Hi friends.
I currently have a 99 Eddie bower but been looking at mercury mountaineers.

Any info on the good years? Thinking about a 98-2004ish.
The preferable engine?
Bad tranny years?
Good interior years?
First gen? Second gen? 3rd gen? What years are what?
Are 99 explorer wheels swappable?

Essentially what to look out for or what to avoid as it pertains to...well...everything about em.

The explorer is leaking from every orafice and it's time for a new ride.
I'll do my research but this forum is outstanding as it pertains to knowledge and the willingness to help.

Would like power, 4x4 and towing capabilities.

Time is running out on this rig so any pointers would be helpful.
Might turn into an informative thread if I'm lucky.

Hey...thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

 

Mechanically the Mountaineer is the twin to the Explorer, so the information you're requesting would be the same as for the Explorer.

For the year range you've listed, the V8 and accompanying transmission powertrain is generally considered the more reliable setup. There may be a couple of years (2002-2003?) that had the 4.6L V8 which were susceptible to having spark plugs seize and come apart if not swapped out early in their life. I'm not confident on the year range but a rather short Google or forum search should clear that up. As you get in to 2002 and up even the V8 had the 5 speed automatic transmissions and those have a reputation for not being as robust as the 1998-2001 4-speed that was paired with the 5.0L V8.

I don't recall any years that had much for electronics or interior issues. I've read of folks having trouble with the center console lids in the pre-2002 models of Explorer. I'm not sure though if that's design related more than just aging plastic.

As you get in to 2002 and up the exterior changes are more significant between the Mountaineer and Explorer and you might run in to more difficulty finding replacement exterior items with the Mountaineer since there were fewer of them sold.

-Rod