This is topic Anyone know about Explorers? in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Ford Explorers, particularly a 1998 Eddie Bauer, 4x4, automatic, 4.0L. Are they any good or just another piece of shit SUV? I'm also wondering how much they can "realistically" tow. Any opinions would be great. Thanks!
 
Posted by WildFire532FB (Member # 1482) on :
 
I loved my 96 Eddie Bauer Explorer, i wanted more room though so i traded it in for my truck.
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by WildFire532FB:
I loved my 96 Eddie Bauer Explorer, i wanted more room though so i traded it in for my truck.
How reliable was it? I've never owned one but always hear the nickname "exploder" lol!
 
Posted by NEIGHT (Member # 8741) on :
 
I don't anything about them but personally I wouldn't tow with one.
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by NEIGHT:
I don't anything about them but personally I wouldn't tow with one.
Why wouldn't you tow with one?
 
Posted by RiddlerGT (Member # 113) on :
 
I had an 02 4.6L Eddie bauer, was a great all around vehicle. The transmissions were weak during those particular years and ours was always in the shop dealing with it.
 
Posted by a302juGRnot (Member # 10163) on :
 
my girl has one and they are hands down one of the best trucks for the money. looks deceivingly expensive even though theyre cheap!lol hasnt broke down since shes had it.
 
Posted by WildFire532FB (Member # 1482) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:
quote:
Originally posted by WildFire532FB:
I loved my 96 Eddie Bauer Explorer, i wanted more room though so i traded it in for my truck.
How reliable was it? I've never owned one but always hear the nickname "exploder" lol!
It got that name cause of the Firestone tires not because of the vehicle. I never had any problems with it. i wouldn't tow anything big with the 4.0L though
 
Posted by Wrenchin (Member # 9529) on :
 
Well, firestone sold oem tires on the vehicle, ford had another idea to raise the tire psi to an unsafe level. Firestone did not agree. And won the case
 
Posted by WildFire532FB (Member # 1482) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wrenchin:
Well, firestone sold oem tires on the vehicle, ford had another idea to raise the tire psi to an unsafe level. Firestone did not agree. And won the case
i thought it was because the tire pressure was too low.
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Oh lol...at least the name was due to the tire issue and not the car itself! Good to know.

Any other people have any experience with them?
 
Posted by WildFire532FB (Member # 1482) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:
Oh lol...at least the name was due to the tire issue and not the car itself! Good to know.

Any other people have any experience with them?
The tires would blow and make the Explorer roll.
 
Posted by iron50 (Member # 11231) on :
 
my wife has a 2010 ironman edition !and she is very happy, [patriot]
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Posted by iron50 (Member # 11231) on :
 
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Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
I had a 96 xlt. Loved the seats and the rear a/c, stock stereo was decent too. Mine had the OHV 4.0 v6 and was 2wd. I bought it at 62k miles and sold it at 98k. It was reliable up until I sold it, when in the same week it got p0300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire) and the indicator needle for what gear the transmission was in broke off. I figured it was an intake gasket leak as changing the (single) coil pack and changing the spark plugs didn't fix it, but who knows?

Should be fine to tow up to 5000lbs on a small trailer with trailer brakes, mine had pretty nice disc brakes all around, though going up hills would have sucked as the OHV 4.0L made what felt like 140rwhp...
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
I have a 2001 limited awd 5.0 they are great runs like a top u wont have too many issues with it unless you start towing. If u plan on towing buy the largest trans cooler u can get. The only issues i have with mine is the leather amd horrible gas mileage. Besides that your good to go.
 
Posted by dean-93 (Member # 9401) on :
 
my friend bought a 92 explorer v6 4wd for like 350 running just with a rad leak and we beat it to death for 3 months till he sold it topick and pull for 300

great car and off roading was fun as hell stock and we jumped that thing all the time

but it did almost roll ever everytime we did donuts
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys! Sounds like they're pretty good cars for the price!

89rodknocker...what kind of mog's do you are with yours?
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
With the v8 and all wheel drive im knocking down 18mpg on the highway. With the v6 and 4 wheel drive u should be able to get mid 20 on the highway
 
Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
They also make performance parts for them explorer express in napa make stuff for them. There also explorerforum.com
 
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 89Rodknocker:
With the v8 and all wheel drive im knocking down 18mpg on the highway. With the v6 and 4 wheel drive u should be able to get mid 20 on the highway
nah, my v6 2wd at best got 21mpg, usually 16-18 though. And I'm one of the freaks that can get the best mpg out of anything, like 23mpg out of my wifes `08, 25mpg out of my `89 5.0 with 3.73's, and 24mpg out of my `97 fobra.

the explorers don't get good mileage, but if you don't believe me check www.fueleconomy.gov at the 'avg user ratings' for other real world examples -

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=1998&year2=1998&make=Ford&model=Explorer%204WD&srchtyp=ymm

they were only rated 15/18 from the epa, LOL.
 
Posted by asskickn88 (Member # 4957) on :
 
I've got a 98 2wd with the 5.0 and it runs like a beast. This thing was neglected so bad and had almost 200K on it. It now has 212K and hasn't missed a beat, I've pulled a utility trailer a lot with it and had no issues. We paid $700 for it and we are getting almost double that back on insurance because some old lady backed into us. I'm not impressed with the V6 myself, the 5.0 is the best motor by far.
 
Posted by WildFire532FB (Member # 1482) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Blind:
quote:
Originally posted by 89Rodknocker:
With the v8 and all wheel drive im knocking down 18mpg on the highway. With the v6 and 4 wheel drive u should be able to get mid 20 on the highway
nah, my v6 2wd at best got 21mpg, usually 16-18 though. And I'm one of the freaks that can get the best mpg out of anything, like 23mpg out of my wifes `08, 25mpg out of my `89 5.0 with 3.73's, and 24mpg out of my `97 fobra.

the explorers don't get good mileage, but if you don't believe me check <a href="http://www.fueleconomy.gov" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.fueleconomy.gov</a> at the 'avg user ratings' for other real world examples -

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=1998&year2=1998&make=Ford&model=Explorer%204WD&srchtyp=ymm

they were only rated 15/18 from the epa, LOL.
Same here i can get good gas mileage out of anything, i think the best i got out of my v6 was 21 as well.
 
Posted by 85staNg302 (Member # 9450) on :
 
My cousin has a 00 4x4 with 174k runs great, and pretty comfy..plus you won't get pulled over to easy while driving under the influence lol we call it the "undercover" [Wink] and exploder for some reason
 




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