Reliability Question

[duff]

I've been a stone hard FORD man all my life - 68 Mecury 390, 71 Mustang, 74 Cougar 351, 85 Bronco.

I now have a possible deal on a 1992 Explorer. BUT; I'm not hearing a lot of good reports for breaks and especially auto-transmissions. Are there some notorious years for these problems ? What can be said for the 1992 year?

Thanks

 

[DonM]

Yes the 1st and 2nd gen Explorers are nortorious for tranny problems. Not sure about the 3rd gen?

Id buy a 4runner, they are much more reliable. I only wish Id gone with a 4 runner myself.

 

[Alec]

I have just as many friends with 4runner and Sequoia problems as Explorers with problems.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Alec]

Please don't double post, I deleted your other thread.

 

[Redrig]

how many miles is on the 92? and id see if you could get a service record on it first.

 

[mrboyle]

Every vehicle ever made has its problems. The early Explorer is known for tranny problems, but with proper maintenance they have been know to last 150-200K miles or more. IMHO the '92 is the best of the first generation Explorers, but any used vehicle is only as good as the maintenance it has received from its prior owner.

 

[EliteConcept]

how would a 92 differ from a 93 ? just curious

 

[Maniak]

I can think of a few things that are different between the '92 and '93

I believe 93 is the first year with EGR and 4 wheel ABS.

I "know" the 93 has teh 93tm heads which is a slightly better design than what the 91 and 92's had.

As for trannies, I don't know if they did upgrades on the a4ld in the first 3 years, or if that was 1994.

~Mark

 

[duff]

The 92 has 86K on it. I'm told it probably was well maintained. Probably by a dealer.

So you think if maintained the trans can go 150K ?

Any other notorious problems for the 1992 year ?

Thanks

 

[Maniak]

The biggest problem on the '92's is the tranny (a4ld).. They can last from as little as 60k, up to 150k+ (our first lasted 165k).

The other areas to watch are heads (if it has been overheated), auto hubs (when they go, you replace them with manuals for $200ish), and the electric motor on the xfer case sometimes needs to be cleaned..

Other than that, I can't really think of any bad areas other than normal maint things (like Radius arm bushines, brake pads etc).

In general I really like our '92 (it now has 286k miles on it). (4th tranny, 1st engine, 2nd set of heads)

~Mark

 

[biggs92EB]

I love my 92 relplaced the trans once at 110K going strong with the new one. I am very rough on it and it takes quite the beating like its no big deal, buy a 4runner if you like but i wont buy anything with a 2 inch thick doors and not enough balls to tow a boat.

 

[DaHeinah]

Biggs92EB- My X looks Xactley like that!!! just FYI Great looking truck.

As for the X's reliability, my family has had five explorers (and still do ) and they are incredibly reliable. All of the trannies are still perfect but both of the 92's had brake problems...heck mine still does. As for 4Runners being more reliable, I wouldn't agree with that but I have learned not to allow one bad experience poison me (thanks stephen ). Explorers are great trucks.
Greg

 

[biggs92EB]

Thanks Daheinah I appreciate the compliment i love my truck and have been trying to make it as appealing as possible. You must have a great lookin X yourself

 

[duff]

Gona check it out Thurs.

Thanks !

 

[scottyboost]

The wife drove a 92 XLT from 58,000 miles to 172,000 miles. I was absolutely thrilled with the reliability of that car. All repairs were minor except for the tranny that dumped at 150,000 miles. We rebuilt it without question because we intended and expected to drive it to 300,000 miles. Unfortunately, an old lady in her Buick hit her hard and totalled it last month.

My wife loved that car and still *****es that it was better than our current Limited!