So my father may be purchasing a 1997 Ford Explorer. According to him it is an XLT with 113,000 miles. I'll level with you guys I don't know the first thing about Explorers.

They are asking 2200 for it. I've never seen it in person so I can't attest to what shape it is in. But I'd like to know is there any common issue with these vehicles that I ought to look for?

I know on my PSD I was told to check the oil pan because it's a major PITA to replace so I'm just trying to find out what sort of stuff like that to be wary of.

 

Pushrod motor with 4 speed auto, hhhmm, ok, expect rear axle noise and your serpentine belt tensioner to fall off, and the radiator...

SOHC motor and 5 speed auto--pass.

 

So basically pass on it entirely?

What would be a better year for it or what would you recommend in something that was 4 wheel drive and could seat up to 4 if need be? We don't really want a crewcab pickup so we're really looking for an SUV.

 

What motor does it have? If it has the pushrod motor, and it's clean, runs well, etc, and you have a certain tolerence for nickle and dime items that most if not all vehicles of that age have, then consider it.

The SOHC and 5 speed OD of that year are fatally flawed. IF they were fixed/replaced or whatever, maybe, but how would you know that on a used car?

 

you dont want an exploder. i like ford and all but that was one of there worst designs

 

Now now, a weak roof, twitchy handling, and reliability issues aren't everything.... I've gotten used to the way my '98 drives, and I've never flipped it, so I forget some details sometimes.

 

You still haven't told us what she has.

I drive a 97 with a 4.0L OHV engine (bullet proof) 460K of 50/50 code 3 driving (Dive Rescue).

I pull a 16' flat deck trailer on a regular basis so the only thing I have to worry about is the 5R55 transmission (on 3rd), I run a V large cooler and no O/D when towing. The Controltrack T/C has given no trouble. I use full synthetic oil through a bypass filter system, changing every 10K.

So my advice is check the tranny and if it is sound, buy it. or go for it and expect to rebuild the 5R55 (CODB).

 

All 97's with the V6 came with the 5R55E no matter if it were the SOHC or the OHV. 97 was the first year for mass production of the SOHC and its a good powerful motor the only fault they had was the timing chain tensioner in the rear of the motor but that may have already been taken care of and replaced, and if it was replaced then you should have no worry's on that part. They come with a good dependable 8.8 rear and is more than likely open. 97 was the first year of the 5R55E 5speed auto tranny for the truck too and are dependable providing they keep a good temp (best bet is to install an aux tranny cooler) and have the trans fluid changed as often as you should and do not try to pull extreme loads that an F-250 should pull. I would do a carfax, and when the explorer is running listen to the motor for any rattling, if there is then the timing chain tensioner is on its way out. Both the 4.0 OHV and SOHC are good motors the OHV has 165HP and depending on the vin the SOHC has either 190HP or 205HP. If its got the 5.0 Then you don't really have many issues with those, they come with a LS rear with a 4R70W 4speed auto trans which is a little stronger than the V6's they came from factory with 210HP they only were available in 2wd or AWD but the awd transfer case can be swapped with a BW 4406 from an F-150 if 4wd is an issue. The explorer is one of the best small 4wd suv's you can buy, and the price of it sounds great if its in fair-good shape.

 

Thanks for the correction on the 5 speed auto.

I don't think temp or towing (did none) had anything to do with my input shaft breaking, or the new trans flairing between gears. I like the gearing of the trans, although 1st is too high and OD not tall enough with 3.73s, but I suppose not all of them failed the way mine did or there wouldn't be an Exploder left on the road....

 

I have no idea what it's got as far as a powerplant or trans. I asked you guys what to look for so that when I go look at it I know what to check.

 

if your looking for a explorer and want reliablity, find a 5.0 v8. i'm swaping one into my '96 4.0 which i love to death but after 3 trannys and 2 sets of headgaskets i'm sick of the v6 and its tranny.

 

Ditto on the V8 model, those seem to avoid the major issues found in the V6.....

 

Some people do experience head gasket issues with the OHV V6 model.

 

My 98 explorer has V8 5.0... 153k.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Explorer that's V8 5.0 as long as you know the right maintenance was done. I think this generation was very well built and should last awhile.

Kills me to see so many being junked as clunkers. Going to see a run on the prices of used parts.