Thinking on buying

With that mileage the first thing that comes to my mind is radius arm bushings. If it clunks when coming to a stop...

Other common problems but which usually occur with more miles would be:

Autohubs Lower intake manifold gasket Head gasket leaks Automatic transmission

Thermostat failures are common too but at just about any mileage.

In my opinion the engine is just about bulletproof, the body and frame are very strong, and with repairs and maintenance it will last a long, long time. You may need a new (auto) transmission about the time many cars/trucks are in the junkyard. Most of us have replaced the autohubs with manual locking hubs. The other problems seem to occur generally around

Well here's an experts opinion:

The Explorer got quite the write-up in Phil Edmonstons Guide. For those unfamiliar, Phil Edmonston has been writing these annual guides to buying cars for many years and is known to "pull no punches" with his reviews.

Here's what he has to say about the 1991 - 1994 Explorers.

These early explorers are both unreliable and dangerous to drive. Some of the most common defects reported by owners are transmission and fuel system failures, electrical system shorts, frequent and expensive brake repairs due to prematurely worn pads, rotors and master cylinder, constant motor-mount failures and defective AC condensers. Body defects are legion. What hasn't fallen off is usually about to, is stuck shut, stuck open, rusted away, delaminated, or simply broken. The above deficiencies produce poor engine performance that includes hard starts, sudden acceleration, stalling and excessive gas consumption; AC failures; noisy, ineffective brakes; lights and guages that have a mind of thier own; suspension noises and exhaust system rattles.

Granted Ford tried to upgrade the explorers relianility and durability with it's '95 redesign, however, there hasn't been much improvement as witnessed by the continuing torrrent of owner complaints and service bulletin fixes for factory defects. The main problems targeted in service buletins.... and so on.

Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?

Good grief, I have a 1993 Ford Explorer with 204,000 miles on it and I wouldn't part with it. I love it. It has only let me down once in 14 years and that was a bad fuel pump relay which was remedied in about 5 minutes by swapping relays with the AC solenoid relay.

A friend has a 1994 Explorer and he bought a new Explorer four years ago. I don't think he'd have done that if Explorers were POSs.

Just curious... this is the second post I notice from you bashing explorers. If you're not in to 'em, fine. But then why are you here?