Goodbye Old Friend - At 241,000 miles

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto) 12/28/2014 at 10:30 • Filed to: None

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Today I said goodbye to an old friend. My 2002 Ford Explorer Sport showed 241,000 miles on its odometer and I witnessed every single one. I was behind the wheel on 99 per cent of them. Here is the story of this spectacular truck, and its nearly identical replacement.

In 2002 I bought my third brand new Explorer in a row. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! worked at Ford so A-plan was a bonus but Ken also worked on light trucks at Ford. He helped design the suspension in the Explorer. It's one thing to be able to consult a mechanic about your vehicle. It's quite another to be able to ask one of its creators.

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The 2002 was merely another in a series, or so I thought. The previous two had been leases but something told me to buy this one. So, at the end of the contract, it was mine.

My Explorer rarely got far off road. The 4WD was primarily for bad weather and the times I felt like exiting in the morning without bothering to shovel my driveway. I even had it in 4WD Low a couple times but the bulk of my driving was in 2WD, while simply commuting.

It ran and ran. Much of it was during a time I had a commute of 100 miles, round trip, daily. The miles racked up quickly but the Explorer kept soldiering on. I brought it in for a new set of tires at 101,000 and the writer sheepishly told me I needed a brake job. He was worried I might think he was overselling. I looked at the disks – these Explorers have them on all four corners – and said fine. After all, this would be its first brake job.

Those tires did not make it as far as the factory set; I had to replace them at 189,000. I had long since forgotten about the warranty. The truck had never needed any warranty work. Never. I changed the oil religiously and watched underneath it for any suspicious leaks. Leaks that didn't appear for several more years. The only work it needed was windshields. A stretch of I-75 near Clarkston, Michigan, is used by gravel haulers to fire projectiles at my windshield. I replaced the windshield 3 or 4 times and then gave up. It just seemed a waste of perfectly good glass.

I took it up north to Michigan's Upper Peninsula quite a few times and made it over to Duluth once and Ironwood a few times. Once I was racing to a book signing in Escanaba and all along US-2 I counted cars in the ditch. I was still in 2WD because much of the pavement still had dry patches. The farthest north she ever made it was the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

On one occasion, two of my brothers and I did some exploring which did get us off road. It was one of those times where I chose to believe a map instead of my own eyes and we drove down a "road" that – outside the map – was actually a trail. Or, it started as a trail and then degraded.

Rick drove, Dave walked ahead with a handsaw and cleared branches, and I stood on the rear bumper and shouted nonsense at the two of them. At one point we crossed a dried river bed. It seemed odd but you know how those trips go – where you have gone too far to turn back? A mile later we understood the error of our ways and turned to retrace our steps. As we re-entered the mostly dried river bed, one of the front tires got sliced open on a jagged rock, followed by an obviously catastrophic hissing. Without blinking, Rick yelled to me, "Do you have a good spare?"

I yelled back, "Yes!"

Dave pointed to the middle of the riverbed. "Park it there." Just seconds later, the tire was completely flat with a huge gash in its side.

We changed the tire and made it back out to pavement a while later. Those miles are the only ones put on the truck where I was not at the wheel.

The Explorer continued rolling. I noticed a bit of a high-pitch whine that was moving from the range only dogs can hear to the one where it annoys the driver. I took Ken out to lunch one day and asked him. "Just gear noise," he told me. It was aesthetic. I could get the rear differential rebuilt or ignore it. I ignored it for a while longer but eventually did get it rebuilt when I had the truck's second brake job done, around 200,000 miles.

Somewhere in the 230s, I had to have the front hubs replaced. I told the mechanic to throw in a new serpentine belt while he had it. He went over and looked. He came back and said, "Don't bother. Looks fine to me." I told him it was original to the truck. He shook his head as if to say, "It's your money." He changed the belt.

