My lower intake manifold cracked and I have not been able to source a replacement locally. I've found a replacement on ebay for $125 but I've also found an upper & lower intake from a 5.0 explorer that is $75 more. I've heard that the Explorer intake is better, but is it worth the price difference?

 

Everything with the Explorer is different. Wiring, throttle-body, EGR, plumbing.

On a completely stock truck engine it is not worth it.

Don't know where you are, but I'd go to the junk yard & get a lower truck manifold which is common as dirt before buying online.

Shouldn't be more than $50.

Especially if you wind up with a problem & have to get another.

 

I went to the local pick and pull, all of the ones I saw were in bad shape and none of the truck salvage places in town seem to have them either. Good call on the nothing fitting up. It didn't occur to me that they look absolutely nothing alike, doesn't even have a vac tree...

 

Don't know how bad of shape of what you saw, but its big, heavy chunk of aluminum.

Cleans up pretty well. Can of Easy-Off oven works wonders. Or a can of Gunk brand engine cleaner. Soak in a pail of hot water.

At any rate, good luck with your search/purchase.