1999 ford explorer?

[ducatiz]

tell me what i should know

4d 4wd model with lots of options.  v6 engine.

seller wants 1500 obo..

says it needs new timing chain tensioner but otherwise good running condition.

body is fair to good.  dent on rear quarter

what's the big issue with these?  reviews say they are indestructible.

i need a haul and tow vehicle.   doesn't need to last forever.

[Speedbag]

They are virtually indestructible. Had a 2000, most trouble-free vehicle I've had next to my '04 F150. Put gas in it, change the oil once in a while, and replace tires.

Does it have the OHC 4.0? I assume so. Some need the chain guides/tensioner when they get up there in miles.

[ducatiz]

do you know how much labour is involved?

[Speedbag]

No, but it looks like a pain in the ass.....

[ducatiz]

its the sohc model fwiw

[zarn02]

My folks used to have an Explorer. I believe it was the V6. I recall it feeling quite underpowered.

(Granted, I was nineteen or twenty years old at the time...)

[Langanobob]

Doesn't answer your questions, but if all you need is a haul and tow vehicle and don't need to haul people, a pickup truck is a lot more useful.

How many miles on the Explorer?

[ungeheuer]

They are virtually indestructible.

Weird.  Coz in my part of the world they became known as the Ford Exploder...  

[Speedbag]

My folks used to have an Explorer. I believe it was the V6. I recall it feeling quite underpowered.

(Granted, I was nineteen or twenty years old at the time...)

The pushrod 4.0 was a bit of a turd compared to the OHC version.....

[ducatiz]

well, after more research i am passing.

there is a front cam timing chain and a rear drive timing chain.  the front is a smallish job the rear requires full removal and disassembly of the engine.  i am not taking the chance...

[yamifixer]

I had a Mazda Navajo (same creature with differend grill) It was great up till the end. then is became the hellish beast of song and story. in the last 6 months I Had to do the following:
1. Rebuild the front axle
2. repair the transfer case shift motor (PITA)
3. replace transfer case
4. put in 2 fuel pressure regulators
5. replace fuel pump
6. It ate front brakes like a snack food.
7. when the tranny started to slip i admitted defeat and traded it in on a Tacoma.

I like to think I am not hard on vehicles and am over the top on maintenance but after 110000 miles it started to fall apart.

[Speedbag]

Apparently I got lucky.....I traded it off around 100K and wondered if I shouldn't be keeping it longer.

[Porsche Monkey]

If they ever overheat the heads are toast. Other than that pretty solid imo.

[the_Journeyman]

4 our of 5 of our custodians at my workplace have that generation of explorer.  The 5th one's g/f has a Mercury Mountaineer of the same generation.  All are high mileage with minimal repairs needed because of decent to good normal maintenance.  The Mountaineer got the driveshaft U-joints replaced after  200,000 miles and it's going strong.

JM

[The Bacon Junkie]

i need a haul and tow vehicle.   doesn't need to last forever.

Doesn't answer your questions, but if all you need is a haul and tow vehicle and don't need to haul people, a pickup truck is a lot more useful.

My '02 Nissan Frontier hit 200,000 miles, then I drove it cross country.

Only thing besides oil and tires that I've had to replace was the timing belt last year and a valve cover gasket this year.  Oh yeah, replaced the front brake rotors two weeks ago... They were the originals!   

It still has the original clutch... 

I only changed the oil when I remembered to, and that's about all I ever did to it.   

I'd get another one, without question...   [