third generation vs. second generation

[Ranger482]

hey guys,

i have just a few questions as i am looking to upgrade from my 98 explorer to atleast a 02. I have the sohc v6, now, and will probably stick with that motor. I will also probably stick with the XLT package. My questions are these:
1.) Did they improve the ride at all? How do you like the independent rear suspension?
2.) Are the new 4.0 sohc motors any more powerful, i tow a boat, so i need power, mainly torque.
3.) Is the interior any more roomy?
4.) Are there any major problems to look out for in the newer explorers?

Thanks for any input. Also, anyone looking for a CHEAP 98 let me know.

 

[Curtis]

I have a 96, and an 04, both XLT's

I love my 96 and its treated me really well so I dont plan on getting rid of it. Actually the 96 will had become my ride and the 04 is my wife's.

I really like the 04. Its a 4.6 though and I love the power and take off compared to the 96. Its much better. The ride of the 04 is 10 times better than the 96, and its much quieter. The 3rd gen is also bigger. when parked next to each other, the 04 its higher and wider than the 96. Seats are more comfortable. I feel like im almost laying down in the 96 but feel more upright in the 04. My wife can see better in the 04 because she feels higher in the seat.

I dont think you will regret moving up to an 02+
If you can swing it, go 03+
02 being the first year of production there are some common problems like 4x4 module, rear end noises, bearings etc.

 

[Thelt]

I have an '02 and I am very happy with it. I have never owned a 2nd gen but I have had an Xterra and a Durango and the Explorer is quieter, rides and handles better and is all around more comfortable than those two were. The Xterra was a good car too though but the Explorer is a lot bigger than it even though it does not look it.

I have the V6 and it has plenty of power for me. I used it to tow a small camper (about 3,000 pounds) for a while with no problems.

 

[2Fish]

hey guys,

i have just a few questions as i am looking to upgrade from my 98 explorer to atleast a 02. I have the sohc v6, now, and will probably stick with that motor. I will also probably stick with the XLT package. My questions are these:
1.) Did they improve the ride at all? How do you like the independent rear suspension?
2.) Are the new 4.0 sohc motors any more powerful, i tow a boat, so i need power, mainly torque.
3.) Is the interior any more roomy?
4.) Are there any major problems to look out for in the newer explorers?

Thanks for any input. Also, anyone looking for a CHEAP 98 let me know.

I bought an 03 xls recently and can give this comparison. A friend of mine has a 2000 model xlt with roughly 140,000 miles (I considered buying it, but he changed his mind and decided not to sell it).

The 03 rides better, hands down. The 03 has more body roll in a curve though.

Towing wise, pulling the same 16 foot trailer (same trip on different days) with 4 quads he gets better fuel economy. It also appears he has more power pulling. I don't get this one, might be gear ratios. I get 1.5 mpg better than his without the trailer (could be driving styles). The 03 rides better with the trailer.

The interior appears slightly roomier in the 03 and has better front cup holders (woot-woot). The 03 is definately quieter going down the road (a lot less miles on the 03). The 2000 looks better imo, the 03 is getting closer to a mini van.

I've heard scary stories about the 02, I've had no problems in my 5,000 miles, but I'm new to explorers so I am not an authority by any means.

 

[jp450]

I recently traded my 99 sport in for an 05 XLT. The ride is much better than the sport but the 99 went off road MUCH better than the 05. There were a few of the "creature comforts" that the 99 had that the 05 didn't. Which I was very surprised at.

I got the 4.6 in the 05 and am VERY glad that I did. Compared to the SOHC there is more torque and I get better mileage than the 4.0...

 

[IAmTodd]

I like the newer ones. Ride is much improved, interior is much larger, 3rd row seat available. For towing I would recomend a 4.6 V8 with the Heavy Duty trailor package. There is little to no difference in fuel economy(our '02 would get 20-22 on the highway with 4X4 and 3.73s). I would also recomend an '03 or newer. '02s just had too many bugs since it was the first year for the major redesign.

I wouldn't personally bother with the 4.0 in a Gen3.

