It’s hard to overstate how influential these were back in the 90s. They were everywhere, and practically launched an entire movement toward mainstream SUVs. But appreciating the “aggressive Firestone tires” - yikes, did not age well.
@jakobholgersson44009 ай бұрын
If I could go back in time, I'd do something to make sure these weren't made. I hate how EVERYTHING has to be a stinking crossover. The Mustang, Eclipse, Manta, Puma and soon the Corvette and Skyline.
@leakyjeep5.99 ай бұрын
The tires were underinflated. Ford called for low pressure. Firestone is fine.
@Ouiquende9 ай бұрын
There was never a problem with the Firestone tires though. They often ejected tread because Ford insisted the tires be (under) inflated to 26 psi.
@tedschmitt1789 ай бұрын
@@jakobholgersson4400Except that these Explorers were not crossovers since they were body on frame. And the Mustang is not now nor has it ever been a crossover (the Mach e is NOT a Mustang).
@jakobholgersson44009 ай бұрын
@@tedschmitt178 Who cares? It popularized the idea of using an unnecesserily tall and heavy vehicle as a daily driver. I get that some people need rugged off-roaders for work and that a very niche group of people buy them for their off-roading hobby. But that's all they should be for. It's called a Mustang Mach E and is thus a Mustang.
@slowrunner229 ай бұрын
I had a 2000 explorer xlt with the 5.0 v8, loved that thing!
@T-Rex-nm1se9 ай бұрын
I still see this generation of explorer on the roads, goes to show these were reliable
@JackVegetables189 ай бұрын
This gen explorer also had 2 reliable engine options the 5.0L V8 and the 4.0L ohv V6
@johnnymason24609 ай бұрын
@@JackVegetables18 The 4.0 liter sohc V6(205hp) was a pretty good engine as well. Especially with the five-speed automatic.
@jena.mw489 ай бұрын
These were best sellers nationwide and i saw 'em everywhere in Austin. Though really cant say that i see them very often if at all.
@Koexistence139 ай бұрын
Over a million sold? Should still see few. Hell, I want one after seeing this
@bellamafiaquackafellarecor77709 ай бұрын
i see 90s tahoes much more
@diegoflores92379 ай бұрын
This and the 90s rams were some of the most successful designs. The were truly trendsetters
@RubanLawrence9 ай бұрын
That's so cool that you say that! I have a 97 Dodge Ram 4x4 5.9L, and a 98 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L SOHC. 😁
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
Remember how Ford and GM Laughed Out Loud almost on camera at the Second Generation Ram?? They said no one'd buy a truck that looked like a semi tractor. Well, Lee Iacocca and the U.A.W. got the last laugh on that one, too. Btw, between the Ram, the LH cab forward cars, And the Grand Cherokee, how the HELL did Chrysler almost go broke AGAIN!?!?!?!?!
@nwezetx17 күн бұрын
@@landonbenford8369Jurgen Schrempp and Daimler-Benz AG.
@dodgeguyz9 ай бұрын
Had a 95 XLT at 2 years old. Drove and handled great. Had an 01 Limited until just recently. Had 200k when I sold it to the guy at work. It now has near 300k with original engine, 5.0L and transmission.
@JackVegetables189 ай бұрын
So let me get this straight you was driving at the age of 2?
@dodgeguyz9 ай бұрын
@@JackVegetables18 LOL 😂. The Explorer was 2 years old in 97.
@JackVegetables189 ай бұрын
@@dodgeguyz lol ok i was about to say you should've been in the Guinness book of World records if you was 2 years old driving 🤣🤣
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
@@dodgeguyz 7.
@Eastsidegeorgiaboy9 ай бұрын
The 90's were the pinnacle of automotive design. You can find almost every feature from todays vehicles in vehicles from the 90s. The 90s vehicles were not bloated, and blind spots were small. Safety was getting really good, with some vehicles having side curtain air bags. Engines were less complicated, and powerful enough. 500hp was an ungodly amount of hp, and 1000hp on the street was basically unbelievable, untouchable, and unbeatable. Vehicles were easier to park, and they fit in your garage. Most of all, they were easier to work on and upgrade.
@bobbydavenport89418 ай бұрын
I just love the exterior body design and the 2 tone paint combanation of this explorer the interior quality too
@Blue-moon129 ай бұрын
This generation was probably one of the best. Transmissions could be weak but see so many high mileage examples. 2 door looked the best.
@jimmyjimjims74839 ай бұрын
I had a 99 Explorer XLS I bought from a coworker because a friend of mine was looking for a small relatively cheap suv without all the crazy modern screens and modules that implode after 5 years. He still has it and it runs perfect despite being 25 years old with 154k miles on the clock. Solid little suv if maintained
@bigpoppa19929 ай бұрын
We had quite a few ford explorer's over the year's in a few different generation's. I never seen a explorer with a standard lock rear differential. Btw my mom still daily drives her 1998 explorer eddie bauer it has 225k miles on it.
@Andrew_4609 ай бұрын
My friends dad owned one of these and put over 1 million miles on it. He was a livestock vet and drove around the country a lot. He also had an early 2000s ford ranger that he drove over 1 million miles as well. Both had the 4.0 v6.