Then, around the 12-year mark, the Michigan winters began taking their toll on the underside of the Explorer. One day I saw a drop of trans fluid under the front end. A close inspection revealed that the lines to the trans cooler were rusted and needed replacement. My trusty mechanic tore them all out and replaced them. A short while later, it was the fuel line. Turns out that one is a bit expensive and a hassle, but it needed to be done. Then, the final brake job. As I was pulling into my parking spot, something weird happened. I went to roll my truck back from the parking block and something stuck. A brake caliper had frozen in a mostly-closed position.

When I figured it out, I drove it to the mechanic (who is only a mile from home) and scared the daylights out of everyone within a mile or so of the devilish screech emanating from my front right brake assembly. Later that day we were back on the road.

It was getting clear that her days were numbered. An exhaust bracket broke. I replaced it with hangar wire. I have no shame.

One of the hinges on the back window broke. I used caulking compound to seal around it. A couple of pieces of trim fell off. I duct-taped them back on. Yes, I know. Somewhere around this time, I had crossed a line. I realized I was now keeping her on the road for selfish reasons. She was tired. It was time to let her go. Her odometer had recently rolled over to 241K. I have no photo of that but I did snag one at 240K.

Since she was still running, I was in no hurry to replace her. I did random Ebay searches and one day I stumbled across her near-twin. Another green 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. A one-owner vehicle that had spent its first 12 years in Florida. This one only had 70,000 miles on its odometer. How could I NOT consider it? I went and looked. It was shocking. The green was actually a different shade and there were some subtle differences but this one looked brand new. I climbed under it. The frame rails were shiny. I drove it. It ran straight and sounded healthy. Five minutes after returning from the test drive, the owner and I had struck a bargain. A few days later, I had two green 2002 Ford Explorer Sports parked next to each other.

I couldn't sell the old one to anyone to use as transportation – she had too many nuances to deal with. The door locks were broken. To get in, you had to use the door code on the driver's side, then go around to the passenger side and reach in and open the driver's door. That sort of thing. Looking back on it, I realize I might have spent a few hundred hours of my life dealing with little inconveniences like that. But it was worth it. Still, she had her original starter, water pump, and exhaust. And that engine would probably outlive us all if given the chance. I asked around and someone referred me to a guy who buys junked cars.

The guy came out with a flat bed and did a double take when he saw the two parked next to each other. I told him I had just bought the "new" one and he bent down to look under it. "Oh my. This thing was garage-kept, no doubt about it." Hey, a scrap dealer would know.

A few minutes later, she was being driven away, on the back of the flatbed. For once, she was the passenger. I realize now I only have one picture of me behind the wheel and I had a co-pilot. Don't worry; I don't let him work the pedals. Technically, I was the one driving.

That Explorer was the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. She started every time on the first kick and never once stranded me anywhere. If only every car was built that well. Let's just see if the next 170,000 miles on my "new" Explorer are as trouble-free as they were on the last one. I will miss her but I have my memories.

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Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we're not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn't act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.

Brian Silvestro > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 10:33

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Everything about this is so, so awesome.

SteveLehto > Brian Silvestro 12/28/2014 at 10:35

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Thanks. It was an amazing truck.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 10:39

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That was beautiful mate. More or less the same story with our '96 Explorer. If your brother had anything to do with that vehicle, pat him on the back for me. That thing did things I did not think possible.

Dusty Ventures > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 10:41

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Now that was a fantastic read, thanks, Steve

SteveLehto > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 12/28/2014 at 10:43

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Thanks! One of the reasons I keep buying them is that they are amazing vehicles. I think the ONLY warranty/recall work I ever had done on any of the three I mentioned was the Firestone recall on the previous one. And that wasn't Ford's fault (and I got a free set of tires out of the deal).

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 10:58

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That old explorer went almost all the way to 600,000 km. Nearly 372,000 miles. But that thing had seen both coasts of Canada, driven through blizzards in the Rockies, gone through torrential rains in Newfoundland and survived the Canadian rust for longer than we thought possible. I still remember the day we bought it, six months old on a used car lot in Nappanee. We didn't get rid of it until 2009, and then we sold it to our neighbor's daughter who is still driving it today. She even brings it back to my father for repairs. She told him it just rescently rolled over 800,000 km on the odometer. It has needed a bit of TLC, a head gasket, some vital suspension components, etc, but that's one benefit of knowing a 30 year licenced mechanic.

