I am looking at a late 2nd gereration 5.0 versus an early 3rd gen 4.6 (probably a limited). What are the benefits of the newer model? I own a 1993 and a 1996 and feel the 2nd gen has very sensitive steering. Thanks.

 

Well for starters, Gen 3s are front and rear indep. suspension. No longer a live rear axle. The Gen 3 4.6L is a good engine choice, but I cannot recall if that V8 upgrade got a heavier trans or not, like the Gen 2 did when you went from the 4.0L to the 5.0L.
I have not personally driven a Gen 3, so I cannot comment on the steering there. However, I did own a '99 5.0L equipped AWD Expl prior to the '06 F150 I'm in now. I had the '99 from 2002-2010. I did not personally feel that the steering in that rig was light or sensitive (some would call that "overboosted") but it was a great driving rig.
The Gen 3 is slightly wider (just a couple to few inches) and is a hair longer. IIRC, all Gen 3s had a 3rd row of seating too. All in all, the Gen 3 was less of a "truck" than the Gen 2.

 

I had a 2000 Mountaineer Premier with 5.0L and AWD, a 2004 Mountaineer Premier with 4.6L and AWD, and now a 2004 Aviator. The 2004 Mountaineer felt a lot quicker with the 4.6L, rode A LOT nicer, and got slightly better fuel economy. The 4.6L is also A LOT easier to perform routine maintenance on (spark plugs in particular). Both have the oil filter in an awkward location if I remember correctly. The 2004 also has the 3rd row seat which comes in handy for me.

As for the transmission, the 2000 V8 had the 4 speed OD transmission and it never left me concerned with the way it shifted. I wish I could say the same for the 5 speed auto in the 2004. A software tune to firm up the shift points helped the feel greatly.

I don't remember noticing a difference in the steering feel between the 2000 and the 2004.

-Rod

 

Ford, in a way, was forced into correcting the Gen. 3 Explorers because of the fiasco with the tread seperating issues on the Gen.2 Explorers with the Firestone tires.

Personally, I felt the Gen 2 Explorers and Ford Motor Company, as a whole, got a bum rap. I knew from day 1, Hour 1, of purchasing my new 2000 Ford Explorer SPORT (4.0 V6) that this SUV (as with nearly all SUVs) have a higher center of gravity, and cannot corner, at speed, as say your typical Mustang, Charger, Challenger or Camaro. Simply the law of physics.

Of course my Explorer has about 15 various "WARNING" stickers placed throughout the vehicle on this very issue, but most drivers are not "drivers" if you get my point. They are clueless. My Explorer can blow out any of the four tires at freeway speed, and I can easily control the vehicle. Not that it has, but I know what to if such a situation would occur.

Ford paid out needless thousands of $$ in lawsuits over an issue that became theirs simply because they installed a bad lot of Firestone tires prone to trad seperation. Ironically, in over 80% of Explorers back then involved in accidents due to Firestone tread seperation issues, or complete tire failure, they found that at least two of the three still inflated Firestone tires were grossly UNDERINFLATED. Over time these Firestone tires would build up extreme heat, causing tread seperation - those drivers who felt something amiss then overcorrected (or paniced) causing a rollover in GEN 2 Explorers.

I've seen footage where Gen 2 Explorers were driven at 80 MPH, and either a front tire or rear tire, in a test, was suddenly deflated, as if in a blowout. Explorer slows, tire begins to smoke somewhat, but the Explorer still tracks straight as the driver slows down. That's what I felt was a bit fishy when we see all these Gen 2 Explorer roll-overs -- must be driver neglect / driver inexperience.

Ed (Who takes a minute or two each month and checks his 2000 Explorer Sport's tire inflation readings (cold) as a *gasp!* common maintenence procedure).

 

The 2nd. gens ride harsher than 3rd; the 3rd. is a bit heavier, but given overall comparison, I find both very acceptable. They both steer very accurately, assuming alignment is within specs, the steering wheel seems to "return" more forcefully in 2nds, IMO.

My first, a '96, developed transmission problems a year after buying it. Disassembly revealed destroyed thrust bearings, which allowed misalignement of fluid holes in shafts, hence shift problems. My second, a '99, had a manual 5-speed, but was 2WD. It was a great vehicle; both 2nds had the OHV V-6.

My 3rd., a 2004, has OHC V-6, 5R55S transmission. Bought with 92K, now has 116K, very good, solid, acceptable vehicle thus far. impish