well. Ford pretty much figured it out it seems by 01.

 

[my pos mounty]

Would the tow rating go up when switched from 3.73s to 4.10s??
If I get a V8 Ex Im gonna lift it, n I will swap to EB V6 4.10s Rears
cause I will tow with the Ex.. I would pull my rustang with it when

I get if b4 I lifted it jus to see how good it can pull to start with..

Thanx,
Rob

According to this thread in the towing section, no. Check post #4.
Also, another thing to consider is that the rear axle assembly out of a 6 cylinder truck may not have a provision for the infamous "third shock" (some do, some don't) and also may not have the "ears" to attach the V8 "anti-wrap" bars.

 

[Electrohacker]

get the V8, then you can laugh when the SOHC guys get timing chain issues

coulda got the V8! *thunk*

 

[98 V8]

Will a V6 Explorer Transfer Case work/bolt-up to a V8 Trans??

 

[my pos mounty]

no, it will not