SteveLehto > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 12/28/2014 at 11:02

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Wow. I really wanted to hit 250K but it was looking like I was pressing my luck. Michigan's liberal use of road salt really did a number on the underside of this one. I was worried that one day something major was going to break underneath. I was tempted to keep driving it and see when/if that happened but then again - it might have been something serious and it may have stranded me or cost me a bit to take care of.

Figured now was the time. Thanks for the story.

DanimalHouse > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 11:11

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Great write up! This tugs at my heart, as I too an am Explorer lover. 227k miles on mine, that was originally bought by my parents brand new when I was 6 and handed down to me when I got my licence. So many memories, and it has been a champ to own.

SteveLehto > DanimalHouse 12/28/2014 at 11:12

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Thanks. What year is yours?

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 11:13

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Thanks to you for the same. Hope Number Four is just as good to you.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 11:32

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I actually felt a tinge of sadness while reading this

SteveLehto > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 12/28/2014 at 11:34

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Thanks. Now you know how I felt watching her being taken away yesterday.

(Love the gif, too!)

bryan40oop > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 12:05

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After working at a Ford dealership, it amazes me how far you made it between tires / brakes. Most people in those explorers would be lucky to reach 40k miles. Then again it is mountainous here. But still. People can't drive for shit.

SteveLehto > bryan40oop 12/28/2014 at 12:08

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Those were the days of the long commutes. Almost entirely on the freeway and I could set my own hours so I missed the stop and go rush hour traffic. The guy at the tire placed was shocked too.

A lot of this was the truck's use: I drove it well and it didn't see all that much rough terrain or harsh driving. (That pic of it entering the stream bed was probably the farthest off road it ever got.)

Thanks for the note.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 12:09

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THIS WAS ONLY YESTERDAY?!?! :'(

SteveLehto > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 12/28/2014 at 12:11

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Yes. I said my Goodbyes about 24 hours ago . . . .

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 12:17

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Grandy O'Smith > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 12:25

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Great read Steve, thank you. I work for a roadside service company and have seen Explorers (only to jump-start them) with over 300k miles on them. I also have to say that you must be a gentle driver to get those kind of miles out of tires and brakes!

SteveLehto > Grandy O'Smith 12/28/2014 at 12:29

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Yes, and a lot of those miles were the long commutes on the freeway, NOT during rush hour.

Thanks for the note.

erikgrad > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 12:47

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One of my coworkers got 350K out of this era Explorer (I think it was a 1999 Mountaineer, technically) but drove it with numerous major issues until the engine was toast. Another coworker got 550K(!) between herself and a family member... and on that one, an axle rusted through. IIRC both had the 4.0, apparently quite durable.

DipodomysDeserti > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 12:48

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I had a 2002 Ford Ranger that also never gave me any problems. It had the 3L V6. The only thing I ever had to replace was the flasher for the blinkers. It was my college truck and it served me well. Wasn't very exciting to drive, but it also wasn't exciting to maintain (which is always a good thing). Now I own BMWs and they are the opposite.

SteveLehto > erikgrad 12/28/2014 at 12:49

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Yes, the engine is bullet proof. Gotta love timing chains.

Thanks for the note.

SteveLehto > DipodomysDeserti 12/28/2014 at 12:50

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That's funny (About the BMWs). This one had a few other things go wrong but they were so minor I didn't mention them. But the drive train would have lasted forever, I am sure of it.

Thanks for the note.

thebigbossyboss > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 13:52

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That's great. You definitely got full value out of that thing!!!

However if it was me, after 241,000 miles at the helm of one type of vehicle, I would try to get something different, but then I haven't owned fun cars. If you had other old cars (which you did right, a Unimog or something?) I could certainly understand just needing one vehicle that "works".

SteveLehto > thebigbossyboss 12/28/2014 at 13:55

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I've owned a 1969 Dodge Charger and a 1969 M35A2 "Deuce." At this point, I just need reliable transportation. (And sometimes, when you find something that works, you stick with it.)

