Hey guys -

I'm looking to buy a cheaper explorer. just wondering what years are the better years of them? I'm thinking between 94-2000ish.

 

well the way i look at it, the newer/less miles the better. depend on what you wanna spend

 

i have a 2002 with 80,000 miles. nice truck.... i bought the kids a 96 with 150,000 miles for under $4000. figured i needed to spend $500 for repairs (possibly). it had a front wheel hub/bearing noise when i bought it. i put on two front hubs and then the alternator died next month. changed it.. so far, nice truck, but more miles means more maint. i was prepared for that, kind of a second hand truck for us.

 

Do you have any special needs or concerns?

'91 to '94 autos use the A4LD transmission, which doesn't have a very good reputation. '95+ autos for the 4.0 V6's are derived from the A4LD, but seem to hold up better.
'96 was the first year for a V8 option. The 5.0 V8 drivetrain in an Explorer seems to be pretty reliable.
'97 was the first for the 4.0 SOHC option. Seems to be a decent engine as long as you keep an ear open for the timing chain tensioners and change them when they go bad.
4Wd or 2wd or AWD? The V6's came with 4WD. '91 to '94 use a pretty basic part time 4wd system. '95+ V6's use a part time system as well, but with the addition of the "control trac" 4-auto selection that can automatically apply power to the front wheels when it detects wheel slippage. 5.0 V8's came with an AWD transfer case that doesn't lock and doesn't offer a low range. Which of these systems is going to be most conducive to what you want?

This all applies up to 2001. In 2002, Ford introduced the IRS to the Explorer, and I stopped paying much attention to them, because I don't think I could quite convince myself to buy a 4WD with an IRS.

 

If you decide or find a good deal on a V8 powered Explorer you will want a late 97 so you will have a "P" head engine. You will have more power plus an external EGR.

 

awsome thanks guys!! So the 97 v8 only comes with AWD? I was hoping to have a selction like 2, 4hi, 4lo. So i guess I am going ot have to settle fo ra V6. Thanks again fellas just wha ti was looking for!

I plan on lifting it and doing a little offroad, I just need some thing to tinker around with over the winter!

 

is the v8s AWD a bad idea? It's going to be an everyday driver more or less, i would like to lift it a little to get 33s on it. but other than i don't think i'd be offroading much. I found a limited which had all the options which i like!! =D

 

You can lift an AWD just fine and not have problems.

If you ever want a selectable case just put a BW4406 manual case from a 1997-2003 F150.

You have to cut a hole for the t-case lever but other than that it's pretty much a bolt in. You use the drive shafts form the same truck or an Expedidtion.

I have not done mine yet but i'm going to start looking far a t-case this winter.