Should it stay or should it go?

[rikkitikkitavi]

Howdy all,


I picked up a 94 xlt x with 4x4 about two weeks ago, it has 122k on the clock so I expected "some" work/money to bring her up to snuff. SO far we have done the following


Auto Hub failure- replaced with Warn Manuals $250
Flush/Fill tranny, new thermostat, $200
New blower relay (after heater failed on way home from hub install) $11
New Battery $70
New shocks gabriel LT's $140
Install of shocks, fix tranny cooler leak and change fuel filter $211.00
Cleaned MAF sensor (Mysteriously killed the thousand dwarves with hammers in the engine)


Now it appears to have a radiator leak and the limited slip isnt functional!

So since this is our only way in and out if it snows over 3" due to our road, should I dump another $500 or more into it or just sell it and start again with something a little newer like a 2000 cherokee or something?


All replies and advice appreciated

Rikki

 

[MrShorty]

My two cents:

For the price of a newer (say 2000) cherokee. You could turn that explorer into quite a machine.

the $500 in repairs you mentioned
a couple hundred more for a locker to replace the limited slip
a few hundred for a lift.
a few hundred for good tires.
a few thousand to rebuild/replace engine and transmission (when they go).

totals to what $6-7K?

If you're not into the mods, then don't do them. I believe you'd be much farther ahead than, what, $20K for that cherokee? The folks round here could give you a better feel for costs, but, dollar for dollar, I think you'd do well to stay with what you have and make something of it.

 

[prerunexp]

yeah i'll definatly go with mrshorty

 

[KEbert]

It seems to me you have been spending a little too much for what you have gotten. A retarded blind monkey with one leg could flush a transmission and fill it up. My hubs, with the spindle nuts and everything, were 180 and fairly easy to install.

If you have mechanical skill at all, then do your own work. It is amazing how much you will spend. As for the radiator and LS, go to a radiator shop, not a dealer. It will cost much less. Also, how do you know the LS does not work. Sometimes it can be deceiving.

 

[rikkitikkitavi]

I had this thing in the snow (when I discovered the front hubs were shot), and couldnt move only the rear pass tire would spin. Also the $$$ for the trans flush also included a complete inspection and replacement of the serp belt (forgot about that) . I drove the beast today 30+ mi and found no tell-tale puddle under her after sitting for an hour that would indicate rad leak. I think they were generating income. Can anyone tell me how difficult it is to get at the spark plugs for a tune-up?

r

 

[TPLYNCH]

Fixing the limited slip is fairly easy and not too expensive. Just clutch packs and an additive. There was thread within the last 2 months detailing how to do it. Search and ye shall find. As long as the engine is running strong and the tranny isn't slipping, I'd keep the Ex.

 

[KEbert]

I take it you have an automatic. I just realized that.
For the LS, you can't have a lot of speed going to it to work. They are designed for slow spped and not much power. An easy way to tell is by jacking the rear off the grond and spinning the drive shaft. If both spiin equally, then it is working.

 

[AceMcCloudKitty]

Beastie, gotta love her

I've had my 95 Explorer since July, she's now 7 years old, and has survived 14,000 miles with me in snow, sure there has been some work because the previous owners weren't completely honest about the car and neither was the dealership that sold her to us. But recently we've been have a lot of snow and ice and I live up Mill Creek, which is a mountainous area, half my way to work is a dirt road, and she's never let me down, not even in 5 inches of much. I guess the car has to fit your life style, if you want to put the work into your car Great! But if it really is a lost cause you have no choice.... best of luck to you.

 

[93Ranger]

in terms of cost, fix the X.

if money is no issue, and you want a killer platform for an off-road rig, plus something that already has dual solid axles and AWESOME articulation and travel ability, get one of 2 vehicles.

1) a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 5.9L V-8 (that is a freakin pimp ride, i would kill for that). you can pick one up for about 15 to 17k. the blue book is 17,995 i think, so if you can deal and whatnot, plus get it to go out the door, and with the sale of your X, you can get it for roughly 10 to 12K

2) a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with the new 4.7L SOHC High Output V-8 (runs the 1/4 mile in 16.94 seconds @ 81.47 MPH, with 3.73 gears)

i think the 5.9L runs at something like 16 even or 15.5 seconds, at 95 + MPH.

Granted, you could very easily turn your X into a bona-fied off-road bomber. and i would HIGHLY suggest keeping your X because it could end up looking something like Rick's.

which ever route you take, its your choice. if your gonna go for serious off-roading, the Jeep has more options, but will set you back more dead presidents because of 2 things. 1) uni-body no body lift available, suspension lifts are more expensive. 2) suspension parts, even for stock height, are damn expensive. a buddy of mine had to get a suspension rebuild because of an accident, and it cost the other guy's insurance company $5500, thats for nearly every suspension part.

just word to the wise, bot vehicles are equally ranked on the cool factor, but the Jeep is by far superior stock off-road.

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by 93Ranger

2) a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with the new 4.7L SOHC High Output V-8 (runs the 1/4 mile in 16.94 seconds @ 81.47 MPH, with 3.73 gears)

Are you sure those quarter mile times are right? If so, then it's not all that great. I remember Robert stating that his 97 Explorer Sport with the SOHC and 4.10 gears ran a 16.5

 

[93Ranger]

Originally posted by Jason_25


Are you sure those quarter mile times are right? If so, then it's not all that great. I remember Robert stating that his 97 Explorer Sport with the SOHC and 4.10 gears ran a 16.5

was that FULLY stock? i dont think a 4.0L SOHC could run that fast.

PLUS, it had 4.10's in the back.

PLUS, it was probabally in 2wd mode, or not a 4x4 at all.

the 02 overland hits that time fully stock, in 4x4 high, from a standstill.

and the overland puts out more torque and HP than the 4.0 X, and the 5.0 (im pretty sure on the 5.0)

it gets 260 HP, and 330 Ft. Lbs torque.

 

[X24]

Anyone know what the stock 1/4 mile time is for a 4X4 SOHC? 0-60 is like 8.1 or something, right?

Tikki Tikki Tembo, about you problems:
I had a 93 that i bought about a year and a half ago with 80K on it. First thing I did was the battery, then hubs (warn), then brakes... and when i say brakes i mean everything, lines and all, thermostat, and belt.

Unfixed problems:
I could see some major rust starting.
Transfer case.
Transfer case motor thing.
Ball joints
U-joints.
Exhaust.
Shocks.

Solution:
Traded it to dealer for 98 XLT with 4 year/48K mile warranty.

I couldn't be happier.

 

[ruzztec]

You should

Keep the X they are very relyable

 

[X24]

I would have to agree with ruzztec on that one. I was itching for a newer car anyway so i just added the money that i was gonna spend on repairs to my downpayment and ended up with a pretty good deal on my 98. I definately wanted another explorer tho. It's all up to you. If you can afford to go with something new and you find a good deal i would say go for it. if you want to make an off road rig then stick with what you got.