Tips on buying an Explorer

[mellowyellow]

Hi Everyone,

I just registered and was wondering if someone can point me towards the right direction.

After weeks of going through car ads for a winter car, I decided that I want a Ford Explorer. An Accord, Camry or Maxima may be a little cheaper to own but I need a tough car that I can park on the mean streets of NYC and the sedans that I mentioned before won't survive through bad parallel parkers who use your bumper as an indication to "stop".

I didn't find a place on this site that has pre-purchase faqs and/or tips. If it is out there, please let me know where I can find it.

I found a 1991 Explorer 2dr for sale in the city. The borrower wants $1,250 for it. It has about 100,000 miles on it. I'm going to take a look this weekend. I read a thread about older explorers and I believe the things to look for are the transmission, the wheel bearings, u joints, radius arm bushings, and the AC. Can someone tell me what I can expect to pay to redo the tranny, replace bearings, u joints, etc. from an independent shop?

Finally, can someone from the NY/NJ area recommend a place to perform a pre-purchase inspection?

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[Heath]

HOLY CRAP, I don't believe my eyes... Someone joined the board and used the search feature BEFORE asking a bunch of quesions that have been answered a million times...

Welcome aboard man... As for the Tranny if you can do any wrenching yourself, you can get one on ebay for around $700, a tranny shop would probably charge you in the 1800-2200 range...

We have a few other memebers in NYC, maybe they could help you check them out...

 

[mellowyellow]

Thanks Heath. I'm looking forward to it. By the way, I meant "seller", not "borrower" in my original post. Mixing work (banking) with play again.

 

[88vert]

Sounds like a pretty good price.Is it auto or stick?4x4?

 

[mellowyellow]

It's a 2dr auto 4x4. Won't know until I see it though. The ad said it's an XLT but I just found on this site that in 1991 there were no XLT 2drs. Go figure!

 

[jasonscottw]

91 X

hey mellowyellow, i'm in NYC and have a 91 explorer 2dr that i just rebuilt the tranny on- around here the best price seems to be about $2200- I purchased the truck about a year ago, and also did the u-joints, wheel bearings, starter/starter solenoid, exhaust, shocks, tires- I would definitely look out for those problems . . .

 

[nserafini]

When I got my '93, It had a slew of little problems. Wheel bearings, u-joints, brakes ( front/rear rotors/drums calipers ).
So far I've put $500 or so in between parts and labor, not really that bad at all ...

Rule of thumb for me, when I purchase a used car, I always do a basic tune-up ( plugs/wires/oil filter /air filter / Anti-freeze flush, check belt / check hoses ) I prefer to know what's in there from day one ...

And like below, you can get a rebuilt trans for $650-$800 off e-bay, and still make out like a bandit on shipping.

Also, check for a spare tire !!! and the hanger and jack and the wrench ... Hate to pay for it, drive away and blow a tire !!!

Final note, if you are like me ( and that's scary ) Pick up a decent set of tools. I've found that searching this board makes you want to tear things in your X apart, and not having the right tool stinks !

 

[Rhett]

I would check for these things on the 1991 Explorer:

1) ask about the transmission, if its ever given trouble, if it has ever been rebuilt, has owner done fluid/filter changes on it, etc.
2) look under the truck for leaks, especially on the place where the transmission meets the engine (rear main seal); if there are any, or any wetness, you might beat them down on the price (although it seems to be a good price for a 4x4 anyway!)
3) make sure the 4x4 works. If it doesn't, they should drop the price;
4) the A/C is R-12 (the old type of refrigerant); if it is the new type of refrigerant (R-134a) then it has been added on later because 1991 Explorers had R-12.
5) door handles; inside and outside ones tend to wear out after 10 years on these trucks
6) make sure it's got a spare tire under the rear end
7) check the brakes, make sure there's no vibration on stopping, etc.; if there is, make them lower the price.

Like I said, $1250 is a good deal for a working 4x4 vehicle...how many 4x4's can you get for that price? Not many. 100,000 is low miles for a 91, too. If it's been properly maintained (oil changes, etc.) then there's no reason it won't last 200,000 + ; the transmissions were the weak point on 1991-92 trucks and they tend to go about 150,000 before needing work (best case).

 

[mellowyellow]

Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions (Jason, Nser, Rhett). I'll definitely look out for these things. Unfortunately, the guy sold the Explorer before I made it out there I'm going to keep looking though. Hey Jason, where do you go to get your truck worked on? It'd be nice to know a place before I need it. Thanks again folks!

 

[jasonscottw]

hey mellowyellow, I actually posted my explorer for sale in the "for sale/trade area", if you are still looking/interested you can check it out there. Definitely more $$$$ then the one you were looking at, but all the usual problems have been dealt with, including a fresh tranny rebuild.
I love it and kind of don't want to sell it, but I need a pickup and having two cars in the city is a nightmare . . .