Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Compare an Explorer to a Tahoe. The Tahoe blows away the Explorer in precision,body/hardware integrity,engine,lasting longer,dependability,etc. I never criticize things unless I`ve had first hand experience with them. I`ve had alot of experience with both.
They are different classes of SUV, but if comparing the same years I don't think a Tahoe really blows the Explorer away in anything. It's bigger in size and had bigger engines available, but few other advantages before 2002. During the 1990s build quality was not significantly different between the two, though the Explorer was a smaller, less expensive SUV.
The Explorer's engines have always been pretty good. Ford never put a bad engine in them. The OHV 4.0 is very reliable with few problems. I've driven and done an oil change on one that had over 300K miles on it, and the only way you'd know it was the squishy driver's seat and odometer. I have also seen an Explorer taxi with this engine that had over 600K miles on it. I believe the Explorer based mail trucks also use this engine, and that's one of the worst kinds of use there is. The SOHC 4.0 had timing chain noise early on, but Ford revised the design and even with the timing chain noise, SOHCs last a long time. The 5.0 offered in the Explorer was an excellent engine and is highly sought after for its GT40 heads. The 4.6 offered later on is obviously known for its reliability as well.
My 1995 didn't burn or leak any oil at 158K miles when I sold it and had never been opened up. It still ran great. The original trans also shifted perfectly. Original t-case always worked too, as did the D35 front/Ford 8.8 rear axles. It had no issues with body hardware at all aside from a slightly sticky rear latch (probably due to corrosion). The only thing that was a design issue was the the rocker panels, and that was only an issue in places that used a lot of salt. Down here where rust is less of a concern, they just keep going. Lots of '91-'01s are still running around here, many more than most vehicles from the 1990s. I know neighbors and coworkers that still rely on their 15-20 year old Explorers daily, and they aren't BITOGers if you know what I mean.
As far as going off road, few similarly equipped SUVs aside from Grand Cherokees and 4Runners came close to the Explorer. The first gen used the Twin Traction Beam front suspension with a Dana 35 pumpkin that is very durable and easy/cheap to lift. Stock for stock, it's stronger than the Dana 30 many Jeeps came with. You could also get manual hubs and a manual t-case from the factory. A '91-'94 Sport (short wheelbase 2-door) with manual t-case and manual hubs is a good off roader right out of the box if it has decent tires. With mild upgrades they will hang with Wranglers all day, but with much greater comfort. '95-'01 lost some capability due to IFS, and the electronic t-cases sometimes had shift motor issues, but they are still cheap and easy to modify and good off road. My 1995 came with full metal skid plates from the factory and cleared 31x10.50 tires with no lift and no rubbing. It would hand any modern mainstream SUV it's [censored] off road except for the Wrangler and maybe a 4Runner in Trail trim.
I have a lot of experience with Explorers as well, and would gladly take a '91-'01 over any modern SUV offering. I guess I just got lucky, but I think they are great vehicles. Most vehicles that sell millions of units usually are.
