Ford Explorer 2000 - XLT

Joined: 28 Sep 2004

Anyone know anything at all about these cars? Obvisouly its a not a serious 4x4, its juts a big car - but they seem very luxurious - are they are unreliable and crap as almost all other fords?

Do thety have some kindof weird tranny in them that feels really different to any other tranny? Anyone know where to fihnd out more about them?

Anyone got one?

Joined: 11 Dec 2002 Location: Gold Coast, Queensland

they get called 'Exploder'... wonder why??

Joined: 24 Dec 2002 Location: South Australia

there was a rightup in 4x4 aus a few months ago on buying these used. cheap for what you get, not as good as the jap alternatives, but apparently good for towing

Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Location: Western Vic

Came across one in Cooktown recently which had come back from the Cape without bother. 2 adults, 2/3 kids etc BUT had blown the battery
which is a rare low profile one. Had to get one shipped specially from Cairns next day.
Fuses are special type not available elsewhere it seems.
Other than the above owner seemed happy with it.

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 9:36 pm

A friends family had one... rear diff and transmission went.

Theyre not called an exploder for nothing... stick to a Yota or Nissan

Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Location: brisbane

Begbie wrote:

Anyone know anything at all about these cars? Obvisouly its a not a serious 4x4, its juts a big car - but they seem very luxurious - are they are unreliable and crap as almost all other fords?

Do thety have some kindof weird tranny in them that feels really different to any other tranny? Anyone know where to fihnd out more about them?

Anyone got one?

Hi c4 and transfer case out ford bronco will fit.

Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Sydney

I always thought they would be a good project car. Throw some decent diffs underneath, tyres, gearing and you would have a comfy, capable, different ride.

Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Location: GREENBANK

STAY AWAY FROM THEM there expensive to say the least and i am yet to hear from a mechanic who doesnt mind workin on them

Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Location: FNQ Cane Fields

I have heard nothing but bad things about the early ones, not much about the later ones, but bugger all people bought them after the mess that was the first line up.

my brother boss had one fo a few years when they first came out, did alot of country work and towing, the trans and diff both blew up, and the transfer mad a lot of noise and the electronic control thing for the 4wd mad things clunk in and out all the time on the dirt, very un nerving

Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Location: gold coast

the term exploder came from a incident in the usa when they were released riding on firestone tires. the tyres were exploding for no reason causing the car to sometime crash. hence they earned the name exploder.

the last of the 1st series isnt a bad rig and alot of people like them but not much is availaable in Oz. and parts r expensive. the series 2. ran the 4.6l v8 and had fully independant suspension and was a much better car. though probly not as good offroad.

Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Location: Hervey Bay, Qld

I,ve got one & also had a 98 as well, for my 98 I did
EFS shocks alround
reset rear leaf's with a 40mm lift
& obviously wound the torsion bars the same
also a set of BFG muddies
You wouldn't even know it was the same car, it made a HUGE difference (read better) to both on & off-road. They don't like water much as the air breather is behind the headlight facing forward, & the alarm/cut-out switch is underneath that. I wrapped it in plastic after I found all this out the hard way.

My 2000 XLT has
long range tank fitted
rear swing out spare
it will be getting the same lift soon
centre roof console with UHF
It is set up, at the moment, for long range touring & towing.

Yes parts can be a problem but I've found that shipping them in from USA is cheaper & quicker (most of the time) than getting them from here.
They are a bloody comfortable touring 4WD with a good strong motor & will do moderate 4b stuff.
Oops got a bit long winded there sorry, but if I can help.......... Very Happy