Front wheels wear irregularly
Clunking noise from an unknown source.
Headlights go out while driving at night.
Transmission won't shift from first gear when cold.
ABS brakes come on for normal stops.
Top heavy, drives like a van.
No traction in the winter without four wheel drive engaged, etc...
Well, in 1998 I bought a 93 Eddie Bauer with 237,000 kms on it. Since then I have 307,000 kms. The following is a list of repairs and maintenance since.
Transmission, transfer case, and the motor for the electronic 4wd.
The tranny and transfer case were expensive, but if you surf the web and print off the repair instructions, you can save about 300 bucks. It does not need replacement, just cleaning.
This week, I'm booking it in for the "Mad Rust" at the rear of the rockers into the rear wheel wells. It also needs the famous panel around the gas cap area. The body job will be 2k to 2.5k, but I too feel that I have so much invested, I can't afford to not keep it on the road. The rest is in very good shape, and who can afford a new Eddie at about 40K.
Oh well.
Explorers are the best SUVs on the road, that's why they are #1.