Sold 00, got an 04, good and bad -help & comments?

[ronwc]

I've owned a 2000 Explorer XLT the last 7 years (178k miles) and it has been extremely reliable. Quite frankly, nothing on the 00 ever broke. Everything still works fine including the AC which has never been charged. About all I ever did was change the oil every 5000 miles, some brake pads and tires, 2 batteries. Really a great SUV, bought it for $4500 and sold it for $2500 still running and driving perfect. But with all that said, i was ready for something new.

Being that I had such good luck with the 00, I started looking for a 04/05 XLT. After looking at a few beat up ones, found an 04 in very clean condition with all the stuff I wanted incluing a good price. I've only had it a few days.

Now, the good and the bad.

The good is it's a great looking SUV, drives and rides smooth, much more room inside and overall just more luxury, which I like. Everything basically works good, engine quiet and smooth, trans seems fine, all the electrical stuff works.

Now for the bad. It has the rear whine between 50 and 70 that I didn't hear when i bought it. At first I though it was the tires, but now know better. I'm going to try the heavier 70/150 oil in it with some additive. The AC on high sounds like the old Blue Angles starting up when they used to fly the F-4's. The fan doesn't work on setting 3, so i ordered a new resistor which I hope will help. Seems cold enough and airflow good, but my 00 worked much better and quieter. On the second row seats, one tilt lever just rotates and does nothing, one handle is broken off - so no tilting down which i need - going to take seats out tomorrow. The cover for the visor mirror on passenger side is broken off. The airbag cover on the passenger side doesn't fit quite right, sticking out at bottom.

Don't get me wrong, I like the new one so far and I don't mind fixing a few things myself, but some of these things shouldn't be broken. Looking for comments and or help.

 

[ronwc]

more to the story

Got the two back tilt handles off today, and while i was at it got the 5 digit code off the computer. Check on prices of the handles and Ford wants about $60 each which is rediculous, especially since it's just cheap plastic - will check at the junkyard. Right now using vice grips, at least I can put them up and down.

While working on the two levers on the 2nd row seat, had the doors open and the radio on. After about 2 hours working, everything shut off. Tried to start car and or turn things back on, then realized the battery was dead. Went to check it out and saw it was a 2 year old Economy battery from Advanced auto. I made the mistake of buying them before, possibly the worse battery ever made, 1 year warranty and you're lucky if it last that long. So pulled battery and off to Walmart, got a great battery for $100. Also got a remote in today and got that programmed, works good and cheap online at $16.

 

[jghake]

My driver sun visor is missing the cover. It makes it impossible to use. If I flip it down I can see reflections in the mirror while I am driving and it is extremely distracting!

I have noticed my rear whining more since I bought it about 2 months ago. I will be replacing an axle shaft seal tomorrow and using the 70-150 synthetic (Mobile 1 I think). I will let you know if it quiets down at all. I don't have the limited slip diff so I won't be adding any friction modifier.

I replaced my 2000 with this 2003 after I had an accident. At first I really missed my old one, but this new truck is really starting to grow on me. I will still have to replace the torque converter, and the fuel sender unit, as well as a new set of tires here fairly soon but I still think it is my 2nd favorite car I have ever owned. (I sold my 1997 Mustang SVT Cobra for the 4x4 in the winters, nothing will ever replace that ) Hopefully your truck will start to grow on you too! I love how much more luxurious and comfortable the gen3 is vs the gen2. I'm just over 6' tall, so not a giant, but I feel like I fit a lot better than in my 2000.



Are these your seat handles? I have a 3rd row seat so mine look like a big L.

 

[RyansX]

:ttiwwp:

 

[ronwc]

Don't get me wrong, I really like my new Explorer, but would like the dependability of the old one. Cheap plastic breakable parts (like the recline handles) don't get it with me.

Just noticed yesterday that I have the 17" wheels and tires, I assume they were an option. I imagine the tires would be expensive, good thing the ones on now are almost new. Although marked XLT on body, wondering if this could be an NBX. It has the 2 tone bumpers with wheel molding, nerf bars, 17" wheels, moon roof - but no skid plate. also when i sent my VIN # to Gieco they classified it as a NBX.

