Looking at getting a Ford Explorer, anyone have any advice on getting one?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking at getting a Ford Explorer, anyone have any advice on getting one?

Posted: 11/23/2014 9:48:13 AM EDT

We Went and looked at a 2004 Explorer with the 4.0 v6. It was sitting on 87,000miles(

) and seems to run good. They are wanting $7000 for it. The wife drove it and liked it pretty well and it seems like it is a solid vehicle to me

Good deal? Bad deal? Stay away? What is the general consensus?

Pic of current "Family" vehicle, wif in corner of pic. That is the best view the leghumpers are going to get

Apparently that is not family friendly enough

I would love to get a 4runner or the like but one comparable here locally would cost me 2x as much

Posted: 11/23/2014 9:51:08 AM EDT

[#1]

We have a 2003 Explorer XLT with the 4.0L. 115,000 miles on it. Best vehicle we've ever owned. Decent fuel economy (22hwy/18city) too.

Posted: 11/23/2014 9:51:17 AM EDT

[#2]

Posted: 11/23/2014 9:57:40 AM EDT

[#3]

my mom has an 04 and they have had nothing but problems with it. the back windows wont roll down anymore (motors have been replaced twice). the AC fan has had to be replaced. it doesnt even have that many miles. meanwhile, my 2000 explorer runs great, 224k on the clock. never had one mechanical issue. the top of a pine tree fell on it in an ice storm. i think you could snag it for $6k though.

Posted: 11/23/2014 10:01:31 AM EDT

[#4]

if you want to off-road, pass on the explorer and get another jeep.

the aftermarket for explorers is non-existent.

Posted: 11/23/2014 10:21:27 AM EDT

[#5]

You may want to double check and see if the 04's were the ones with the timing chain guide issues. I do not remember exactly what years, but a friend of mine told me about how big of a pain they were to work on. One of the cams guides is on the back of the motor and I think the only way to replace it properly is to pull the motor or possible the transmission to get to it. I'm not 100% certain but I would Google it and do some research.

Posted: 11/23/2014 10:32:11 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
You may want to double check and see if the 04's were the ones with the timing chain guide issues. I do not remember exactly what years, but a friend of mine told me about how big of a pain they were to work on. One of the cams guides is on the back of the motor and I think the only way to replace it properly is to pull the motor or possible the transmission to get to it. I'm not 100% certain but I would Google it and do some research.

View Quote

I think 2001 or 2002 Ford put the new style chain guides in, so it should not be an issue. Hopefully anyway. But hey, I have a Jeep, so I am used to working on my junk

As far as the comment about offroading, this will be strictly a family vehicle. I am not getting rid of my Jeep, it is just too much fun and I have put way too much work into it at this point to get rid of it now

Posted: 11/23/2014 10:43:45 AM EDT

[#7]

My family has had a 2002 and a 2012, both were great vehicles.

Posted: 11/23/2014 10:45:43 AM EDT

[#8]

Other than the XJ is better, not really.

We used explorers in mining quite a bit and they held up surprisingly well.

If we got at least 6" more to the left we could at least properly check out her butt.

Posted: 11/23/2014 11:34:22 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Other than the XJ is better, not really.

We used explorers in mining quite a bit and they held up surprisingly well.

If we got at least 6" more to the left we could at least properly check out her butt.

View Quote

The wife unit dosent like the way the XJ drives, and to be honest the rear doors are tiny, it would be a pain trying to get the baby into and out of the back seat a lot.

I worked at a mine several years ago that had a couple explorers, I dont remember how well they held up though, I was not around them very much. We had a lot of problems out of the company Tahoe though, damn thing never wanted to run right

Posted: 11/23/2014 9:43:34 PM EDT

[#10]

The wife's 2003 has hit 160k miles and we've just demoted it to a winter-use vehicle. Never had an on the road breakdown, but we have had to replace hubs and wheel, bearings on every corner. Otherwise it's been nothing more than a battery and an alternator aside from regular replacement and consumable items like brakes.

Posted: 11/24/2014 1:15:36 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
You may want to double check and see if the 04's were the ones with the timing chain guide issues. I do not remember exactly what years, but a friend of mine told me about how big of a pain they were to work on. One of the cams guides is on the back of the motor and I think the only way to replace it properly is to pull the motor or possible the transmission to get to it. I'm not 100% certain but I would Google it and do some research.

View Quote

03-04 is when the new cassettes for the timing chain started showing up. I am replacing an engine in an 03 mountaineer right now, due to a broken rod. Replacement engine is from a 01 and has timing chain issues. I have a thread in the cars and bikes forum.

