What to look for when buying a used explorer

[brs256]

Hello all i am considering trading my ford probe for a 1994 ford explorer ... i am new to explorers ... not 4x4s .... i have looked it over pretty well and have checked all the nessesary fluids ... i think i want to do the trade but i figured i would ask you guys about any common trouble points that i should look for ... frame seems solid but is there a common rust spot/failure point that i should look for? Any common problems that i should check before making the trade ?


Also i have some lt235 - 75 - r 15 buck shots's i believe they are just about equivelant to a 31x10x15 ... should these tires fit on a stock first gen explorer? ... i kno it depends on the truck because of sagging and other factors but as a general rule will 235 75 15's fit? ... and could i leave them on the jeep rims they are on ? stock yj/tj aluminum alloy

 

[rickybobby]

the biggest thing on these is the transmissions. Make sure the fluid is clean and full, and make sure it shifts well and the tcc engages.

 

[Roadrunner777]

Tires should be ok, the stock is 235/70x15

Rust seems to like the driver side rocker panels and doglegs. If it has the plastic fender flare extensions over the rocker panels, try to tip them back a little and look for rust behind them.

One thing you might want to know is that the stock oil pressure gauge is fake. It is driven by a pressure switch and will always go to the same spot in the middle. If the mileage is high, I might get the oil pressure checked.

Also, especially in this day and age, be advised the 94 explorer is good for about 15 mpg city and 18 hwy.

There's a great thread in this section somewhere that is a good natured list of things that seem to happen to the explorer. It might be worth looking for and reading.

Edit: Holy! I guessed 12 pages back and there it was. Read this.

 

[Baddecision93]

As far as rust check the leaf spring shackles in the rear. The rust through on these. Simple(ish) fix if you catch them before but if your leaf spring completely detaches on one side you end up with a big mess.

 

[brs256]

As far as rust check the leaf spring shackles in the rear. The rust through on these. Simple(ish) fix if you catch them before but if your leaf spring completely detaches on one side you end up with a big mess.

they are rusted ... but im making him replace them ... along with a fresh oil change and a new sunroof before i consider trading .. then the only thing wrong with it(mechanically) is the tranny pan needs a new gasket ... slight slow leak... im going to inspect more before we trade just to make sure cause ive heard lots of bad about the trannies ... it shifts smoothe and accelerates quickly ... the 4 wheel drive works correctly also

 

[brs256]

Tires should be ok, the stock is 235/70x15

Rust seems to like the driver side rocker panels and doglegs. If it has the plastic fender flare extensions over the rocker panels, try to tip them back a little and look for rust behind them.

One thing you might want to know is that the stock oil pressure gauge is fake. It is driven by a pressure switch and will always go to the same spot in the middle. If the mileage is high, I might get the oil pressure checked.

Also, especially in this day and age, be advised the 94 explorer is good for about 15 mpg city and 18 hwy.

There's a great thread in this section somewhere that is a good natured list of things that seem to happen to the explorer. It might be worth looking for and reading.

Edit: Holy! I guessed 12 pages back and there it was. Read this.

yeah i know it wont get the best mpg .. but the probe has to run on premium .. and the probe is a gt model with some modifications .. so gas mileage wont be an extreme difference .... and i have the option of fixing my festiva ... which gets around :notworthy 37mpg .... i should fix it regardless .. i have a feeling those ugly little cars will sell for a pretty penny if gas prices continue to rise.

 

[Shooey_]

Check the radius arm bushings too, the auto trannys have never been the best either.

Your tires will run with no problems though, the 91's had stock 235/75/15s

 

[beauboy]

There are a few cosmetic issues which can add up to some bucks.

Ford's design of the RA Bushings has already been addressed. They suck.
Also, the door armrests will give way with any substantial amount of pull (all 4).
The center armrest bracket was originally plastic and it breaks easily also. If it's been replaced with the steel one, you're good to go.

The rear fixed side windows will leak after a while. Some flowable silicon will arrest that.
The outside door handle springs will break on your "most used" doors. $40 to replace from LMC trucks (lots of expert posts on here for the procedures).

That ought to be enough to keep you looking for a while.

 

[Shooey_]

There are a few cosmetic issues which can add up to some bucks.

Ford's design of the RA Bushings has already been addressed. They suck.
Also, the door armrests will give way with any substantial amount of pull (all 4).
The center armrest bracket was originally plastic and it breaks easily also. If it's been replaced with the steel one, you're good to go.

The rear fixed side windows will leak after a while. Some flowable silicon will arrest that.
The outside door handle springs will break on your "most used" doors. $40 to replace from LMC trucks (lots of expert posts on here for the procedures).

That ought to be enough to keep you looking for a while.

That's a pretty amazing list, my 91 has dealt with all of those issues (the door pulls 2-3 times) except for the outer door handles, which are going.
Awesome list, mate.

 

[atxexplorer94]

take it on the highway and see if it shakes at 65mph on the highway and if it does look elsewhere cuz its a pain trying to pinpoint the cause,if not then the suspension should be good and the engine,see how it brakes,check for leaking fluid,if that all checks out id buy it,its a plus if the windows dont work cus its such an easy fix but u can make a big deal about it and get the price dropped dramatically