Should I??

[Sabre13]

Also, I just want to say this forum and it's members are incredibly helpful.

 

[J_C]

It's a V6. I usually make any repairs myself. I've found some early 2000 V8 models in the same price range just waiting on replies/pics on rust.

Is there any other way to shop online other than craigslist? Seems like it's not what it once was

There's sites like www.autotrader.com www.ebaymotors.com and a few others
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/the-best-used-car-websites/

Sometimes it's just a waiting game. Vehicles in good condition at a good price sell faster.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Found my dessert mountaineer on cars.com. Had to drive almost 2 hours, but for the miles, price, and absolutely rust free body and chassis, it was a no brainer.

 

[Sabre13]

There's sites like www.autotrader.com www.ebaymotors.com and a few others
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/the-best-used-car-websites/

Sometimes it's just a waiting game. Vehicles in good condition at a good price sell faster.

Seems like everything on auto trader is really high millage. I agree it's definitely a waiting game. I've found a few really good deals on Xterras but they were sold within minutes of posting.

Found my dessert mountaineer on cars.com. Had to drive almost 2 hours, but for the miles, price, and absolutely rust free body and chassis, it was a no brainer.

There's some decent deals on cars.com. I definitely be willing to drive a couple hours too fir the right deal. I'm in metro Minneapolis so it's hard to get southern cars a couple hours away lol

 

[koda2000]

As stated, the OHV V6 is a reliable engine. Common complaints are blown head gaskets, intake manifold gasket leaks, if overheated cracked heads can occur. The auto transmissions are also on the weak side.

The V8's are a pretty bullet proof engine and trans, though the V8's only came in AWD or 2WD all with automatic transmissions. The older V8's had tubular exhaust headers which were prone to cracking. I do 99% of my own repairs, but the one job I happily farm out is changing the water pump. This is because it is super common for the long water pump bolts to rust inside the timing cover and for them to break when to trying to remove them. Other than the W/P I've had no major issues with any of our 4 V8's.

Common mechanical issues to both the V8 and V6 are ball joint wear, but they're easily replaced.

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the SOHC V6's. Those engines are just a problem waiting to happen and share the weaker transmission with the OHV V6. Given the choice I'd look for a V8 AWD for winter driving. I'd go with a 2000-2001 model. Looking for a 4WD/AWD vehicle in the northern states this time of year will probably add to the asking price.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I paid $2,800 and it was worth every penny. I'd buy another tomorrow.

 

[96eb96]

I found a 1996 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Guy says it has new breaks, radiator, power steering pump. 162k miles. Says there's no known issues and he's wanting $2,300. I've never owned an explorer and want to know if this is a good buy? Seems a bit pricey to me but like I said I'm new to explorers. I recently moved up north and would like a solid winter vehicle

That is around my mileage. I would be looking at brake, PS lines, trans lines and see how rusty they are. They leak. I would also check that the paint on the torsion bars are intact and there is no serious rust. Check the exhaust and cats for rustout.

Aside from that, mechanically, it is the best choice after the V8. You have the 4speed auto trans, which arguably is more reliable than the 5spd in 97. OHV engine is very good, not a powerhouse, but there are rare sporadic issues with cracked heads. The good part is the repair is quite inexpensive. A pair of loaded NEW heads is $400 and you can do it with handtools. There is no timing involved, and the rest of the engine is indestructible. So if it did have that problem, it is a final repair.

That being said that transmission family is far from perfect, but if you change the fluid and add a cooler it may see 200K. I like the pans that have a drain plug.

I would say 1200-1500 is fair. I own mine a long time, it is very reliable and great in the snow. I bought a V6 because of the 4wd low. I didn't use it much and if I had it to do over I probably would have bought a V8.

Just don't buy one with the SOHC engine, that is a very large risk and often a junkyard event.

 

[koda2000]

Another area to check for rust is the rear spring shackles. Not a huge repair, but can be dangerous.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I was concerned about the lack of low, but I've never really missed it. I'll take the reliablity of the 4404 vs the lower gearing option of the 4405.

 

[Sabre13]

That is around my mileage. I would be looking at brake, PS lines, trans lines and see how rusty they are. They leak. I would also check that the paint on the torsion bars are intact and there is no serious rust. Check the exhaust and cats for rustout.

Aside from that, mechanically, it is the best choice after the V8. You have the 4speed auto trans, which arguably is more reliable than the 5spd in 97. OHV engine is very good, not a powerhouse, but there are rare sporadic issues with cracked heads. The good part is the repair is quite inexpensive. A pair of loaded NEW heads is $400 and you can do it with handtools. There is no timing involved, and the rest of the engine is indestructible. So if it did have that problem, it is a final repair.

