QUestions about high milage 4.0

[Lookingataford]

I am cosidering a 94 Explorer with over 100K miles, (128K I think) and was wondering what kind of reliability I could expect from the truck. Could some of you longtime owners clue me in on any problems that might be ready to crop up? I appreciate it and hope to join your ranks soon.

 

[01EB5.0]

Hello, welcome tot he site.
I can tell you the engine will last forever, but it's the transmission that is the weak link.if the transmission hasn't been replaced yet, i would say the truck is doing pretty good, but sometime down the road it will need work. Also on the 94 and older trucks people sometimes ahve trouble witht he front automatic hubs (if you have a 4WD) Other things that may need work are radius arm bushings and maybe ball joints.
ANyway overall the explorers are pretty reliable and 128K isn't bad milage.

 

[JDraper]

Along with what 95XLT said, one other spot that the explorers are known for having problems in is rust in the rocker panels. The vehicles are generally reliable. My previous vehicle was a '92 Explorer Sport, and when it was wrecked, it had 102K on it, and was working very well. The major work that had been done on it was hub replacement ($150), radius arm bushing replacement ($200), and manual tranny overhaul ($1700 including clutch). Other than those items, the vehicle had run very well. The motor never gave me any problems, and I never had any electrical gremlins. It did have a little cancer on the rocker panels.

Welcome to the site!!

 

[S. Allen]

well...truth-be-known....

...I too own a 95 XLT 4x4 and the engine is the LAST thing that will blow. It is definately the best part of the vehicle and if Ford figures out how to build the rest of the Explorer like it does the 4.0 v-6, they'll rule the SUV world, but that has yet to happen!

I also own a 91 Ranger that has gone 175,000 miles and the engine is solid as a rock. (it has a 5-spd manual which is a little more reliable)

On the Explorer, the two things I have come up against that are serious design flaws that Ford has never fixed on the Explorer design...no matter what model/year you have - the awful automatic transmission and the front-end that refuses to stay aligned.

You are looking at a 94, which has the lovely twin I-beam front-end. I have this set-up on a 91 Ranger and for the 10 years I have owned it, it is not the easiset thing to keep aligned.

The front-end was changed in 95, but our 95 still has the annoying habit of alignment troubles and chops tires on the inside of the tread in the same pattern. The passneger side will do this worse than the driver's side.

I have known several Explorer owners that have had complete tranny rebuilds costing anywhere from 1800-2500 dollars with 100k miles or less on their vehicles. Mine went 112k before the imfamous OD/OFF light began blinking...thats when the fun starts. The Explorer automatic OD tranny is an all electronic beast that runs way too hot and is super complicated with it's tons of sensors and seals that leak from all ends. It will cause endless troubles for you and is best to be avoided.

I hate to say this, but unless you're getting some kind of screaming deal on it or you just LOVE the Explorer desing, I'd seriously consider looking at some other SUV or truck.

I have friends that drive 4-Runners and Pathfinders that have gone well over 100k miles and have not had half the troubles I have had with the Explorer. My buddie's 96 Pathfinder has almost 100k miles and he has never had it aligned! My Explorer would have ate through the rims by now, if I had never aligned it until 100k miles.

Also, take a look at resale values...the 4-Runner and Pathfinder are MUCH better in that area too. The media did such a hatchet job on the Explorer roll-over/Firestone fiasco that it will never have any resale value and is pretty much the new Edsel.

This has been my expereince...I still own the Explorer and Ranger and have worked on them extensively...I will not be buying another Explorer or Ranger again.

The Ranger will be replaced by a Tacoma after Christmas and the Explorer will be replaced by a Pathfinder or 4-Runner sometime in the next 2 years.

-SA

 

[Bryce]

an entirely different experience

I have a 91, which basically has the same parts as the 94. It has 250K on it, and there's NOTHING wrong with it. The radiator has been replaced... so what. Its running with the original engine and transmission. Once time about 2 years ago, it was acting funny but after a good flushing it was cured. The engine burns a little oil, but seriously... a quart or two between oil changes depending on the weather is as good as it gets. I too had some rust in front of the rear wheel-wells, but I ground it away, and repaired it with a plastic compund (basically Bondo) that won't rust. As for the alignment, I used to have problems with that also. Ever since I put 4 new BFG KO tires on it (more than a year ago), it hasnt been aligned. I can't quite explain the connection, but it really does roll straight and smooth.

I realize that my experience is not the norm. I don't baby the truck. When its on the highway... its going at least 75. I've driven it across the country. Its been in the Rockies. I tow a boat around the Atlantic shore. Its been offroad in the mountains numerous times.

If you're thinking about buying the truck, be careful. But they CAN last.

Bryce

 

[TwoToneX]

250k with the original tranny? WOW! I've got 114k on mine, no problems with engine or tranny. I had to replace the radius arm bushing at about 104k, and have an oil leak right now, but nothing too serious. Just looking to upgrade it too.

 

[Blaine122300]

I have 132,000 on my 91 EB. Is there anything besides keeping the tranny fluid changed every couple years, and the engine oil changed regular that I need to know to keep her going to 250,000. I love her, and everything on it is still the original. I hope it lasts forever. I live in Alaska and there is no rust on her at all. I will be going to Arizona hopefully after AK. She should never see rust at all. Personally, the "X" is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I want to keep her forever.

andy

 

[iceman]

i have a 94xlt ive had it since new it is the best vehicle around thhe engine still runs like new as long as you do reagular maintenence(oil changes ,belt changes ect...) you will never have a problem ( or shouldnt anyway) ive got 190,000 miles on the original tranny the only major thing ive had happen was i had to replace a worn pinyon bearing but i really wouldnt really call that major
good luck!