Thanks for the note.

ranwhenparked > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 14:59

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This, right here, is why so many people kept on buying Rangers (and Panthers) for years and years and years even while the "trendier" sorts scoffed and pointed out all the newer, flashier, alternatives available for the same money. These vehicles were built like trucks are traditionally built, simple, honest, low tech, and durable.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 15:11

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Exact same story with my family's '95 Explorer. Purchased new, dad drove it 175k miles and then handed it off to my brother who drove it another 100k (through 2008 or so) before finally selling it to be taken down south of the border for lord knows how much more life. Had I not been in college at the time I likely would have taken it off his hands to beat on it a little it longer.

Only required warranty work was a window motor that went bad the first year we had it, and outside of that it was also basic maintenance from thereon out. Indestructible, those trucks.

Well Spoken Waffle > Dusty Ventures 12/28/2014 at 16:06

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makes me want one. for the uk. 3 door spec - looks like it has loads of room.

it's my dream to happen on a new car i like, then use it until it can't be used any more

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:17

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what explorer did you get? The cop spec twin turbo AWD explorer?

factsonly1 > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:17

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They sure dont make 'em like that anymore!

SteveLehto > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/28/2014 at 16:18

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Just another Explorer Sport (2002) with the same V6. Didn't want to mess with the formula too much.

Thanks for the note.

SteveLehto > factsonly1 12/28/2014 at 16:18

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Exactly how I feel!

Joseph Shaul > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:19

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Is that a sheltie I see?

Maxxuman > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:20

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Clearly the engineering runs strong in your family...

Spacegrass > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:20

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Awesome story, Steve. I can definitely attest to the brutes that Explorer's are. I personally have had 4, and not let go of them until well passed the 200k mark. Funny that you replaced it with the exact same truck too!

black_Mazderari > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:20

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This article makes me feel good about my purchase of a 2002 Explorer Sport with 180k that I got a few weeks ago to drive in the winter as my Miata sits in storage for winter. The drivers side door handle doesn't work but it starts up every day in the Northern Indiana winter. I'm planning on taking it to a local off road place to break it in this summer.

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:21

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As I have said many times here - you have to get to 240K because it's the distance to the moon. You were on your way back, man.

soundman98 > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:27

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my family has a '96 ranger that has much of the same underpinnings... i'd buy another one in a heartbeat. it's the most reliable american vehicle my entire family of car guys has ever owned..

greenagain > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:30

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Sounds like you kept it just a bit too long, but that is an accomplishment for an Exploder.
I remember seeing a few of them in 98 roll off the lot, and come back on a tow truck with less than 20 miles, and a seized oil pump.
My first car love affair was an '84 GTI that I beat on for 189,000 miles, but in hindsight I should've sold it around 140,000.

SteveLehto > Joseph Shaul 12/28/2014 at 16:32

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Wow. Amazing call. That would be Milo. In this winter picture, he is on the right. Wolfy is on the left.

SteveLehto > Maxxuman 12/28/2014 at 16:32

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Ken is at one end of the spectrum. I am at the other. (Notice that I used the painted hanger wire. The uncoated stuff is for amateurs.)

SteveLehto > Spacegrass 12/28/2014 at 16:33

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Seriously - How could I NOT buy that as a replacement?!

ThatGuyConnery > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:33

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Great read! I recently bought a 2007 Jeep Liberty. I sincerely hope it lasts like your Explorer did. Mine only has 50,000 miles on it at the moment, and I am going to be stuck with it for awhile. Fingers crossed I make it to the 200,000 mile mark with as little issue as you did.

SteveLehto > black_Mazderari 12/28/2014 at 16:33

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Cool. Let me know how it goes.

SteveLehto > Steve in Manhattan 12/28/2014 at 16:34

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And in another 240K, she would have disintegrated like a capsule on re-entry with no heat shield.

Thanks for the note.

