Consumer Guide - All of 'Em!

Oops! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> Should have offered this url first. This is the page with the list of all the makes, so just click on any that are of interest and surf away for more details. I can't vouch for it's accuracy, but this outfit is a competitor to Consumer Reports and does a lot of work collecting and publishing the info, so I tend to trust it.

- Paul <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Actually, they are. Do they have some propensity to explode? No. No more than any other car. So why call them "Exploders"? 'Cuz the Chebby guys think they're being cute, I guess. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My g/f has a '95 Explorer with the 4.0 v-6 and 180K miles. She's had it since it was new and other than a transmission rebuild at 120K (yeah, I know that should be inexcusable, but...), it's been nothing but wonderful. It still does not leak or burn any oil and it's very plush and comfy with the Eddie Bauer trim package. It's not nearly as rugged or offroadable as a Trooper, but it's a great grocery-getter and snow wheeler. It also has that nifty little computer that tells us the average MPG. ~14 city/19 hwy, 21 coming from Seattle to Sacramento. I still love my Trooper, though...they look cooler and are "real" SUVs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Well, "explode" is a general term for break.. HOWEVER, when the explorer firt came out, they did have a tendancy to catch fire! Maybe you don't remember that, but they had a run of about 1 1/2 years of problematic fires starting under the hood.. Granted they have been fixed and don't have this problem, but you know how things like that hang with notion of a vehicle. Also, Fords have ALWAYS had problems with tranny's lasting. I've heard more complaints about Ford trannys going bad and breaking more than any other tranny out there...

Oh yeah, the early 2nd gen Troopers had the little mileage, outside temp, thingy too. Don't know why they stopped putting them in... guess the people didn't want to pay for the extra expense....

I have an odd view on things having owned and worked on a variety of trucks. I'll give you a brief statement on the Montero and Trooper But give you some more information on the explorer because the vast majority of comments have been negative.

I feel the motero and Trooper are more similiar to one another then the ford. The Up side to either the montero or trooper is their size. I'd have to say that the 95/96 trooper is a bit wider then the Monty but over length is around the same. You just have to decided whos parts engine and trans wise do you want to deal with. Mitsu or Isuzu. The both have about the same reliability. The Trucks have a more rugged and advernterous apperance and are better suited for longer trips.


The other thing to look at as is the suspension and drive line. In my opinon is the TTB front end rides better then a torsion bar front. And as far as off road the TTB Front offers more Droop then a Torsion bar front end ever could. Not to mention there are locker options out for the Dana front end that aren't for the import trucks. And yes if you deisre you can convert them to run manual locking hubs. The Rear 8.8 is a storong axle and i would compare it to the Isuzu 12 bolt rear as well as the Mitsu rear which are both extremely durable.

The other bonus is that Parts for the Explorers are a dime a dozen compared to the mitsu and isuzu. And Junk yards all over the US have a plentiful supply of used parts.

The down sides are first off the annoyance problems. The fords have a bunch of silly problems mainly dealing with the interior and features inside the truck. There fore i would stay away from anything with alot of Gadgets and doodads.

Second Explorers Eat Automatic Transmissions for Breakfast. Therefore i would look for one that has a 5 speed manual transmission. They were still availabe in the 1995 and 1996 model trucks.

And lastly the lack of a true 4x4 shifter I hate push button four wheel drive. What do you do when the button doesnt work ?

I hope this gives you a better view of the explorer you really need to decide what you want the truck to do. The Isuzu and Mitsu are Proven wheelers that see service around the world. The Ford is a bit of a super market crusier but for the years you are looking at the truck is easily modified and offerns an ejoyable on road ride as well as more power then the others.

- jason <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> [color:"black"] [/color]

Excellent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Go to some rugged corner of the world and see what the locals drive...you'll see Landcruisers, Patrols, Troopers, Monteros, etc.
I view/treat the Explorer as basically a 4WD, higher-clearance Taurus. It'll haul a lot of Christmas presents from the mall, and it'll comfortably get us up to Tahoe for some skiing. But, for anything truly off-road the Trooper is the obvious choice and a Monty is, for all practical purposes, its fraternal twin. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Aftermarket goodies are pretty scarce for Monties, though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yeah...the Explorer stock ground clearance is pretty minimal, though, less than 7" IIRC...which may not matter to the original poster anyway. Other than that, I agree with the above.

In 95 the explorers switched to a torsion bar front suspension. the 91-94s are the TTB, which is kind of nice. The 95 and ups came with rear disc brakes. I bought a 98 and so far like it. Just wish it had bigger tires. HTH

Dan

if you settle on a trooper, make sure the tranny's been regularly serviced. isuzu doesn't recommend service on the 4l30e until 120k miles, which is too long. good luck!

2 company trucks ago, I had a 96 Explorer. I turned it to the boss with 217,000 miles on it. And never had a bolt turned on the engine. And now, my secretary drives it daily. That says a lot for the Explorer.

The Explorers with the 5.0 V8 have the same transmission as an F150 truck. The all wheel drive option is nice but prone to dying if you aren't religious about rotating your tires. Always buy 4 tires at a time. If you get one odd size tire on there due to irregular wear you can kill the transfer case. If your only needs are reliable on-road winter driving then an AWD V8 Explorer(or Mercury Mountaineer) might be an option. If your planning any off roading then skip it. The Trooper is your better bet but no matter what you buy research all of it. Just like the Explorer the Troopers have there little annoying problems also. Every vehicle does eventually.