v8 or v6???

[Jim M]

I have a 97 sport which my daughter is buying and I need to replace it.
I do off roading in canada on old logging roads. Would the v8 awd and limited slip be ok for that? I was going to look for a 2000 or 2001. Also the boat landings are very steep and rough basicly your driving on lake bed. On my 97 I had to use low range to get the boat out. Also in case anyone is interested I used the 97 sport ohv to plow my drive for about 4 years. No trouble at all. Sams sells the plows for $999.99. Of course you have to take it easy.

 

[section525]

The AWD will eat a logging trail alive. Go with the V8. You won't be disappointed.

But before any knuckle-head comes here and tells you AWD is not as good offroad as 4WD (because everyone needs the ultimate offroad machine), let me tell you first.

AWD is not as good offroad as 4WD.

 

[Alec]

Yup. For towing, logging roads, plowing, etc; the 5.0 and AWD will be great. Basically hardcore rock crawling or mudding is where you need the 2 speed tcase.

 

[Jim M]

Thanks for the input. I always wanted a mustang so I guess I'll settle for an old 5.0 in an Explorer. With the 5.0 I can have a nice set of duals put on it. Also I am leary of the 4.0 sohc. Seems like lots of cam troubles. I'm looking for a 2001 v8 with the 16" wheels. Do you know the axle code for ls? I was told if it was 2 numbers it was regular and a letter and number it was ls. Also did they have skid-plates?

 

[section525]

About 95% of AWD Explorers came with 3.73LS axles. Chances are the one you're looking at has that. The code is D4 though.

 

[jimbo74]

the axle code is dependant on which gears you have and carrier.... the d4 is probably the best and that is a 3.73 gear ration and a limited slip

 

[five-o-feen]

i have been wondering this myself, since i have the mustang already (explains the name) but i think i gotta stick with the 5.0 on the explorer/mountaneer i buy

 

[Jim M]

I guess I will stick with the 5.0.
It might be easier to find a clean mountaineer with the v8. They sold more of them with v8. The only thing is finding one with 16" wheels and IS
might take a little looking, especially a clean one. My 97 looked like new yet. My daughters friends couldn't believe it was a 97.
Thanks again for the input.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

for what your use is....a 5.0 AWD will be fine...

I was very scared because after I bought mine I realized it didn't have a 2 speed Xfer case (I was all stoked that it was a 5.0 like my stang)...

and I've had it through hell and back on rocks/hills/deep mud/sand/deep snow/ just about anything I can drive over with it I have....

I have had 0 problems....also I really don't think it needs a 4 low....I can climb hills with a light touch of the gas that my friends have to put their F-150's in 4-low...

the only reason I wish it had a 4-low was for crawling down steep grades for extended periods so I don't toast the brakes...

 

[Mbrooks420]

I was worried about the off road prowess of the v8(but I was willing to let that go for something with a reliable drivetrain) but I have since found that it is VERY capable, and I prefer the AWD to the automatic 4wd anytime. The AWD is more smooth, and faster to engauge than the A4wd. The AWD is almost transparent, plus it relies on no computers.

 

[Jim M]

I did a lot of searching and calling and so far I can't find any with 16" wheels. The merc dealers tell me 16" wasn't available. I know the EB's had 16". If I end up buying a merc with 15" can I put on a larger tire that will give as good a ride as the 16" and not screw up the speedo
or gearing?? Also I don't want to put
money into new wheels. The dealer also told me that all v8 awd had ls.
Do you believe that?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Why do you want the 16in wheels so bad? You can always buy one with the 15's and then add the 16's and either have larger tires and redo the speedo gear, or get tires that are close to the same od as the ones with the 15's. Why would you disbelieve all v8 awd's have the limited slip? All the v-8's I looked at had it.

 

[Jim M]

Did some more looking and so far the v8's I checked do have axle code d4 so they are ls.
As for 16 or 15, the 16 takes the gravel and ruts better from what I have experienced. Don't want to mess with new rims or speedo gears. Maybe a 265x75 or 265x70 would do it?
I question the ls on all of them because it was about a $300.00 option and they just don't add it to all for free. If it is on all v8's then it must have been part of the awd package. As long as I am still looking I can be particular and get what I want the 1st time.

 

[C5 Pewter Coupe]

from what I understand the AWD applies about 30% power to the front and 70% to the rear at all times, using some type of differential in the transfer case. I don't know if it can lock up sending 50/50 power evenly, and it dosn't have the low range that I've grown accustomed to in a 4x4 which is why I got the 4.0 SOHC Explorer 4x4 instead of a 5.0..

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

no it's 35/65%

"and faster to engauge than the A4wd" AWD does NOT "engauge" it's ALLWAY's kicked in..it's never not in awd...

my dad's 97 v8 awd will do just as good as my 4x4

 

[section525]

I believe the power is variable up to 95% to either axle.

 

[Jim M]

I think your right with that
95pct. I saw that in a catalog a couple years ago.

 

[Mbrooks420]

and faster to engauge than the A4wd" AWD does NOT "engauge" it's ALLWAY's kicked in..it's never not in awd..

I understand how the AWD works. I have it. I mean it shifts more power to the front axle faster, and smoother than auto 4wd. In my auto it took almost a second from my back wheels slipping, to the front kicking in to the point where it helped. The AWD shifts more power to the front in less than a 1/4 turn of the rear wheels. As for the 16's taking gravel and ruts better, that would just be due to a larger tire. Get a set of 30's(I dunno the metric equal) amd you should be set. I assume limited slip was part of the AWD package, tho it may have been a "no cost" option, so some may not have it. I don't know for sure.