Learn me: third gen explorers

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
07/30/2015 at 13:03 • Filed to: None

So my mom wants something with three rows and a hatch, and my dad wants something reliable. So far, I am leaning towards a third gen explorer, particularly the V6 model. Is there anything I should look out for?

DISCUSSION (27)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:07

The transmissions on these are really bad about going out in not a lot of time.

Other than that I think these are generally solid.

Nibby > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:09

Transmissions and the interiors are a bit cheap but

5 Liter Beater > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:09

4.0 V6. Good at being an engine in terms of moving the hulk of an explorer from one place to another. Doesn’t get particularly good gas mileage (in my lighter Mustang) Doesn’t sound good, doesn’t make a lot of power. But I have 100k on my 2005 Mustang with that engine and the only non maintenance item I replaced was a thermostat housing. Personally I’d have a second gen with a 5.0 :D

HammerheadFistpunch > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:10

Funny enough, I was just talking to the guys that did my new brake lines (I decided I don’t like messing with Dot fluid anymore) and they volunteered to me that this generation of explorer is the one they see the most. The quote was “the only explorer with good brakes lines is the one that’s just had them replaced.”

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:10

Go to carcomplaints.com, and look at the worst cars on record. That should answer your question.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:13

Rust and the transmission are gonna be your biggest woes

E92M3 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:29

That generation is a lot safer than the previous. The model before has some scary crash tests.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:30

Youre up north right?

They love rust.

And I know the gearbox is a nightmare.

Bengal55 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 13:55

I had a 2003 v8 Eddie Bauer and it was one of the best vehicles I’ve owned. Despite what people say it was reliable, comfortable, powerful enough and was more than capable at taking on a foot of snow in the winter. Funny note, the v6 got all of one mpg better than the v8. The v8 was the same Modular 4.6L that was seemingly in everything Ford had during that era and was quite easy to maintain.

Hurricane Sandy took mine from me, and I ended up getting a sedan as a replacement. If I were to buy another I’d be looking at a 2006 or newer. Why? Revised 4.6L with around 300hp vs the 229 in the 02-05 models, and the revised transmission, which has considerably better reliability than the 02-05 models.

You won’t be taking on the Rubicon in an Explorer, but they will get you where you need to go without fussing.

So what to look out for? Rear window motors are known to be flakey, so check them before leaving the dealer. On the 02-05 models, the plastic trim below the rear window cracks with age, this is also fixed on the 06+ models. It won’t leak or short anything out, it’s just ugly.

NOTE: the Lincoln Aviators are more powerful and more plush, but have worse reliability. I’d stay away from them myself. Montero’s and Explorers are fair game though.

NOTE 2: If you plan to tow a u-haul with a 02-10 Explorer expect to be turned down, U-Haul will not rent to Explorers before 2011. Montero’s and Aviators are fine though.

JR1 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 14:10

We took ours from new to 150k. No issues. Alternator went out but that was it. I have very fond memories of this generation Explorer. You won't be disappointed

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
07/30/2015 at 14:16

Rust isn't a big issue as we will be buying an interior BC car. Does changing the trains fluid help with longevity?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > E92M3
07/30/2015 at 14:16

Indeed it did.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/30/2015 at 14:17

The gearbox is touted as a weak point, but I've done my research and they're still better than the 4L60E. We will be moving to interior bc, which is pretty much desert, so rust isn't an issue.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Bengal55
07/30/2015 at 14:19

Thanks! We will be purchasing a small trailer, so the U-haul issue is not that big of a deal. Does regularly changing the trans fluid help with reliability?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > JR1
07/30/2015 at 14:19

Thanks!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 5 Liter Beater
07/30/2015 at 14:20

Should we look at the 4.6?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 14:21

Well yeah any sort of regularly scheduled maintenance will help. The 04 I just bought came with all sorts of service records so I was pretty secure with my purchase. Ours is an Eddie Bauer edition though so it’s go leather everywhere

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/30/2015 at 14:21

I have a friend who’s dad took three to 300,000km+ and had no issues with them, I just wanted Oppo’s input.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
07/30/2015 at 14:22

Yeah, we're looking at an Eddie Bauer. How is it in terms of visibility?

5 Liter Beater > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 14:26

I would imagine its more thirsty in exchange for more power. These vehicles are plagued with transmission failures too. Even my coveted 2nd gen was.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 14:30

I havnt had any issues. I mean you’re up high so you can see quite a bit around you and since it was pre side curtain air bags the pillars are fairly easy to see around.

Slave2anMG > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 14:42

Kinja'd!!!

WAT.

Sorry, somebody had to do it :) Yes, I know it’s not the same truck etc etc

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 5 Liter Beater
07/30/2015 at 14:45

There’s a 1 MPG difference between the V6 and V8.

5 Liter Beater > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 14:52

Then V8 it is!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 5 Liter Beater
07/30/2015 at 14:54

Yee

Bengal55 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/30/2015 at 15:43

That’s what I did with mine. I had it for about 60,000 miles without any major issues before the storm. The transmission shifted fine and all difs/transfer cases were good as well. I never had the chance to get mine over 100,000 miles but I suspect it would have done so rather easily.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Bengal55
07/30/2015 at 16:04

Thanks for the info!