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
Did he have a routine as far as changing gaskets?
@wisconsinbadgers3849 ай бұрын
I loved this model and year. In High School we visited our uncle in Colorado and he had a brand new one, headed into the mountains with style. We are buying a 2024 Honda HRV, based on the Civic and considered a compact crossover. The Honda is about the same length and width. Amazing what a family SUV size was a few years ago.
@buckfiden29889 ай бұрын
Loved all 3 of my Explorers.
@Cristobal_Ygnacio_Arriaga9 ай бұрын
I see this review is before the whole Firestone debacle. My dad’s friend had an accident in one of this before they where recall. He said he heard a loud bang and the thing slide and rolled over.
@Blue-moon129 ай бұрын
Haha the 4x4 dial looks like the one in my 2023 Frontier Pro 4x 😂😂
@davidaubin39029 ай бұрын
3:56 John: THE SHARP NEW GAUGES ARE CLEAR AND COMPLETE! LOL
@asiimwegidion47539 ай бұрын
🎉 Mr. Davis Happy new year 2024.
@thimble2889 ай бұрын
Bought one for 350 dollars and loved it for 3 years
@realazduffman9 ай бұрын
Bring back that dual mode tailgate!!!!!!
@tylermacconnell2174 ай бұрын
Still standard on current Expedition and Navigator….
@91Taurus9 ай бұрын
Still daily driving my 1996 XLT 4x4 with 255,000KM. Great truck
@dimaslopez-dejesus23719 ай бұрын
My parents brought 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 in Virginia and North Carolina.
@crsrdash-840b56 ай бұрын
...wait, what? they bought a car in two pieces and had it put together? Damn, that's some stupid buyers! Why not just buy a whole SUV instead of getting it in two states?
@michaeldilorenzo84649 ай бұрын
I am a GM guy all the way, but I did own a 1996 Explorer. I absolutely LOVED my Explorer. I still own GM's and I have not owned another Ford since, but I have to say, Ford hit a homerun with the 1995+ updated Explorer. The only downside to the 95/96 was it was underpowered.
@bobroberts23719 ай бұрын
said " The only downside to the 95/96 was it was underpowered. " Car makers always need to have something better for people to trade up to. Think about the genesis of the first Chrysler mini van. Short wheel base / 2.2 4 cyl Short wheelbase / 2.6 4 cyl Long wheel base / 3.0 V6 Gen 2 with a 3.3 V6 and so on
@AGreedyTree9 ай бұрын
@@bobroberts2371Planned obsolescence
@bobroberts23719 ай бұрын
@@AGreedyTree Nope, product improvement. The short wheelbase / small was just for for a group of people. Just because in improved version comes out doe not mean the original version suddenly stops working.
@koke3119 ай бұрын
This was the best gen of explorer they ever made , best looking as well
@bla9ckcob5raАй бұрын
I guess you don’t realized how much has time passed until you remember seeing these new and plentiful on the road in good condition to being barely able to find a good example with most nearly gone from the junkyards.
@whoseyourchef21609 ай бұрын
The aggressive nature of the fender flares is hilarious 😂
@ouch10119 ай бұрын
I like how Motorweek always takes mall cruisers like this off-road and drives them way too fast, resulting in the whole vehicle flopping around like a small boat in rough seas. It makes the vehicles look completely incapable off-road (which probably isn’t totally inaccurate)
@jimsomerville39247 ай бұрын
This generation of midsize SUVs is what they should be. Other than power, this is more compelling than new ones to me.
@DJWhitetailfluff9 ай бұрын
Still see these on the road today. Fairly good vehicles for the time just as my Ranger from that time is. Though they would have avoided a blemish on their reputation if it wasn't for the Ford Explorer and Firestone tire Fiasco. The factory 26 psi was way too low for that vehicle and in combination with what the tires load carrying compacity is at said tire psi. Those models that recommended 26 psi I believe was only for the models with the 15 inch rims. P235/75r15 size tires to be exact.
@rushbroussard53999 ай бұрын
MY GRANDFATHER'S FIRST SUV WAS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER XLT❤
@theKevronHarris9 ай бұрын
My mother had a 2004 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0 V6 that she bought new in November 2004. It has a fair share of mechanical problems including the transmission until the engine was overheating while my sister was driving it. The visor hinges were flimsy and snapped off right after she drove it off the dealer lot. Plus, the exterior hatch trim broke off where the Ford emblem was located.
@elonsus97479 ай бұрын
Yeah the 3rd gen Explorers SOHC 4.0 and 5 speed trans were problematic in their own right. The generation before it, with the OHC 4.0 was more reliable.
