Thinking of going from a 2nd gen to a 4th gen! How do you all like the 4th gen?

[joney]

Sadly, my 98 Ex stopped going in reverse. Don't have the $$ to fix the tranny! Finding a few 4th gens in my Rust Belt area. How are they on rust? I Think they went back to a truck frame for the 4th gen, and I really do need the 4wd. What's your likes/dislikes on the 4th gen?

 

[94Eddie]

If you are going for a 4th gen then be sure to buy a V8 model. The engine and transmission in them are very reliable an don't have the engineered in problems of the SOHC V6 and the 5R55 transmission. Plus, with the V8 you will get 80+ more horsepower, more torque, better mpg and a very reliable six speed transmission. As for the rest, I have owned two 3rd gens and the 4th gen is a little more refined and can have more creature comforts like heated seats, memory seat positioning, much more sophisticated OEM head unit, etc. The 4th gens are about the same as the 3rd gens regarding rust. I strongly suggest that you find one outside of the rust belt or one that has been treated regularly with an oil, or wax, based rust preventer. When you do find one then make a point to get it treated for rust prevention. Doing this will give you many more years of use which is an excellent compliment to the V8 drive train's longevity when it is maintained properly.

 

[joney]

If you are going for a 4th gen then be sure to buy a V8 model. The engine and transmission in them are very reliable an don't have the engineered in problems of the SOHC V6 and the 5R55 transmission. Plus, with the V8 you will get 50+ more horsepower, more torque, better mpg and a very reliable six speed transmission. As for the rest, I have owned two 3rd gens and the 4th gen is a little more refined and can have more creature comforts like heated seats, memory seat positioning, much more sophisticated OEM head unit, etc. The 4th gens are about the same as the 3rd gens regarding rust. I strongly suggest that you find one outside of the rust belt or one that has been treated regularly with an oil, or wax, based rust preventer. When you do find one then make a point to get it treated for rust prevention. Doing this will give you many more years of use which is an excellent compliment to the V8 drive train's longevity when it is maintained properly.

That's quite encouraging! Better mpg with a v8 than a 6??? What's different about the head unit? I hope I can use my P235/75r15s on it as there's only 200 miles on them, sigh.

 

[94Eddie]

That's quite encouraging! Better mpg with a v8 than a 6??? What's different about the head unit? I hope I can use my P235/75r15s on it as there's only 200 miles on them, sigh.

The 4.6L 3V V8 is a more efficient engine than the 4.0L and the 6R60/6R80 six speed transmissions have an extra gear over the five speed 5R55 which are the reasons for the mpg advantage. Certain 4th gens come with a head unit that has a screen, navigation, a 1gb hard drive for music file storage, has a USB port, Bluetooth that syncs with smartphones and several other features. The rims should fit a 4th gen if they fit your 3rd gen but it might throw off your speedometer.

 

[wollimann]

The dad of a friend has a 4.6 and he loves it. He had a problem with a cracked header,
problem with the rear AC and rear wheel bearings, thats all until now.
If it's possible my next Explorer would be a 4th gen V8.

 

[joney]

The 4.6L 3V V8 is a more efficient engine than the 4.0L and the 6R60/6R80 six speed transmissions have an extra gear over the five speed 5R55 which are the reasons for the mpg advantage. Certain 4th gens come with a head unit that has a screen, navigation, a 1gb hard drive for music file storage, has a USB port, Bluetooth that syncs with smartphones and several other features. The rims should fit a 4th gen if they fit your 3rd gen but it might throw off your speedometer.

Great thing about the trans and engine! But my rims and tires are the p235/75r15 on my 2nd gen 98. Do all the 4.6 engines all come with AWD vs 4WD? Sounds like I could play Pandora from my Android through the head unit too.

 

[Flashflood]

If you are going for a 4th gen then be sure to buy a V8 model. The engine and transmission in them are very reliable an don't have the engineered in problems of the SOHC V6 and the 5R55 transmission. Plus, with the V8 you will get 50+ more horsepower, more torque, better mpg and a very reliable six speed transmission. As for the rest, I have owned two 3rd gens and the 4th gen is a little more refined and can have more creature comforts like heated seats, memory seat positioning, much more sophisticated OEM head unit, etc. The 4th gens are about the same as the 3rd gens regarding rust. I strongly suggest that you find one outside of the rust belt or one that has been treated regularly with an oil, or wax, based rust preventer. When you do find one then make a point to get it treated for rust prevention. Doing this will give you many more years of use which is an excellent compliment to the V8 drive train's longevity when it is maintained properly.

4th gens or even 3rd gens are great as long as you get a v8 I've never experienced a 3v but I did go take a 4th gen for a test drive once had a load of space and I do happen to love the interiors on a 3rd gens, but that's because i drove one for awhile. 4th gens can even come with an awd transfer case. 4th gens also come standard with sync 1 which allows for hands free communication and more. Unfortunately you'll have to sell your 235 75 15s cause they won't fit the hub on 4th or 3rd gens. Just keep in mind 4th gens are now 15+ years old so the v8s that can be found are probably beat to death or cost a lot, for a low mileage one happy shopping.

