Faults:

Mass air flow sensor failed, leaving us stranded on the freeway when we were on our way to pick up my girlfriend's father.

There is no four wheel drive and we cannot figure it out.

Other than that, absolutely nothing.

General Comments:

We love this thing!!! The leather is in perfect condition even with our 3 kids.

It was pretty funny though, when the mass air flow sensor went. We were doing about 80 on the freeway when it bucked. My girlfriend was driving and started freaking out. That was a show. Then it bucked again so I looked out the window and it was blowing black smoke out the exhaust. So we pulled over and parked it, didn't turn it off yet. It ran very very rough and would bog down to about 400 RPM, but didn't die. So then we shut it off and had my dad come pick us up.

We still have yet to figure out what's wrong with the 4 wheel drive. I went and replaced the motor on the back of the transmission, but then found out there was no power going to it. So then we tried 5 other push button modules, and still nothing. But there is power going to the button, which is weird. My daughter's boyfriend said he can hear his relay in the back of his Explorer when his 4 wheel drive is engaged, but I hear nothing.

Other than that, this is an awesome rig!!! Great in the mountains when the 4 wheel drive did work. It has a great ride for an SUV and the power is good also. It's awfully easy to spin the tires, because the original owneer decided he wanted a 351 from the factory.

Overall it is a realy fun vehicle with plenty of accomodations. Does any one have any ideas on the 4 wheel drive? Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Faults:

Replaced an alternator at about 110k miles, part cost was $40 dollars and was able to put it in myself. Other than that, I've done nothing to this explorer as far as repairs go (besides the normal maintenence of course) Gas mileage is pretty crappy, I think I get like 15 or 16 mpg. Gas gauge stopped working at about 130k. Rust around the bottom of the doors, but then again, this is an Iowa vehicle and the salt reeks havoc on these old vehicles.

General Comments:

I've taken it off roading a few times just to see how it would handle it, and for the most part, unless I'm in deep mud, I couldn't get it stuck even when I tried. For a heavy vehicle, the 4 wheel drive gets it out of a lot.

Very dependable daily driver, as long as you don't care about gas mileage.

Faults:

There is some lifter (we think lifter) noise, but we purchased the car knowing this.

Previous owner replaced brakes approx. every 10,000kms (lots of hills around here) seems excessive.

A/C does not work.

CV boots need replacing.

ABS warning light won't got out, but did briefly and it seem the brakes re-engaged we assume we are on 'normal' brakes.

It is sluggish on hills, people fly past us on our way up the mountain. Can't put your foot any flatter!

Bit of rust in fenders.

General Comments:

Eddie Bauer Ltd model so pretty nice to ride in. All electrics work... heated mirrors, outside temp. reading etc all nice touches, along with the sound system.

We only purchased this car about 1 week ago, threw in some new oil and drove it 400kms each way over the weekend. No complaints (except no a/c).

ANY ADVICE: on lifter issue and how to repair/cost. Also cost associated with replacing the A/C and if this is a common problem would be GREAT :)