Ok, so it's not an update per se, but I think lots of people here will appreciate the longevity of the vehicle in the title. It belongs to a friend of mine, I've known her for years and maintained it for the past ~150k miles. The truck was leased new by her grandfather, passed to her mom, an finally given to her years ago. It's taken her through college, grad school, and now she uses it in her line of work and PACKS miles on. 3,500 mile oil changes are once every month and a half, 2 months tops. Nothing fancy, it gets bulk 5w30 and a jobber filter every time.
The only major repair in all these miles has been the transmission, it kicked the bucket around 200k (give or take) and I tossed in a 100k unit out of a Ranger. Haven't touched the fluid since. It's had the infamous 4.0 timing chain rattle as long as I can remember, it's never gotten better or worse. It's just there. I must say it runs like an absolute top. Never a CEL, never a hard start, it just runs and runs.
Other than the transmission, it's been basically bulletproof. I've done the basics: suspension parts, wheel bearings, pads and rotors a handful of times, etc. Thermostat housing once. She recently had the valve cover gaskets done by someone else (who did a terrible job, by the way, but I was busy). The encoder motor smoked the 4x4 control module way back when, but a new motor and used module fixed it for $100. Alternator once. Plugs and wires once. It's never had a water pump, or A/C compressor, or even a belt tensioner. Almost forgot, I did have to replace the pinion bearing in the rear diff, but that was cheap.
I've always had a soft spot for the second generation Explorer. Especially the 5.0 versions. Yes, they're a pain to work on but by god if they aren't good trucks. Unfortunately, 90% of them up here are gone. Rot destroys them from the suspension up.
This thread came to mind due to the friend and I switching vehicles so she could drive to Duluth and save some fuel. I drove the truck to work to do an oil change and patch a tire, and was amazed at just how good it still drives. Sure, it's not terribly comfortable, but overall it's very drive-able. The seats are still comfortable, the trans shifts like butter, it tracks dead straight down the highway. It does have a TERRIBLE stereo, however! I'm impressed with the old girl all things considered.
Anyone else have a personal connection to a high-mileage daily driver?
The only major repair in all these miles has been the transmission, it kicked the bucket around 200k (give or take) and I tossed in a 100k unit out of a Ranger. Haven't touched the fluid since. It's had the infamous 4.0 timing chain rattle as long as I can remember, it's never gotten better or worse. It's just there. I must say it runs like an absolute top. Never a CEL, never a hard start, it just runs and runs.
Other than the transmission, it's been basically bulletproof. I've done the basics: suspension parts, wheel bearings, pads and rotors a handful of times, etc. Thermostat housing once. She recently had the valve cover gaskets done by someone else (who did a terrible job, by the way, but I was busy). The encoder motor smoked the 4x4 control module way back when, but a new motor and used module fixed it for $100. Alternator once. Plugs and wires once. It's never had a water pump, or A/C compressor, or even a belt tensioner. Almost forgot, I did have to replace the pinion bearing in the rear diff, but that was cheap.
I've always had a soft spot for the second generation Explorer. Especially the 5.0 versions. Yes, they're a pain to work on but by god if they aren't good trucks. Unfortunately, 90% of them up here are gone. Rot destroys them from the suspension up.
This thread came to mind due to the friend and I switching vehicles so she could drive to Duluth and save some fuel. I drove the truck to work to do an oil change and patch a tire, and was amazed at just how good it still drives. Sure, it's not terribly comfortable, but overall it's very drive-able. The seats are still comfortable, the trans shifts like butter, it tracks dead straight down the highway. It does have a TERRIBLE stereo, however! I'm impressed with the old girl all things considered.
Anyone else have a personal connection to a high-mileage daily driver?
Last edited: