I looked at 2 Explorers today, both 4x4 of some sort.Nearly identical 4drs. One was a 97 the other was 98, one was V8 one was V6. Can't remember which was which. Same price. After browsing here for answers re: mileage, I noticed there is a 4WD and a AWD.
Now I want to know what I was looking at.
To tell the truth, I didn't see a transfer case shifter so I figured it was a push button.I didn't even look for the buttons on the dash. I think they both had a plaque on the tailgate that said " select trac" "4WD" or was it "AWD", difficult to tell at a glance because of the script used and I didn't realize it might make a difference. I only remember it because it sounded like something I'd expect to see on a Jeep.
For the same price and vertually the same mileage,I'm leaning towards the V8.More power is always a good thing.
Any clues which they were? which is better/more reliable ?

 

I have a '96 V-8 AWD 125,000 miles and love it, AWD all the time, no switching no electronic modules to go bad, like our '02 with control trac. The V-8 is a more durable engine and with a stronger trans. You may want to search teh forum for the V-6 and timming thain and tensioner issues, check for engine noise or rattle when engine is cold and at low rpm and cold. good luck.

 

Once again, we enter the AWD vs. 4WD debate.

Up untill ~'02, all V8 Explorers were either 2WD or AWD. As noted, AWD is something like permanent 4WD, with no switches or any other user control over the AWD system. Some people like not having to control things; just drive and not worry about it. The 5.0 V8 is a reliable engine, and the 4R70W automatic transmission seems to be more reliable than the A4LD family that went behind the V6's.

The 4.0 OHV V6 is also a reliable engine. The 4.0 SOHC V6 (optional '97+), as noted, has issues with the cam chain tensioners. Both V6 engines came with either 2WD or control trac 4WD (control trac available '95+. '91-'94 used a simple part time 4WD system). Control trac operates almost exactly like the AWD system in 4auto, but the user can also select 4H (effectively locking the transfer case), and 4L (locked t-case with the gear reduction of a low range).

Me, personally, I don't know that I would be content with the lack of control over the system and the lack of a selectable low range that came with the V8's. I find myself using 4L often enough that I would miss it terribly. But most people aren't that way, and an AWD system would be just fine. I don't know what kind of person you are, so I can't answer that for you.

 

Well the salesman made me a really sweet deal on a 99 XLS.From what you discribe it must have the control trac.It has a switch on the dash,auto-4H-4L.I think I prefer this to AWD but ultimately I'd rather have the simple 4WD the earlier ones had.Just seems a little more fool proof.Just put it in 2WD under normal conditions and save the gas and the wear and tear.The wife understands the operation of conventional 4x4 from my old Dodge so that kind of simplicity is unnecessary.And it has an ash tray in the dash.

 

Early versions of the second generation Explorers had a different ControlTrac system. I know the '95s had it not sure for how long. The selections were 2WD, 4Auto and 4L.

Mason