Hello
I have had 3 Explorers the last an 06 Limited 4.6l that I put 100K before getting rid of and now I am missing it. I like the car like driving and handling yet the power to tow trailers up to 8K. I was able to get 17 mpg tankful avg and highs of 24-25mpg on the expressway at 65 mph. It had the Mustang GT 3v engine slightly detuned and a 6 sp trans IIRC. Up to recently I thought the Aviator was had just different body panels but I read it has the 4 valve engine which was used in the Mustang Cobra (right?). Which trans is in it? Does it have the same towing power and highway economy as the 3 valve 4.6L? Does it have the conventional suspension or the Lincoln air suspension?

Thanks

 

Yep, the Aviator has the 4V DOHC V8 which I too have read is quite similar to the Mustang Cobra (or was it the Mach?). The suspension is not air ride, but does incorporate more aluminum pieces than the Explorer/Mountaineer. The fuel economy in my 2004 Aviator is virtually unchanged from my previous 2004 Mountaineer V8. I switched to the Aviator for towing my camper because the Mountaineer struggled more than I was comfortable with. The Aviator does better but probably not enough better than it was worth the change. The Aviator towing rating is 7100 lbs. I have towed a trailer as much as 6000lbs (2 adults, no significant additional payload) and can't imagine doing that regularly on anything but level ground. The transmission is the 5R55W if I recall correctly and is the only area I've really had to do work on. The valve body was bad and some of the bores were worn. I had the local transmission shop fix both. There was something slightly unique about the valve body, they stocked most of the bodies for the 5R55 transmissions, but had to order this one. It wasn't hard to find, just a bit less typical. The new valve body and drill and sleeving ran under $800. Since I got the Aviator for a few thousand under book, that repair didn't bother me.

-Rod

 

I've towed with the last 2 Explorers one being the 5.0l AWD and the other the 4.6L 4x4 and I agree they are good for moderate trailer weights. I comfortably towed loaded car trailers a few times and my 8k boat trailer for 1000's of miles but that's not something I recommend. Those engine do have power you just have to let them rev which can be uncomforting to some. I always worried about the trans since I towed heavy during the summer but it lasted the 120k miles until I got rid of it. I needed bigger for my travel trailer but if I had one 6k and less I would have kept it.