1996 Ford Explorer XLT V8: $600 NPOCP

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
03/12/2015 at 20:26 • Filed to: npocp, ford, explorer, v8

I went to drive this tonight. Its still RWD and has a newer (00 I believe) 5.0 V8 swapped in. This bad boy was quicker than it should've been. Needed a bit of work... both front window motors were on their last leg. Rear driver door won't open. Front seats were kinda torn up. But I could get for $600 (maybe even less). I liked driving it. A lot. What do you think?

DISCUSSION (30)

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:32

It seems like a great flipping opportunity. Also, the junkyards are loaded with junked explorers of that gen, so you could probably get the parts you need to fix it up on the cheap.

bob and john > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:33

just saying, rememebr what happened LAST time you bought a car to flip?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:33

Do it. My friend's dad had a second-gen, and it held up to way more abuse than any rental car.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > bob and john
03/12/2015 at 20:35

I had no intentions to flip the V70R. That was total stupidity on my part... because I bought with emotion and depression. I'm bringing my mechanic to see this one first and it would be my little side project to make into a cool daily

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:35

A. Remember last time.

B. Even mint, these don't go for that much more. I wouldn't buy it as an investment.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
03/12/2015 at 20:35

I was just there today and just walking around I saw at least 6 of them. Its also a 90s Ford.. so many parts were shared

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:36

$400 unless the people stickers are taken off the back.

Seriously though, given it's relitively rust free (which being in Florida it will be I'd assume), the transmission doesn't feel like it's going to implode, and the engine runs decently I'd say go for it. You could probably find a hood and front grille at a junk yard to clean her up a bit and have a decent looking SUV.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
03/12/2015 at 20:37

the V70R was total stupidity on my part. I bought with emotion and depression, not common sense. Im bringing my Ford mechanic friend to give it a look over...

And I dont have plans to flip it. I want to drive it into the ground honestly. Itd be my daily when grandma comes and takes the Civic

bob and john > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:38

your driving a civic atm right?

oh BOY would you be in for a shocker when it comes to running costs

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > bob and john
03/12/2015 at 20:39

hahaha first thing he warned me.. "I never see more than 12 MPG out of this thing"

Thats why he needs to sell it. He delivers newspapers at night and running a big V8 SUV is costing him more than they pay him.

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:40

Looks a little bit like a hooptie to me! Looks really beat, and what else does it need?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
03/12/2015 at 20:42

She was driven... somewhat hard. But mechanically looked and felt solid. No rust at all. Im taking my ford mechanic friend tomorrow though.

With some love it could clean up somewhat nicely... I know they are virtually worthless though but Id be running it deep into the ground

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:43

I like these old explorers, because my mother used to drive one when I was young, a beige 1997 Model. She used to talk about how great of a car it was. Nowadays, she hates ford. My dad on the other hand currently has 2 Explorers.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
03/12/2015 at 20:44

My whole family has this huge anti-American car thing... they both (and my grandparents) cannot stand them at all. I know they aren't great but... for some reason they hate the idea of American cars

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:44

I'd just be really concerned about everything from accident damage to unreported frame damage all the way down to hiding flaws. Make sure to buy a Carfax report and avoid frame damage at all costs.

Cars that are generally driven hard, usually show it unless they were made for it.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:47

Personally, I am not a fan of newer american cars, with the exception of pickup trucks. Both of my dad's explorers, a 2012, and 2013 are nice and comfy, but are really low quality, and I do not see his 2013 lasting long out of the warranty period. My mom had a 2009 ford flex, which was a real nightmare, and lead her into the anti american car group.

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:47

Unless you have 6 close friends that you need to drive around on a daily basis I don't think 12mpg is justified for an SUV. If you're going to get that millage get a truck. It's more useful as a spare vehicle and they get better than 12mpg empty. A ranger would be good. I think Denver gets 19 mpg with his 4.0 and I get 19 mixed driving with my 2.7 Tacoma 4x4.

Your boy, BJR > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:48

if he told you that it had a newer than 1994 5.0 from a mustang that ISNT a coyote.....he's bullshitting you. 1995-2011 mustangs only had 4.6s.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:49

The biggest issue is the transmission- The trans in these and the Rangers weren't exactly spectacular. Check for any flaring or slipping.

Rust of course is another thing, at least around here these tended to rot quickly. I swear you can hear my coworker's rusting on a quiet day at work.

But, if it drives fine, and isn't total swiss cheese buy it and run it till she blows. I'd try to get it cheaper if you can.

Thunderface > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:49

step 1) buy

step 2) sell to me

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
03/12/2015 at 20:53

from what I've read the V8 used a different better transmission (same as in the Crown Vics) which were must more reliable.

Florida car its whole life.. Not a spot of rust on it!

I might just bring $500 and see if he bites.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 20:55

Oh yes, I guess I forgot about the V8.

Florida isn't PA then, is it now? Haha

Bring $500, probably take home Explorer, add 5.0 go fast bits, turn Explorer into Exploder.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Slant6
03/12/2015 at 20:56

Hell my mom's Pilot gets around 15-16 so it's not even that much better! No chance in Hell of A convincing mom to let me have a truck and B) finding a solid one for less than $1k

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
03/12/2015 at 20:57

I learned... A LOT from the Volvo. I'm doing everything differently here. The way I see it if it checks out and I can get it for $500, Hell I can almost make that back in scrap.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
03/12/2015 at 20:59

honestly I never realized how big of a difference a "Florida car" was until I looked for cars for a friend who lives in NJ. That would be the most fun.. So many plug and play pieces because Ford.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 21:03

Expand that "Because Ford" to "Because late 90's- early 00's Ford"

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/12/2015 at 23:39

I wanna know how your Civic and now your Pilot get such horrible millage (as compared to EPA). Your entire state is flat.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Slant6
03/13/2015 at 00:52

ive honestly never broken 31 doing all highway driving never breaking 85mph. I blame the 5 speed auto because it always sits way too high while driving, even in econ..

the pilots an 07. Doing highway we calculate about 21 mpg or so, but in a city highway mix its never higher than 17... and thats not me driving, thats mom mostly with dad on occasion

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/13/2015 at 06:07

Speed might be part of it. 85 is pretty fast. 55 is the usual optimal efficency speed but I've gotten 28 in my Saab doing 70. It's rated for 25. Can't you manually engage 5th gear?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Slant6
03/13/2015 at 10:48

Limit on my roads here is 70...and unless you're grandma you don't do less than 80. And that's with my car in 5th gear I sit very high. Dad has a 12 S60 and doing 90 he sits below 2000 rpm. His car easily can get over the epa estimated 30.

My car is too underpowered and paired with a bad transmission which make good mileage near impossible