v8 or v6???

[Bartman]

You can have tow + sport too!

I thought the V6 SOHC with the 4.10, side steps, and 16" tires only come with the Sports Package and the tow package comes with the 15" tires and 3.73 with all the wiring and cooler?

KVO,

No. I live in CO and they don't sell any Explorers w/o the tow package (or so I was told). Too many toys here. I loved the look of the Sport package + bigger wheels + lower gears for the (as of now only planned) lift + bigger tires. I had no trouble here getting both packages on mine.

John

 

[TPLYNCH]

Jjue, just remember you are driving (at least I assume from your signature) a Mounty w/o the AWD. The AWD system adds alot of weight and is a significant drag on MPG, so your numbers will be skewed. I'm guessing BobinIL is in Illinois, so he may definitely want the AWD or 4x4 option for those lovely winter snows...... Also, as an aside, there were reports that the later year 5.0 engines were not as sound or sturdy as they used to be due to lack of maintenance of the castings since the engine was being discontinued.

 

[SteveVB]

choose the trans not the engine!!!

If you are going to tow then the V-8 is the one to get for the sole reason you get a TRANSMISSION that can stand it- both of the engines are excellent its the rest of the drivetrain that you need to be concerned about. With no towing the V-6 and drivetrain would be fine, but Ford has poor transmissions(across their product lines IMO) and you want the beefiest you can get - the 4r70w is heads above the A4ld bretheren 4r55, 5r55 on the v-6s .

V-8 add an aux cooler and you should be able to tow with no problems.

good luck

 

[jjue]

Originally posted by TPLYNCH
Jjue, just remember you are driving (at least I assume from your signature) a Mounty w/o the AWD. The AWD system adds alot of weight and is a significant drag on MPG, so your numbers will be skewed. I'm guessing BobinIL is in Illinois, so he may definitely want the AWD or 4x4 option for those lovely winter snows...... Also, as an aside, there were reports that the later year 5.0 engines were not as sound or sturdy as they used to be due to lack of maintenance of the castings since the engine was being discontinued.

Well, even with ControlTrac on the V6, it still adds a little weight and a little drag. Overall, the curve is attenuated downward slightly due to the transfer case of both vehicles.

 

[LXTra]

With intake and exhaust mods an SOHC 4.0 will be within 30 ft/lbs and have more power than the 302. It will get better mileage every day and the 5R55E tranny is pretty sweet in my opinion but you wouldn't want to tow in O/D with it but I don't think that's recommended w/any tranny. Of course if you made similar mods to the 5.0 you'd be leaps and bounds ahead of the 4.0. The tow package will include the 4.10 LS rear and a transmission cooler.

If you only need to tow a few times a year and aren't a gearhead go with the V6....I'm starting to waffle. Why not just get the 5.0. That way it will be much easier to install the D.S.S. Racing Super Pro Bullet 347 stroker that you want. Oh wait, that's me... I'm pretty sure that I tricked myself into buying the V6 so I wouldn't be tempted to do that. But seriously, go and drive an example of each before you decide.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by LXTra
Why not just get the 5.0. That way it will be much easier to install the D.S.S. Racing Super Pro Bullet 347 stroker that you want. Oh wait, that's me... I'm pretty sure that I tricked myself into buying the V6 so I wouldn't be tempted to do that.

that would be cool....
too bad you didnt get the V-8 and do that (add a supercharger and some nitrous too...)

 

[RFR2212]

Get the V-8. I can drive a 2001 V-8, and keep good MPG.

Espnfreak- If I'm not mistaken, only the 2002 explore has the 4.6 V-8 where as everything older has the 5.0

Pete

 

[southtxexplorer]

For what it is worth

I tow an approx. 3,750 lb boat and a 16' utility trailer. I have logged many miles with the boat (100 to 250 miles every other week) and have not been disappointed with the V-6. I really like having the option of putting it in low range on some the steeper ramps around here. As far as highway performance, I think the V-6 is fine. It is definitly not a race car, but, it accelerates ok and once at speed, does not have any problem maintaining 70+ mph. Of course, I should mention that it is very flat here. If there were mountains, or large hills, I think it would be underpowered. With respect to the flat bed, I overloaded it with dirt once and it was amazing how the performance dropped. I took several minutes to even get to 40 mph.