IStillCallitShea > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:34

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Years ago, back in the mid 90s, my Father was shopping for an SUV. His mechanic said "If you're buying it, get an Explorer. If you're going to lease, get a Grand Cherokee. The Jeeps are nicer, but the Explorers are built better." He leased a 95 Grand Cherokee, and the tranny went at 27,000 miles, 6 months shy of the lease ending. After that, he bought a 98 Explorer, drove it until my sister graduated college in 2009, then gave it to her. She drove it up until a month ago when she got a company car. Dad took it back, and is keeping it as his "winter" car, since he finally got the convertible he's always wanted. Current mileage is 191,000, and it's still going strong.

Katsumoto > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:34

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After reading this it makes me remember my 04 Mountaineer.

I bought it new "ish". It was an 04 that sat inside the showroom for the first 2 years, I was looking at Explorers and the salesman showed me the one I ended up owning.

It was an 04, Mountaineer V6 AWD, it had everything available to an early production year 04 model. It just didnt have the V8. Which I came to realize didn't matter.

I took it home with 152 miles on the clock and drove it until 77k. I was being stationed in Japan and I couldn't take it. So off to military provided vehicle storage.
From March 2009, to June 2011. It sat, 15 miles on the odometer in just over 2 years. I picked it up in St Louis, immediately found an oil change place and got all fluids flushed and filled for the drive home.

77k miles on the stock Bridgestones. They needed replaced after 2 years of sitting. It drove back to Dayton just fine. Got back the next day new tires and a 2nd oil change.

I ended up getting ass packed by a Nissan Titan and a distracted driver. It was deemed a total loss. It was repairable, but I let her go. I ended up seeing it come into my work for sale. A while later, repaired back to OE.

A co worker ended up buying it, I told them what happened with it. I forgot to turn in the headphones for the DVD player and a 2nd key. I gave that to my co worker, and he said it's been the most reliable truck he's owned.

I showed him all the pictures I took when I cleaned it religiously. It was my first new car, and I wanted it to look nice everyday. Even when it got totaled, it still shined.

Oh well, I bought a Chevy truck and a Honda Fit to replace it. One for everything a truck is needed for and the Fit to DD since I now drive 80 miles to work 1 way.

SteveLehto > greenagain 12/28/2014 at 16:35

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This one had the V6 in it which is famous for longevity. And yes, I did keep it a bit too long. But you know how hard it is to let go . . .

SteveLehto > ThatGuyConnery 12/28/2014 at 16:36

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That's the other thing. Once it's paid off, you keep thinking, "Hey, no car payment again this month!" It's a good feeling.

Thanks for the note and good luck!

M54B30 > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:36

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i always have a tinge of sadness when i see a running car of mine go with a new owner or to a junkyard. A piece of me always wonders how much longer i could've kept it

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:38

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Modern cars are amazing. I remember a guy calling in to Car Talk about his 350K Lexus LS400 - he'd never even replaced the plugs. I think he'd replaced the battery and tires and routine maintenance.

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:39

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I should have said - the only thing I would have said to you is: side curtain airbags. I am encouraging my mom to get rid of her '98 Malibu (cherry) and buy something safer.

SteveLehto > Steve in Manhattan 12/28/2014 at 16:39

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Oh, the original spark plugs. I forgot to mention. Those lasted a long time too I didn't get to them until my fuel economy went down the drain. Pulled them out and the gaps could have been measured with a yardstick. Slapped in new ones and those were the ones it went to the junker with.

Madd Max > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:41

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As the owner of a 225k mile 2000 4 door with the 4.0 that my mom bought brand new, and I bought from her, I feel your pain. The frame is rotted but I can't bear to part with it. It has a special place in my heart.

We had another one with the 5.0 that I sold with 201k on it, and I'm STILL kicking myself about selling it. When this truck gives up the ghost, I swear I'm going to buy a Saleen Explorer.

randomadjuster > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:43

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I had a 98 2wd Explorer Sport. I can honestly say it was my most reliable vehicle ever. For the past two years I kept saying that I'd get rid of it when the transmission went (it had a slightly dodgy synchro on 3rd), but it stubbornly refused to go. Aside from a host of little BS stuff on the body itself, the truck had stunningly few issues in the time I owned it. Over the course of six years of ownership, the most exciting things I replaced were the radiator, wheel bearings on the left front, and the ground cable on my battery. That's it. Everything else was minor nitnoy stuff.