 

[Josh P]

What's your budget? I was browsing Craigslist and found this

2006 mercury mountaineer for sale by owner - Flagstaff, AZ - craigslist

Beautiful luxury SUV in exceptional original condition inside and out. 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier with All-Wheel Drive, 4.6L V8 engine, Elite Package including power folding third row seat and...

flagstaff.craigslist.org

 

[94Eddie]

What's your budget? I was browsing Craigslist and found this

2006 mercury mountaineer for sale by owner - Flagstaff, AZ - craigslist

Beautiful luxury SUV in exceptional original condition inside and out. 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier with All-Wheel Drive, 4.6L V8 engine, Elite Package including power folding third row seat and...

flagstaff.craigslist.org

This looks to be an exact copy of my 2010. If it has lived its life in the Southwest then it might be an excellent buy if it has been decently maintained.

 

[07EddyB]

As others have said try to get a V8 with the 6R60 - it's a good combination.
Having said that - it has it's problems. Then again - what car doesn't?
I bought my 07 in 08 with 17K miles on it - I'm at 140K right now. I think I learned more about working on cars from this thing than I have from anything I have ever owned.

• I've replaced the radiator twice. It isn't a simple process.
• I've replaced every wheel bearing at least once - some twice.
• I've replaced the passenger side exhaust manifold twice - it needs it again right now.
• I've had to fix the issue where the climate control only goes to defrost.
• I've replaced several climate control door motors.
• I've replaced a follower but fortunately I caught it before it got too bad so the cam lived.
• I've been through the transmission shudder which was solved by changing the fluid twice.
• I've been through a plug change which actually worked out well - the tool I bought in case they broke went unused.
• I've put new hood struts on it - the joke was they wore out because the hood was open so much.

That's a high level overview - I haven't listed maintenance like brakes and filters and diff fluid changes and such. I have done new struts on all four corners but I consider that maintenance. I have done everything myself - if you can work on it it's not expensive.

Having laid out the normal bad points - here is what I haven't done and don't have any reason to do currently (I list some of these because they seem to be issues from what I've heard that I haven't had).

• All my coils are the originals
• The starter hasn't been changed although the alternator has.
• Cam phasers and all other timing components haven't been touched.
• Injectors are all original.
• All half shafts are original.
• Fuel pump is original.
• U joints on front and rear driveshafts are original.
• Transmission is original - fluid and filter changes only.
• No work on any of the diffs - fluid change only.
• The throttle body has never been cleaned and the intake has never been off.
• No engine sensor has been changed.
• None of the wiring has been an issue (this is a common problem).

That's mine. I can say it literally runs and drives like it did when I bought it in 2008 - except for the exhaust tick on startup. Again - I bought it fairly new - only a year old so it lived it's life basically under my control. Buying one at this point you don't know how it was treated and how it was treated makes a big difference in what issues it will have.
So good luck - they are good vehicles but like everything else - in the wrong hands they can be ruined.

 

[07EddyB]

Odd that a post I made on Jan 12 is now showing as a new post from 4:18AM this morning. I assure you I was not awake at that time. Check out the dates on the reactions - Jan 12 and Jan 13.
Wonder how that happened?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Odd that a post I made on Jan 12 is now showing as a new post from 4:18AM this morning. I assure you I was not awake at that time. Check out the dates on the reactions - Jan 12 and Jan 13.
Wonder how that happened?

Sometimes I know mods can bump threads up in yhe timeline without bump posting, but I dont know how that works for inditivual posts

 

[Josh P]

Odd that a post I made on Jan 12 is now showing as a new post from 4:18AM this morning. I assure you I was not awake at that time. Check out the dates on the reactions - Jan 12 and Jan 13.
Wonder how that happened?

I've noticed this a few times, months old posts being bumped with no new activity.

 

[joney]

As others have said try to get a V8 with the 6R60 - it's a good combination.
Having said that - it has it's problems. Then again - what car doesn't?
I bought my 07 in 08 with 17K miles on it - I'm at 140K right now. I think I learned more about working on cars from this thing than I have from anything I have ever owned.

• I've replaced the radiator twice. It isn't a simple process.
• I've replaced every wheel bearing at least once - some twice.
• I've replaced the passenger side exhaust manifold twice - it needs it again right now.
• I've had to fix the issue where the climate control only goes to defrost.
• I've replaced several climate control door motors.
• I've replaced a follower but fortunately I caught it before it got too bad so the cam lived.
• I've been through the transmission shudder which was solved by changing the fluid twice.
• I've been through a plug change which actually worked out well - the tool I bought in case they broke went unused.
• I've put new hood struts on it - the joke was they wore out because the hood was open so much.

That's a high level overview - I haven't listed maintenance like brakes and filters and diff fluid changes and such. I have done new struts on all four corners but I consider that maintenance. I have done everything myself - if you can work on it it's not expensive.

