Hi, I am looking at a 1994 Ford Explorer for sale locally and it seems like a good deal but I wanted some advice. It is really nice looking inside and out but the downer is it has 210,000 miles and that is why they are only asking $1500. Does that sound like a good deal or with that many miles will I be expecting major problems. How much does it generall cost (estimated) to rebuild the motor? Thanks and any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Rusty

 

This is always a hard question to answer. Like saying, how much is my house worth and the only correct answer is what is someone willing to pay you for it.

There were some 1.5 to 2 million Gen 1 Explorers produced. So they are somewhat of commodity and pretty cheap these days. My 93 new was $23K out the door. So I'd say $1,500 is a bargin!

If you never had one before you need to be aware that these things are not without their quirks. Many of us have learned these and run our own preventative maintenance schemes to keep them running good. I have 171K miles on mine and it dyno'ed at 133 rear wheel horse, 195 ft-lb torque. Advertised HP at the flywheel was 160 from Ford. Drive train east up some power always but one guy who developed a lot of custom tunes for EEC-IV computers thought mine was doing pretty good at 133 horse.

Some guys have gotten a lot less then 210K and had to replace heads, intake manifold gasket leaks are common, all kinds of issues with the EFI controls components but that would go for any high mileage car these days... But a well maintained motor can make 350-400K, so I have heard.

So you need to do a good once over of the car. If you can get a code reader, or for Mrshorty's sake, try to read any codes that might be in the computer with the paper clip method, go to autozone or the like and have them read the codes - do it as a part of the test drive. If the computer has anything stored, you can use that as a barganing chip to talk the seller down a bit. You need to know the car better than them and poss all kinds of issues - what ever you can find that is legit - be ethical now! Then offer them what you think it's worth. Maybe $1,000 would be a steal but I can't comment since the car's not in front of me.

Check out this site for some of the more common issues with Explorers. If the guys listing repair procedures on this site can do the repairs - you certainly can. (LOL - I have posted on this web site.) http://draco.acs.uci.edu/explorer/

Not trying to scare you off. Not at all. I love my Explorer. It is now one of my most favorite toys. Just trying to give you the facts, just the facts...

 

where are you at in Oregon? The transmissions are weak. I would not look at anything earlier than 93.

 

I believe the '94s still had the A4LD transmissions which is definitely a weak point. When you test drive it, make sure the engine is completely cold, and make sure there is no hesitation when putting it in forward or reverse, and that there are no upshifting problems. Also, check the radius arm bushings, and for rust in the rear dog legs and rocker panels.

 

Boy I am sure glad I am a cheap ****. Back in 1993 the auto trans option was something like $650. Even though I wanted a manual anyways, no way would I have been able to swing the extra qwon for the auto. Looks like one of the best decisions I've ever made since by now I would of had 2 rebuilds at $2K a peice. So I guess I've saved close to $5K now on that cheap **** decision!

 

Yes that was a lucky decision - Thinking maybe I'll convert my 92 rather that do a rebuilt.

Check for oil leaks underneith the trans and the engine. Intake manifolds leak oil and water plus the trans front seal is a problem. On a test drive, crawl along slowly and feel the shifts, especially between 2nd and 3rd. See if it seems to go rev into neutral between 2nd and 3rd. If so it probably has a pump presure problem.

All the above is accurate, RA bushings are $500 at a dealership and can be a Beoch to do yourself. Check to see if the Transfer case shifts into low.

 

Sure bdta6la - there are a lot of basic "now we know about it" things to maintain these trucks. Most are listed here http://draco.acs.uci.edu/explorer/ and any backyard mechanic can deal with it. My RA poly bushings cost me about $30 in parts and about $10 in new cobalt drill bits that I can now use for other tough jobs. The way I see it, any job that justifies new tools is a job well presented!

 

jharger you are my hero, great link. Never had a 4x4 before and am learning lots from you many thanx.

 

No Problem. Thanks for the feedback. Glad I'm not just talking to myself out here LOL. I'm just trying to help.

I down loaded a bunch of specs and repair procedures not found on the draco web site from the Alldata.com site (through Autozone). They used a 93 Ranger as an example of their product and I grabbed as much as I could. So if you have any question that the other web page can't solve for you,let me know.