- Rebuilt automatic transmission at 135000 miles.
- Kingpins replaced, shocks replaced and tires replaced at 88000 miles.
- water pump failure at 190,000 miles, starter failure at 191,000 miles, heater core failure at 195,000 miles.
- seat wear, some cracks in drivers seat leather. paint coming off roof hood and luggage rack.
- leaky block at 199,000 miles, fixed easily with block sealant.
- engine is a 400 pound gorilla, has almost 200,000 miles on-board and no major failures... good compression, rings are holding up well, timing chain may need replacing.
- Engine has good power and acceleration in passing, but less power on hills (v6 has always been underpowered on hills, as it's a 5000 pound vehicle.)
- the vehicle has been up mountains, through deserts and in violent Texas thunderstorms and remains a sturdy companion.
- Ford Explorers aren't made to last like this one. Find one, rebuild it and ride it to 300,000 like I am doing.
I've got one with 187,000 miles on it, doesn't burn a drop of oil, body is solid, and the leather seats are the most comfortable seats I've ever planted my over sized butt in.
I'm pretty sure these vehicles were built to last a long time, and with proper care they could probably outlive everything, but a jeep.
I have to agree. I wish I had kept my old '93 explorer with its 250,000+ miles instead of replacing it with an '02. The '93 was a much better built truck and never let me down.
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