going to look at 2004 Ford Exploer to replace my ranger

[Chris M]

Good day to all,

Need some help from you guys. After work I am going to look at a 2004 for explorer with a 4.6 L (135 K) anything special I should check. All the reviews I have read state plastic interior parts brake, saw one about the transmission (That why I am replacing the 1996 Ranger.)

I will review this post through the day on 08/06 for any thoughts from you people have.

Thanks for your help in advance

Chris M

 

[straycat]

Just Carfax and if you don't know anything take along somebody who does. If you have to ask us that means you should not be alone when you go look at it, Bro. Take somebody along or pay a mechanic to look at it...saves big repair bills later down the road. The best bet would go to a good dealership and get a certified vehicle. It is worth the price of doing business with a dealership. 2004 is not really an old ride. One of my friends bought a 2005 SpotTrac 4x4 in March and it was Ford certified. He loves it and drives it everywhere. Low mileage and he has gone back and forth to California 3 times this year already

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Don't do it. IMO and experience, the newer (02+) explorers are all junk.

Front suspension, weak ranger strength with more weight.

IRS is junk, won't keep seals, bushings/ joints are always going bad.

Transmission problems like crazy.

Transfercase also has lots of issues.

Interior is junk.

Not to mention, they are ugly.

If you want an Ex, get a 98-01 V8. Only issues they have are the awd t-case, which is easily swapped with a part-time F-150 t-case.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2

 

[Chris M]

Guys thanks for the feed back. Went an looked at it yesterday. Took a pass on it.
Lots of noise coming from front left wheel (Bearing's) Throttle response was poor you stepped on the peddle and nothing till it through you back into the seat. Did not like that it was auto 4X4, seats were rock hard.
There was also problems with the listing. Listing stated that it was for sale by owner. (some what true) Turns out the guy gos to auctions and resells. He through a dealer plate so I could test drive.
Straycat your advise is good carfax would have been my next step after vetting the unit in person if it thought it was worth the price.
Urbanredneckkid you hit the nail on the head. Except for the ugly part but that's an opinion. We all have those, and I have a big one. (per my wife.)

As always the very best regards
Chris M

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Don't do it. IMO and experience, the newer (02+) explorers are all junk.

Front suspension, weak ranger strength with more weight.

IRS is junk, won't keep seals, bushings/ joints are always going bad.

Transmission problems like crazy.

Transfercase also has lots of issues.

Interior is junk.

Not to mention, they are ugly.

If you want an Ex, get a 98-01 V8. Only issues they have are the awd t-case, which is easily swapped with a part-time F-150 t-case.

The goofy frog eyed 96-01 Explorers are usually saggy in the rear and rotted out with 200,000+ miles on them. I never have liked the looks of them.

The parents have an '02, it has had quite a few problems that are pretty odd. Rear hatch cracked, rear wheel bearings are a PITA to change, broken rear springs, slip part of the driveshaft went out, front wheel bearings, timing chain (4.0) and right now mother is driving it around with the glovebox out and a pair of vice grips holding the blend door in place so she can have A-C until we get time to rip the whole dash out to change the little stupid plastic door.

If it was my first Ford it would have been my last. That said it does ride and handle FAR superior to the previous cars. I got into a bind on the interstate last year in the '02 and it pulled through in shades and charged into the median like a champ, the previous '94 Explorer would have responded with a barrel roll to the turn I put the '02 through... which would probably still be better than slamming into the panic stopping car in front of me.

They also take a hit better than the previous styles, much better in the crash tests.