1992 Ford Exporer XLT Help

[Zman1]

I have a buddy at work looking at a 1992 Ford Explorer XLT 4 door. It only has 44,000 miles, push button 4 wheel drive, aluminum wheels, new BF Goodrich tires, and a 6 cyl motor (my buddy is not sure what size). The guy who is selling it says his Dad bought it new and just never really drove it much because his second wife did not like it. It has some rust behind the wheels and under the rear doors. The rust is only through behind the right front tire. Clean inside (the back seat looks like it has never been sat in). Shoot it even still has the roll out cargo cover behind the back seat. My buddy is test driving it tonight after work. The guy is asking $3000 for it. Is this a fair price for a 21 year old SUV? What issues do these have and what can my buddy expect in repairs? What is the fuel economy? Educate me because if he doesn't buy it, I just might!

Thanks!!!

[Sancho Panza]

shitty mpg, will blow a head casket @100k or less. Most likely a 4.0 six, will eat brakes fast fairly comfortable. I liked mine till it blew for the 2nd time.

[Fleksta]

I paid $4000 for an '01 Explorer with 77k two years ago, I'd say his price is high.

I also had a '94 Explorer 4.0L about 8 years ago, the fuel mileage wasn't that bad with the five speed (16-17). It was actually a pretty nice truck. Had no problems until I sold it to my brother, who proceeded to beat the crap out of it.

With that kind of rust, the low mileage factor doesn't really count. If that is why he is inflating his asking price I'd pass.

[bfd70]

Can't get a reliable car for less than 3k. If you guys don't buy it shoot me a pm with the info.

[stiggs13]

had a 99, loved it still kicking myself for getting rid of it 130k and ran great, 4.0 v6 all wheel drive hi low 4x4

[High Country Herb]

Test the 4X4 if you can. They are known to have issues with the switch, as well as the mechanism on the front axle.

Not sure about the price, but the rust doesn't sound good. Use that as a bargaining chip.

[broncobowsher]

'92 is a first gen Explorer. '95 was a completely new chassis. Comparing the '92 to anything newer then '95 is an apples to oranges comparison.

The '92 is an old schoold truck chassis. Twin traction beam in front, really basic truck stuff. They do tend to eat tire a little faster in the front then normal IFS. It will be a 4.0 pushrod engine and A4LD transmission. Motor hates to rev but is generally OK. Transmissions are known for being a little weak. Drive gentle and it is fine, hammer on it and stuff will die.

Even though it is only 40k it is still 21 years old. Seals, plastic parts, etc. still age regardless if it is driven or not. Plastic parts in the window regulators like to take a dump but can be rigged with a few metal slugs from chopping up a few bolts. A/C was R12. Rubber (bushings, tires, belt, seals) will all be in bad shape.

It will have issues if brought into daily service. But with a little maintance it would make a decent ride. Don't expect it to be like a 2 year old car with 40k on it. It is a 21 year old truck that has 21 years of aging issues but only 40k of wear issues. Like buying a 21 year old house that has only been lived in for 2 years. It is still a 21 year old house that will have issues because it was built 21 years ago regardless if anyone actually lived in it. Probably a few extra issues do to non-use as well.

[Zman1]

My buddy test drove the Explorer. He said it seemed to run, drive, and handle ok but the 4 wheel drive would not engage and the cruise did not work. They said they checked the fuses and they were ok. The car sat some at a property the Dad had and we are thinking possible rodent chewing. He was going to low ball but while they were on the test ride (owner in back seat) the owner got a call from someone who had low balled at 2 grand earlier. The guy on the phone made an offer of $2700. My buddy said if you can get that, you better take it.

[discochris]

I'd say stay away. I had a 1994, and it was probably the worst vehicle I've ever owned (and my first car was a 1981 Fox-body Granada, so that's saying something.)

The push button 4wd is a bad system. Mine crapped out shortly after I bought it (with about 60,000 miles on it). Cost me a ton to get it fixed, and in hindsight, I should have just put manual hubs on it.

They ALL rust in the exact same place under the rear doors. Mine were starting to rot when I got it, and I had the pieces replaced with new metal, and they started to rust again quickly. Water and crud gets trapped in there and rots from the inside out. Look at almost any first gen Explorer still on the road and almost every one has rot in the same spot.

A previous poster makes a good point about plastic parts under the hood. They aren't well made, and they will crack and break. The AC system is shit as well. Mine leaked like a sieve - I constantly had to recharge it. I lost count of how many sets of brake pads I put on that thing.

One of the best things that ever happened to me was when a drunk totalled that POS when I had it parked on the street in front of my house (only because I was going to ride the motorcycle to work the next day and didn't feel like juggling vehicles in the morning). They found the guy and his insurance paid me $3500 for a crappy truck that I could maybe have sold for $1500. I literally had to contain my joy about the whole thing when I was talking to the cops, and pretend that I was upset, when in reality, I was

[thisflatearth]

My brothers hand me down 1999 has stood up to him to beating the piss out of it, wheeling it, tearing the carpet out and cutting off the bumpers

160k plus hard miles under my dad and then him and no real failures of the drive line or electronics

body damage and rust only from his off road prowess(or lack there of)

the 4.0 v6 has good power to the weight

[~DC~]

I hade a 2000 bought new and drove for 160k. I replaced both front wheel bearings once and replaced brake pads once in 160k miles. Never spent a dime on it other than gas at about 20mpg. I miss that old truck.

[McB]

For the same money, or close, you should be able find a well-maintained high miler without the rust. Explorer, Cherokee (Grand or Classic/Sport), Blazer.....

If most of those miles were put on early and it's been sitting, that's not a good sign. If he's consistently driven it 50 miles a week, maybe it's ok.

If it hasn't been driven, it may not have had fluids changed, seals may be shot, mechanical things could be (probably are) rusted and electrics corroded..............

If you find one that's been driven, even if the miles are high, it's more likely to have been maintained and had parts replaced when needed.

[Roland44]

Originally Posted by bfd70

Can't get a reliable car for less than 3k. If you guys don't buy it shoot me a pm with the info

Don't be so sure about it, there are golden nuggets hidden everywhere. I am not saying that it's common but it's possible..

[Zman1]

A relative of the trucks owner ended buying it. It went for $2700. Thanks for all the help.

[neanderthal]

I was about to post that it's a piece of shit, regardless of the miles, but saw that you have been saved the pain and agony.