I don't miss cars after I sell them. Once I hit that point, I'm done, but I do miss some of the functionality. I sold it to a buddy of mine that isn't terrible car savvy. I wonder how long it'll go before he mangles it. I kind of hope it gets a more viking death in some sort of collision, and not the lingering, slow torture of demise by neglect.

Either way, it was a fantastically reliable vehicle that I sold for not too much less than what I paid for it after six years of driving it, and required stunningly little money put in. I'd tell anyone to get one.

Iwaswonderofwonders > Maxxuman 12/28/2014 at 16:44

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As a Craigslist auto engineering viewer, I find this to be a sound piece of work.

SteveLehto > Madd Max 12/28/2014 at 16:44

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The frame was still good on this one but everything else attached to it was rusting away. I was scared to crawl underneath it - I would get hit by falling pieces of rust. The truck was crumbling. But yes, those V6s are amazingly durable. Even the junk guy told me. Without one, he wouldn't have paid half as much as he did. With it, he said he'd buy it all day long. He was even happier when I told him it ran fine.

AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:45

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WOW talk about a different experience with the same car I owned in 2002. I bought a brand new one using the Ford X-Plan for about 6k off the sticker. After 24K miles I got rid of it because it developed lifter noise or rod knock on a cold start-up. The other problem with it was a recall with the hood latch. A hood latch....in 2002 Ford had not perfected the hood latch. I really like the truck, it was fun to drive and it had that cool squat look in the back. To bad it was shackled with those horrible for V6's.

randomadjuster > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 12/28/2014 at 16:45

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Agreed. Tell your brother about another satisfied customer in me. That truck handled far better than I had any reason to expect.

SteveLehto > randomadjuster 12/28/2014 at 16:46

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Yes, I love these things.

I agree with you on the cars you sell. But it hurts when someone you know gets it and abuses it. Never happened to me but to family members. A car gets handed off and swiftly totaled by someone who was being a bit careless and so on.

Thanks for the note.

highlandparkil > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:48

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post the vin. I guarantee the "scrap" dealer sold it, and it is back on the road.

SteveLehto > AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs 12/28/2014 at 16:48

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Which engine did yours have?

I am also curious about the hood latch. I don't recall getting a notice for that. I wonder if it was across the whole platform or just ones that got parts from a particular batch?

SteveLehto > highlandparkil 12/28/2014 at 16:49

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I've got the VIN. I'll run it in a few weeks and see what pops up. It would be a tough sell. The broken windshield and door locks would piss off almost any potential buyers.

ERN > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:50

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You don't mention the periodic maintenance - did you do that?

kschang > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:50

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I have 278K miles on my Volvo... it's a '99 though.

Mr Joshua > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:50

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Now you've gone and done it Steve and made me cry. Damn you to hell !

Could you not have just kept her and covered her gently with a satin sheet and gently placed her up on blocks in the spare garage to rest for a while. I'm sure she was just tired and needed a little sleep. She deserved more you heartless, cruel and vile bastard. How can you sleep at night ?

SteveLehto > ERN 12/28/2014 at 16:51

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Oil changes like clockwork to the point that the guys at the oil chance place knew me by name. Had a K&N filter I cleaned myself. I checked everything else myself.

Sith Lord Sexy Pants > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:51

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Neat story. I had a mechanically similar, but 2WD 2002 Sport Trac. Purchased new for my wife. We put about 100K miles on it. Generally trouble free, but it went through front brakes pretty quickly. I think I redid them three times, the last right at 100K. I inherited it for myself after switching her to a more family friendly crossover. I'm not much of a truck person though, and my new job at the time required very little travel, but a 25 mile city commute. So against my better judgement, I sold the Sport Trac while it was still running strong, and bought my zippier and much more economical around town Protege5. Don't regret buying the Protege5, as it is still serving me well, but I do kind of miss that Sport Trac.

randomadjuster > ranwhenparked 12/28/2014 at 16:51

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This. There's not really much at all being produced with the same mindset.