Although the sound system is stock, it sounds good. I have ordered a nice Pioneer touchscreen that I will be putting in next week.

Went to ACE hardware to get an extra key made, they wanted $70, decided to hold off.

Fixed the pass side visor mirror cover that had broken off by drilling two small holes in cover, and fastening back in place with two small tie wraps, works good.

Going to get some nice custom fit floor mats and cargo mat off ebay as soon as my RC airplane stuff sells today.

[QUOTEAre these your seat handles?[/URL] I have a 3rd row seat so mine look like a big L.[/QUOTE]

Mine are for the second row seat and look like a big L, I don't have the third row seat.

 

[Scottsu150]

I was kind of in your same position, three first gen and one second gen Explorers, all of them were great trucks and I never had any major problems with them, and most of the small ones were from my abuse! With that in mind I bought my wife a very nice low mileage 04 XLT, looks great and does drive much better than the older ones but I HATE this truck! I have never owned a vehical with more problems than this thing and I have owned some real junkers! I usually buy Ford but this thing has me rethinking my loyality.

 

[ronwc]

04 XLT, looks great and does drive much better than the older ones but I HATE this truck!

Whoa, I don't hate anything - I did my checking and this is the SUV I bought, plus I got it cheap. I like the looks, ride, motor, ect - just having some issues with mostly cheap plastic parts that they want a lot of money for to replace. I am in no way bashing or knocking it, in fact I'm somewhat enjoying working on it. Just letting you guys know what I'm doing in case anyone has comments or suggestions.

Got the Big Pioneer touchscreen DVD/CD/Radio in today and will probably put it in shortly. Also got the AC resistor in and will do that tomorrow.

 

[Scottsu150]

sorry, didn't mean to bash your new ride, and to be honest my wife loves, it but she does not have to fix it.

 

[ronwc]

Ac

Put in the new AC resistor this morning, AC was working but there was no difference between the 2 and 3 setting, 3 was same speed as 2. Thought for sure that the resistor would fix it, but didn't work.

Just found this write up and realized that is exactly what mine does, so I'll get a switch today - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160250&highlight=ac+speeds

 

[jghake]

I will be replacing an axle shaft seal tomorrow and using the 70-150 synthetic (Mobile 1 I think). I will let you know if it quiets down at all.

So I finished this yesterday and the leak seems to be gone. I ended up using Royal Purple 75w140 Full Synthetic. The axle wasn't super loud to begin with, but I have noticed it quieted down a little. There were other noises that I kept hearing coming from the back passenger wheel. It ended up being that all the pads wore off the e-brake shoes and there was chunks of pad stuck between the shoes and the drum/rotor.

 

[jrford]

i got an '04 too. so far it been a good truck, with 100k on it, there have been a few thing that have been replaced. for the most part i'd buy another one. the mpg i don't brag about but, hey, it tows well. Does well in the snow/rain or anything i throw at it.

how many miles? if it hasn't been done yet, i'd save you pennies for a trans rebuild if it hasn't been done yet. If you have LSD, and depending on the miles, those clutch packs have been known to wear out.

 

[ronwc]

Pioneer

Got the new Pioneer touchscreen radio in today, looks and sounds great. Sounds much cleaner, better highs and lows - has USB port, aux port for Ipod and plays DVD's. Great deal for $214 shipped off ebay. Had it up and working in about 1 hour. Must have unplugged AC fan switch, only working on low, but will open back up and fix tomorrow.

Also put on the 4 window deflectors, which looked real good when done. I really like these in the hot weather here in FL, I can leave the back windows opeded about 1" when parked, really helps.

The SUV is coming along, about have it where I want it. A few more small things, like the two rear seat recline levers.

Very nice driving, smooth and quiet. Filled it up last week and set trip odo, will find out next week what the milage in the city is, hoping for 16/17.

 

[jghake]

I have averaged 16.4 over the last 3300 miles (this figure includes a tank of E85. that tank I got 13.6). If I keep it about 60 and drive it nicely I've seen 18.8. (I use Gas Cubby for iPhone because my gas gauge is broken).

What head unit did you install? Can you take a picture of it all assembled?