 

[Andy C]

sohc

i have the sohc and pull three quads on a steel trailer two or three times a month and have no problems even on steep grades in temps above 100 degrees. pro comp makes a nice add-a-leaf set thats cheap and easy to install that will eliminate the rear sag when towing.

 

[RTStork]

I have the 5.0 and 3.73 gears and I get 19mpg on the Hwy. Its 2 wheel drive , so the 4x4 would probabnly be only 1 or 2 mpg less. I doubt the V6 gets much if any better, and I'll bet money that the V6 will get worse mpg than the V8 when towing a heavy load. So, gas mileage with the V8 is not even an issue to worry about.

 

[steveh]

What is the topography of the area in which you plan on towing? If you plan on towing your boat across the rockies I would say the V8 is marginally better. Otherwise the V6 should be adequate, especially if you are only planning on using it as a tow vehicle ocasionally. As long as you drive sensibly (not fast) you should be fine. Also don't rely on the trailer's brakes. You are not going to have much acceleration but not many tractor trailers do either and they manage without problems. If given the option get the lowest rear axle ratio you can find. Also, if it doesn't have a transmission fluid cooler, I would add one as it is relatively cheap and will help your transmission last longer. All of that said, the most important aspect of a SAFE tow vehicle is the length of its wheelbase. Longer gives you more stability and safety margin. Make sure the trailer is set up properly with enough weight on the tongue of the trailer, and working brakes.

 

[jjue]

Originally posted by steveh
What is the topography of the area in which you plan on towing? If you plan on towing your boat across the rockies I would say the V8 is marginally better.

So, the 302 is marginally better? I beg to differ.

We got the forklift stuck outside the building this past summer, and the only vehicle with enough power was my '97 Mountaineer V8. I put my 4x2 with one wheel on the sidewalk and the other in the grass at a weird angle. Basically, I was forcing my limited-slip differential to do all the work on 1 wheel. After a couple of jerks, it came on out.

Plus on top of that, so many cheap upgrades can be done with the 302 to improve fuel economy and power. More engine parts are also available.

 

[jjue]

Originally posted by espnfreak
get a new explorer for the power. those 4.6's are beasts. if your going through the mountains it will be horrible. but stephen dont you think for towing you dont need to gun the car? i mean your meant to go slow when towing. not flooring it around

Nope, those 4.6L's don't make nearly the amount of torque that the Explorer 302 did stock. Mine was rated at the factory at 288 ft.-lb. at 3200 rpm (I think) (corrected due to the fact that the '97 Mountaineer had SS headers and the '97 Explorer didn't), most of it very low rpm. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the 4.6L has less stroke, and it has to wind up a lot to make it's torque, 4000 rpm for its 282 ft.-lb. On top of that with all the aftermarket parts available and cheap 5.0 Mustang tricks, I'm making about 225-230 hp and now over 300 ft.-lb. of torque for about $100.

 

[steveh]

Originally posted by jjue


So, the 302 is marginally better? I beg to differ.

I have no doubt that the V8 has more power however he said this was to be a daily driver with which he was hoping to get good fuel efficiency. I think you will be hard pressed to find a road that he is NOT able to traverse towing 4000 lbs with the V6. If he is towing at high altitude in the Rockies he will not be happy with either the normally aspirated V6 or V8. Perhaps a turbo diesel but none of the engines offered with the explorer will perform well under those conditions.

I average 22 MPG everyday driving with my '95 2 door Sport 5 speed. How thisty is the V8?

 

[RTStork]

I average 22 MPG everyday driving with my '95 2 door Sport 5 speed. How thisty is the V8?

I get 17-19mpg with my V8 auto. If they had a 5 speed for the V8, it would help. Pulling a heavy load, I bet the V6 would get worse mileage, but who gets a Explorer for gas mileage? If we want gas mileage we'd get a civic, corolla, etc.

 

[C5 Pewter Coupe]

Originally posted by kvo
Bartman -

I thought the V6 SOHC with the 4.10, side steps, and 16" tires only come with the Sports Package and the tow package comes with the 15" tires and 3.73 with all the wiring and cooler?

Is it an option for both the tow package and the sports package?

I have a 01 XLT 4x4 with 4.0 SOHC with the sport and towing package.. it has the 4.10 gears, side steps and 16" tires and wiring harness..

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by steveh

I average 22 MPG everyday driving with my '95 2 door Sport 5 speed. How thisty is the V8?

but that's the OHV V-6.
the SOHC has more power and better fuel economy.