Mud-club
Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: 500bhp on April 23, 2007, 23:09:07
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As some of you may know I am looking for another 4x4, and I have heard of a 97 Explorer with LPG conversion, I know nothing about these anyone got any thoughts good/bad, points to look for etc any advice would be great :D
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I owned a couple of them when i lived in the US. Good, honest, reliable vehicles. Couldn't tell you what the rust areas might be as we lived in the desert, but the mechanicals should still be good.
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Ask Neil ('Thrasher') about them, I believe he once had one?
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Check the tyres...a law suit about them in the US nearly bought Ford to a sticky end...
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Check the tyres...a law suit about them in the US nearly bought Ford to a sticky end...
Firestones, if I remember correctly
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Yes...they were leading to rollover issues
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Yes...they were leading to rollover issues
Hence the endearing name that (apparantly?) gained acceptance in the States, except when in the company of a Ford corporate lawyer; the Ford 'Exploder'
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Actually they were called Exploders for a different reason ..... one which they inherited from the Bronco - self igniting ignition barrels .....
I had one. It was fine. Some #&%^&%$^&$ in a mondeo decided to run me off the road - I had 9 months of hell with Ford, then I got Piglet.
As a vehicle I could not fault it. I walked away from the accident with a slightly sore thumb .... engine was A1. Offroad it was fine - if a little long, and it was great for lugging stuff as it was HUGE inside .... the seats go down into the floor.
In fact the D3 owes a LOT to the Exploder .... and some of the D3 mules *WERE* Exploders...
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isnt there a problem with the timing chains on these? seen a load on ebay listed as spares or repair due to them?
(not a bad looking motor tho') :oops:
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I asked the very same question on Birty's as I'm thinking of one as an alternative to a Cherokee.
http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/index.php
I was pointed towards this site.
http://carsurvey.org/model_Ford_Explorer.html
It seems that they do suffer from problems with the timing chains, transmission and smaller electrical problems. Having said that, they are America's best selling SUV with approx. 400,000 sold a year.
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we had a dark blue explorer not so long back, quite newish one, in my opinion they are superb cars, we never had a problem with the timing chan but i have heard of it so if you do get one, make shure it is the first thing you change. we never had it lpg, the boss paid for fuel (think it ended up costing him more than his business cus we had to travell loads of miles in it, dont matter we never liked him) seriously though they are superb cars in my experience, lots of power for the pull off (gr8 when one of these boy racer things pull up next to you lol) nearly the luxury of a rangi but for a fraction of the price :D
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I ran one for years with no probs. Good for 120, leather, AC, electric everything and dirt cheap. The tyre thing only affected american versions; there was a problem with the cruise control locking on at one point but these were unusual. Ran well on gas - 15mpg(?) or 20 on unleaded. Only sold it when the prospective garage bill ran to thousands - head gasket, front and rear discs and pads, suspension rubber all round but all this was general wear and tear. Very tough in accidents; took the front off a Renault once when it side-swiped me, didn't even scratch the paint, just a slight mark on the wheel arch extension; and when a Merc tupped it up the rear all I got was a kink in the towbar!
If you want/need a big barge which costs nowt to buy go for it.
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The tyre issues were on the US explorer sport not the Euro models (bigger)
They are a bit juicy but other than that a great car. Seen one on a forum for sale for £600 with noisy chain but dont think its a dear fix. Lot of car for the money