Ford explorers - input / advice?

[mkerr]

Friend's thinking of buying an explorer.
His uncle is selling one at the moment, he's asking 11k for it.

I've done the usual google, but only get sales orientated garbage.

Has anyone got any first hand knowledge / experience on what these cars are like, how they handle off road, and what other options in the same niche would be viable options?

Did a search and didn't get much. General consensus was that they're OK for beach / light off road, but there's better options out there.

He's got a feroza at the moment, and that handles things like moreton island easily (which is what it'll mostly be used for). Just wanting to see what other options would be out there in a larger 4wd than a feroza that would be around the 11k mark?

Thanks in advance

[Tiny]

My brothers old boss had one that they used to travel aus wide for work, out bush alot and alot of sand work (commercial divers) and it went fine from what I was told
http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopD ... carpointau

try searching www.carpoint.com.au or www.tradingpost.com.au

[bazooked]

if ya got deep pockets go ahead and by one, to do a timing chain involves engine removal about 3k from a ford dealer to do.

[dirtyGQ]

churn fuel and parts are expensive and often hard to locate.

[evil_hitman]

they have no flex, and stop forward motion very easily. I have some video footage of an explorer at intermediate driver training. The guy had never been off-road prior to that weekend. He left there planning on buying a patrol/cruiser. They have many limitations.

However if you just want to go down gravel roads with only small bumps and the like and want the 4wd more for a little added peace of mind then they're ok.

PM me if you want the video footage.

Matt

[MACK1]

MATE TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE HOW ACTUALLY WORKS ON THEM AT A DEALERSHIP, I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT WASTE MY TIME AS THEY ARE MORE TROUBLE AND HEART BREAK THAN THERE WORTH! COMMON PROBLEMS ARE:* TRANSFER CASE- CHAIN DRIVEN, WHERES INTO CASE LAST ONE WE DID COST CUSTOMER CLOSE TO $5000!
*NOISY ENGINE- CAN BE FIXED BY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER UPGRADE KIT( DOESN'T LAST LONG BEFORE ENGINE GOES BACK TO BEING RATTLEY.
*BACKER LITE(PLASTIC) INTAKE MANIFOLDS WITH VERY COURSE COACH SCREWS!-STRIPS THREADS.
* INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE ALWAYS SUCKING AIR.
*O2 SENSORS NOT SWITCHING-MORE$$$$
ALMOST HATED IN THE USA DUE TO THERE FACTORY FIRESTONE TYRES INCEDENT. IT GETS TO A POINT WHEN YOU CANT STAND TO BE IN THE OFFICE WHEN THE CUSTOMER GETS THE REPAIR BILL.

[RockyF75]

i would reckon the roza would go better offroad, like previously mentioned, ok for gravel . For 11k you could get a very decent GQ of similar size etc.

[evil_hitman]

MATE TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE HOW ACTUALLY WORKS ON THEM AT A DEALERSHIP, I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT WASTE MY TIME AS THEY ARE MORE TROUBLE AND HEART BREAK THAN THERE WORTH! ................

WHY ARE WE SHOUTING?????

[mkerr]

thanks for the replies guys, appreciated.
i'll let him know the feedback.

[Chucky]

Apart from the cost of spares, it's not THAT bad with aftermarket parts, they are a great towing truck, but off road they are not up to standard. Also they use alot of fuel and these days that is a big issue.

As stated before. For 11K you can get a good diesel GQ or an even better 60 series. Just depends what he intends to do with the truck.

[NICK]

MATE TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE HOW ACTUALLY WORKS ON THEM AT A DEALERSHIP, I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT WASTE MY TIME AS THEY ARE MORE TROUBLE AND HEART BREAK THAN THERE WORTH! COMMON PROBLEMS ARE:* TRANSFER CASE- CHAIN DRIVEN, WHERES INTO CASE LAST ONE WE DID COST CUSTOMER CLOSE TO $5000!
*NOISY ENGINE- CAN BE FIXED BY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER UPGRADE KIT( DOESN'T LAST LONG BEFORE ENGINE GOES BACK TO BEING RATTLEY.
*BACKER LITE(PLASTIC) INTAKE MANIFOLDS WITH VERY COURSE COACH SCREWS!-STRIPS THREADS.
* INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE ALWAYS SUCKING AIR.
*O2 SENSORS NOT SWITCHING-MORE$$$$
ALMOST HATED IN THE USA DUE TO THERE FACTORY FIRESTONE TYRES INCEDENT. IT GETS TO A POINT WHEN YOU CANT STAND TO BE IN THE OFFICE WHEN THE CUSTOMER GETS THE REPAIR BILL.

you also forgot to mention that the rear wheel bearings often collapse and take the complete axle with it. the TOCK sensors and 4x4 shift motor always fuck up and cost shit loads. the front wheel bearings are as bad, if not worse than the rears and cost alot more as they cannot be rebuilt and are a sealed unit. some have abs, thats also bad news. the lock mechs seem to let go and the door handles break, which are riveted in.

basically an all round expensive heap of crap.


NICK

[dirtyGQ]

well the tech word i heard is ford "EXPLODER"

[RockyF75]

well the tech word i heard is ford "EXPLODER"

and on that note....... get sum and/or all of these

[dirtyGQ]

PRICELESS

[Rangie ute on 38'']

phewww. this ford explorer talk takes the heat topic off landrovers, heres to bagging explorers for a change.

[BeZeRK]

ford exploders?

dont!

parts are expensive, especially wheel bearings when they explode, buit overall not really a car built for the way aussies drive

[dirtyGQ]

another crap american product