I'm going to be picking up an older Explorer with high miles for my wife to use around town. Any input on which motor seems to hold up better with high miles?

 

My 94 4.0 has 175k on it with out any major problems.... I know of people with even more on the 4.0. Not sure about the 5.0 though.

 

Thanks for the reply. We had a 98 with the 5.0 and I liked it, but we needed it for towing. This one will just be transportation so either motor will do.

 

The 4.0 OHV is pretty bullet proof. I've had two, one now has 200,000 miles and the other 142,000 miles. No major engine repairs on either and they are still running strong. On the other had the 5.0 V8 has been a Ford staple of half a century. You can't go wrong with either one if their fluid changes are kept up with.

Mason

 

I have a 97 V8 with 112,000 and it still running like new.

 

'91-'95, the onlye engine option was the 4.0 OHV. If this is your definition of "older Explorer", then you'll only find the one opinon (barring engine swaps). As noted, the 4.0 OHV is a pretty reliable/longlived engine.
'96 introduced the 5.0 V8 to the Explorer. Again, as noted, the 5.0 is a pretty longlived engine.
'97 also had an option 4.0 SOHC engine. For the most part it seems like a good engine, but it seems to have issues with the timing chain tensioners and the intake manifold o-rings.