Early Explorer Shopping Advice
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
Early Explorer Shopping Advice
I know I know I'm sure this comes up a lot, did a search, read what I could, want my own thread,
I'm a 8/90's F-series guy, but I need a SUV for the family and a Bronco is too big for some to drive. But I want something I will like enough to fix up and not hate spending my Saturday maintaining. So I'm looking at early Explorers, I had a 96 back in the day, loved it until my dumb **** rolled it.
I/we prefer the 90-94 front end and I'd be completely settled on finding a nice one except for the elephant on the room with explorers the transmission. Is getting the 4R55E over the A4LD worth getting the uglier(to me) front end? Can I swap in the 4R55E in place of the A4LD, if so is it worth doing, most of all given that 90-94s are cheaper.
Are there 94s with the 4R55E? When I look under the rig how do I tell the difference between the two easily?
I know I want the 4.0 OHV not the SOHC so if I want the 4R55E stock that limits me to 95 or 96.
What else do I need to look out for when looking over a potential buy that's a specific explorer issue, not normal used car stuff, I got that handled?
EDIT, I'd prefer OBDI as well, and is it possible to transplant in a 5R55E?
I'm a 8/90's F-series guy, but I need a SUV for the family and a Bronco is too big for some to drive. But I want something I will like enough to fix up and not hate spending my Saturday maintaining. So I'm looking at early Explorers, I had a 96 back in the day, loved it until my dumb **** rolled it.
I/we prefer the 90-94 front end and I'd be completely settled on finding a nice one except for the elephant on the room with explorers the transmission. Is getting the 4R55E over the A4LD worth getting the uglier(to me) front end? Can I swap in the 4R55E in place of the A4LD, if so is it worth doing, most of all given that 90-94s are cheaper.
Are there 94s with the 4R55E? When I look under the rig how do I tell the difference between the two easily?
I know I want the 4.0 OHV not the SOHC so if I want the 4R55E stock that limits me to 95 or 96.
What else do I need to look out for when looking over a potential buy that's a specific explorer issue, not normal used car stuff, I got that handled?
EDIT, I'd prefer OBDI as well, and is it possible to transplant in a 5R55E?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Looks aside, my big issue with the first gen Explorers is the TTB setup. It was marginal in the full size trucks, but in the small trucks the beams are so short it eats up tires and the handling is a bit funny. 95 was the first year for true IFS, and they also got a 31spline 8.8 with discs.
I had a 95 and liked it. It was bought with a bad trans, rebuilt that and got two good years out of it before sending it down the road. I still see it around from time to time. Only downside is that you can't fit more than one rear-facing carseat in it, and three carseats is just too much.
I had a 95 and liked it. It was bought with a bad trans, rebuilt that and got two good years out of it before sending it down the road. I still see it around from time to time. Only downside is that you can't fit more than one rear-facing carseat in it, and three carseats is just too much.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: NC
My parent had a '95 Aerostar 4.0 OHV/A4LD go 285K miles without transmission problems before it was sold. That being said, TTB would not be my first choice for a grocery getter. As for 95-01 Explorers...still too short, too tall and too narrow to feel stable in my opinion. My parents '99 SOHC/5R55E still rides rough after new shocks, and they had to replace the timing chains (expensive.) OHV's are good motors but harder to find in those generation Explorers. '97 and up OHV's should get the 5 speed auto too, unless I am mistaken. Ever considered the 5.0's? I know AWD is less than ideal, but a 2 speed transfer case could be swapped in. Then you get the 4R70W trans, which trumps any trans behind a V6 Explorer pre-2010, in my mind at least. 
One last thing that came to mind: 2002+ will give you a longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity which may be worth the extra cost. Just something to consider.
I like your signature, by the way. Wise words.
One last thing that came to mind: 2002+ will give you a longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity which may be worth the extra cost. Just something to consider.
I like your signature, by the way. Wise words.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
We've had our '99 since it rolled of the trailer built to our specs. Sitting at about 185+ miles and still runs strong. 5.0 auto with trailer package gave us a 3.73 trac loc rear.
We had the AC pump replaced under warranty a lloonngg time ago. In the last 5 years we replaced an in-tank fuel pump assy as the pressure regulator is part of the assembly, a water pump, belt, tensioner, pulleys, a screeching hall affect thingy that spins where the distributor used to be, upper and lower ball joints.
It is due another trans and rear diff fluid change and could really use some shocks.
This thing is as rock solid as the 5.0 Mustangs and other F trucks I've had.
We had the AC pump replaced under warranty a lloonngg time ago. In the last 5 years we replaced an in-tank fuel pump assy as the pressure regulator is part of the assembly, a water pump, belt, tensioner, pulleys, a screeching hall affect thingy that spins where the distributor used to be, upper and lower ball joints.
It is due another trans and rear diff fluid change and could really use some shocks.
This thing is as rock solid as the 5.0 Mustangs and other F trucks I've had.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Over There
That would be fantastic if a manual worked. I prefer manuals but this needs to be something everyone can drive.
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