Drivercarriesnomoney > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:51

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Great story and beautiful dogs... My Sheltie, Max

SteveLehto > Mr Joshua 12/28/2014 at 16:53

6

I tell myself that the guy with the flatbed was taking her to a farm in upstate New York. Where she will be placed in a barn and covered appropriately, so that in 50 years when she is uncovered, she will be a startling "Barn Find" and some guy with too much money will restore her.

Yes, that happened. Really.

Glenn Branton > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:53

1

Excellent read, as always. I am a bit of a Ford guy, out in my garage I have a near thirty year old (1986 Mustang GT) Ford that is wearing what I believe to be it's original water pump, starter and alternator and it runs like a top. When I bought the car the odometer was inoperative, so who knows what the mileage is, 130K? 230K? No idea. I have a brand new, built engine with aftermarket heads, cam, ect sitting in the garage for two years now and every time I get geared up to change it out I drive the car and think to myself "This thing just WORKS.....", it's almost a shame to disturb it. I am sure one day I'll get around to it in the name of 50% more power and the first time there is a problem I'll regret doing it.

SteveLehto > Sith Lord Sexy Pants 12/28/2014 at 16:54

0

Is the Sportrac just a differently bodied Explorer? I always assumed so, but never researched it.

The brakes on mine lasted forever because of all the highway miles.

SteveLehto > Drivercarriesnomoney 12/28/2014 at 16:55

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Beautiful dog. Mine are not the traditional sable so they confuse people. I often get the "Are those miniature collies?" but you probably do to.

Thanks for the pic.

Nhawks33 > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:55

0

I had the previous generation Ford Explorer sport and sounds like they must have fixed all the notorious transmission issues that plagued these 97 and later 4.0 explorers. The 97 explorer was the first domestic car to have a 5spd auto and it was absolute crap. Valve body gasket would blow, shiftsolenoids would take a shit, internal wiring harness would see it's electrical conduit dissentegrate, just a pain in the ass. But I guess I can't ask to much from a cheap explorer that was bought as temporary transportation for a few months, and it did survive hurricane Katrina in Gulfport Mississippi and the associated 22ft storm surge.

SteveLehto > Glenn Branton 12/28/2014 at 16:56

1

Exactly. You hate to mess with something that works.

Keep me updated.

theshinobi01 > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:56

0

Nice read up! I was never a fan of the 2 door Explorer and the big blue Oval slapping a "sport" badge on the car..

Justin > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:57

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Who says Fords aren't reliable? Those people clearly haven't owned one with the 4.0 V6.

lucky's pepper > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:57

5

What a great story and one that I think even non-car people would understand.

It also made me think of my '94 Ranger, the first of two new cars I've bought in my life. It was a 4x4 with a 4 liter pushrod, manual trans and power nothing. She needed a little more maintenance then your Explorer; the front hubs needed to be replaced at around 10 years and the shackles for the rear leaf springs were replaced around 15 years as they were nearly rotted through (thanks to Ohio's liberal use of road salt). Other than that only regular maintenance was done on the truck.

I finally sent the Ranger off to a new home last spring (having had her for 21 1/2 years) after my foot went through the floor, but she still ran and shifted like she was brand new. The day the new owner drove her away was sad, as I stood there watching the truck go down the road and thought of all that I'd been through with her.

She's since been replaced by an '06 4x4 Ranger with an auto and power everything. I still miss the old truck and hope this new one is half as good.

AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:57

2

It was the 3.0 V6. I was viewed as an odd duck when I bought it, everyone was buying the 4 door Explorers. It had such a unique look I had to have it.

The hood latch might have been isolated to certain runs of the truck, I was just shocked when I got the recall notice. My first thought was, come on a hood latch! Recently I thought about buying another one and making it into a real off roader.

