v8 explorer options?

[foolio]

im looking to buy a 95-01 explorer v8 so i can tow my ranger with it and use it as a dd. but it seems like every v8 i see forsale is an awd. did they make the v8 4wd models or did they only come as awd? tried searching but couldnt find anything. thanks in advance

 

[lounge lizard]

v-8's only came in awd

 

[Spdrcer34]

V8's were available in AWD, and 2WD (although VERY rare).

If you want a V8, with a real selectable 4WD (2Hi/4Hi/4Lo) trasnfercase, there are a few write-ups on swapping out the BorgWarner 4404 AWD transfercase, in favor of a Manual BorgWarner 4406 from an F-150.

If you are towing, I would ALSO buy the TorqueMonster Headers.....

Ryan

 

[Joe Dirt]

foolio- how much are you going to be towing?

 

[BrianDye]

Your only gonna find the AWD model, ive tried for a month now to see if any 4x4 V8's pop up on CL, and have yet to see any.

I hated the idea at first, (I came from a 92, 95, and another 95 4.0 4x4 which I loved).

AWD I have to say is great in the winter. I got my Explorer about 2 months ago now when it was still pretty warm outside, and AWD did me no good. (But did me no bad either) Ive heard it robs alot of power from the V8, which I dont doubt at all. I have basic mechanic skills, and here in the next couple months, I am for sure gonna do the 4406 swap. I also as Ryan said, want the TM headers. I already did a catback upgrade (Better muffler, dual outlet) and noticed a small gain (about .4 MPG), and a noticeable accelleration gain at higher RPMs.

I would say go for the V8 over the V6 anytime. So many more options, literally about the same gas mileage, better transmission, and just cooler overall

 

[windsors03cobra]

The AWD rules, the 5.0 AWD trucks are rock solid.
Buttons and lights wont get you through.
The newest of the second gens are the best IMO. Love the 4.6 in the 3rd gens but that independent rear suspension is mostly junky.

 

[Hartman]

I have a 2WD V8....if I was able to find one in the midwest, they are not that rare

Although I would prefer an AWD

 

[Spdrcer34]

Hartman.....you have to know that they REALLY are pretty rare. My local Ford Dealer told me that less than 10% of all Explorers were 2WD. And the V8's make up for less than 1/2 of that...

When I got my donor truck a couple years ago, it was AWD. I spent almost a year looking for a 2WD transmission. I ALMOST rebuilt mine just so I could swap out the output shaft, as I wasn't having any luck finding a 2WD.

Ryan

 

[ericautopart]

My AWD gets me through deep snow and it much less of a hassle to drive around when it's half snow covered. Works well in the rain and even some sand/mud. I never have to worry about what gear I'm in..etc. No need to knock on AWD.

 

[foolio]

well i picked up a 96 v8 with 122k and didnt realize it was a 2wd. OOPS! oh well i didnt plan on doing any mudding with it anyways "thats whats the ranger is for"

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Now you need a set of Torque Monster's. They will make a huge difference especially since you will be towing with it.

 

[beach]

Hartman.....you have to know that they REALLY are pretty rare. My local Ford Dealer told me that less than 10% of all Explorers were 2WD. And the V8's make up for less than 1/2 of that...

When I got my donor truck a couple years ago, it was AWD. I spent almost a year looking for a 2WD transmission. I ALMOST rebuilt mine just so I could swap out the output shaft, as I wasn't having any luck finding a 2WD.

Ryan

I don't know about that, we've had a couple 2nd and 3rd gens, all V8's, and all rwd..... very easy to find. Their all over the place. Even the V6's we've had were 2wd. I've driven a awd 5.0 and big difference, the 2wd is much more responsive and feels more powerful everywhere.... that awd really robs the power in these trucks.

 

[foolio]

Now you need a set of Torque Monster's. They will make a huge difference especially since you will be towing with it.

dont think ill ever be able to dump that much on a set of headers though.

 

[Spdrcer34]

V8's were in about 25% of all the 96-01 Explorers...and of that only about 10% of those were 2WD....They MAY be easy to find in your neighborhood...but believe me....They ARE rare.

1980's GM G-body cars (Cutlass, Regal, Monte Carlo...etc) were very rare to find without A/C....but here in the NW, dealers didn't order alot of them with A/C, as it isn't used alot. So they are ALL OVER the place....

Ryan