what to look for?

[Scottsu150]

my wife wants an Escape but for what we want to pay we can buy an Explorer with the same options and as far as I am concerned a better truck. I have owned older explorers, but I don't know much about the newer ones, what should I look for? thinking around 8 to 10 grand

 

[thepotroast]

Do you know which year(s) you're looking at? I'm assuming somewhere in the 02-05 range, but they differ greatly in features, maintenance, and known issues.

 

[Scottsu150]

any year will do, even newer but the 06 and newer jump in price. What I really need is a true 4x4 that will tow a pop up camper and haul the whole family and our stuff. thinking 4.0 just because I have had good luck with them in the past, other than that I am open to anything.

 

[jrford]

'02s was a first year for the 3rd Gens, some have had a few problems. the '03-'05s seem very good and if you get the smaller hitch and can bolt on the ClassIII without any problems. In '06 its welded and you have to get dual hitches. Class II is fine but there are more bike rack options and such with a Class III. I have a Class III but i never tow over 3,000. Towed a pop-up 1750lbs without any issues, i just kept the O/D off in the hills. . .all was fine. My '04 is a V8 if at all the mpg is minor but the get up and go is major.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I concur- for your range, there are a lot of V8 Ex's 2003-2005 for $8-10k. I'd find a nice Eddie Bauer V8 in that year range, you'll have the same mileage as a V6 Explorer, and you'll have a hell of a truck. Good call on the Ex over the Escape- the Escape is a nice truck, but the Ex is just a few notches above, especially for the same money.

Pay particular attention to wheel bearing noises, they tend to go bad, but if they've been replaced, you're good to go.

I'm looking at similar vehicles in a similar range, and there are almost too many to choose from.

 

[thepotroast]

Important to mention that you have 2 gearing options from the factory on the 02-05.

It's easy to tell which one the truck is equipped with (without referencing the axle code on the VIN). If it has the 1.5" square hitch receiver (Class II), you have the 3.55 gearing, if you have the 2" square hitch receiver (Class III) you have the 3.73 gearing (D4 axle code).

With you planning to do some towing and maybe some 4x4, I'd definitely look for an Explorer with the 2" receiver not only for the included towing package, but also for the 3.73 gearing which is much friendlier for 4x4 and towing a camper/family.

As mentioned above, the 2002's are notorious for having problems...more than the 03-05's. There were some changes in each year, ranging from mechanical improvements to cosmetic (exterior and interior) changes...as subtle as they may be.

I'd stick with an '03+, stay with the 4.0L which is a strong motor, go for the D4 axle code (3.73 gears) which has the towing package, and have it inspected by a trusty mechanic whom you know.

Also, if you know someone in the Ford Service dept industry, get an OASIS report pulled for the truck. It's Ford's internal service department database, which shows everything the truck was serviced for, including recalls, TSB's, warranty service, and scheduled maintenance. These aren't things that show up on a CARFAX.

I can assist you with the OASIS if needed...but I'd need to have a VIN...and the OASIS thing is a little hush hush around here. I personally cannot get them, but I have a guy in the biz who can

 

[1_v8_merc]

If you get an Escape, pay attention to lag in the throttle.
They have a problem with the spring/coil mechanism that controls the throttle, causing it to STICK! Or NOT work at all, RANDOMLY!
(very dangerous!)

We had one for our patrol truck, good little truck, but yeah....
Thank God this happened while we were driving on the facility and NOT on a main road...
I think we also had problems with the radio getting STUCK on too,haha that would have been embarrassing at some point or another....lost complete control over the buttons and knobs.

(i've sort of noticed that happening in my mountaineer too.)

----

Explorers, I would stay away from the 02's....too many transmission problems.

I think the 03's were okay.

04 and Up, Im sure those are good years.

They are known for getting loud whinning rear-gears, but i've never had this happen yet.(it's not even a big deal, not usually harmful to the truck.)

Like the other guy said, if you get the Class 2 tow hitch, you can just buy a Class 3 hitch, there's plenty of types and brands.
(just remember you still wont have the 3.73 gears or Class 3 wiring kit, or whatever it's called.....although you can add them.)

I put a class III/IV tow hitch on my mounty, i've towed over 4000lbs with no problems on Mud Tires.
I would keep O/D off(disables 5th gear, and according to the book it allows auto downshifting and more aggressive shifts....)