SteveLehto > Nhawks33 12/28/2014 at 16:57

0

I admit I do not know anything about the trans in the Explorer. Other than, it ran fine. It started developing a wonky 1-2 shift toward the end there but I figured out how to avoid it by being careful on acceleration. But that first appeared at around 210K.

SteveLehto > theshinobi01 12/28/2014 at 16:58

0

Yes, but have you ever driven one of the four doors? I did once and I couldn't get used to it. It was almost always just me commuting so I never needed the other two doors.

Thanks for the note.

Christopheroni > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 16:59

1

I fucking love this article.

SteveLehto > Justin 12/28/2014 at 16:59

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That was the important piece of the puzzle I believe.

Thanks for the note.

SteveLehto > lucky's pepper 12/28/2014 at 17:00

1

I know how you feel, my friend.

Thanks for the note.

ERN > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:00

0

There's a lot more than oil changes to periodic maintenance.....

AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:00

1

That blue one in the above picture was what I had.

SteveLehto > Christopheroni 12/28/2014 at 17:01

2

Thanks for the note. I truly appreciate it.

SteveLehto > ERN 12/28/2014 at 17:03

1

Yes, I was summarizing when I said "everything else."

Clearly, the truck was maintained appropriately (other than the windshield and the few items which broke later).

I just personally believe that oil changes and filters (oil, air, fuel) are paramount.

ThatGuyConnery > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:03

1

The way my payments work out, and "average mileage" works out, I should have it payed off by 100,000 miles. That leaves a lot of life left on the vehicle without a payment. I can't wait until that day! Then the real fun begins.

Christopheroni > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:06

2

A family member has a similar vehicle, a black TrailBlazer LT 4x4, bought new in 2002 and was garage kept since. I looked underneath out of curiosity just to see what the frame looked like, and it was spotless. The only spots of rust I saw were on the trans cooler lines and the struts. Even the exhaust was not rusted, and this is after being used every year during upstate NY winters. It also has under 100k still, lol. We get more satisfaction out of proper maintenance and fixing things when needed, rather than buying a new car just because we can.

SteveLehto > Christopheroni 12/28/2014 at 17:08

2

That's the way it ought to be.

Thanks for the note.

Psychodo > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:12

0

Outstanding. I've never gone above 120,000 in a car for fear of something catastrophic happening. That or I was so bored with the car it was time to move on.

Thanks for the read and good luck with the "new" ride!

pfftballer > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:14

4

100k on factory tires and brakes? You must drive very, um, carefully.

SteveLehto > Psychodo 12/28/2014 at 17:14

3

Thanks. This is the farthest I've ever gotten but two of my brothers (the ones in the pics) routinely take theirs into the 200s and beyond. It really is all about routine maintenance and taking care of the car (like paying attention to it and spotting things before they get worse).

SteveLehto > pfftballer 12/28/2014 at 17:15

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Highway miles. Those were when I was doing 50 miles each way, to and from my office. And I could bend my hours to avoid rush hour to some degree. So the brakes were used sparingly and the tires it came with had a good amount of tread on them from the factory.

Thedingo8mybaby > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:17

1

I had a 2003 Ford Ranger and it was a fantastic truck. I put 136,000 miles on it when I traded it in for something more fuel efficient. Other than a leaking oil seal on the rear axle (which I fixed myself in the driveway), it was trouble free. Up to the very end, I wouldn't have hesitated to jump in it a drive across the country. I kinda wished I kept it to see how many miles it would have had on it today.

Kinja'd Again > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:17

3

I've never wanted a 3-door Explorer more than now :)

pfftballer > SteveLehto 12/28/2014 at 17:18

1

In my experience the OEM tires are a grade or two below the cheapest ones on the retail market and don't last nearly as long. I guess the Firestone debacle may have changed that though.

SteveLehto > Thedingo8mybaby 12/28/2014 at 17:19

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That was one of the things that kept me going. I wanted to see how far it would go. I also kind of wanted to hit 250 but the timing didn't work out.

Thanks for the note.