question on which to buy

[emtexplorer]

Ok my 95 ex has been having issues far more than I want to mention.

But heres the new thing, I have a chance to buy 1 of 2 newer explorers.

The first one is a 1997 with a 5.0 AWD, no rust, runs great, 140k needs a fender and hood, which I have both from 95.

The second is a 98 with a sohc 4wd with a lil over 200k. Body looks great on this, and runs good too.


please give me some help on making this decision.

Thanks

Josh

 

[celly]

V8, hands down. Fewer miles to boot.

 

[eXcali]

I agree, go V8. The mpg will be pretty close to the same and the 5.0 engine can take a lot of abuse.

 

[Millertime1987]

I 3rd that.

 

[marragtop]

Absolutely, go with the 5.0. Better trans, and the SOHC engine is problematic.

 

[celly]

the SOHC engine is problematic.

To me, it's only problematic if the timing chain work hasn't already been done. I've had two SOHC equipped Explorers. The first one never developed the problem (my '97, but I only had it for 2 years under lease). My '00 developed the problem but it was fixed under warranty and was rock solid afterwards. I probably would still be driving it if I didn't feel a need to make the switch from 2 door to 4 after my son was born. Glad I did because I like the 5.0 platform a lot, but the 4.0 SOHC was fun to drive too and responded to mods very well, especially air intake, SCT tunes and upgraded exhaust.

Given the choice, I'd always hunt down the V8 now, but a well maintained and timing chain resolved SOHC is a respectable truck too.

 

[emtexplorer]

well I whent and picked it up this morning, Got it for 700 cause there is some body damage. But I didn't let on I had a 95 at home waiting to be sacrificed for its younger brother.

I will be posting pics of the new ride, shes not pretty yet but give me a weekend of swaping parts.

Thanks for all the input guys


Josh

 

[emtexplorer]

Here she is

Already swapped hoods, boy that's a pain in the ass to get them lined up.

thats it for now, till I start swappin parts.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Man... That's more damage than I thought when first reading. I hesitate to say it, but I think you might have left a little money on the table... That needs a little more than a fender and a hood... But hey- project is a project! Good luck and have fun!

 

[emtexplorer]

Man... That's more damage than I thought when first reading. I hesitate to say it, but I think you might have left a little money on the table... That needs a little more than a fender and a hood... But hey- project is a project! Good luck and have fun!

Well, when I first saw it I was kinda pissed because it was more than he described and I trucked 2 hours to just look at it. But after I test drove it and felt the power, I was hooked. I never let him know I had a 95 sitting back home with all the body panels to make this one look nice and straight again. In the end it was worse than he described, so I got it for 100 bux less, Hopefully in a weekend I can have everything switched over from the 95 and have a decent looking rig again. Trust me in Vermont to find a rig with not rotten frame, no body rot, let alone any surface rust with a perfectly running engine/drivetrain is hard to come by. I am gonna have alot of fun with this Im sure. So much more power than the 95's OHV.

Thanks again for all the comments guys

Josh

 

[Joe Dirt]

For sure- I'd take a V8 in a second for a second Ex!

That sucks when people will not tell you the whole story on a long distance pickup. Be sure to pop some pics of your progress!