Topic: Explorers? Jimbo? Anyone?

[KDXSR5]

So I am looking at a 1998 Ford Explorer. I want to get rid of my 97 GMC 1500 and get an SUV. I was looking for a cherokee, but this Explorer has caught my eye.

It has:
Push rod 4.0L V6
The lighter duty 5-speed manual transmission
Auto, 4hi, 4lo transfercase
4 doors

The used car lot is asking $4900 for it, which is WAY over what it is worth. I am thinking in the ball park of $3500 cash. Only problem is I must sell the GMC to get said cash, and it is not going well. GMC is valued at $5000. I really don't want to do this, but I am thinking of trading.


What do I need to look out for on this explorer? Can it haul 4000lbs ok? I really have no idea what to look for as I was not ever intending on owning an explorer, but I am starting to like it a little. Especially the Manual transmission


Help?

[junya92toy]

We call them EXPLODERS for a reason.

[Toymin8r]

There was a reason that 6 out of the top 10 cash for clunkers trade ins were Ford Explorers.  The 1997 Explorer was number 2 by the way, 2nd only to the 1998 Ford Explorer.  

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1036/top-cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-and-new-cars/

Chevy 4x4 Pickups tend to be pretty good at maintaining value.  You would be really shooting yourself in the foot by exchanging it for a Ford Explorer.  Just my 2  

[87hillbillyoter]

i believe they were called exploders because when people were driving down the road at sayyy  45 mph, and tried to put them in 4wd, something having to do with 4wd(transfer case, etc) would get wrecked. so ford started building these parts out of plastic, and then when they did this, they would just explode and it would be much cheaper to repair. at least thats what my auto shop teacher said a while back lol

[86bobbedtoy]

the wifes dad has one, 1996
bad trannys
bad head gaskets-heads
use front brake pads every 3000 miles. the good ones
bad gas milage

he got his with 54000 miles with a bad trans
the shop also replaced the split radiator.
2300$

since every 3000K miles I have had to replace the front pads
the HG started leaking out the side a few years ago
2 bottles of stop leak has stopped tt so far.
it does get hot in traffic and up hills.
gets horrable milage.

but still rolls

oh has 70000K on it now and burns 2 quarts of oil a month

[Rocksurfer]

Naw, they were called exploders due to the cat would heat up the fuel line and you can guess what happens from there.

[peacesells]

If youre gonna pay that much for it, you might as well spend the money buyin 10-12 pintos. That way when they blow up you still have a few spares back at the house

[jimbo74]

what a crock... the explorer line was a dang good truck... sure people will talk crap, but the reality of it is, it all comes down to maintenance with any vehicle....

i had 210k on my 96 explorer, yes, it did have the heads rebuilt @ 110k because my mom drove it without water in it until it pegged, overheated and seized; and it did have the tranny rebuilt @ 180k.... other than that, it only isnt on the road today, because i rolled it in december 08.

the 94 i had had 110k on it, and i rolled that one years before....

people can talk all the crap they want, but there was a reason it was the top selling and top sought after vehilce for over a decade, no other line can claim that.... there are tons more of them still on the road today....


i would say inspect it like you would anything....

the explorer is ranger based....

haha, i have 170k on my 98 ranger and nothing has been done to it, ever, and i still drive it like i stole it, everyday, i know the speed limiter kicks in @ 95, and that it wont shift out of gear @ wot until 5200 rpm (of course its a 3.0l v6 though)

if you want it, and you deem its got good records and drives well, get it... dont be discouraged by all the haters

[peacesells]

Around here you can pick up a 3rd gen 4runner for around the same price as a "nice" explorer. That would be my personal choice by about a 10 to 1 margin. Bottom line on the explorers, most of them were poorly maintained and or abused. Any truck with a good owner can be a good truck, A properly maintained yugo will outlive an un maintained cummins. Ive bought a few gt40p explorer 5.0's out of 98-99's that were in great shape with 60-90k, but the rest of the truck was fallin apart. Proper maintnence to mose people means changing the oil and washing the windows.