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Is that the model that rolled over all the time in the United States killing a fair number of people. To be fair I think it was the firestone tyres that were fitted that were the real problem but I would be making sure it was the original tyres.
We met a bloke on Fraser Island in 1998 while staying at Cathedral Beach (top spot!), who was on his way from Newcastle to Cape York in his 2 month old Ford Explorer.
He was two up and must have had everything he owned packed into the Ford and his fliptop camper.
He had at this early stage only 3 complaints;
1/ The sump gaurd was made of plastic and was ripped off the first time he drove on Stockton Beach (cost, $340).
2/ The suspension was way to soft resulting in very sloppy and indifferent handling (as well as ripped off sump gaurds!).
3/ He was travelling up the beach with a snatch strap wrapped around his bullbar because he had got bogged 4 times from the barge to the Maheno! He reckoned by the time the "four wheel drive system that thinks for itself", thought.....it was too late, he was stuck!
I am almost certain the self thinking four wheel drive system can be over ridden manually and that his main problem with getting stuck was due to lack of experience and lack of knowledge of his new vehicle.
I have been 4WDriving for 20 years and read too many 4wheel drive publications, what I read and hear is that the Explorer suffers from; poor fit and finish (resulting in annoying squeeks and rattles), poor ergonomics, poor ride qualities and handling (even after two suspension upgrades), poor ground clearence (for serious offroad work), ordinary fuel economy and poor resale value. They do however seem to have been machanically very reliable and the yanks generally build very good and strong auto transmissions.
Having said all that I really like the all new 2002 model (I drive a 1994 80series Landcruiser). All the issues raised above have been improved upon with the possible exception of resale value (thats up to the buying public but history shows we don't much care for secondhand yanky iron). I find my cruiser too big and it has more offroad ability than I really need nowadays, so I will be seriously looking at a secondhand 2002 model Explorer sometime next year.
The main thing to me after reliability, with 4X4's, is the intended use. Like I say, for me the cruiser is a bit of overkill although at the time I bought it, it suited my needs very well (and boy is it reliable!).
I hope that didn't confuse you to much. (As David said they did roll over a lot in the U.S. but it has been proven that the tyres fitted as standard in the U.S. were the cause).
Yes,as stated previously,the suspension is saggy after a short period in this model.A significant upgrade was made to the next model,and as far as I know that has greatly improved the vehicle on that score.For the money that is to be spent buying the explorer,I would be looking at another make,with a better "track record".My opinion only.
All the best.
Until next time...
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