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i just purchased a 99 explorer with the 4.0 4x4 and 107,000miles, my ? is if the 4 wheel drive system is a reliable system or is it something that will need a lot of work?, the truck will not be driven off road just in snow. thanks for any info that can be given on this....thanks
I have a '98 with 77000, no 4x4 issues, it all still works but has been used very little. Tranny and rear axle have been replaced/rebuilt.
Your biggest risk is the tranny. Not sure what to tell you about that. If yours is original, maybe you got a good one. If rebuilt, maybe it was done right.
The automatic system works pretty good. I've had mine in light snow and ice and it kicks in when needed, no problem.
I have a '99 4x4 with a little over 120k on the original tranny. I try to have it serviced every 30k or so (change fluid & filter). I've had no problems, my truck is trouble free.
I have used the 4hi a handful of times when it snows here on Long Island, but I don't do any off roading.
I think the big things that will kill the transmission is lack of maintenance, overheating, & abuse (like shifting to drive from reverse before the car stops).