Explorer 5.0 differences and fuel mileage?
 

Are there any differences between the 5.0 in the 97-01 Explorers and the ones in the F-150's, etc. (besides the obvious coil pack vs. distributor and intake manifold)? Also am I correct in assuming that the 5.0 Explorers came with the 4r70w transmission? Finally for those of you that own 5.0's, what kind of gas mileage do you typically see out of them? Thanks

I had a 97 awd Explorer and averaged 20 mpg.The last 5.0 was put in the 97 F150 Eddie Bauer.The 5.0 in the Explorer is like all the old 5.0 bullit proof!The biggest change were the heads on the 97 there great like the gt-40 heads.

All 5.0 truck shortblocks(the block and rotating assembly) built from 1994 on are exactly the same, so the differences with the pickup/van engine are with the heads and intake, the presence of a distributor, and the accessories. The 96-97.5 Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0 got GT40 heads and a cast version of the GT40 intake, and from '97.5- 01 the motor wore GT40p heads which had slightly smaller valves but actually have higher performance potential.

I loved my '99 XLT 5.0 AWD but needed something bigger last year and traded it in.

You're correct, all 5.0s got the heavier 4spd transmission. I was not easy on mine and would average 13-14 city 15-17 hwy depending on my mood and my driving style. As previous posts have stated, blocks are the same throughout, with later models getting the gt40 heads.


EDIT: I also had upsized to a 30/9.50/15. This accounted for a touch of the lower mileage over the stock 235/75/15

Thanks for the info!

96 Explorer 5.0 mileage
 

My wife's 1996 Explorer Limited AWD does ~16.5-18 MPG with mixed driving; up to 20.X on highway.

dn.

Another big difference is in the intakes. The Explorer uses the "Cobra" style intake and 65mm TB.
Dave

my 5.0 gets 10 -12 around town and 15 on trips what wrong?

Welcome to FTE.

There are far too many variables involved in your question for any of us to answer here.
Such as:
Are you running stock tires or have you gone larger?
Have you had a tune up?
What types of modifications, if any, have you done?
Driving habits play a large part in this. Are you consistently above 3k RPMs?
and the list goes on.

I hope you'll stay a while and enjoy the forum. There is a vast amount of information here if you have the time to read it. Oh, and the search function can be your best friend!

I get about 16 in the city and around 18 on the freeway..... I also have exhaust manifold leaks on both sides and everything is indicating lean so the computer is trying to correct by dumping more fuel so I'm getting less than what I would if I were to replace them....

bad milege5.0
 

I have stock tires at 32 psi, new plugs, wires, 2 new exhaust sensors, changed all fluids to synethic, drive it very carefully. best milege is 12 mpg around town. and new filters air oil and fuel. anyone have any idea's to help me out?

Does it idle smoothly? Driving "carefully" is not necessarily synonomous with driving "smartly" from a fuel economy standpoint. How aggressively do you accelerate? Are there a lot of hills during your daily drive? Is it cold where you live, and how long is your typical commute? Do you have a bunch of tools or equipment in your Explorer that you're hauling around daily? What fuel are you using (15% ethanol)? And the list goes on.

Do you have access to a datalogger that you can use to monitor live data? If so, check the short term and long term fuel trim numbers during and after a typical drive for you. What do they suggest?

-Rod

bad milege5.0
 

the explorer is empty. I think I know how to drive smartly. I have other cars that get great mileage. the datalogger is in our dragster where we need it, helps us win races in top dragster. my next thing is to check the breaks, possible caliper hanging up and the wheel bearings. it has 140,000 miles on it. I replaced the engine last year with one that had 98,000 on it. I've talked to people that have explorers same model and they get about the same mileage.

I had a 2000 Mountaineer with the 5.0L and AWD and got about the same as you in town but on the highway I was getting just north of 18 mpg regularly. I had Goodyear Forterra tires inflated to the pressures on the door sticker. I also was running Iridium spark plugs and new plug wires with a Sceptre air filter. I ran Mobil 1 synthetic oil and had installed synthetic gear oil in the front and rear differentials. I don't think I put synthetic oil in the transfer case. I installed new rear axle bearings and seals but that didn't have an effect on the fuel economy. Oh, I also did a cylinder de-carb using SeaFoam just after I bought it (used) so I don't know if that helped with fuel economy.

-Rod

thanks for the reply, I did the same as you except the wheel bearings. and put synethic in the transfer case too. best I can do is 17 on a trip. I also used sea foam too. maybe it's the best it will do? too bad I like this little truck. I have a dodge dually with a v-10 for towing a race car it gets better mileage.