I've played with O/D at 65mph while hauling 4k in pretty high winds.
If you're in 4th gear, you dont sway at all, the SUV held like a DREAM.
But once you kick 5th gear on, it starts to get alittle swaysive....haha
(hell, it towed alot better than my dads 03 silverado 1500 v8 4x4, atleast sway-wise....he had ALOT of tail sway for a bigger truck.)


The v6's (4.0), are great motors.
The v8's (4.6L) is also a very great motor.

I like having the little extra push that the v8 has though, it moves easier than the v6.
(they both get nearly identical MPG, the v8 gets like 2mpg or so worse I believe?)

I've put around 50k on my 2004 mountaineer v8 AWD, and never had a problem yet.
It's without a doubt the BEST vehicle I've ever owned, absolutely ridiculously great traction in snow or rain.

BTW: Explorers and Mountaineers are the same thing pretty much, incase you didn't know.....didn't bother to check your Post count, my bad.

 

[Scottsu150]

thanks guys, that gives me a much better idea of what to look for. one more question, are the v8's still all wheel drive and the v6 four wheel drive?

 

[jrford]

either, V8 did come with both, AWD was an option on the Explorer and i believe Std on the Mounty.

 

[Scottsu150]

I just wanted to say thank you for all the info. There is now an 04 sitting in the driveway, it is a 4.0 but it has the tow package and everything my wife wanted, it also has the dvd player in the back seat so my son is happy. my only question now is, did Ford think adults can use the 3rd row seat?

 

[thepotroast]

I just wanted to say thank you for all the info. There is now an 04 sitting in the driveway, it is a 4.0 but it has the tow package and everything my wife wanted, it also has the dvd player in the back seat so my son is happy. my only question now is, did Ford think adults can use the 3rd row seat?

Those 3rd rows are pretty silly, mine came with one and it sits in storage, the extra space in the back is much more valuable to me!

I had a 3rd row in my Expedition, and it was semi-feasible to assume as an adult seat...but in the Explorer...no way.

Lets see pics of her. The 4.0 with the tow package is the way to go, that has the 3.73 limited slip gearing, good choice. 04 is a great year as well. How many miles?

 

[Scottsu150]

it has 67,300 so I was happy with the miles. you say the rear seat comes out?! I now have two questions, what is the best place to get an owners manual and what about the panel on the tailgate just below the wiper arm it is cracked next to the ford emblem

 

[CALDWELL]

good buy fella !


your x will do great towing with the 373 gears !

i know one of us will say this to you, so i will be the one to do so...

factoring in that you will be towing with it, may i suggest at minimum in performance upgrades, consider buying a aftermarket AIR INTAKE...

it will give you a little more get up and go power, as well as help with towing, and slightly up your mpg...

and may i suggest an exhaust, but since its a family vehicle you might stay away from one...


i bought my 03 xls w/ 61k on it and i love it !

 

[n2epv]

Owner's manuals are a free download from Ford -

Dead Link Removed

You can always find a paper copy on ebay (if you don't want to deal with a .pdf file), as well as the shop manuals.

 

[Joe Dirt]

The rear panel cracking is a common problem, there has been discussion on whether or not Ford would recall them. If you get a replacement, have it painted, and used double sided tape to affix it.

Great buy! Yeah, I had the 3rd row in mine and it was even tough to shove 10 year old hockey players back there, let alone adults! If I get a Gen III, I won't opt for the 3rd row if I can find one without.

Post up some pics of your new truck! We love pics!

 

[jrford]

I just wanted to say thank you for all the info. There is now an 04 sitting in the driveway, it is a 4.0 but it has the tow package and everything my wife wanted, it also has the dvd player in the back seat so my son is happy. my only question now is, did Ford think adults can use the 3rd row seat?

Cool, congrats.

3rd Row - Well have you seen the engineers lately. . .they fit, just kidding. Kids no problem, Adults don't fit well thats for sure, but it sure beat taking that extra car in a pinch for short trips.

 

[Scottsu150]

funny you said to put free flow exhaust on it, I was looking for some on the computer and The wife said no way! somthing about the fact that she is sick of loud exhaust on all my cars and this one has to be quiet. I tried to point out that it would get better gas mileage but she was not buying it. I cant get the pictures I took from the dealer site to load and I cant find my cable for my camera so I am working on pictures but give me a day or two.