what to look for? when buying a 95 explore

[rubio]

im goin to look at a ford explore sport its an automatic. i was wondering what i should look out for. any key things that can make or break this truck

 

[koda2000]

4x4? how many miles? you can tell a lot by the condition of the exterior and interior. if it's beat chances are the vehicle wasn't taken care of.

the '95 was apparently only available with the 4.0L OHV V6. not a terrible engine though they have been known to blow head gaskets and can crack heads if overheated. check the oil, coolant and bottom of the oil filler cap for signs of contamination.

i'd just take it for a test drive and make sure everything works. the 2 killers are engine and transmission, anything else can be repaired fairly easily and parts are cheap.

 

[pbnj22]

check over the front end. ball joints upper and low. sway bar end lengths.
make sure the ac and the heat works. lots of people have the blend door actuator thing go.. i believe in the sport for that year they onyl offered the v6 4.0 ohc? which is better than the sohc but the v8 is the best of all the 2nd gens.. more power similar mpg and better trans. if yours is the sohc check timing chain rattle or noise especially at cold start up.. i think the ohc is prone to a cracked head? .. is the oil full, somewhat clean.. does it smell burnt like its been overheated or ran low.. same with all the fluids really..
others will chime in with more specific stuff but yeah check all the normal things

from my time on the forums i would strongly suggest the v8 but either one will have lots of support here... how many miles and how much are you paying for it?

 

[pbnj22]

4x4? how many miles? you can tell a lot by the condition of the exterior and interior. if it's beat chances are the vehicle wasn't taken care of.

the '95 was apparently only available with the 4.0L OHV V6. not a terrible engine though they have been known to blow head gaskets and can crack heads if overheated. check the oil, coolant and bottom of the oil filler cap for signs of contamination.

i'd just take it for a test drive and make sure everything works. the 2 killers are engine and transmission, anything else can be repaired fairly easily and parts are cheap.

you beat me to that little tid bit.. I figured i was smart for knowing the sohc was only in the sport from 97 and later.. kudos to koda!

 

[jdtractor]

look for rust, mainly ont he rear shackles for the leaf springs, make sure the trans shifts out good and the motor isnt making any crazy rattles, its a ohv engine as stated which in all honesty other than the head problem they are great engines i know tons of people who has got right at or over 300,000 miles, i just purchased a 96 got it cheap had some rust nothing overly bad, only thing ive done to it is service everything transmission, transfer case, plugs and of course the temp sending unit they tend to go bad on these motors ive discovered. Mine was neglected maintence but otherwise very well taken care of guess they figured if you kept the oil changed it would run for ever lol. mines only got 142,000 miles on it.

 

[shadowless127]

What to look for when buying a 95 Explorer? A 98 or newer with a 5L lol.

Seriously though, make sure 4WD works, check for rust, then check AGAIN for rust, make sure heat and AC work on BOTH SIDES, then check for rust again, make sure engine temps are good, and make sure tranny operates as it's supposed to.

 

[koda2000]

What to look for when buying a 95 Explorer? A 98 or newer with a 5L

oh man, i started to say the same thing, but deleted the comment.

 

[shadowless127]

oh man, i started to say the same thing, but deleted the comment.

I've driven a few early 2nd gens with the 4.0's (OHV and OHC) and the torque the 5.0 puts down makes all the difference IMO. Not to mention the 4r44E, and 5R55E/S are turds as far as gearboxes go.

 

[koda2000]

I've driven a few early 2nd gens with the 4.0's (OHV and OHC) and the torque the 5.0 puts down makes all the difference IMO. Not to mention the 4r44E, and 5R55E/S are turds as far as gearboxes go.

you're preach'in to the choir my friend.

 

[Mounty99]

What to look for when buying a 95 explorer? A 98 or newer with a 5L.

I've driven a few early 2nd gens with the 4.0's (ohv and ohc) and the torque the 5.0 puts down makes all the difference imo. Not to mention the 4r44e, and 5r55e/s are turds as far as gearboxes go.

This.

 

[bill06447]

Did anyone mention rust? lol Just did the rear shackles in mine, the truck was leaning that's when I discovered nothing left of the rusted out drivers side shackle.

Bill

 

[jdtractor]

got my new shackles today for mine lol. done had to weld a "patch" in one of mine till i got the new ones im lucky a buddy of mine sat his 96 on a duece and a half frame so all the rear end leaf and shackles etc... is just laying around and his truck didnt come form up north so its rust free