What changed in 1998?

[MickeySpiers]

So I'm shopping for a "new" X for the missus, and like the prices of the '95 - '99 Explorers with the 302. I've seen many times that '98 to '01 is the way to go, but I'm having a hard time discerning why. What changed in '98? Same motor, slightly different heads (external EGR). The '95s had the vaccuum disconnect front axle, nice since I plan to swap in an actual transfer case, but obviously not there if I buy the "gotta have" '98 - '01. I gathered that the side airbags (nice) went in around 2000, same time as the air shox that nobody seems to like, but the changes form '97 are eluding me. Can anyone enlighten me here?

 

[section525]

They introduced the PATs system in '98 as well as moved the VSS from the tranny/tcase to the rear axle. New rear hatch, of course.

 

[MickeySpiers]

What's PATs? I saw from Jamie's how to swap in a transfer case thread how to overcome the VSS thing, so that doesn't matter much to me. I actually prefer the '95 - '97 hatch, I was expecting more changes. I'd seen someplace that the '95 - '97 Explorers were the most difficult to lift, were the suspensions different?

 

[BubbaFL]

I have a 97 and a 98, and I'd say that "everything" is different.

They ride, handle, and feel like totally different vehicles, not two years of one model. The 98 has a rougher ride, and seems to have a lot less soundproofing - it rattles, bangs, and clangs when it's rolling down the road. The 97 is a much quieter, smoother, and handles tighter.

98 also had a few notable "cost saving" features, like only a drivers power seat available (instead of both), no manual inside lock/unlock lever at the back gate, and the jack compartment cover has a different fastener, constantly comes loose and falls off.

 

[96eb96]

I have a 97 and a 98, and I'd say that "everything" is different.

They ride, handle, and feel like totally different vehicles, not two years of one model. The 98 has a rougher ride, and seems to have a lot less soundproofing - it rattles, bangs, and clangs when it's rolling down the road. The 97 is a much quieter, smoother, and handles tighter.

98 also had a few notable "cost saving" features, like only a drivers power seat available (instead of both), no manual inside lock/unlock lever at the back gate, and the jack compartment cover has a different fastener, constantly comes loose and falls off.

I read an article about an Explorer rollover lawsuit where Ford was forced to release documents stating the 98-01 ex's had slightly over bare minimum federal legal roof crush protection.

They allegedly removed some steel reinforcement giving it a bit less protection than the earlier models, that became a point in the lawsuit.

 

[gijoecam]

I have a 97 and a 98, and I'd say that "everything" is different.

They ride, handle, and feel like totally different vehicles, not two years of one model. The 98 has a rougher ride, and seems to have a lot less soundproofing - it rattles, bangs, and clangs when it's rolling down the road. The 97 is a much quieter, smoother, and handles tighter.

98 also had a few notable "cost saving" features, like only a drivers power seat available (instead of both), no manual inside lock/unlock lever at the back gate, and the jack compartment cover has a different fastener, constantly comes loose and falls off.

My 98 has the lock inside the hatch... It should have been on all the XLTs and up for sure... Not sure how yours came without one...

I read an article about an Explorer rollover lawsuit where Ford was forced to release documents stating the 98-01 ex's had slightly over bare minimum federal legal roof crush protection.

They allegedly removed some steel reinforcement giving it a bit less protection than the earlier models, that became a point in the lawsuit.

OK, so what? It's compliant with the requirements that were in place at the time, and yet some sue-happy citizen said, 'That's not good enough'.... I won't rant....

As mentioned, a few changes to the drivetrain, some hatch differences, a few wiring changes, but the big addition is the PATS... Passive Anti-Theft System; Ford's name for the chipped key necessary to start the vehicle. Without a previously programmed key, the ECU will not fire the ignition. It's probably the single best anti-theft item Ford ever added to any of its vehicles. The days of popping a door lock then popping the ignition tumbler are gone.

 

[Turdle]

The engine is different.In 98 they went to a better gt40-p cylinder head.

The transmission has a different valve body also.

 

[kfkodiak]

'98 was the first year for 2nd gen. (de-powered) airbags, if I remember correctly.

Here's a summary of changes by model year:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ford-explorer3.htm

 

[David in NC]

I discovered a functional difference between the early (95-97) and later (98-01) tailgates. One day as a hurricane was blowing into our area, I had the tailgate open so I could stay out of the rain while loading some important items into my 99 XLS. The open tailgate made a very nice cover to stand under while loading boxes. When I finished, I reached up and pulled down the tailgate and discovered that the newly designed license plate mounting area collects about a gallon and half of rain when left open and that it dumps it quickly on anyone near when closed! What the hell, it was a hurricane.

