Wonder what I have.

[sidvail]

Is there anyway to tell exactly what you have in your explorer? I just purchased a 1999 XLT, 5.0 V8, automatic. That's about all I truly know about it. I looked up the VIN, but did not discover much else.

Not sure of the sound system even though it looks stock. It's the 6 CD changer (cartridge located in the center consol) with CD and cassette on the face plate. Is this the MAX audio? The manual mentions this configuration, but I didn't see where it identified it (normal? Premium? etc)

Meanwhile - Hello all. My first post and first question. I'm sure I'll have others but hopefully I'll not become a nuisance. I do like to learn and I do love this explorer. May it turn into a long and lasting relationship.

Sid

 

[swshawaii]

Not sure if this offers any more info. Click highlighted "expand this list" after entering VIN.

http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

 

[koda2000]

Not sure if this offers any more info. Click highlighted "expand this list" after entering VIN.

http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

yeah, put in your VIN and this sight will tell you how your Explorer was born. it only goes back so many years though. it's the equivalent of a build sheet.

 

[DjDom]

Yeah, that site doesn't work for mine.

I can tell you about your sound system though if you show me the headunit.

Do you have a subwoofer in the rear right quarter panel?
If you don't, you have the Premium sound system, since you have a CD Changer in the center console.

The V8 XLTs came pretty loaded.

Leather? Power seats? Autodimming rear view mirror? Overhead Console (The temp and compass)?

Usually the V8s came with those in XLT form.

 

[pbnj22]

It will be either awd or 2wd though im sure you knew that

 

[sidvail]

Strange - the etis.ford site wouldn't take my VIN either. I really wanted to look at the rest of that info.

No subwoofer in right rear panel. I have a pocket there. Also no auto-dimming rearview mirror. I do have the overhead consol (temp and compass) and Leather and power seats.

Still not sure about AWD or 2WD. No decals or indication either way. Guess I could just burn some rubber and find out?

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm slowly getting to know this rig. Now I plan on finding out what I can do with it. Anyone know if I can add the features that didn't come with it? Like the climate control center? etc? The manual touched on a few items that seem like great ideas - no sure if they can be added now though.

 

[1998Exp]

No need to burn rubber -- which may not tell you much anyway. Just bend a bit, take a look underneath, and check whether you have a front differential with a pair of shafts coming out of it to the front wheels or you don't. And if you find one, whether there is actually a driveshaft connected to it -- some people remove them when the transfer case fails, turning an AWD to a (not so good) 2WD.

Still not sure about AWD or 2WD. No decals or indication either way. Guess I could just burn some rubber and find out?

 

[sidvail]

Ah. I'll check that today. So people actually disconnect those sometimes? I had no idea you could do that.

 

[1998Exp]

With the right set of tools and a bit of ingenuity you can do anything to your EX; even turn it into a horse drawn carriage. On a more serious note, at least according to the popular opinion, disconnecting the front driveshaft will kill the viscous coupler inside the AWD transfer case very quickly. So those who did it were either foolish or had nothing to lose.
Have fun with your new wheels!

Ah. I'll check that today. So people actually disconnect those sometimes? I had no idea you could do that.

 

[sidvail]

Yup, looks like AWD. Thanks everyone.

 

[h0und10]

check your door sticker for your axle code
someone back me up but i think it goes
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73

 

[sidvail]

Axle codes? I see I have some reading to do tonight. I was under the truck today looking around and was amazed that I had no idea what 90% of it was. I did find one diagram online that named a few items, but still in the dark on most of it.

Been looking at the Chilton's but it seems made more for repairs than explaining what things are. I need a good beginners book I guess.

 

[swshawaii]

Ford Explorer Specifications - Specs

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=105

 

[sidvail]

Nice. Good stuff here. Found another vin decoder that gave me so much info I was up half the night reading it. Decodethis.com. And Cars.com had a list of everything that was standard, optional or not available on every model. That was awesome. So looking at mine, I see there were a lot of options added at original purchase. Glad the folks did that - cuz I'm loving em

Thanks for the help everyone. Now I'm reading through the how-to's and info posts. I guess there's really not much you can't swap out or repair on these trucks. I like that.