Kindly impart your wisdom on Exploders.

Specifically 2000 V8 AWD with high (161,000) miles.

Things I know so far (could be mistaken):

5.0 with cast pistons and small roller cam

GT40P heads

GT40/Cobra intake (Externally different but the runners are the same.)

4R70W transmission

Chain driven, full time 4WD/AWD transfer case (swappable to manual T-case)

8.8" rear

5 x 4.5" bolt pattern

Burban like fuel economy.

Questions:

What are the common failures?

Has anyone owned one, long term?

Replacement/performance parts? (besides engine, I have that covered)

Any reason not to pick one up with high miles?

Things to look for that could indicate impending temporal doom?

I have no personal knowledge of the V8 AWD models, but a friend had a '98(?) V6 Exploder that wouldn't die. Rusty as hell, but ran like a champ.

I have a 95 with the 5.0 and similar miles. It runs great, is easy to work on and parts are cheap. I love it!

Firestone. However, I think this was more a matter of negligent owners than anything else. Like all American cars of the era, rust and electronics (being corroded by rust) are issues. I've never owned one but I know quite a few people who do. Engines and trannies are plentiful at the pick and pulls' from what I hear.

I don't know of any specific failure points on these.

I would absolutely hate the AWD though. That would be the first thing I changed.

i'd rather have a Suburban- more power.. more room... similar mileage..

also, Suburbans are easier to work on- even the simple things like brake jobs and a transmission swap (i'd consider it basic maintenance on those since the drivelines are so underengineered for what they are) were more difficult on a friend's Explorer than they really needed to be..

We're keeping the Burban. I was looking at a possible replacement for my car(s).

There's one at a local stealership that we've dealt with in the past and actually had a positive experience. They've had it for quite a while and have dropped the price significantly. Today, after finally figuring out the charging system issue, I took the Lincoln for a drive and decided to stop by and check it out. It is VERY nice and looks like it was well maintained.

I peeked under the front and didn't see any leaks. The front c/v shafts look new.

This isn't it, but it's the same color and looks to be in the same condition.

rocker panel rust is common ymmv

Have a v6 2000 exploder

RUST, the door sills have holes.

Balljoints are bad on mine.

AWD case never wanted to go into 4-low

VERY small gas tank for its economy. (240 miles per tank)

Other than that, has needed a t-stat, a starter, a TPS sensor, rear wiper motor, the drivers door lock has stopped working, have to open from passenger side.

RealMiniDriver wrote: I have no personal knowledge of the V8 AWD models, but a friend had a '98(?) V6 Exploder that wouldn't die. Rusty as hell, but ran like a champ.

Ditto. I have a friend in DC with a V6 2dr. He's gotten to the point where he won't drive it on long trips anymore but for commuting (to the local train station) and hauling his mtn bikes to local trails it won't die.

I've heard that the transmission is pretty tough, but what will kill it is temp like any trans, but from engine overheating rather than overworking the trans. if it starts running hot and you push it to get somewhere before stopping, you can cook the fluid and trans in the process. for that reason, i'd stay away from one that looks like its been overheated recently, new head gaskets, heads, one new hose when all the rest look ready to go, that cat pee smell under the hood, etc.

I assume the J-Mod can be performed on the trans?

I have a 97 5L 2wd (same chassis) that we've had since 30k miles, now over 200k. It was the wife's DD for manyyears, and since retirement sees lots of towing use on a 3k lb camper through the north ga mountains, plus mtn bikes, lowes runs, etc.

It's one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.

You can J-mod the trans, although I haven't. I did have some issues with OD kind of slipping several years back, but a full-synthetic fluid change and a new screen fixed it right off. It's now shifting hard 1-2, but I've read there's a problem with one of the pistons in the valve body that leaks past the oring and causes this. The updated version of the piston fixes it.

Lets see...the DPFE sensor in the EGR system tends to die every few years - it throws an EGR flow code. They're $60 or so... The metal tube from the EGR to the manifold likes to rot, they're about $90 - listen for an odd tapping exhaust leak from the psg side engine compartment.....There's a vacuum port on the bottom of the manifold that the cap rots off of - makes a vacuum cleaner sound and throws a lean code. It's a $0.25 fix but you have to r&r the top half of the manifold. The cruise control buttons on the steerign wheel tend to rot, they're $100 from rock auto, the center console armrest destroys itself, the recline levers break off the front seats from hefty people sliding in and out. There are some issues with the 4wd activation system, but I'm not up on them - check explorerforums.com for anything you ever needed to know - but a high noise-signal ratio

All in all, they are solid as a rock and about the cheapest thing on the road to buy parts for. Mileage on my 2wd averages around 18, so not much worse than my 05 mustang. Towing the camper at 75mph and o/d off still nets 16mpg solid.

Tires - as mentioned, only use good tires. Michelin LTX M/S 2s give the best mileage / handling / wear on these trucks, but you may want a little more grip if you're planning on 'wheeling it.

Too far removed to be of relevance to your question but I’m so happy with the 2003 V6, 2WD Exploder we bought new that I have to give it a plug.

After 150K, the only things that have required replacing were the oxygen sensor and the rear glass hinges and we get 19.5 mpg on 87 Octane in freeway driving.

I could go on and on touting its praises but I'll just say it has significantly exceeded all of our expectations.

I had a 98 with the SOHC V6 with the 5R55E auto (or something like that). Supposed to be the most un-reliable combination ever. BEST vehicle I ever owned! I had it ten years and the only major work I did was 1) Both front spindles (due to abs sensor failure - way to go Ford replace a $500 part to fix a $35 sensor - but they are built-in to the spindle) and 2) Upper Control arms. Everything else was wear items - brakes, tires etc.

I probably shouldn't have sold it, but since it was just sitting after I bought the WRX, we let it go.

The V8 and auto combination is supposed to be virtually bullet-proof.

Fuel Mileage and Range sucks - at best 500 km (300 mile) tanks. In the winter - 300 kms (200 miles) from a 75L (20 US Gal) tank. So yes 10 mpg.

When I worked at Ford, these were bullet-proof.

The limited is nice for that generation, and the white is probably the best looking color. How much is something like this going for, if you don't mind me asking?

They're asking $2,990.

Regarding Ford Exploder, generally:

Kill it with fire. Before it does you.

Here is a bunch of good info on these and swapping their engines in to Rangers.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/5_0_swap_in_newer_ranger.html