Ford Explorer

[gchandler]

I am looking at picking up a 2004-2006 Ford Explorer and wanted to ask you guys for advice.

v8 or v6? - I will never be towing with this vehicle, but I owned a 1990 explorer and the 4.0 was a complete dog, has that changed?

I want to find one with 2wd as well.

Any other options that are a good add on these?

[mikey]

Extra gas tank explorers suck for any kind of decent gas mileage!!! My truck gets better mileage towing a loaded trailer. Everyone that owns one around here complains about the piss poor mpgs.

[go-fish]

Have you thought about another vehicle? My wife has a Chrysler Aspen for sale in SD and it has the Hemi. I can get 24 mpg when I use mid-grade, which is most of the time. It seems the better fuel pays for itself in mileage.
I don't know how much you were looking to spend or if you're set on a Ford but the Aspen is pretty well equipped and has great power along with a more "luxurious" feel and look.
Let me know if you want me to send you the details. It's on Auto Trader too, search for Aspen in 92118.

[DynoDon]

The newer Explorer's have a different 4.0 than the old one. They are now a SOHC motor. Although I never thought my 90 Explorer was that under powered for what it was, my 08 Ranger with the SOHC 4.0 flat hauls a$$! As for mileage, both my Explorer and Ranger seem to average right at 20mpg with combined hard driving.

[CamaroAJ]

As for mileage, both my Explorer and Ranger seem to average right at 20mpg with combined hard driving.

they are built on the same platform.

[DynoDon]

they are built on the same platform.
They were but I'm not sure how much they share once the Exploder went to IRS. Also the weights are pretty different.

[68Formula]

I had the first year for IRS with the 4.0L Decent acceleration (won't knock your socks off, but make you fear to merge into traffic either). Gas mileage was pretty decent. About 20mpg unloaded and 14mpg towing about 5000lbs.

[gchandler]

Gas mileage is not all that important. My current truck gets about 8 MPG around town. I live 4 miles round trip to work and only fill the tank up every month or so. Like I said, I will never tow with it.

I have around $15k to spend.

[CamaroAJ]

you could get into a nice trailblazer for that money.

[gchandler]

I will admit that I had a terrible experience with a Silverado and even though GM is no longer around, I don't feel like buying any more of their products.

[Surfer]

04-06 is two completely different trucks, 02-05 is one generation, 06+ another.Get the V8 no matter what, same mileage as the 6 if not better, I have two and the V8 get's better mileage as with the torque its just smoother and doesn't work as hard. Easy to mod too, intake, exhaust, custom sct tune wake these trucks up big time as Ford puts so much lag into the electronic throttle and trans, GM has horrible lag as well. Great trucks though, had quit a few as their the perfect size, 120K on one that I got new and no problems ever.

[IBDMANN]

i've got a silverado. Have had no problems