Posted: 11/24/2014 1:20:41 PM EDT

[#12]

They love to wear out front ball joints. Any squeekyness in the front end and you can bet on needing to replace 'em soon. If you aren't a DIYer, it can be expensive.

Posted: 11/25/2014 8:23:11 AM EDT

[#13]

I have a 2004 Explorer that has been awesome. 160,000 miles and the only things that I have done to it is 2 new sets of tires and a new set of brakes. It drives well, gets decent mileage, and handles snow well.

Posted: 11/25/2014 8:34:11 AM EDT

[#14]

I've got a 2004 Explorer with 115k and have not had any issues with it. I work with road construction and some of the inspectors and regulatory agencies drive explorers that take a beating ridding through projects and they have held up well.

Posted: 11/25/2014 9:02:01 AM EDT

[#15]

http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=1689030

Same generation. I vote "no." I got out of mine not more than 10 minutes ago. My suggestion is Xterra or 4runner.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 11/25/2014 9:18:20 AM EDT

[#16]

Depending on where you live you might look at this. http://www.tuffyproducts.com/p-241-in-door-lock-protector-plates.aspx

Had a buddy get his explorer popped while they were in a restaurant.

Posted: 11/25/2014 9:42:52 AM EDT

[#17]

Get another Jeep. Seriously. Grand Cherokee to me has a much more quality feel over the Ford Explorer.

Posted: 11/26/2014 12:07:16 AM EDT

[#18]

Thanks for the input, we went ahead with the Explorer.

The (very pregnant) Wife Unit dosent look all that happy here, but I assure you she is pleased with this purchase

Posted: 11/26/2014 12:08:59 AM EDT

[#19]

Seems pricey. I bought a 2005 with similar miles for under $5,000.

Posted: 11/26/2014 12:14:39 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Seems pricey. I bought a 2005 with similar miles for under $5,000.

View Quote

Did you do it private party? We bought from a dealer, seems like every time I looked at a private vehicle it was gutted and they wanted too much for it. Around here people have been keeping vehicles, especially any kind of 4x4, for much longer than they usually would have. Thus the ones for sale typically are ragged out.

But 5k is a awesome price either way

Posted: 11/26/2014 12:28:28 AM EDT

[#21]

Piece of crap don't FO!!! had one and the AC system grenaded 3 times then the engine blew with 54000 miles on it the day i paid it off. 3 months out of warranty

Fuck Ford right in the neck!!!!

Posted: 11/26/2014 2:15:48 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

Did you do it private party? We bought from a dealer, seems like every time I looked at a private vehicle it was gutted and they wanted too much for it. Around here people have been keeping vehicles, especially any kind of 4x4, for much longer than they usually would have. Thus the ones for sale typically are ragged out.

But 5k is a awesome price either way

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Seems pricey. I bought a 2005 with similar miles for under $5,000.

Did you do it private party? We bought from a dealer, seems like every time I looked at a private vehicle it was gutted and they wanted too much for it. Around here people have been keeping vehicles, especially any kind of 4x4, for much longer than they usually would have. Thus the ones for sale typically are ragged out.

But 5k is a awesome price either way

Hmm maybe time for a road trip for me. I am about to sell my 03 4x4 Explorer and it's a dry CA car. Maybe I'd get more money selling it out that way

Posted: 11/26/2014 2:19:46 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

I think 2001 or 2002 Ford put the new style chain guides in, so it should not be an issue. Hopefully anyway. But hey, I have a Jeep, so I am used to working on my junk

As far as the comment about offroading, this will be strictly a family vehicle. I am not getting rid of my Jeep, it is just too much fun and I have put way too much work into it at this point to get rid of it now

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
You may want to double check and see if the 04's were the ones with the timing chain guide issues. I do not remember exactly what years, but a friend of mine told me about how big of a pain they were to work on. One of the cams guides is on the back of the motor and I think the only way to replace it properly is to pull the motor or possible the transmission to get to it. I'm not 100% certain but I would Google it and do some research.

I think 2001 or 2002 Ford put the new style chain guides in, so it should not be an issue. Hopefully anyway. But hey, I have a Jeep, so I am used to working on my junk

As far as the comment about offroading, this will be strictly a family vehicle. I am not getting rid of my Jeep, it is just too much fun and I have put way too much work into it at this point to get rid of it now

Yes, 2002. I made sure to get a 2003 Ranger and not a 2002 for this reason. I have 137k on the clock now and running fine.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking at getting a Ford Explorer, anyone have any advice on getting one?

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