AWD Explorer thoughts
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Los Angeles safe and warm
AWD Explorer thoughts
Anyone driven one of these? The wife will be getting a new Explorer this year and I wondered if this somewhat expensive option might be a good buy.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
The AWD is nice to have, especially if you have any type of winter at all. Now that I live in Salt Lake City, I wish mine was AWD. I didn't ahve a need for it in Atlanta. It has made me think of buying a used one and swapping all my parts over to it.
Living in Los Angeles, I doubt you would really see the need for it, unless you spend some time in the mountains or somewhere that 4WD would come in handy. Basically, AWD is a glorified 4WD hi...
Living in Los Angeles, I doubt you would really see the need for it, unless you spend some time in the mountains or somewhere that 4WD would come in handy. Basically, AWD is a glorified 4WD hi...
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Allendale
I bought my '01 back in August and have no complaints.
I came from an older F150 4x4 and after our first snow, I was a bit displeased.....but I have grown to love it. I've heard mixed feeling's on having a fulltime 4x4 (MPG, Ice, etc). It all boils down to what you use it for....
I don't 'beat' or offroad my vehicles, so AWD was my personal choice. One thing I will say.....I have yet to drive through a deep amount of snow, but my buddy claims his 98 AWD dorve through 2' of snow....
Good luck and let us know what you decide....
Metauser
I came from an older F150 4x4 and after our first snow, I was a bit displeased.....but I have grown to love it. I've heard mixed feeling's on having a fulltime 4x4 (MPG, Ice, etc). It all boils down to what you use it for....
I don't 'beat' or offroad my vehicles, so AWD was my personal choice. One thing I will say.....I have yet to drive through a deep amount of snow, but my buddy claims his 98 AWD dorve through 2' of snow....
Good luck and let us know what you decide....
Metauser
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: UT
Personally, I wouldn't get the AWD, but it really depends on your wife's desired uses for the truck (I hate to assume, stereotypically, that she only wants it as a grocery getter). The AWD transfer case isn't lockable nor does it have a low range. But that's my preference.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
My wife owns one. Here in Canada its great to have. Its a more driver friendly vehicle, than a 4x4. Since you don't have to change from 2-4, H-L, etc.
The computer drives the tranfer case. When its dry the power it 1/3 front 2/3 rear. When it computer senses slip, it will change the power. 2/3 front 1/3 rear, or 50/50. My wife drives 40 ks to work. From 120ks on the Hwy, to driving in 3 feet of snow with no problems. I have towed our popup camper trailer and 4 sled (snow mobles for you southern types) trailer with it . Cross country is good but if you are heavy into 4x4in chose a 4x4. But part it it will do. The gas mileage is better than our friends 4Lt 4X4.
We'll buy another one.
The computer drives the tranfer case. When its dry the power it 1/3 front 2/3 rear. When it computer senses slip, it will change the power. 2/3 front 1/3 rear, or 50/50. My wife drives 40 ks to work. From 120ks on the Hwy, to driving in 3 feet of snow with no problems. I have towed our popup camper trailer and 4 sled (snow mobles for you southern types) trailer with it . Cross country is good but if you are heavy into 4x4in chose a 4x4. But part it it will do. The gas mileage is better than our friends 4Lt 4X4.
We'll buy another one.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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ive had mine for about 8 months and i love it except for the MPG, being V8 and AWD isnt exactly an atvantage in taht respect. In teh winter time in norhtern NJ it can get crazy. drove throught almost 2' of snow and i love hte AWD sicne you can Drift the truck sideways in the snow and keep it there nice and long and controll it.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Best Option available in the Explorer (Especially since its the only really good way to get away from the problem laden 4.0L)
You can't beat the 5.0L setup especially in something the size of the Explorer, great power, if you keep it tuned up you'll see about a 3-5mpg hit on milage but you should still see around 20 highway...
You can't beat the 5.0L setup especially in something the size of the Explorer, great power, if you keep it tuned up you'll see about a 3-5mpg hit on milage but you should still see around 20 highway...
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
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I'm getting 16 mpg combined.....although I'm a little heavy with the acceleration sometimes. Worst was 14 or so when it was snowing for we just had to get around. I've seen summers around 17mpg combined, but never really had it on the highway long enough for a real highway mpg test.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Allendale
I failed to mention MPG....I took a trip to Missouri this Fall....
While driving down, the wind was fierce. MPG sucked until we got down towards Cairo IL. I think we got around 17 going down. I used the CC and set it at 75 mph (I had a Valentine One for the fuzz).
On the way back, MPG was AWESOME....no wind (what little their was, was to my back)....Got about 22 coming back....with the thing at 75mph. The little 5.0 AWD never missed a beat.....
Love the thing...
Metauser
While driving down, the wind was fierce. MPG sucked until we got down towards Cairo IL. I think we got around 17 going down. I used the CC and set it at 75 mph (I had a Valentine One for the fuzz).
On the way back, MPG was AWESOME....no wind (what little their was, was to my back)....Got about 22 coming back....with the thing at 75mph. The little 5.0 AWD never missed a beat.....
Love the thing...
Metauser
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 13
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From: Dorm
How does the AWD system work?? I was told that the rear wheels are locked...both rotate at same time and the front are like limited slips or something like that..i dont know my 4x4 jargon good enough..I just know that locked axles are best for off roading..I think??
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
On mine, the rear diff is limited slip and the front is an open diff. The transfer case is a "viscous clutch" that divides the torque something like 65% rear, 35% front. I think maybe the newer ones are controlled electronically.