Explorer cost of repairs, 91 vs 92 questions?
Question:
After a few years of driving economy cars, I’m looking for something bigger and was considering an Explorer in the 91-95 range. A few questions. 1. I heard a report that the rear gear ratio was changed between 91 and 92 to increase fuel economy. Is there any noticable difference? Looking at EPA ratings, the 92 is actually less than the 91. Also someone said the 92s are more prone to rusting than 91s. 2. Is the cost of maintenance significantly higher than say a Ford Ranger or a Dodge Caravan? I’m aware that there are a number of Mazda parts, which tend to be expensive. Are used or aftermarket parts widely available? 3. Can the A/C be modded to use the newer variety of freon if necessary? 4. Do I need to watch out for those Firestone tires, or have all of them been recalled and replaced? 5. Was cruise control standard equipment, including manuals? Thanks for any info. — Monte Castleman, <<Spamfilter in Use>> Bloomington, MN to email, remove the "q" from my address
Response:
>After a few years of driving economy cars, I’m looking for something >bigger and was considering an Explorer in the 91-95 range. A few >questions. >1. I heard a report that the rear gear ratio was changed between 91 and >92 to increase fuel economy. Is there any noticable difference? Looking >at EPA ratings, the 92 is actually less than the 91. Also someone said >the 92s are more prone to rusting than 91s.
I don’t think there was any change. They have had the same choices of ratios for years… 41 Conventional 3.27 45 Conventional 3.55 D4 Limited-Slip 3.73 46 Conventional 3.73 D1 Limited-Slip 3.27 42 Conventional 4.10 D2 Limited-Slip 4.10 Look on the drivers door jam for the parts sticker and see which axle anything you are looking at has. >2. Is the cost of maintenance significantly higher than say a Ford >Ranger or a Dodge Caravan? I’m aware that there are a number of Mazda >parts, which tend to be expensive. Are used or aftermarket parts widely >available?
Not in my opinion. There are lots of mail order parts houses for ford parts. >3. Can the A/C be modded to use the newer variety of freon if necessary?
It can be. There’s not really any reason to change since the cost of R12, even if you get ripped off, is a relatively minor expense compared to the cost of whatever repairs would require a refill. >4. Do I need to watch out for those Firestone tires, or have all of them >been recalled and replaced?
They are all either replaced or already blown out. >5. Was cruise control standard equipment, including manuals?
I’d say about 80% came with it since it was part of all of the commonly ordered option packages. You’d probably have a hard time finding one without cruise. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for any info.
Response:
They have had the same choices of – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->ratios for years… >41 Conventional 3.27 >45 Conventional 3.55 >D4 Limited-Slip 3.73 >46 Conventional 3.73 >D1 Limited-Slip 3.27 >42 Conventional 4.10 >D2 Limited-Slip 4.10 >Look on the drivers door jam for the parts sticker and see which axle >anything you are looking at has.
Is there any significant difference for casual use? I have no plans to do any serious off-roading or towing; I just want something that’s capable in the snow and can easily haul camping equipment on weekends. Would the tow package be something to avoid if you have no plans to tow anything? >Monte Castleman, <<Spamfilter in Use>>
Bloomington, MN to email, remove the "q" from my address
Response:
my 92 XLT has 3.08:1 stock gearing with the A4LD auto. It gets quite awesome fuel economy at 60-75 mph cruising. JS
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> They have had the same choices of >ratios for years… >41 Conventional 3.27 >45 Conventional 3.55 >D4 Limited-Slip 3.73 >46 Conventional 3.73 >D1 Limited-Slip 3.27 >42 Conventional 4.10 >D2 Limited-Slip 4.10 >Look on the drivers door jam for the parts sticker and see which axle >anything you are looking at has. > Is there any significant difference for casual use? I have no plans to do > any serious off-roading or towing; I just want something that’s capable in > the snow and can easily haul camping equipment on weekends. Would the tow > package be something to avoid if you have no plans to tow anything? >Monte Castleman, <<Spamfilter in Use>> > Bloomington, MN to email, remove the "q" from my address
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >They have had the same choices of >ratios for years… >41 Conventional 3.27 >45 Conventional 3.55 >D4 Limited-Slip 3.73 >46 Conventional 3.73 >D1 Limited-Slip 3.27 >42 Conventional 4.10 >D2 Limited-Slip 4.10 >Look on the drivers door jam for the parts sticker and see which axle >anything you are looking at has. >Is there any significant difference for casual use? I have no plans to do >any serious off-roading or towing; I just want something that’s capable in >the snow and can easily haul camping equipment on weekends. Would the tow >package be something to avoid if you have no plans to tow anything?
Most people would probably not notice much difference except at the extreme ends of the range of possible ratios. Most of the ones I’ve seen either had the 3.73 or 3.55. Given the relatively low power output of the OHV 4.0 I’d avoid going to the lower ratios (like the 3.08) *IF* I had the choice but in the used market it would basically come down to driving it and if it felt OK to you as far as how well it accelerated, then don’t worry about it. I’ve got 2 92’s, one with the 3.73 and one with the 3.55 and the one with the 3.55 actually seems "more powerful" if you can call the 4.0 "powerful". Don’t avoid the trailer tow package but here again, in the used market I wouldn’t worry about whether a particular vehicle has it or not unless you are specifically planning on doing a lot of towing.
Response:
From memory from my ‘92 purchase, the trailer towing option includes the 3.73 limited slip axle. That axle is listed as D4 on the door sticker, by the way. Trailer tow package gets you the axle, the wiring and isolation relays for the trailer lights, an additional trans cooler in front of the AC condenser. There was also a verbal claim for HD cooling that supposedly had a better radiator, but that turned out to ba a "false guess" by the sales guy. There may be other bits included. dr bob
Response:
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