Going to be buying a 02,03 explorer 4.6 for my new daily driver and just wondering if there is anything to keep an eye out for on these things? I test drove one already and man what a big difference over my 1st gen it rode so nice and the 4.6 had some power so anyone with info chime in. Thanks
3rd gen explorer anyone here have one or know anything
- Thread starter Black Ice
- Start date
atlanticblue98
Well-Known Member
the panel on the tailgate cracks around the Ford emblem on 80% of 02-05 Explorers i see at work
Tailgate panel cracks as said above. Some had bad transmission issues. Other than that I've been very happy with my 4.0. Decent mpg, tows pretty well. The oil pressure goes in and out but it's just a sender issue and it's not actually dropping pressure. The wire tends to come lose.
Venomous96Cobra
Well-Known Member
I had a 4.oh sport! liked it very much! a bit of a gas guzzler but it is a truck!!!
We had a 96 explorer 5.0 and now have a 2005 4.0, both have been trouble free great trucks
The 96 had ~170K on it when we sold it and the only issue it had was the transmission bump when shifting into OD (known issue across the ford line, not just the explorers)
The 05 has ~60K on it and nothing but preventative maint. done to it
As already mentioned dont plan on good gas MPG though
The 96 had ~170K on it when we sold it and the only issue it had was the transmission bump when shifting into OD (known issue across the ford line, not just the explorers)
The 05 has ~60K on it and nothing but preventative maint. done to it
As already mentioned dont plan on good gas MPG though
red95r
Active Member
My friend ha an 02, and it has been his prerogative to convert his explorer into a better mpg machine ie: electric fan, under-drive pulleys etc.
His name is hitchhikingmike on http://www.explorerforum.com/. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263035
My brother has a 1st gen he converted to a lifted 4x4 - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228697
His name is hitchhikingmike on http://www.explorerforum.com/. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263035
My brother has a 1st gen he converted to a lifted 4x4 - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228697
3rd Gens are IMO the best. The 4th gen explorer has become a car(read:no longer frame over). I love the 3rd gens, they are beefy enough to handle what an SUV should, get decent(not great) mpgs, and are surprisingly comfortable and smooth.
uncltrvlnmatt
Post Whore
I have a 03 Explorer with a 4.0. As said before the tail panel cracks. Just don't push on it to close the tailgate, especially in the winter. Mine has a gremlin in the instrement cluster. The oil presure gauge will just drop to 0 for no reason, and I am not losing oil presure. I also have a intermitant gremlin with the passager door light switch. I have 108k on it and bought it with 37k on it 3 years ago. The only major problem I had was a bad cat at about 95k.
I appreciate all the feedback on this. I have owned 3 1st gen explorers and really liked them they treated me well and the only thing i have to bitch about is the rockers rusting and i am still driving my 94 as a daily driver but looking to retire it as soon as i pick up a 3rd gen.
