Explorers off road

[PrecisionX]

I used to own a 99 explorer xlt 4.0 auto. I liked it a lot besides it seeming to be terrible off road and my trans crapping out at 110k. If I buy another explorer should I buy a 5.0 or are those terrible off road too because they are awd and not 4wd?

 

[06RangerXLT]

unless you sas, its always gonna be the same

 

[DRanger024]

unless you sas, its always gonna be the same

Thats just not true. The Explorer can be a seriously capable rig without an SAS. There are plenty of guys on here and on SE with nice rigs that will go anywhere a Ranger will. Their only real downfall is the fact that they are indeed a little more top heavy. Otherwise they basically have always shared the same suspension as our Rangers. I've had my truck in some pretty sticky situations out in the woods by myself that you would never think it made it out of.

 

[PrecisionX]

What is SAS? I'm a newb what are the basic off road mods to turn an explorer around? Which is better the 4.0 or 5.0 explorers off road

 

[rngmStr]

SAS = solid axle swap

 

[adsm08]

It's not the ride, it's the rider.

My dad took me down a trail on Thanksgiving with my Ranger that was pretty rough. We got halfway up to where there is a big ditch cut through the trail and he said "This is where I backed out with my Explorer last week. Didn't know where the trail went and I couldn't find anywhere to turn around."

He has an 06.


Of course, once we got back on pavement he asked if I was going to take it out of 4x4. Then I told him I never even had the hubs locked.

 

[4x4junkie]

AWD = no low range gear. Plan on a T-case swap along with that SAS if you're looking to do much wheeling with a V8 Ex.

If you want the most capable Ex with the least amount of mods needed, look for something from '91-'94. These are the best years for offroad use (has the TTB front axle instead of the torsion-bar IFS). Unfortunately there was no V8 option these years though. Getting a stickshift trans should remove the chance of any A4LD headaches.

 

[lounge lizard]

well

now some of the guys have found that you can put a 1997-2003 BW4406 transfer case with a rear drive shaft out of a 4.6L f-150. and it fits and works.

then you have a manual shift full time case in an explorer that was all wheel drive.

 

[gribly]

I'll vouch for the '91-'94 Explorers. I have a '91 Navajo, same thing as a '91 Explorer Sport. All I've done for upgrades that improve off-road ability is tires, albeit they are most definitely off-road tires and they are terrible on pavement due to the noise. I can go anywhere I damn well please for the most part. Even when my passengers are screaming for help and don't want to roll over or die. My favorite part about the truck is looking forward to buying a first gen Ranger and swapping all my running gear over, though. I miss having a bed.

 

[flamingx]

If you want the most capable Ex with the least amount of mods needed, look for something from '91-'94. These are the best years for offroad use (has the TTB front axle instead of the torsion-bar IFS). Unfortunately there was no V8 option these years though. Getting a stickshift trans should remove the chance of any A4LD headaches.

X2 if your looking for the best in more extreme offroad conditions with the least amount of mods.

If your looking for a trail rig, the 2nd gens ('95-'01) are more then ample and give a little better ride onroad. The only down fall (on both gens) is that the auto trannies on the 4.0 have a tendency to give some troubles. I've never heard of any problems with the 5.0s