That being said that transmission family is far from perfect, but if you change the fluid and add a cooler it may see 200K. I like the pans that have a drain plug.

I would say 1200-1500 is fair. I own mine a long time, it is very reliable and great in the snow. I bought a V6 because of the 4wd low. I didn't use it much and if I had it to do over I probably would have bought a V8.

Just don't buy one with the SOHC engine, that is a very large risk and often a junkyard event.

Definitely seems to be the consensus. Everyone I've talked to says it wouldn't be a bad buy if it was priced more reasonably.

 

[Sabre13]

I paid $2,800 and it was worth every penny. I'd buy another tomorrow.

For a '96?

 

[Sabre13]

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/ctd/d/2002-ford-expedition-lariat/6310799388.html

Opinions?

 

[96eb96]

I was concerned about the lack of low, but I've never really missed it. I'll take the reliablity of the 4404 vs the lower gearing option of the 4405.

I used to be into skiing and you drive on mountain roads when the snow starts...it could make a difference. The other use would be offroad, driving on a beach up a hill, boat launch etc. Also redneck demolition, it could probably pull an old oak tree down. If you don't do those things it is a waste.

As it gets older though I wonder about the reliability. It is a complex system and last year I was using it and had to cycle the ignition to get 4x4 working again. It wasn't able to make the shift, it was very cold out. It works fine now but a 20 yo shift motor could be tired. Also, the last owner may not have shifted it in over a decade, chances are it may not work right.

99.99% of the time it is not needed.

 

[96eb96]

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/ctd/d/2002-ford-expedition-lariat/6310799388.html

Opinions?

Those are good trucks, they have the same transmission as the 5.0L explorers and some have the same engine as the 3rd generation V8 explorers (either the 4.6L crown vic engine or a 5.4L Truck engine).
The only downside is they have issues blowing spark plugs, you can research that. It is a shame. The 5.4L seems to be worse than the 4.6L. I would retorque all the plugs, I don't know what the recommendation is now. That is still not a guarantee, unfortunately.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I live where there is commonly 200 inches of snow a year, many many mornings with 6-8 inches of snow on the roads. Never had a problem with the AWD.

I've owned both v6 and v8. Would never consider going back to the v6.

 

[bigred4x4]

I'd not want anything to do with a 160k 4r55e or 4405.

250k miles on my 96 ! occasionally abused in every type of offroad situation and still running with stock gears she's had some quirks but hell she's old enough to drink what 20+ year old vehicle isn't going to give you some problems occasionally.

I agree the 4405 isn't the best mainly due to the clutch but it works and the bwm is pretty awesome. The 4r55e isn't all that bad (stouter than a a4ld) iv never had a mechanical failure in mine and from what I read the head issue was more of a problem with the first gen 4.0( could be wrong there don't quote me on it )would I take the V8 with 4406 swap instead? yes! but my v6 setup has treated me well for many years.

As for the price I can see a babied,rare case,very well maintained 96 worth every penny of that but most likely it's not and would bargain I'd say average ~ $1500 or so (according to my property tax mine is valued at $700 lol)problems I would look for is inner tire wear*(probably#1),sagged springs, rust, leaks, check trans fluid,4wd,exhaust,filters, all buttons,etc the usual stuff.a multi meter and a vacuum gauge could tell you a lot easily in about 20 minutes. All in all for a v6 the 96 was a good year for the explorer in my opinion

 

[Mbrooks420]

My V6 was 5 years old and I killed the 4r and 4405 before it hit 100k. The first transmission died at 70k, and the t case around 90k. I drive my Mountys MUCH harder and they never so much as hiccup. I ran the first one clean out of tranny fluid three times to the point it wouldn't move. Filled it back up, and kept right on rocking.

 

[Mbrooks420]

For a '96?

It was for my 98.

 

[Sabre13]

My V6 was 5 years old and I killed the 4r and 4405 before it hit 100k. The first transmission died at 70k, and the t case around 90k. I drive my Mountys MUCH harder and they never so much as hiccup. I ran the first one clean out of tranny fluid three times to the point it wouldn't move. Filled it back up, and kept right on rocking.

I've seen some pretty good deals on mountaineers but it's one of the vehicles I literally no nothing about lol.

 

[Sabre13]

Those are good trucks, they have the same transmission as the 5.0L explorers and some have the same engine as the 3rd generation V8 explorers (either the 4.6L crown vic engine or a 5.4L Truck engine).
The only downside is they have issues blowing spark plugs, you can research that. It is a shame. The 5.4L seems to be worse than the 4.6L. I would retorque all the plugs, I don't know what the recommendation is now. That is still not a guarantee, unfortunately.

Just did some research on that. Definitely don't want to get caught up in a mess like that. Doesn't seem like there is a guarantee fix out there.