what year

[BDAB]

what year did the Explorer go to Independent Rear suspension

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

'02, when they went to this body style:

 

[BDAB]

crap, I was hoping it was 04 so i could pick up this 02 down the road.

whats the towing capacity on an 02 with a 5.0L and a 4auto - 4hi - 4lo transfer case?


and whats a good price right now for one with 89,000 miles?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

IRS isnt so bad. it rides nice and quiet and is fairly reliable in the explorers from what ive seen. its also really easy to work on if you have a tall enough jack (everything drops out the bottom in about 10 minutes).

according to MSN autos, maximum towing is 7K.

i think that years V8 was the 4.6, not the 5.0...

 

[BDAB]

I was thinking tow rig, I have seen enough IRS explorers and expeditions that have the IRS sag in the bag with a trailer........... What year did the explorer get the 4.6L 3 valve?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

damn, we gotta quite posting at the same time, lol.

the 3 valve 4.6 is a fairly new addition. an '02 should have a 2 valve 4.6 i think.

a weight distributing hitch does wonder for a saggy rear

as for value, hit up www.KBB.com and see what it gives ya.

 

[BDAB]

so if it has the classic v8 emblem then its a 4.6L..........

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

yup.

 

[fordmandan87]

hey bdab i am a ford tech in ny and in 06 the explorer received the 4.6 3 valve. stay away from the 02 as it has the most shit to go wrong (always stay away from the first model year of a redesign) rearends always whine in the rear around 55 eventually