Ah, I thought that may be it. Is it able to pull down a tailgate with the window going up? I know this is on Blazers. I'd like to be able to put backseats down and maybe have things extending out of the back, but that would be difficult with the hatch in the air above the car.

 

no, no explorer has that capability except the sport trac, which is essentially a truck tailgate

i've had to do that before with mine and i just tie down the door as far down as it will go to the hitch

 

Ah, never thought of that. Does anyone know how far it is between the back of thr front seats and the tailgate(with backseats down) for 2dr & 4dr?

 

I think you loose between a 1 foot to 1 1/2 feet of length in the cargo area with the rear seats down if you go for a two door.

Regarding engines, I had a 97 4.0L SOHC, 5 HP and 40 Ft/lbs less than 5.0L. I did not want AWD, due to gas milage and going offroad. I was never disappointed in power with this truck, which I used to tow a boat and go offroading and gas milage (25 mpg highway with 3.55 axles, make sure you check what axle ratio you get, this greatly affects gas milage!!!!!!! The lower the number better gas milage, higher number better for towing. I would get 3.55 unless tow regularly, than go for 3.73 or 4.10 based on size of trailer load and distance towing.). Fully loaded, the extra torque of the V8 is desirable, but unless you are towing or caring large loads alot, the 4.0L SOHC is ok. In the newer Exploreres (2002 and up), I went for V8, because new Explorer is 500 lbs heavier than old one and you feel that weight with the V6 when you have 4 adults in it.

 

i never had a 2nd gen v6, i only had the old 1st gen v6 which was anemic. i couldnt get up hills on a highway when going on a ski trip. and that was just with myself and ski equipment! it would have to come out of overdrive and pedal was almost to the floor. with my new v8 it never comes out of overdrive. not going back to a v6 again. even if i bought a brand new explorer (2006)

 

Well, do you know actually how long the bed would be with backseats down?

The newer V6s seem to be a lot better than older and near the v8s in power. Would the ohv 4.0's be better for pre-1995 models? How much weight was added in the 95 remodel?

ohv v6 4.0L 145 - 160HP / 220 - 225 torque
ohc v6 4.0L 205 - 210 / 240 - 250
ohv v8 5.0L 210 - 215 / 280 - 288
ohc v8 4.6L 240 / 280

 

remember, hp doesnt really matter too much in these trucks, as 4x4 low speed, towing, and going up steep hills relies on torque. i know the hp is close on the newer v6's with the v8's, but look at torque, you get loads more.

btw guys this is my opinion, dont attack me now.

they didnt make v8's pre 1995. 1st gens only had the v6 option.

on weight, v6 to v6; 1st gen to 2nd gen; 4x4; weight was up about 150 pounds on the 2nd gens

on the length issue, i'll have to measure for you, but i can only give you the 4 door measurement, dont have a 2 door

 

Really? that means I have never seen another V8 explorer with the exception of mine. Unless they were dedaged, but I have never seen another explorer wth an AWD badge like mine has.

 

I'm not sure what you are referring to but my Explorer doesn't have an AWD badge, just the standard V8 emblem on each side by the front doors.

 

Anyone able to measure the back? Was there a length difference before the 95 remodel?

 

I've got a '91 w/ the 4.0 and an '02 with the 4.6. The 4.6 absolutely kicks it's butt in all respects. The old 4.0 has 210,000 miles so I can't say anything too bad about her But, the mileage is about the same and always was from what I remember when the 4.0 was a lot younger. I'd get the 8 again if given the choice.