High mileage
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 63
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From: Plymouth USA
What major items have you had to replace? I just bought a 96 Sport, 4.0,
5-spd. So far I found that the lower ball joints haave to be replaced. Also has the oil filter adapter oil leak. Not looking forward to fixing.
5-spd. So far I found that the lower ball joints haave to be replaced. Also has the oil filter adapter oil leak. Not looking forward to fixing.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6
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Brakes and ball joints have been the most re-occuring problem with this vehicle but dirt roads along with high mileage are the major factors. Did replace the transfer case a few years back. The engine, 4.0, does not run like an engine with this kind of mileage. It doesn't owe us anything!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
4.0 OHV, control track, 320000K
front pads, shocks and airlift on back
transmission (290K) and transfercase rebuild (210K),
use for SAR, carry 600lbs of equipment all the time and tow 16' flatbed trailer, so is abused on regular basis
we have a 92 Expl, doing similar work, 355000k, same components worn out, original TC, 3rd trany @ 310000K
front pads, shocks and airlift on back
transmission (290K) and transfercase rebuild (210K),
use for SAR, carry 600lbs of equipment all the time and tow 16' flatbed trailer, so is abused on regular basis
we have a 92 Expl, doing similar work, 355000k, same components worn out, original TC, 3rd trany @ 310000K
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 63
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From: Plymouth USA
Well mine (96 Explorer Sport)has 161,000 miles on it. Other than the oil leak and ball joints it seems to run pretty good. The clutch was replaced last year so says the guy I bought it from. I'm amazed that there is very little rust on it. Also, the neon high mount rear stop light is out. Down the road I think I'll try to rework it and change it to a conventional bulb. Just installed a Ford dual media radio radio (tape and CD) with a Ford subwoofer setup. Sounds OK to me but I'm an old guy -61- retired from Ford. Note: I had a 94 Jeep Cherokee before the explorer. Also, I have five kids and 3 of them and their spouses are driving 2006 Explorers, 2006 Mustang GT and one 2005 Escape. Helps keep my pension paying me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
Mr slowfour,
I have seen a couple of those neon lights relaced with LED's, seem to work well.
BTW our main unit is a 97 4dr Explorer with Controltrac and it has done us well,
We previously ran an S15 2.8, 5spd, which retired at over 520,000K
I have seen a couple of those neon lights relaced with LED's, seem to work well.
BTW our main unit is a 97 4dr Explorer with Controltrac and it has done us well,
We previously ran an S15 2.8, 5spd, which retired at over 520,000K
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 95
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From: Buffalo Grove,il
well,I have a 97 sport with 133000 miles....I have done brakes,and a battery.....I am NOT the original owner....so what else has been done-I know not....But,I enjoy it a lot...and I have only had it 2 months.....oh the exhaust has been modified-no mufflers just the resonators...and a mickey mouse dual exhaust...nasty sound...will the Borla or flowmaster or gibson mufflers help?(I want a throaty sound-not the whiny sewing machine sound)
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 252
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I have two Generation 1 Explorers and both have over 225,000 miles. From my experiences a 4.0L motor will live forever but the rest of the truck needs to be replaced at one time or another (and I mean just about every part!).
A4LD transmissions in Gen1 Explorers are notoriously bad as well as transfer case motors, rust on the rocker panels and rust on the drivers side quarters around the gas cap.
Great motor though the 4.0L pushrod.
300,000 dude on a '96? That's a lot of driving!
A4LD transmissions in Gen1 Explorers are notoriously bad as well as transfer case motors, rust on the rocker panels and rust on the drivers side quarters around the gas cap.
Great motor though the 4.0L pushrod.
300,000 dude on a '96? That's a lot of driving!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix
Hey slowfour - I have a thread posted here on the oil filter adapter leak - just search for my name and "oil filter adapter leak" and it is also located on this web site: http://draco.acs.uci.edu/explorer/ under "engine and electrical systems"
Sorry about the commentary within but it was a fairly eventful few days for me. Anyway, there might be some serious issue for you on the deburring process and o-ring sizes that I encountered on mine. Just glad I used to design high vacuum processing systems for a living - got me through that stuff for sure!
Sorry about the commentary within but it was a fairly eventful few days for me. Anyway, there might be some serious issue for you on the deburring process and o-ring sizes that I encountered on mine. Just glad I used to design high vacuum processing systems for a living - got me through that stuff for sure!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix
Oh Yeah - I'm at about 172K miles on my 93 X. I have tried to abuse and break just about every part of it. I have yet to have to change a single bulb or fuse in it - headlight, tail light, turn signal - nor a blinker relay. The only engine controls components ever changed are O2 sensors and MAF sensor. Dealer change the PCM due to a TSB but the original one seemed fine to me. Issues seem to be the normal wear parts - suspension bushing, shocks, tires, brakes... hell - I have never changed a single hose on this car, down to the heater hoses everything is 1993 OEM ford!
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 63
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From: Plymouth USA
J... Thanks for the info on the oil leak. I'm familiar with the replacement of the "O" ring as I had a Ranger with a 2.9 that leaked in the same place. But on the 2.9 I could change them without removing the manifold.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix
SLowfour - on the ranger, what shape was the oil filter adapter? I mean was it deburred properly and did you have any of the o-ring problems I did? ( Big one cut at install, little one all dried up and hardened.)
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