What to look for in a 95-97 sport?

[BoatsRcool]

Im looking into getting a little bit of a newer explorer, more reliable, and not lifting it, and getting better milage than I am now. I was thinking about a 95-97 sport, 4wd of course. I just would put a roof rack and maybe a few engine mods to it. I was thinking about the $6k to $7k range, I have seen stuff online with around 90k miles for that. what should I look for? Other than, well if it doesnt have a new tranny when I get it, I will get the fluid replaced right away, because I really wouldnt want that messing up on me quick... what other stuff should I look for that wasn't good those years. Thanks

 

[Alec]

Other than the tranny, mine has treated me very well; even with as much as I beat the crap out of it I think the only other "major" problem was the leaf spring sag. I'd get rid of those monoleafs as soon as possible.

Good luck!

 

[alphabets13]

i have a 96 xlt. i got it in feb. with 86000 on it. 2 mos. later thranny went. thank god i had a warranty on it. if at all possible get a warranty. thats my #1 suggestion.

 

[Jason_25]

I think you should go with one that has an OHV and a manual tranny. You can definitely get good mileage if you get the 3.73 instead of the 4.10 gears. I've gotten up to 22 on the highway with mine and it's lifted with 32" tires. I bet with a stock one with some engine mods you might could get 23-24

 

[BoatsRcool]

i have considered the manual but im not sure still. I know the tranny is a concern.. and i already knew i may have a problem with the back sagging but other than that it sounds good... so any other suggestions? I deffiently want 3:73 gearing, and if i get 4:10 somehow, I would put 31's on it. I may try to look for one with a rebuilt tranny, but how can I find something under warrenty at like 90k? should I buy from a dealer?

 

[Jason_25]

The springs are no problem because you can just swap to the 4 door leaf pack as a direct swap.

 

[SWLathrop]

I'll sell you my 97 Sport for the pay off since I just bought a 2001 Sport. It's $12,000. Has 75,000 miles on it. Has all of the toys except for a CD player and LS rear axle. Here are just a few of the toys.

A/C, PW, PL, Cruise/Tilt, AM/FM/Cass, Leather, Power Moonroof, 4.10 gears, 16" tires w/Chrome rims, Full size spare (bought) and so on.

Very clean and well maintained. Hasn't missed a beat in it's life or failed me at any time. Tires are Wranger RT/S's with about 9,000 miles on them. I'll even thow in the new set of spring packs (4-leaf) for the 2001-2002 Sports that I recently bought, but never got a chance to put on.

 

[BoatsRcool]

im looking in the 6-7k range, thanks.

 

[SWLathrop]

Well then, for that much do you want the left or the right side...

 

[rydinhigh]

on my 95 XLT I have needed a new serpentine belt, new starter, new battery and new rear door handles for the inside (common explorer problem). Other than that my baby has been real good to me and she has 98k on her.

 

[Robert]

If you are planning on doing any off-roading, I would stick with a '97 out of the '95-'97. Ford added 4WD High (at the expense of 2WD in '97. If you get a '95 or '96 you won't have a locking high range (which is quite useful). '97 was also the introduction of the 5 speed automatic. I also wouldn't let the tranny problems scare you too much though. My '97 5-speed auto hasn't given me any problems in the 93K hard miles I put on it. Finally, the SOHC is way more powerful than the OHV and will make driving more enjoybable. There have been issues with the SOHC but as long as they were addressed by the previous owner or the Explorer has less than the mileage limits you can still get them taken care of. Once the SOHC issues have been taken care of you shouldn't have any more problems with the SOHC than you would with the OHV (I haven't had any). You should be able to find a '97 4x4 Sport for 7K - 9K. Anything more than that and it is overpriced. I've seen '98 V8 AWD EBs going for 9.5K - 10K. Most Explorers these days have fairly new tires thanks to Firestone

 

[BoatsRcool]

thanks guys so far... so the sohc came out in 97 -- well i think 7 k is my absolute top limit but we will see. I need to try to get some buyers for mine now... any more suggestions?

 

[JWood]

What to look for..?

other peoples problems..just buy a newer one!

 

[BoatsRcool]

what did that mean? How about the manual ones... they seem to be a lot cheaper, i know that they will have less options,but did they still use that ****ty mazda manual tranny past 94?