 

[Ranger482]

what is everybody getting for mielage with the 4.6? the whole reason for me getting the 4.0 was for mileage, but to tell the truth, it is horrible, i am lucky to get 14 and maybe 15 on occasion, and when i tow my boat it is around 11, whichi is killing me. I really like the 4.6 motor, so i really think that is the route i am going to go.

 

[Curtis]

what is everybody getting for mielage with the 4.6? the whole reason for me getting the 4.0 was for mileage, but to tell the truth, it is horrible, i am lucky to get 14 and maybe 15 on occasion, and when i tow my boat it is around 11, whichi is killing me. I really like the 4.6 motor, so i really think that is the route i am going to go.

In my 04 4.6, I'll get approx 13-14 in the city, and up to 17.5 on the highway.
All depends on how you drive it too... There are some tanks where I could get as low as 11 in the city but thats usually a stressfull week at work and then I drive like it too. Usually I take it pretty easy. Some one else mentioned here you should drive your 4.6 like there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal to get the best milage. Oh and mine is 4x4 too. 2WD would be a little better then my numbers.

 

[IAmTodd]

Also had a Mac intake installed. (For sale BTW)

 

[2Fish]

what is everybody getting for mielage with the 4.6? the whole reason for me getting the 4.0 was for mileage, but to tell the truth, it is horrible, i am lucky to get 14 and maybe 15 on occasion, and when i tow my boat it is around 11, whichi is killing me. I really like the 4.6 motor, so i really think that is the route i am going to go.

I would think you should be doing better than 14. I live in a rural area so I don't measure city mileage. Overall mileage without a trailer is consistantly 20.9 on my 03 4.0. That pleases me.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

14-15 MPG overall is about right for the 4.0, maybe 17 on the highway.

I burn E85 in mine instead of gasoline, so I take a little hit on fuel economy, but it's close to a dollar a gallon cheaper than unleaded, so it comes out in the wash. With mine in daily driving I usually average 13 or so MPG. Some times better, some worse. Straight highway driving on a trip, I'll get 16+, and one record setting tank delivered a tick over 18 MPG!

As a manager of a used car dealership, I've driven a little of everything, and the '02+ Explorers do ride much better than the previous generation, but their extra weight seems to rob a bit of the "fun factor" out of them...A 4.0 SOHC in a pre-'02 will go like a scalded dog, whereas the '02+ is just okay. The 4.6 is a must-have if you want better than average acceleration in a newer Explorer.
I do think the Gen II ('95-'01) was the best looking Explorer...The newer ones look too bland, IMHO.

 

[aldive]

I do think the Gen II ('95-'01) was the best looking Explorer...The newer ones look too bland, IMHO.

I concur.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, everything in the 03+ Explorer's is improved except looks.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

Ditto, everything in the 03+ Explorer's is improved except looks.

Today I was talking to a customer with a really nice clean '92 Explorer 4-door XLT, and the more I looked at it, the more I see the design cues from the Gen I carrying over to the Gen III, but skipping the Gen II. The flat, slab-sided lines and high, wide grille on the Gen III are more reminiscent of the first ones than a gradual evolution of the model. The Gen IV ('06-current) is definitely an evolution of the Gen III, but the Gen II kind of stands out as unique in most every sense.
Maybe that's why I like them the best...They tend to stand out from the crowd a bit more than any other gen of Explorer. I especially like the Limited package on a Gen II. That was the best trim level on them IMHO. Dare I say it's almost "sexy"? It definitely had more eyeball than other lower trim levels.

The Gen III Limiteds are about as bland as the lesser trim levels...Aside from the chrome wheels and a little chrome and stainless steel trim, you can't really tell one apart from an XLT if you don't really know what you're looking at. I think the Eddie Bauer was the best looking trim level on these, with the gold secondary color kind of setting off the wide, flat panels of these, and also giving it more identity to its trim level.

 

[CDW6212R]

Exactly Mike, the 95-01's have more character. That's what I like more about the Mark VII more than the Mark VIII. I miss my first 91 Special Edition;