How can I tell if my 2003 Explorer is 4WD or RWD?

"Malanga" (malanga-)
05/27/2016 at 16:21 • Filed to: Explorer, Help me, 4wd

I was recently gifted a 2003 Explorer XLT (first car comes from your grandparents, tradition in my family), and don’t know much about the specific model, partly because my grandparents didn’t know a thing about the car, and partly because I have exactly zero experience in this kind of thing. I know that is has the 4.0L V6, but don’t know how to determine RWD or 4WD. Any ideas on how to find out? Maybe the VIN?

DISCUSSION (46)

El Rocko > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:23

it’s RWD

Malanga > El Rocko
05/27/2016 at 16:24

That was quick. Is the XLT only RWD?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:27

Stick your head underneath the front and see if you’ve got a driveshaft heading to the front axle.

ChooChooMotherFudger > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:27

Take a look under the front. If there is a drive shaft going to the front wheels then AWD. Drive shaft should be aimed right at the center of the wheel.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:30

It looks like your question has already been answered, but you may want to try running now the VIN through this:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindeco…

Malanga > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/27/2016 at 16:30

Definitely RWD, thanks!

Malanga > ChooChooMotherFudger
05/27/2016 at 16:31

Just checked, definitely RWD. Thanks!

Malanga > Honeybunchesofgoats
05/27/2016 at 16:32

Thanks, I’ll definitely do that. Yeah already checked, definitely RWD

Dru > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:32

Generally speaking, if it's ambiguous from the start, it is probably RWD. Most 4x4's have a gear shift or some sort of knob at least. I've even seen buttons. But I can't think of a 4x4 SUV that is 4WD with no interior indication as such. I'm sure there is an exception though.

BeaterGT > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:34

Do a burnout! :P

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:34

The 4WD 03 XLTs had 4WD selector buttons on the dash. If there aren’t any, check for a front differential and axle shafts to see if it’s an AWD model. If there aren’t those, then it’s a 2WD.

Malanga > Dru
05/27/2016 at 16:37

Yeah thanks, it turns out it's RWD. Having not gotten my permit yet, I've only driven it a few hundred feet so I didn't pay much attention to the interior.

Malanga > BeaterGT
05/27/2016 at 16:38

You, my friend, are a genius. I'll brb

Malanga > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
05/27/2016 at 16:38

Yeah I just checked under the car, definitely RWD. Thanks

BeaterGT > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:39

Thank you, thank you.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:40

I grabbed a random Explorer VIN on Craigslist just to try it out. Let’s hope yours gets better fuel economy than this one:

Kinja'd!!!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:41

That's how I once found out that an MR2 I was about to buy was NWD, or no-wheel drive: no axles at all, haha.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:42

Our 2015 is front wheel drive, it could be worse.

Malanga > Honeybunchesofgoats
05/27/2016 at 16:52

Ugh, nope.

Kinja'd!!!

Dang. I was hoping for a number higher than 0!

Malanga > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/27/2016 at 16:54

Really? Wow, that would have been.... interesting. Imagine trying to drive away but not going anywhere lol. I wonder if the guy would have said no take backs haha

Malanga > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/27/2016 at 16:56

Oof. Prayin’ for you.

I’ve actually only ever driven FWD cars actually. Current Fusion, almost current T&C, and not so current Sonata!

Honeybunchesofgoats > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 16:58

That’s the problem with the V6. At least that zero MPG is good for @hp

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:00

My grandparents also gave me an explorer as my first car. It was a 1997 Sport, but hey it’s got the same engine as you’ve got there. Apart from having to replace every single sensor in the damn thing, it wasn’t too bad. If it’s AWD, there will be a selector knob to the left of the radio.

Malanga > Honeybunchesofgoats
05/27/2016 at 17:04

Yeah! A massive 210 @5100. Wheelspin for dayz.

Actually now that I think about it, that’s a lot of gas money for a high schooler.

Oh well.

Kinja'd!!!

