02 -05 Ford Explorers . Tell me about them

[CarLuver]

i am planning to take a trip next late spring and explore Utah and Nevada . i am looking for an SUV type vehicle. i have always like the looks of the 02-05 explorers and can pick them up pretty cheap these days .

i am not going rock crawling ,but just need a vehicle that is reliable and will work on unpaved roads So what is your experience with ford explorers, especially the years i list

 

[GR_CoB]

Let's just say there is a reason why you "can pick them up pretty cheap these days." I'd look into something else. AWD Honda Element and 1st gen ('97-01) Honda CR-V are pretty capable off pavement (as long as low range isn't required) and both have a cool feature where front and rear seats fold to make a 7ft long bed. Pretty useful on camping trips. AWD models come both automatic and manual.

 

[GR_CoB]

This post has more info and pictures:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-old-suv-to-buy.343623/post-5828998

 

[methusaleh]

I had both 02 and 05 XLTs with V6s.

The 02 seats were much more comfortable for some reason. The seats truly felt like they had twice the padding of the 05. It wasn’t just my vehicles either as a friend who rode in my 02 and himself owned an 05 agreed. I never could figure out why.

I only had one true set of problems. The 02 suffered from two well-known “first year revision” flaws. Those being a problem with the metallurgy of the rear springs that caused them to shatter like glass one day, and a different metallurgy flaw with the rear differential that was solved by using heavier weight gear lube. It’s been quite a few years so I don’t recall the specifics of that. Both issues can be researched extensively on the Explorer forums.

Both vehicles were sold to friends and the 02 only recently was put to rest. The body was rotting badly and the transmission was slipping. If I recall correctly all that it needed over the years beyond basic maintenance were an ABS module and a blower motor resistor. I think my friend last said it had 230k on the odometer. It still ran great and all of the features worked but he needed something safer for his grandkids. The 05 lives on and has over 150k on it; I haven’t discussed that vehicle with its owner in a while.

 

[BISCUT]

Missions sold so my experience with 1 2002 XLT is not a good sample. Bought new. As mentioned above had the weak springs replaced. These were not known for a durable trans. Mine poped a solenoid around 150k. Sold it to a friend at work who had a Ford rem trans put in. Still going at about 250k miles. He told be it's soon to the junkyard due to rust. We are in NY and see plenty of road salt.

V6 4.0 SOHC if I remember correctly. Engine was excellent. She got a diet of Super Tech 5w30 conventional and Super Tech filters for 150k miles at 3-4k OCI. No idea what the next guy OCI or oil choice is.

 

[Kira]

See if Ford put the 3.0l into any Explorer. The 4.0l SOHC drinks gas. 3.75 vs. 4.10 won't help much.
Gotta say my friend's love their '05 Explorer with tons of miles...in Central NY too!

 

[fsdork]

I'm still running an '03 Limited with the 4.6 V8 because it doesn't seem to want to die. 235,000km to date. The engine has always been a bit noisy (rumbling noise that sounds like it's from the intake), but it's been that way since we received it from my in-laws at 160,000km about 8 years ago. The only significant issue it has experienced since we've had it was a misfire on cylinder 8 due to water in the spark plug tube, which ruined one of the cats. Other than that, it's been maintenance and a few one-off issues (window regulator (1), brake shift interlock, driver's seat warmer switch, one alternator, etc.).

Even if we had paid the few thousand it was worth when we received it, I couldn't be upset with the service it's given us. Unfortunately rust is starting to take its toll, so if we experience any kind of significant mechanical failure at this point, it will be off to the junkyard.

 

[duck__dodgers]

If I recall correctly, these Explorers had "timing cartridges" that were prone to failure at high-mileage.

 

[AP9]

I'd take another late 2nd-gen Explorer over any 3rd-gen Explorer. Used to have a 2000 XLT 4x4 with the 4.0L pushrod and the first 200,000 miles were almost completely trouble-free (I suspect that a couple SeaFoam treatments are what ultimately turned the tide, burning oil faster than a 2-cycle and turning into a V5 every 3,000 miles) -- and a buddy of mine had a 2003 2WD V8 that didn't even make it to 150K. Whatever you do, stay away from the 4.0L SOHC V6; once it starts its famous "death rattle" be ready to pull the engine to access the rear timing chain cassette and pray that it hasn't taken anything else out yet. Much more at explorerforum.com

 

[AP9]

See if Ford put the 3.0l into any Explorer. The 4.0l SOHC drinks gas. 3.75 vs. 4.10 won't help much.
Gotta say my friend's love their '05 Explorer with tons of miles...in Central NY too!

3.0L V6 never made it into the Explorer, only the Ranger. The SOHC version of the 4.0L may look better on paper but the OHV version (only offered until 2000) is a much more reliable choice overall.

 

[MNgopher]

For the OP's use, I'd say go for it. Yes, they are relatively cheap. Parts are pretty easy to find.

Biggest trouble spot is the transmission. That's what made us get rid of our 2nd gen with the 4.0 SOHC (not the infamous timing chain issue) with 190,000 on the clock and last we checked its still rolling in Arizona with over 240,000 on the odometer.

The other "bad" repair our work Explorers 3rd Generation had were the rear wheel bearings. The hub gets seized pretty well in there...

If you want to avoid the "bad" transmission, the 4th Gen ('06-10) with the 4.6 come with the 6R60/6R80 - same as the F150 for many, many years. Of course, that gets you a 3V 4.6 V8 with plugs that get stuck in the head, exhaust manifolds that warp and break the studs, and a 20 psi radiator that is prone to leaking... Ask me how I know...

I wouldn't shy away from a well maintained one...

 

[Kira]

Glad I got the 5R55E...onto which I installed a Dorman pan with drain plug.

 

[BLND1]

My wife’s family had 2-3. They seemed to like them even with high miles.

 

[CarLuver]

yeah i have read of the trans and timing chain issues. i think they are so cheap because they made a ton of them . i have a lot of time to find the right one that hopefully the prev owners fix the issue.

i want this length instead of a CRV so i can sleep in it while in the sticks. want to do the stuff like wonder hussy does and explore the SW

 

[01rangerxl]

As an Explorer enthusiast, I avoid the 02-05 IRS models and really anything after 2001. I might consider a 01-03 Sport, but it seems most of those did not fare well.

I daily drive a 1997 SOHC with 230K miles. It's a fantastic truck, but I did do an extensive cooling system overhaul. Timing chain history is unknown, but it runs great, so whatever. I guess I'll keep the oil changed and hope for the best. My 94 Explorer with the OHV 4.0 is my best running truck by far though. Basically like a brand new car. The myriad of expensive problems once they went to an independent rear suspension and more complex transmission took the Explorer off the list for me.

 

[Kruse]

My kid has an 05/2WD with the 4.6. The complete front end was rebuilt at 100k miles. Since then, it’s been okay.