explorer suspension

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:42

ThreadID: 6558 Views:1963 Replies:8 FollowUps:3

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dogart

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a explorer XLT or Limited,
probably 1997 - 1999 maybe 2000?
Most likely I'm trying for a Limited 98 under 80000Km for 20K - 25K
just depends on suspension possibilities.

Mainly cause the $'s I can spend, I can get more goodies
than any other in the price range with still low km's.
A motor that would match the competitors.
Rear usability with the wheel aches being so low.
Looks like you could easily sleep in the back with the door closed.
Excellent auto trans.

My main concerns is suspension.
I'm willing to come done a year pay a little less and spend the diff
on beefing up the suspension.

I've looked at the specs and in particular the ground clearance.
All XLT have ~235mm the Limited has 188-195mm.
Now all the bad reports I have heard about you can't take
an explorer here or there. Landruiser 99 GXL clearance of ~230mm.
What's the diff?
Is it the type of suspension?
Can I raise an explorer with the ind front & leaf rear?

Any advice from explorer owners will be greatly appreciated.
Don't bother replying if you gonna bag the ford,
I've seen all previous posts and have heard it all before!
At the end of the day...more features, more power, realistic price
you can't go wrong

Just seen a...
Price: $17,990
Vehicle: 1997 FORD EXPLORER UN XLT
Body: WAGON
Colour: blue
Transmission: Automatic
Kilometres: 16,164

something like this you could go to town on!
New seats / suspension / stainless exhaust all for under $20K
not bad

cheers

wolf
Perth WA

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Reply By: Eric - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:52

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:52

I just sold a 96 XLT for 13k thats all I could get wholesale for it . Since you dont want to hear about the Trany problem I had with it or the inlet manifold that always let go , the Traction control that never worked , i suppose It was thew best car in the world lol

AnswerID: 27805

Follow Up By: Eric - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:54

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:54

forgot to add repaiced it with a prado GXL 99 for 22k , brother inlaw is much happier

FollowupID: 19166

Reply By: dogart - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:56

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 21:56

Eric
That's why I'd prob go the 98
and try and get at least 12mth warranty
from dealer
but yeah bleep happens hey!

AnswerID: 27807

Reply By: dogart - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:01

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:01

The Prado is another one I'm considering looking at.
Still pretty pricey. I really want something with low km's.
Pajero, not enough room in back, wheel arches too big.
The prado doesn't look too bad in the back.
Jackaroo, well I'm coming from a 84 LS Jack so I
don't want to gat a newer car that looks the damn same!
It's all too bloody hard!

AnswerID: 27809

Follow Up By: Member - Bill- Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 08:01

Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 08:01

Mate, IMHO, as an owner the answer is already in front of you. You could get a '98 3.5 Monterey for around that money and K's, maybe a later wide track SE version with shift on the fly. Sure the "looks" thing is a consideration but most would agree there is a big difference between a Jack and an Explorer 4 OZ conditions. Just my 2 bits.Regds

Bill

FollowupID: 19196

Reply By: Eric - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:04

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:04

If you live in Melbourne I might be able to help

email: wholesalecars@optusnet.com.au

AnswerID: 27812

Reply By: dogart - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:07

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:07

Perth!

Whats the story with car yards over there,
can ya hagle to have one shipped over
wouldn't have a clue as to the $'s involved.
Mind you $400 one way from perth to anywhere over east
and drive the thing back!!!!

AnswerID: 27816

Follow Up By: Eric - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:14

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:14

its around $1000 to Perth , but I have also seen what you guy's pay for cars over there . lol if you need any help with prices just send an email

FollowupID: 19173

Reply By: dogart - Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:16

Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 at 22:16

cheers eric
not ready at the mo
but thanks for the offer
just doing some background research
before I spend my hard earn $'s

AnswerID: 27819

Reply By: PJ - Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 08:46

Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 at 08:46

Dogart - I have ecently sold (feb this year) a Ford Explorer 2001 model. Like you, I was attracted to the look of the thing but moreso the overwhelming set of inclusions in the price. I bought the car new. Overall, it performed OK - A nice touring car, a bleep 4WD (- Totally unreliable 4WD switch), good towing, transmission etc. I know you asked not to bag them, but I feel I can as an ex owner. The market hates them and usually you need to listen to that. Mine spend many many hours in the workshop having littl irritating fixes done - wobbly electtic windows, wheel guards falling off, seals around windows, endless bleep like that. At the end of the day, I sold it for near 30k and I was lucky - I'd paid 44k 2 years earlier. They are tiny inside, If you are a biger bloke - don't bother - I am now in a GQ Patrol (bought a 93 TI for 17k) and never been happier. Theres something about the Nissans that keep your mind relaxed. Ford, I wish I had of listened to that advise when i was about to buy - and not been as stubborn just like you sound.,

PJ

AnswerID: 27841

Reply By: jason - Saturday, Aug 16, 2003 at 11:18

Saturday, Aug 16, 2003 at 11:18

i'm sorry mate but i have to say that my parents own a 1999 explorer and it has been nothing but troubble.always in at the dealer getting something fixed which is generally electical related. Now they can't afford to get rid of it because of the poor wholeale price. They didn't nickname them exploders for nothing.On the suspension side they are a little soft in the rear for load carrying.My parents fitted polyairs with great results.Found the car to be good on sand.Front suspension articulation limited due to indipendant front.Also with wheel alignment take it to a specialist like fulcrum suspension.Found that when setting caster angle you have to set with at least 1 degree less on right to make the tyres wear properly (if you look at the tyres if they are worn outside on left and inside on right wheel alignment is out even if it drives straight) I had all sorts of problems setting it because you traditionally set vehicles with maybe 0.3 degree difference.The thing always drove straight but didn't wear the tyres well. Eventually i set it with 1.3 degrees difference. drifted right slightly after that but at least it saved the tyres
regards
jason

AnswerID: 28093