Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and jg09
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2010
- Messages
- 54
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Everson, WA
- Vehicle Year
- 1991, 1992
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0
- Transmission
- Automatic
After having both a 92 Explorer and an 02 Explorer, I've come to an interesting conclusion. Newer is NOT better. My opinions:
1992 Ford Explorer 4x4
Pros
-fuel economy (for an SUV)
-interior room
-ruggedness
-comfort
Cons
-tipsy without anti-sway bars installed
My '92 is the work and play truck. Shortly after I bought it, it began to look like it would be sentenced to a life of hard labor. It lived out in the woods, only getting to see civilization when civilization had to go out and get firewood. However, when I got rid of my old BMW, the Explorer became my daily driver, and that's when the love affair started. At the local off roading area, that truck would go where ever I wanted it to with the right driving. It was perfect for my skill level and the difficulty of the terrain I took it over. Eventually, I removed the anti-sway bars, which made a HUGE difference and made the rig even more fun to take down to the river, or out to the camp site. All the seats were super comfortable, and no matter where you were in the truck, you had plenty of room for your head, knees, and shoulders. Even at 6'3", I couldn't reach the pedals when the driver seat was pushed all the way back. It was an awesome truck and it was a sad day when the transmission blew up and it had to get parked. And in came the '02.
2002 Ford Explorer V8 4x4
Pros
-well laid out audio/HVAC controls
-rear seats easier to mount child seat in
-Sound system is much better
Cons
-passenger area seems a bit cramped
-Everything seems "fragile"
-Unreliable
The '02 came after the 92's tranny death. In theory, if the original Explorer was so great, than a newer Explorer would be more refined and improved upon, right? not really, actually. The first thing you notice is how soft the front suspension is. Granted, I've been used to a TTB equipped Explorer, but the front suspension just seems overly soft to me. The shocks and springs are in good shape, it's just the way it came from the factory. It also feels like you have less room, no matter where you're sitting in the truck. And whenever I get in or get out, or whenever it's going over a bumpy road, it feels like it's going to break something. it probably won't, but it feels like somethings is gonna give out. Over the course of 8 months or so, it's puked 3 spark plugs. That gets pricey to fix. Fortunately, it's not all bad. The interior does look pretty professional and is well laid out, with all the major controls within easy reach. I could be imagining this, but it seems like the back seats of the 02 are also easier to mount car seats in. It could be because of the angle, or the increased "butt dip" in them, but it just seems like they slide around less in the 02.
Overall, the '92 and the '02 are good rigs, but ultimately, I like the '92 better. In fact, the '02 is soon to go, most likely being replaced by something smaller. I was very surprised by how I ended up feeling toward the rigs. The '02 is a very attractive rig, and i thought i always wanted one. Fortunately, it was purchased by my cousin (whom I live with), so I didn't put my $8500 into it. If I had that much money right now to dump into a rig, I'd probably just use half of it on the '92 and have an even better vehicle than before.
1992 Ford Explorer 4x4
Pros
-fuel economy (for an SUV)
-interior room
-ruggedness
-comfort
Cons
-tipsy without anti-sway bars installed
My '92 is the work and play truck. Shortly after I bought it, it began to look like it would be sentenced to a life of hard labor. It lived out in the woods, only getting to see civilization when civilization had to go out and get firewood. However, when I got rid of my old BMW, the Explorer became my daily driver, and that's when the love affair started. At the local off roading area, that truck would go where ever I wanted it to with the right driving. It was perfect for my skill level and the difficulty of the terrain I took it over. Eventually, I removed the anti-sway bars, which made a HUGE difference and made the rig even more fun to take down to the river, or out to the camp site. All the seats were super comfortable, and no matter where you were in the truck, you had plenty of room for your head, knees, and shoulders. Even at 6'3", I couldn't reach the pedals when the driver seat was pushed all the way back. It was an awesome truck and it was a sad day when the transmission blew up and it had to get parked. And in came the '02.
2002 Ford Explorer V8 4x4
Pros
-well laid out audio/HVAC controls
-rear seats easier to mount child seat in
-Sound system is much better
Cons
-passenger area seems a bit cramped
-Everything seems "fragile"
-Unreliable
The '02 came after the 92's tranny death. In theory, if the original Explorer was so great, than a newer Explorer would be more refined and improved upon, right? not really, actually. The first thing you notice is how soft the front suspension is. Granted, I've been used to a TTB equipped Explorer, but the front suspension just seems overly soft to me. The shocks and springs are in good shape, it's just the way it came from the factory. It also feels like you have less room, no matter where you're sitting in the truck. And whenever I get in or get out, or whenever it's going over a bumpy road, it feels like it's going to break something. it probably won't, but it feels like somethings is gonna give out. Over the course of 8 months or so, it's puked 3 spark plugs. That gets pricey to fix. Fortunately, it's not all bad. The interior does look pretty professional and is well laid out, with all the major controls within easy reach. I could be imagining this, but it seems like the back seats of the 02 are also easier to mount car seats in. It could be because of the angle, or the increased "butt dip" in them, but it just seems like they slide around less in the 02.
Overall, the '92 and the '02 are good rigs, but ultimately, I like the '92 better. In fact, the '02 is soon to go, most likely being replaced by something smaller. I was very surprised by how I ended up feeling toward the rigs. The '02 is a very attractive rig, and i thought i always wanted one. Fortunately, it was purchased by my cousin (whom I live with), so I didn't put my $8500 into it. If I had that much money right now to dump into a rig, I'd probably just use half of it on the '92 and have an even better vehicle than before.
