2005 Explorer
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern Ontario
2005 Explorer
Hi Folks. I'm looking to find out how your Explorers are. It's because I'm looking at a new one with the 4.6 liter V8 and the part time/ auto 4wd system. Are there any problems you can report?
Do they have good fit and finish over the long haul, nice and quiet and smooth on the road, or do they get all loose and rattley as they age?
How about handling, do they stay nice and tight, or do they get sloppy with age? Are they properly built?
How's the road and wind noise?
How about the 4.6L V8? I had one in a T-bird and it was great, are they still as good? Does this engine have lots of guts?
How about fuel economy? What mileage do you get on the highway?
Towing capacity- How much can they tow? Would it be ok to pull my old 47 truck on a flat deck tandem axle if I need to? Or a 4X8 trailer full of dirt or lumber?
Thanks everyone.
Do they have good fit and finish over the long haul, nice and quiet and smooth on the road, or do they get all loose and rattley as they age?
How about handling, do they stay nice and tight, or do they get sloppy with age? Are they properly built?
How's the road and wind noise?
How about the 4.6L V8? I had one in a T-bird and it was great, are they still as good? Does this engine have lots of guts?
How about fuel economy? What mileage do you get on the highway?
Towing capacity- How much can they tow? Would it be ok to pull my old 47 truck on a flat deck tandem axle if I need to? Or a 4X8 trailer full of dirt or lumber?
Thanks everyone.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
They are pretty solid- most of the bugs have been ironed out and the fit and finish is very good (no rattles whatsoever). The main issues are a rear axle whine/howl as well as poor transmission shift quality. I would recommend that you go with the 4.6 L V8 because it's better suited to such a hefty vehicle as well as the fact that it's more reliable. I don't think that there have been any problems reported with the V8 for this generation of Explorer. I found that the part time 4WD system performs very well in snow. I myself don't have the V8 but as far as highway mileage goes, most people seem to be getting around 19-20 mpg once they are past the break-in stage. I'm not sure about towing specs with the V8 and 4WD but it's listed on Ford's website (I do know that you will not be able to tow as much as a V8 with 2WD). If it is safe to tow your truck or your lumber cart with the explorer, I would highly recommend that you install a transmission cooler just to be on the safe side.
