2002 vs 2003?
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2002 vs 2003?
I'm currently looking at a couple Explorers, one is a '02 and one is an '03. My biggest concern about buying one is everything I've read about the problems with the transmissions. I know it isn't exclusive to the '02s, but does anyone know if the '03s are any more reliable or would I have just as much of a chance of having the transmission fail with either car? If it matters, both are V6 4x4's, the '02 is an XLT and the '03 is an XLS. The '02 has just under 60k miles and the '03 has just under 50k.
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From: Murray
Well,
I know the 03's have a wider and longer wheel base which makes them easier to drive. I know we just test drove a whole bunch of them recently when we picked up my moms 03 and lemme tell ya I certainly noticed that the 03 handeld a lot better than the 02. As far a reliability goes the transmissions are supposedly designed to go 100,000 before service is needed at least on the 03's now wether itll last or not is kinda hard to tell like with anything else I suppose. Just make sure that when you test drive em to listen to see if you hear that natorious rear end hum which could mean the differential needs service.Other than that if theyre the same price go w/ the 03. Its newer has less miles and is a bit sturdier.
Thats my input,
-Chris
I know the 03's have a wider and longer wheel base which makes them easier to drive. I know we just test drove a whole bunch of them recently when we picked up my moms 03 and lemme tell ya I certainly noticed that the 03 handeld a lot better than the 02. As far a reliability goes the transmissions are supposedly designed to go 100,000 before service is needed at least on the 03's now wether itll last or not is kinda hard to tell like with anything else I suppose. Just make sure that when you test drive em to listen to see if you hear that natorious rear end hum which could mean the differential needs service.Other than that if theyre the same price go w/ the 03. Its newer has less miles and is a bit sturdier.
Thats my input,
-Chris
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Toronto,Canada
I would go with the 03 simply because they are newer and therefore at least a lil' more reliable? I just bought my 02 six months ago and I have encountered numerous problems..... The big one is Chain rattle. In 2003 apparantley they fixed that problem, so you have one less problem to worry about. Hope this helps you and have fun with that X.
Baumer
Baumer
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Have the service manager run the VIN on any one you're interested in; some Gen III Explorers had the wrong formula tranny fluid installed at the factory, and a VIN check will tell if the tranny additive is needed and whether it was installed.
Unless the one you buy has the tow package, you shouldn't have a problem with the rear end; the clutch packs in the LS rear ends are what caused most of the noise problems.
I too would stick with '03 and newer; less timing chain rattle problems with the V6 (of course, if you can find a V8........but the XLS won't have one).
The '02 and '03 have the width and wheelbase.
Let us know what you end up with.
Steve
Unless the one you buy has the tow package, you shouldn't have a problem with the rear end; the clutch packs in the LS rear ends are what caused most of the noise problems.
I too would stick with '03 and newer; less timing chain rattle problems with the V6 (of course, if you can find a V8........but the XLS won't have one).
The '02 and '03 have the width and wheelbase.
Let us know what you end up with.
Steve
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Joined: Jul 2005
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i would drive both trucks on the road and highway and listen/ feel for problems. just because it is a year newer dont mean much. i have a 2002 V6 with 80,000 and it runs great. troubles with the rear end and transmission are few. You only year about the 100 that had troubles, not the 100,000 that did not. test drive and see for yourself. if it has run 50K and is o.k. it should be fine. i would alwlays change the transmission, alxe and engine on on any new truck i bought.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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well that would be expensive, wouldnt it. yea-- change all the oils when you buy another vehicle.
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CO River Rat
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
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