Having laid out the normal bad points - here is what I haven't done and don't have any reason to do currently (I list some of these because they seem to be issues from what I've heard that I haven't had).

• All my coils are the originals
• The starter hasn't been changed although the alternator has.
• Cam phasers and all other timing components haven't been touched.
• Injectors are all original.
• All half shafts are original.
• Fuel pump is original.
• U joints on front and rear driveshafts are original.
• Transmission is original - fluid and filter changes only.
• No work on any of the diffs - fluid change only.
• The throttle body has never been cleaned and the intake has never been off.
• No engine sensor has been changed.
• None of the wiring has been an issue (this is a common problem).

That's mine. I can say it literally runs and drives like it did when I bought it in 2008 - except for the exhaust tick on startup. Again - I bought it fairly new - only a year old so it lived it's life basically under my control. Buying one at this point you don't know how it was treated and how it was treated makes a big difference in what issues it will have.
So good luck - they are good vehicles but like everything else - in the wrong hands they can be ruined.

What's your budget? I was browsing Craigslist and found this

2006 mercury mountaineer for sale by owner - Flagstaff, AZ - craigslist

Beautiful luxury SUV in exceptional original condition inside and out. 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier with All-Wheel Drive, 4.6L V8 engine, Elite Package including power folding third row seat and...

flagstaff.craigslist.org

Still looking, what do you think of this one? What should I pay particular attention to ? Still driving my 2nd gen without a reverse. For its age it's been a gem. 2006 ford explorer XLT - $4,000 (Minneapolis) https://images.craigslist.org/00U0U_9o3zH9qJnpK_0CI0t2_600x450.jpg

 

[94Eddie]

Still looking, what do you think of this one? What should I pay particular attention to ? Still driving my 2nd gen without a reverse. For its age it's been a gem. 2006 ford explorer XLT - $4,000 (Minneapolis)

The link is dead.

 

[J5hort]

I got both. 1995 Sport (2dr, manual with 4.0l) and 2008 XLT (V8, 4dr). Both were bought new and still running. The '08 has 238,000 miles on it.
I like the '95 as it has a manual transmission and 2 doors. It is lifted with 35" tires so it looks much better as an off roader than the '08. The '95 does not have as much power as the '08 and they are both pigs on gas. No major problems with either, I had to replace clutch master/slave cylinders and ran a new exhaust on the '95 (w/no cats) and other than wheel hubs/bearings on the '08 it has really been great. Just oil changes, brake jobs and general maintenance. Replaced trans filter once and will do again soon.

 

[michael loibl]

Original owner of my 2006 Eddie Bauer V6 and I am completely satisfied with its performance over the past 19 years. Transmission sometimes shifts, sloppy, and reverse requires gentle application of the throttle to avoid slipping. But it’s still the original five or 55 transmission, and it has towed a 3,000 pound Camper for many trips.

Never had any timing chain issues, but I change oil every 5,000 miles with whatever brand Oil is on sale at Walmart.

In 190,000 miles,I have done the following:

2 radiator replacements both under warranty in the first three years

Three out of the four wheel bearings replaced

One alternator replaced

One thermostat housing replaced

One harmonic balancer replaced

No complaints but my 2020 is much faster

 

[Fbird]

1 BIG issue with ALL 4th gens. NO POSITRACTION rear diff. Never offered!!! So you will need to persue that part on your own.
I did but these are things I have been doing for some 40 + yrs.

Adding a Locker to the rear diff

Looking at adding a powertrax locker to the rear useless open diff in my 06 2wd 4.0L. I have NOT dealt with lockers before as I'm more of a street rod guy not a mudder. Any daily driver issues with them? I know the work very well but still on the fence of a LSD carrier swap vs Locker drop in.

www.explorerforum.com

 

[michael loibl]

1 BIG issue with ALL 4th gens. NO POSITRACTION rear diff. Never offered!!! So you will need to persue that part on your own.
I did but these are things I have been doing for some 40 + yrs.

Adding a Locker to the rear diff

Looking at adding a powertrax locker to the rear useless open diff in my 06 2wd 4.0L. I have NOT dealt with lockers before as I'm more of a street rod guy not a mudder. Any daily driver issues with them? I know the work very well but still on the fence of a LSD carrier swap vs Locker drop in.

www.explorerforum.com

But 4th gens got the advance track stability control and traction control system, which kind of does the same thing by dragging the individual brake of the wheel that looses traction, forcing torque to the other tire on that axle.

 

[J5hort]

As I figured I jinxed the 2008 (Gen 4) by mentioning here previously. Tach, Speedo, Temp and Fuel gauge stopped working! LCD message screen still works with odometer, outside temp, etc. May need a reset or fuse. My understanding is that the cluster circuit board is programmed to specific vehicle, so not a direct swap. May need to have rebuilt or replace/reprogrammed. Still, no complaints for age and duty of vehicle.