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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

3348 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, SUV

Messages Page 246 of 335

#2450 of 3348 Re: time to sell 97 XLT? [oldford] by electricdesign

May 04, 2005 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: oldford (May 04, 2005 10:20 am)
oldford,
Your welcome. My code reader is an Auto X-Ray, you can find them on the web. It is a small self contained unit I bought in 2000. Now there are so many on the market, I think if I was going to buy another one, I would get one of those kind that are a module that has a plug on one end to connect to the car and a plug on the other end to plug into a notebook computer, with a program to run it on your computer. Then you can see a nice display of everything, and nowadays they are more capable of doing more functions, graphs, etc.
One big reason I stress to get the V8 is that the transmission behind the V8 is much stronger than the one behind the V6. The V8 has the 4R70W trans, which is totally great, very strong and reliable. I was not sure about which engine came with the AWD because mine is 2WD. I don't have to fight the snow and ice down here in Florida.
I also came from the V8 GM generation, the 265, then the 283, then the ever popular 327! My first V8 was the 265 in a 57 Chevy with a 2 speed powerglide. My brother had a 55 Chevy with the 283 that was really hot.
But now the Fords serve me well, and I can honestly say that the 2000 Ford Explorer XLT V8 that I am currently driving is the best vehicle I have ever owned (I've owned it 2 months now). My wife raves about her 1997 Ford Explorer XLT V8, that she has drove for 3 years. They are both fantastic vehicles. Her car has 137,000 miles on it, and I am going to replace the original Lower Ball Joints on both sides this weekend. 137K is not bad service for original ball joints!
E.D.

#2451 of 3348 Re: time to sell 97 XLT? [electricdesign] by oldford

May 05, 2005 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (May 04, 2005 7:29 pm)
Dear E.D.,
Even better tip, since I am actually electronic literate, I will get a code reader unit to plug into my notebook. I did not know they existed. The 97 XLT V8 is my wife's car plus the family car (I drive a pickup). It is the first vehicle I ever bought new and only because we lost an 87 Grand Wagoneer to a fire and got an insurance windfall. We were set to buy a Jeep but the top of the line they had in 97 was no comparison in look and feel of the Explorer. It really has been good to us-- safe and reliable-- and you have given the motivation to keep it. If we dumped it now, we would look back and say it was good value, but if we can get a few more years out of it will become exceptional value-- plus what would we replace it with (on a budget)?
Many thanks again,
(and also to our host of the forum)
JR on Cape Cod
PS
I drove a 57 Chevy 265, 63 Chevy 283, 66 Chevy straight 6 250-something, 71 Chevy 350, 77 Buick 350, 69 Olds 400 (whatever was in the 442?) , 70 Cadillac 472, 68 Cadillac 472. When I bought the XLT, I told the salesman when I was a kid people wore caps that said "Anybody that drives a Ford must have a screw loose." but perhaps things have now changed. He agreed with me but he really did not understand. I think you know what I mean.

#2452 of 3348 Cap by nvbanker

May 05, 2005 (6:47 pm)

You're coming around oldford.....My Dad was like you, I learned from him......

#2453 of 3348 NEED HELP by campinut

May 08, 2005 (7:39 am)

I have looked into & researched everything trying to find out what used SUV I would be happiest with. I narrowed it to the Escape & Explorer. While investigating I found both get about 16 city and 20 hywy. Am I right?? No advantage to the Escape 3.0? All I pull is a moderate john boat. So I would like to have 4x4 capability but 90% of my driving is going to and from work ( 60 mile round trip) so I would like good fuel mileage but keeping in mind a used SUV.

#2454 of 3348 Re: NEED HELP [campinut] by nvbanker

May 08, 2005 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: campinut (May 08, 2005 7:39 am)
You're right about the 4.0L Explorer, but that's the best the Escape will do? I'm surprised about that. Between the two, if the mileage is the same, I'd get the Explorer. It's a tougher truck all the way around, more durable.

#2455 of 3348 Re: NEED HELP [campinut] by akangl

May 08, 2005 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: campinut (May 08, 2005 7:39 am)
I had a 2003 Escape XLT 3.0L V6 for a month as a rental this winter, we took it to Anchorage and it managed a nice 21 mpg in mixed hwy, snow, 4WD, and city driving. Hwy only it seemed to hang in the mid 20's. Was a great little rig, really enjoyed it, lots of fun to drive and very sure footed, put just over 2000 miles on it while we had it.
 
One drawback is the tow capacity of the Escape with the tow pkg is only 3500 lbs.
 
The best my 2004 Explorer XLS 4.0L V6 managed was 19 mpg hwy on trips to Anchorage. Its average hung in the 15-17 mpg range for mixed driving which surprised me since the V8 Explorer I traded in on it did better than that. However, the Explorer with the tow pkg (2" receiver) has a tow capacity of 5000 lbs with the V6.

#2456 of 3348 Re: NEED HELP [akangl] by campinut

May 09, 2005 (10:59 am)

Replying to: akangl (May 08, 2005 7:27 pm)
Thats curious in Anchorage. I wonder if altittude may change things being I live in Kentucky. A friend of mine has a 2000 Explorer with a V8 and gets 18 at best and another friend has a 99' Explorer V6 and gets 23 at best. I do not know of anyone with an Escape. I also wonder if the dfferent MPG could also be due to weight difference on the Explorer after the new body style in 2001. Can I get more input?

#2457 of 3348 4.0L by ANT14

May 09, 2005 (1:29 pm)

As I've mentioned in the past, the 4.0L SOHC V6 in the Explorer is a crude gas hog that might allow for the 4.6L V8 to post better fuel economy numbers. Trick to the 4.0L, keep the revolutions under 2000RPM...anything over will dramatically worsen the fuel mileage estimates.
 
Prior to the new Mustang receiving this 4.0L, I thought maybe it was just the bulk of the Explorer that made the engine post such horrible fuel mileage estimates...And considering my numerous testing with a new Mustang with the 4.0L, I can tell you it's just as bad. I was able to post 18MPG and that was with the A/C off and keeping the revolutions under 2000RPM.
 
This is one of those senarios where opting for the larger engine, might be more economical...amazingly.

#2458 of 3348 RWD vs. 4WD by mystique

May 09, 2005 (2:03 pm)

Thinking about getting a 4x2 for better gas mileage. Anyone know how they go in the snow/rain etc. Its a heavy vehicle so i figured it might be good still.

#2459 of 3348 RWD by mschmal

Dec 26, 2004 (11:03 pm)

Hey first hand experience with RWD Explorer in the snow. I got to tell you, traction control is standard and its a wonderful thing.
 
I had to move a bunch of RWD Explorers around our snow covered lot this past winter and they were able to move fine without getting stock.
 
Sure I had to See Saw fwd back fwd back to get through the berm in front of the truck that was about bumper high but it went through.
 
Incidently the 4x4 went through the snow like it wasn't even there.
 
As for Fuel Econ, its very easy to waste gas in either the Explorer or the V6 Escape when driving around town. There is so much power on tap that you will find yourself really getting on the trucks to get them moving away from stop lights if you are use to driving a car. These trucks can definitely move but you burn the fuel to do it if you aren't careful.
 
Mark

Messages Page 246 of 335

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