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Ford explorers - input / advice?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:12 am
by 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

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:18 am
by 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

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:45 pm
by 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.

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:43 pm
by dirtyGQ
churn fuel and parts are expensive and often hard to locate.

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:41 pm
by 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

EXPLORER

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:20 pm
by 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! :bad-words: 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.

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:46 pm
by RockyF75
i would reckon the roza would go better offroad, like previously mentioned, ok for gravel :D . For 11k you could get a very decent GQ of similar size etc.

Re: EXPLORER

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:22 pm
by evil_hitman
MACK1 wrote: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?????

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:49 pm
by mkerr
thanks for the replies guys, appreciated.
i'll let him know the feedback.
:)

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:15 pm
by 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.

Re: EXPLORER

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:05 pm
by NICK
MACK1 wrote: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! :bad-words: 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

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:54 pm
by dirtyGQ
well the tech word i heard is ford "EXPLODER"

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:08 pm
by RockyF75
dirtyGQ wrote:well the tech word i heard is ford "EXPLODER"
and on that note....... get sum and/or all of these :D

Image

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 12:04 am
by dirtyGQ
PRICELESS

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:49 pm
by Rangie ute on 38''
phewww. this ford explorer talk takes the heat topic off landrovers, heres to bagging explorers for a change. :D :bad-words:

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:48 pm
by 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

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:26 am
by dirtyGQ
another crap american product