 

[Sbyrne97]

From what i have seen through the site and ebay as well

98

Heated Seats for Limited and Some EB

Manual Lumbar on the Xlt's and EB, still power on the Limiteds

Not sure but i think the side moulding and trim were a little different on the outside than the 97s

Green Cluster Lights

New Single CD radio and tape player

The 98's had a whole new tailgate, it was rounded with the license plate bracket mounted with it instead of the rear bumper, the two pillars around the window have no stupid black trim that fades and the rear wiper has the windshield washer sprayer mounted on it instead of on top of the window

98's third brake light was Led instead of neon tube, hence it never wore out

the 99+ had a New Front Bumper With fog lamp holes built in (No more crappy plastic valance!!) And New rear Bumper for the 98+

On the Mercury the grill was changed to be flipped upside down with clear head lamps which were unlike explorers glass ones

There is a small difference in the gauge cluster only 98's can do the sports white guage swap

The 98's had the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) mounted in the rear Diff. where the pre 97's had it placed in the Transfer Case

I think 99 was the first year with back up sensors for the EB + Limiteds

Rear glass is one tone of black unlike the 97 which was all black on the outer rim and tinted in the middle (the 98 looks better imo)

I dont know much about the other stuff it seems like the liftgates latch seemed to break alot more than the 95 and 97 i know that if you get a limited 97 it has air ride on all the wheels, 98+ only has it on the rear wheels to compensate for the solid rear axle unlike the IFS in the front

Oh im not sure but i think for changed the running boards the pre 97 were attached to the rocker panels and the dog leg for a clean look, but the ive seen some xlt's with a westin bull running board that seems to be stock i think as most xlt's and sports had this, i think the EB and Limiteds had lighted running boards and this changed the whole concept as the pre 97's were not lighted ( i think ford did this to save money)

 

[TheJackal]

What's PATs?

Passive Anti-Theft System. The Explorer won't start without one of its 2 specially encoded keys.

The good news? It is more difficult to steal. Some insurance companies offer a discount for this (supposedly.)

The bad news? Replacement keys are expensive. If you lose one of the 2 original keys, your only option for replacement is the dealer.

Oh, and the LED 3rd Brake Light is a good bonus. I see plenty of Explorers with a non-functional neon tube.

 

[gijoecam]

...snip...
The bad news? Replacement keys are expensive. If you lose one of the 2 original keys, your only option for replacement is the dealer.
...snip

Incorrect, sir. It is quite possible to replace them without a trip to the dealership. PATS keys are $20 on Ebay, WalMart will cut 'em for free (or a couple bucks at the hardware store), and almost any locksmith should charge no more than 1/2 hour to reprogram them. No dealer involved in any step of the process.

I always recommend getting a third key and programming it the day you bring the vehicle home. You can program additional keys as long as you have two working keys. They don't necessarily have to be the original two.

 

[MickeySpiers]

Thanks everyone for the above info, it was very helpful. It seems other than cosmetics, the big change for '98 was PATS, and honestly if somebody really wants to steal a 12 year old truck from me then I guess they're in pretty dire straights and can have the thing. Bun warmers would sure be nice, but not a deal breaker. Neither my wife nor I are "short statured" so the depowered airbags aren't a big deal, and the kids always ride in the backseat anyhow so we're good there. Does the change in the heads (EGR valve) really make a difference? What is the "transmission valve body" change?

 

[CDW6212R]

The functional improvements in 98 are the big draw for me. The 95-97 has an awful torsion bar rear mount isolator design. The isolator is permanent in the frame in 95-97, and the friction surface is a poor kevlar pad design. Those pads wear out in under ten years, resulting in a clunking noise and feel.

The cosmetic changes are obviously subjective, I prefer later model parts. They are in better condition and easier to find. The EGR changes are minor, some people have lots of problems with the older designs, some do not. The pre 98 Limited sets are far better than the "flat" newer seats. I have my 93 Limited seats in my 99 Limited. Regards,

 

[kevinspann]

Does anyone know how difficult it would be to put the 98-01 hatch onto a 95-97? Im sure it would bolt on, but how different is the wiring to the wipers and 3rd brake light?

 

[CDW6212R]

The wiper and brake lights are no issue. Only the connection of the hatch harness at the headliner is an issue. I haven't done that, but you will need to add one wire for the license plate light to be fully legal.

 

[Fedge]

I have a 97 and a 98, and I'd say that "everything" is different.

They ride, handle, and feel like totally different vehicles, not two years of one model. The 98 has a rougher ride, and seems to have a lot less soundproofing - it rattles, bangs, and clangs when it's rolling down the road. The 97 is a much quieter, smoother, and handles tighter.

98 also had a few notable "cost saving" features, like only a drivers power seat available (instead of both), no manual inside lock/unlock lever at the back gate, and the jack compartment cover has a different fastener, constantly comes loose and falls off.

my 98 has power seats on both sides...rear integrated child safety seat, auto dimming mirror. only option it doesn't have is a tow hitch...

 

[CDW6212R]

my 98 has power seats on both sides...rear integrated child safety seat, auto dimming mirror. only option it doesn't have is a tow hitch...

Do you have a rear traction lock, or 4.10 gears, or a cell phone? Those are options that you may lack, as well as a bunch of Saleen Explorer parts.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...c0.m245&_trkparms=72:1205|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[james t]

The engine is different.In 98 they went to a better gt40-p cylinder head.

The transmission has a different valve body also.

Actually, that was in 97 (speaking of V8 only of course). 96-97.5 was the old GT-40 motor with internal EGR. 97.6-01 was GT-40p with external EGR.

 

[MickeySpiers]

For anyone still following this, I've realized the following:
In '96, the roof racks changed from the Gen I style to the Gen II style.
In '97, the front cupholder (yay) style changed, as did the premium front seats, going from a style with an extendable front leg support and rib support to a more pedestrian barca lounger style premium seat.
In '98 the steering wheel changed, gaining radio controlls (Eddie Bauer and Limited) and an LED rear hatch, replacing the flourescent style. Also the exterior rear view mirrors gained a "puddle light" on anything other than the XLS models.
In '99 the Limiteds received heated seats and lit running boards. The front bumper went from a rectangular driving light to a round driving light on all trim levels.