Malanga > E90M3
05/27/2016 at 17:05

Not a bad first car huh? But thanks, I just checked under the front and it's definitely RWD.

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:14

Wasn’t the worst first car ever, it got the job done, had it for 9.5 years. I was with my high school buddy the other week with my 128i and I was like it’s a good thing we didn’t have something like this when we were 16 cause we’d be dead. My sister has a 2002 Explorer, also from the grandparents, her’s has been a lot more reliable than mine was, the fuel pump on her’s died. Ironically I was driving it then, and I was at the junkyard, that turned into a shitty day.

itschrome > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:16

I didnt know they came in rwd only.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:28

It’s actually a really nice car to drive, you just have to remember to turn the dial on the center console to the “uneven dirt terrain mode” when you actually need traction.

Malanga > E90M3
05/27/2016 at 17:31

Good to know its relatively reliable! My friend should be getting an E36 M3 later this year... He’s going to get in some trouble lol

Malanga > itschrome
05/27/2016 at 17:33

They don't, some are 4wd some RWD. This ones RWD, it turns out.

E92M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:36

You could always look underneath and see if it has a transfer case.

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:37

It is pretty reliable, they redesigned pretty much all the sensors, 1997 was the first year of the 4.0L SOHC V6. Yeah, he’s probably going to get into some trouble, I’m surprised I haven’t gotten into trouble in my E90 after almost 2 years of ownership, I’m 26 so I’m not that mature.

Malanga > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/27/2016 at 17:37

Good to know, however it turns out the car is RWD, so no different modes. :(

Malanga > E92M3
05/27/2016 at 17:38

Just did, don't know how I didn't think of that. It's RWD.

Malanga > E90M3
05/27/2016 at 17:41

More mature than a 16yo though! The E36 isn’t a slow car by any means too. No M3 is.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:41

Look underneath for the transfer case.

Malanga > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
05/27/2016 at 17:43

Just did. RWD! Thanks

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 17:45

I cringe when I think about a 16 year old me with an M3.

Malanga > E90M3
05/27/2016 at 17:59

I'm not, that would be friggin awesome! I'd probably cringe too though were I looking back to now though.

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 18:07

16 year old me would have loved nothing more than to have an M3, 26 year old me realizes that I’d done some dumb things with that car. I’ll be honest, I wanted one since I was 13, and buying one myself was probably one of most rewarding things I’ve done. I wanted one so long that it was surreal to open my garage and see my very own M3 sitting in it. Interestingly, my dad also got a BMW recently and he said to me, if I knew what I did now, I’d had one of these a long time ago. I think I might have had something to do with him buying a 135is, but he loves it especially the loud M exhaust that came on it.

itschrome > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 18:27

yeah, that’s what I mean. I thought they were either 4x4 or AWD, didn’t know they came in just RWD flavor

Malanga > E90M3
05/27/2016 at 18:30

I think that’s exactly what car ownership is about! Owning what you love and loving what you own. I personally don’t have any modern dream cars (modern meaning 2005ish onwards), as my style is more De Tomaso Mangusta, BMW M1 and Lotus Esprit S1 sorta thing. A 1 series like yours is actually one of my favorite modern cars. I can give you 100 bucks for it since you want to sell it...

Malanga > itschrome
05/27/2016 at 18:31

Ah, gotcha.

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 18:40

That’s exactly what car ownership is about. I like your style, I’d rock a M1. I test drove the car I ended up buying in July of 2015 and was impressed with how it drove, it’s not fast nor is it slow. It’s a nice change from the M3. I bought the car in October of 2015 and they had taken 6k off the price since I first drove it. I’d sell it to you cheap since I got such a great deal on it, but I need more than $100 haha.

Malanga > E90M3
05/27/2016 at 19:11

Sounds like an awesome car.

How’s $125 sound? I can go as high is $130 if you bring it to me! Lol

E90M3 > Malanga
05/27/2016 at 19:26

I wish I could sell it for that cheap!