I am starting the research for my wife's next vehicle. She wants an SUV and we haven't really decided firmly between the Explorer or Expedition yet. Leaning toward the Explorer for mileage and maneuverability.

The question I have for the group, is should I get the V8 or V6? The truck will be a daily commuter of 60 miles round trip and will get some occasional towing duty for my little 13' Boston Whaler. Mostly just a people mover. Giving the majority of the use, I am leaning toward the V6 and 3.55 gears for mileage, but have not driven either yet. How about some real world experience on power, mileage, and reliability.

BTW - I have a '99, 4.0L OHV Explorer for work vehicle which is a dog and has NO POWER!

Thanks in advance.

 

We just bought an '04 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4x2 with the V-8. . .The rear end is outfitted with 3.73 gears. According to the computer, we're getting around 19 mpg on average. The V-8 has plenty of power. My salesman said he had a Ranger with the V-6, and he was really disappointed in the mileage, and lack of power as compared to the V-8. I was leaning toward the larger engine anyway, and I'm pretty pleased with it so far.

 

If Gas Mileage is your main concern, the V6 will get better mileage as a daily driver. However due to the extra horsepower, the V8 will certainly get better mileage in moderate to heavy towing. IF all your towing is a 13' boat, the V6 will have plenty of power to handle this job. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I have a 95 with the 4.0L V6, and I am very happy with the performance, and the mileage, it is by no means a DOG. I have pulled a 21' Pontoon boat out of the water with little to no trouble, and didn't even need to use 4WL. I personally would save the money on the V8. But that is just my personal oppinion. If I were pulling horses around on a regular basis I would get the V8. Most people will tell you to get the V8, and I know where they are coming from, if I had the means I would be driving a V8 myself. But I just couldn't justify the additional money for the purchase. Since I was on a fixed budget for the vehicle, I choose the Loaded V6, rather than the stripped down V8. Ultimately the choice is yours, but I am very pleased with my 4.0L, and I think it's one of the most reliable engines that Ford has ever built. I have heart many a tale of 400k-500k miles on the 4.0L with no serious problems.

David

 

PE -

I would get the V6 with the towing package; better mileage most of the time and a limited-slip rear end for those slippery launch ramps.

Steve

 

Thanks to all for the replies so far. A couple of other info items to assist with comments. We are planning on getting the 4x4, so I don't think launching at the ramp will be an issue. I do like LS rears though. Not sure if I can get the 3.55 in LS in an Explorer.

My work truck is the 165 HP OHV (not the 200+ HP OHC 4.0L) with 3.73 LS rear and 5 spd auto. I get around 11 mpg around town (I do mostly city driving at work) and 19 mpg on the interstate.

I am used to having plenty of power in my persoanl vehciles the last four years and that it why I like the V8. That is one of the main reasons I got the V10 over the 5.4L in my F-250. Clearly not going to need the V8 to tow the little boat, but the extra power would be nice. She currently drives a '02 Sable LS with the 200 HP 3.0L V6 and it has plenty of zip. Will definitely drive both before making a purchase. She has already told me she wants an Eddie Bauer in Red or Blue .........

Would appreciate any more insight.



Thanks
Mike

 

Mike -

Sounds like you're leaning toward the V8. I had an '02 XLT 2WD with the SOHC V6 and it did fine, except for hills with my boat/trailer rig (2980 #) hooked to her tail. I now have an '04 XLT Sport 2WD with the V8 and like it a lot better. Mileage around town is about 2 mpg less than the V6, but highway mileage is identical with or without the boat.

Steve

 

Many say the V8 has a much more dependable tranny than the V6.

 

Mike -

According to Ford's website, the 3.73 rear (tow package) is not available with LS if you get 4X4. The 3.55 isn't available with LS on any model. If you like power, get the V8 - sounds great with a FlowMaster!!!

Steve

 

get the 8cyl the tranny behind teh 6cyl is indeed very weak

 

Hey Steve/Steina - How about sharing the mpg numbers you referenced. I know it is 2x4. What is the rear ratio?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Mike -

My '04 has the 3.73 LS rear. MPG arond town is 13-14, highway is 19 without the boat and 15-16 with. BTW, these figures are after I got 3200 miles on her.

Steve

 

I'd go with the V8. My wife drives the 4.0 and I'm not overly impressed with the gas mileage we get vs the extra power of a V8. I feel the 302 is a better engine. But my toy is a 7.3 PSD. When I step on it I move...

 

and
Man, those numbers are almost identical to what I get with my 97 Mountaineer with the V8 AWD 3.73 rear end. It gets about 18-19mpg on the highway when I keep my foot out of it and 16-17 when I get pushy. But then it also has 180k miles and I know that the bearings are not "drag free" if you will (still original and I am starting to hear noise).