 

[ronwc]

I have averaged 16.4 over the last 3300 miles (this figure includes a tank of E85. that tank I got 13.6). If I keep it about 60 and drive it nicely I've seen 18.8. (I use Gas Cubby for iPhone because my gas gauge is broken).

What head unit did you install? Can you take a picture of it all assembled?

If I could figure out how to post pics on here i would, but here is a link to the headunit I bought - http://www.ebay.com/itm/271015960956?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

If I can get 16/17 MPG I would be happy with that, but I do most my driving in the city. I am measuring now and will have a number by next week. I drive easy, but have a feeling I'm probably looking at 15 MPH. But as they say, what it is, is what it is. This new to me (2004) Explorer is like driving a luxury car compared to the old one, but still worried about reliability.

Off this morning to test fly a few new RC planes.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hi Ron- glad you're getting 'er up to spec... Just a note- if you join a free site like Photobucket, you can host pics there and just post the link in your post and pics will show up...

See here for a how-to: [url]http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2371394&postcount=2[/url]

Or, Elite members here can host pics and post from here also... That also supports the forum. I'm Elite, but I still use Photobucket...

 

[ronwc]

Pics

I'll get some pictures up later.

The new Explorer is one step forward, two steps back.

The new tinted window deflectors don't fit right, seems like the window channel isn't wide enough. So will probably take those off, although they looked good.

When putting in the new radio, I noticed an indention in the console lid. Looked closer and the plastic is cracked inside, and the lid is dented right where you rest your arm. That's 4 plastic parts I've found broken so far, two seat levers, one visor mirror lid and now the console. I can understand Ford trying to save $$$, but they make plastic parts nowdays that don't break.

Now today the ABS light comes on, I will look at that closer tomorrow.

Went ahead and orederd a new AC fan speed switch, I have to set mine between 3 and 4 to get speed 3, seems to be common. The AC seems to work better on speed 3, speed 4 is really loud.

Again, I like this SUV and don't mind fixing a few things, but hope things will smooth out.

 

[jghake]

Well good luck moving forward, I know how tough it can be having to put so much time, effort, and money into a new ride. Let me know if you can't find any parts in the junkyard. There are a few nearby that I wouldn't mind digging through for you. Of course I wouldn't charge you anything other than what it cost to buy/ship them!

My rear diff started whining really loud and I looked underneath and it was leaking fluid again... I spoke with O'Reilly's and they warrantied the seal AND two bottles of Royal Purple so all I am out is the time it took to do the work. If I have to tear this apart again, I have decided I am pushing it off a cliff!

 

[ronwc]

Mpg

Got the new AC blower switch in today and will replace tomorrow.

Filled the tank back up today and got my first mileage reading, 13.6 MPG city only, not too thrilled with that, was hoping for 16.

Another thing I noticed which is a potetial problem - went to a baseball game (TB Rays) with my kids. The Rays won 7 to 1 which was good, but when I got back in the Ex to leave, the door ajar light was on. Went ahead and came home and realized that the glass part of the tailgate was poppped from the key fob. I would think it would be programmed not to pop if the doors where locked.

 

[jghake]

Mine does open when the doors are locked with the fob. I noticed the same thing... What really bothered me was this was the only way I could figure out how to open the rear glass. I couldn't find any buttons or anything to open it other than the fob. It took me a while to realize that you can push the button under the tailgate (near the handle) to get it to open as well.

I was entering in my door code with the pin pad and if you press 5/6 (i think) AFTER you put in your code, the glass will pop too.

 

[ronwc]

road trip

Went on about a 200 mile road trip this weekend and noticed a few things about the new Explorer. First it rides very nice, quiet and comfortable. I was getting the rear while between 50 and 60, but realized some of it was tire noise. I have Goodyears that are about 1/2 worn. Not much whine at 70 which is where I was mostly cruising.

I got the AC blower switch but it was the wrong one, it seems they have two different switches. No big deal, got it cheap online and I can get the 3rd position by setting on 3 1/2.

I am going to pull out the rear ABS sensor this week and clean and see if that resets and turns off the ABS light. Have new custom mats coming in this week also.

The guy that bought my old 00 Explorer (a friend of mine) came by today and he really loves it. Still running perfect at 178k miles.