Tips from you - Buying a 1996 2dr 5spd today

[jimwww]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if you have any tips or... as I am going to go see/buy a 1996 Explorer Sport 2dr 5spd, 6 cyl with a speedometer that does not work. Anything I should keep my eye on - other than wet seals or drips from below etc (usual things when looking for used)

 

[wwrightsc]

Check anything power (radio, seats, windows,etc.). Before I got my explorer, I looked at buying a different one that had a back window and side mirrors that didn't work.

 

[team]

I have a 96sport also, first do a car fax for wrecks, odometer rollback, etc.
-Then check and make sure the 3rd brake light works (because the 96 is not just a bulb), ac works, make sure it will blow air from all the positions (defrost, floor, vent,etc.) and will go from hot to cold.
-If it is 4wd, make sure it works since the 96s have CAD that is just one more thing that can go bad. ALso make sure CV axle boots aren't busted.
-Check rear defroster, wiper and squirter.
-Look in the expansion tank and see if the fluid is all rusty looking, if the engine is cold look in the radiator fluid to see if it is rusty looking

If you don't mind me asking, what are they asking for this vehicle and how many miles does it have?

 

[jimwww]

the 96s have CAD - Hmm What does that mean? Good Idea about the fluids and overflow tank. Not sure how you would tell if a defroster works in the summer time as well. 225,oookm so about 140,ooo miles i think. No Rust in Vancouver here so no worries there. I think I can get it for 1200. cdn

 

[team]

Center Axle Disconnect for the front axle.

 

[jimwww]

Ok.. will check it. I hear that the 4wd sometimes does not work on them - mainly because of a computer. Is that true or was that just for 1st gen?

 

[jimwww]

I decided to buy it - talking to Mechanics tonight and need to get çheck engine light fixed - prob catyl or 02 sensor. E Brake and speedometer needs to be fixed as well.

 

[imp]

We traded our '96 w/ auto trans, bought w/109K mi. on it, at 198K for a '99 w/5-spd. manual trans, 119K, sold that one w/151K, both these vehicles proved to be about the best we have had regarding reliability.

Both had the 4.0L pushrod engine, which was cast iron, but I have not heard bad input about the SOHC particularly, and now we are working on our 3rd. Explorer, an '04 w/4.0L SOHC & automatic; this vehicle tracks the highway astoundingly well! (I can sleep for a minute or 2 at a time, and still be centered in my lane!). imp

(almost)

 

[EricM9104]

Check the E brake... For sure!!! I checked mine out to see if they needed adjusted... Half of the shoes were missing... And found out one of my rear wheel bearings were shot.

 

[jimwww]

Well I drove to my mechanics and that was for an hour on the hwy - amazing - you would never know that it had that kind of mileage on it. Needs a couple bulbs as well. Nice to have a radio in it as well. I wasn't thinking but the fenders - or ender trim is different. It does not have the thick black trim like the later ones - but just a thin line of chrome- does anyone know if it is possible to add the thick black instead?
Mine:

1997:

Nice feeling to be a sport owner.