1998 Ford Explorer good or bad
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1998 Ford Explorer good or bad
I am thinking of purchasing a 1998 explorer for comuting. It already has 100000+ miles on a 4.0L with automatic. It seems to be a solid vehichle but I have no experience with explorers. Any opinions or advice is welcome. I think I can purchase for around 3000.00
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 27
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From: Maryland
I've got 125k on mine and it's still going strong with no major problems.
The sepentine belt broke the other day, but it may or may not have been the original. So I chalk that up to poor maintnence on my part. I do try to maintain it though. That one fell through the cracks.
I got it at 35k miles. 4.0 sohc 4wd. A solid performing engine.
I tow my 16' boat with ease. I once towed a 26' cabin boat about 10 miles on flat ground. Way over weight & a bit scary, but nothing broke. I won't do it again though.
17mpg come rain or shine.
The sepentine belt broke the other day, but it may or may not have been the original. So I chalk that up to poor maintnence on my part. I do try to maintain it though. That one fell through the cracks.
I got it at 35k miles. 4.0 sohc 4wd. A solid performing engine.
I tow my 16' boat with ease. I once towed a 26' cabin boat about 10 miles on flat ground. Way over weight & a bit scary, but nothing broke. I won't do it again though.
17mpg come rain or shine.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,450
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From: Baltimore
Make sure you drive it when the engine is cold and make sure the trans shifts properly. Also, if it is 4wd or awd, make sure it works. If you are buying from a dealer, make them run a carfax report on it. Things to avoid are auctioned or leased cars, collisions, and questionable odometer readings. If everything checks out ok, 3k is a good price.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
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I really like my '98 XLT 4.0L SOHC 4WD. I just changed all the timing chains, tensioners, and guides at 148K miles. It was a very big job but had to be done and was worth the trouble. Just include the repair cost in your budget for purchasing the vehicle and you won't have any problems. I wouldn't buy one with the 4.0L OHV. That engine may not have the timing chain problem but that doesn't change the fact that it is a bit of a dog. The 4.0L SOHC is much better (power and MPG) as long as you budget for the timing chain tensioners and guides update.
Last edited by Space Truckin'; Aug 18, 2007 at 12:13 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 279
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From: Jacksonville, NC
I have a 98 4.0 SOHC 2wd with 120,000 miles on it. Still running strong. Just do you regular maintenance and it will last. One thing to ask is to see if they have the maintenance history to see what has been doen or not done to the vehicle.
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