Reliability Of 1998 Explorer?

[rickexploring]

Hey, anybody out there have any info, links, or personal experience regarding the 1998 model Explorer? I'm seriously considering purchasing one from a private party- but know very little about Fords in general! Thanks, Rick

 

[TJM623]

I have a 98 XLT, hasn't had any problems yet, cept for a lady smashing my side. Obviously your gonna want to take it into a shop to get everything looked at, get the transmission checked out 2, we did at luckily because the transmission fluid was burnt and needed to be flushed/replaced. Only other thing for me was my brakes are going but that's normal wear and tear. I've had mine for almost 7 months with no problems yet. Probably one of the nicer vehicles my family has bought. Can you give a description of the one your looking to buy?

 

[5.0inprovo]

I love mine, it's an awd v8, only minor things so far...I replaced an O2 sensor, and plugged in some wires that were messed up for the rear door and mirrors. I'm waiting on a new multiswitch to show up tomorrow.
I think I need to replace a CV joint, and my leafs are sagging about an inch lower than the front. Nothing too major, I actually enjoy digging in and learning as I go.

 

[drx]

Hey, its good to see another person getting an explorer, I can't really say much about it, cause mine is a 1997, so far I've had no problems with it, very comfortable to drive in, lots of power, and most of all it looks good, anyways, check out the link u'll see more info about the explorer, my suggestion get the eddie bauer model, its very luxurious.

hehe, cheers,

http://www.carsdirect.com/research/ford/explorer/1998/eddie_bauer_4dr_4x4/features

Keep on driving till the wheels fall off. jks

 

[ASmallwood]

My 1998

I have had my 1998 for almost 5 years and have had only the normal problems most of which I have been able to fix with the help of this forum. I unfortunately did have the 4.0 SOHC Timing chain problem which cost me an motor, but we replaced the motor and have had no other problems and I put some miles on it every year. I love mine as it is a happy medium. I would love to have the room of an expedition, but not the gas bill and I would love to have the gas bill of an escape, but need the room to move my arms to steer the car. I have never regreted my purchase.

 

[stubborn1]

I would make sure that your mechanic who does the inspection (before you purchase) checks the front suspension. Explorers are known for quickly wearing ball joints which can be expensive to replace.

 

[TWolf]

I have a 98 and love it. It has 117000 on it and still runs great. Found out this last weekend that when it gets going over 90 mph, I have a little shake in the front end. Also when you and if you get it checked out for mechanical, you might take it to a body shop and have them check the frame. If you look under and see what looks like clamp marks on the frame behind the the front tires and in front of the back tires. Then it stands a good chance that it has been on a frame rack which means it was wrecked and bad enough to need a frame rack adjustment.
Good luck with what ever you choose.

Tom

 

[TJM623]

my suggestion get the eddie bauer model, its very luxurious.

Unless, you wanna spend some extra money for pretty much the name Eddie Bauer, i'd just get an XLT, you can get just about every option the Eddie Bauer offered, in the XLT cept for a few things, which have slipped my mind anyone wanna share the details?

 

[drx]

TJM623, you are absolutely correct, but for the year of the explorer and the price it was a good deal, i mean people who see you drive in an eddie, say something else, to me it makes no difference, same truck, different name, with a body kit on it.

cheers

 

[TJM623]

i agree with you on that also, if you get a good price and the bauer is in great shape, then go for it by no means would i pass one up if the price was right. Little added bonus, i've heard u get a gift certificate from bauer when you buy one!

 

[Katmandu]

Hey, anybody out there have any info, links, or personal experience regarding the 1998 model Explorer? I'm seriously considering purchasing one from a private party- but know very little about Fords in general! Thanks, Rick

I own a 98 Explorer Eddie Bauer 2WD. Other than the 4.0 SOHC's Recall/TSB issues (MANY!!!) and the truck rides like ****. We love our Explorer.

Make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you take the VIN# to the nearest Ford Dealer and have them run it thru their OASIS program on the Ford Network!!

OASIS will tell them anything and everything that has been done to the truck by ANY Ford Dealer ANYWHERE!

Also make absolutely CERTAIN that any and all RECALL/TSBs have been Done or Accounted for on the 4.0 SOHC ENGINE !!! If NOT, buyer beware cause they ain't cheap to fix!!

 

[TJM623]

i'd get a carfax done 2, some people say they don't work...but any major accident with a police report involved should show up, we ran all our cars that were only owners of and of the 2 with accidents, one showed up (police report) the other didn't)