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
esp that SOHC engine with the front and back chains... dumb design and took a few years for Ford to figure out the 55Re. The the rear valance panel below the rear window on all three cracked by sitting (Aviator, Explorer, and Mountaineer) @@elonsus9747
@RA-wl1vt9 ай бұрын
Had 1996 Explorer XLT 4wd and it was very dependable. If I had a complaint it would have been that the 4.0L ohv six was not a powerhouse. It got better when Ford put in the SOHC 4.0L and had the 5.0L option. Replaced it with a 2001 Ford Expedition XLT Sport. I have been very pleased with Fords from the 1990's and 2000's can't really speak about the new Ford Explorer and Expedition because they switched to twin turbo sixes and I am not sold that they will be as reliable
@michaelsimko76949 ай бұрын
The 2nd gen Explorer is my favorite Explorer when it comes to exterior design and ruggedness
@tylermacconnell2174 ай бұрын
These were so incredibly popular but also good reliable vehicles.
@oOgy1729 ай бұрын
The 2001 Explorer was also the last Ford vehicle with the bulletproof 5.0 302 Windsor V8
@chadharmon57169 ай бұрын
my 99 with a 302 still going strong at 275,000 miles
@joshmoore80499 ай бұрын
I have a 1996 Eddie Bauer 5.0 266000 miles runs great.
@Ballterra9 ай бұрын
I looked at buying one second hand in 1998 took it for a test drive from the local ford dealer. During the drive I pulled over to look thru the owner's manual/service history and low and behold there was a piece of A4 paper in the back of the service book it was a pre delivery inspection sheet from when it was new and being sold to the original owner there was no less than 27 faults from the factory. Needless to say, I didn't buy it and bought a Toyota Foruner instead.
@chriscornelius25189 ай бұрын
You know that 4 runner is probably still running somewhere. The Explorer was parted out about 10 years after release.
@bp2k79 ай бұрын
$32,945 is the equivalent of almost $66,000 today! A fully loaded 2024 Explorer Platinum costs about $62,000.
@StevenEveral9 ай бұрын
You weren't a real 90s kid until you rode to school/sports practice/your friend's house in one of these Explorers.
@curtiswritt84749 ай бұрын
I love the Exploder
@chriszawertany52429 ай бұрын
Comes with a cassette stereo-I love it.
@LaytonKnightt9 ай бұрын
My dad had a ‘95 Eddie Bauer edition with a green interior.
@ddellwo9 ай бұрын
I remember the first time I road in one of the new Explorer’s - a girl I worked with my first job out of college drove her parent’s brand new one to work one day and everyone was out in the parking lot “oohing and aahing” over it! Their’s was a ‘90 or ‘91 and I think it MSRP’d for around $24k and I remember wondering how anyone could ever afford such an expensive vehicle……😂 Ford must have been making money hand-over-fist in this era with the recently-introduced Taurus, the perennially hot-selling F-150, and then the game-changing Explorer following right behind…….😮
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
...And Chrysler was Still riding high on the First Generation EVER minivans. Meanwhile GM was getting left behind!!
@jordanwiley45829 ай бұрын
My mom had one. Hydroplaned hit a light pole and rolled it. Area where my little sister was sitting an hour prior was completely crushed inwards but my mom was fine.
@aaroncostello88127 ай бұрын
Dad, 1992: "I want a Ranger 4x4." Mom,1992: "Yeah, but we need a minivan or a wagon." Ford, 1992: "What if a Ranger and a station wagon....had a baby?"
@thetruth25093 ай бұрын
Reshaping the front totally changed the game when it came to SUVs. My mom bought the 94 and when the 95 came out, I remember that it instantly looked dated.
@Catchingcars9 ай бұрын
My parents had this when i was a baby hahaa i want to buy one now
@infernoking75049 ай бұрын
We had one of these my dad put wider tires on it and made it a bit lighter weight had no issues with roll overs.
@Alaskancrabpuffs217 ай бұрын
I love my 96, it is a manual too so it just drives so well and so smooth
@HaroldCombs9 ай бұрын
Impressive that aside from mpg these are good stats TODAY, especially around cargo capacity and just general ease of use. I think ford really made a mistake moving explorer to the D-platform unibody.
@SataniaMcDowel9 ай бұрын
I see these everyday The ones I know about says they love it but sadly the transmissions fails more than they would like
@michaelre75569 ай бұрын
My friend had one of these, and it was pretty much the perfect vehicle, except eventually the transmission let go. They used it on the farm, stuck in whatever gear it was stuck in for a few more months before finally letting it go. Great truck though.
@cookdough779 ай бұрын
2:35 "but appreciate the aggressive Firestone Tires on our chrome 16" wheels." Ahh, the tire that ruined this generation Explorer and almost bankrupted Firestone but was saved through conspiracy with Ford. "Tread Separation" my left foot!
@JohnEvans-ct6mz9 ай бұрын
That statement in the video perked my ears up too.😂 I worked for Good Year and Firestone as a technician when this recall was going on. The tires were Firestone but designed by Ford. American automakers do it all the time. The “TPC Spec” number on the sidewall means the car brand designed the tire. Ford had Firestone remove two plies from the radial structure of the tire and set the pressures way too low. That’s what caused the separation.
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
Firestone 500 tires. ;)
@mrc99677 ай бұрын
I have a 2000 xlt with 155,000 runs like a top 80/90 mph no problem
@RoadCone4119 ай бұрын
So many of this generation of Explorers were lost to Cash for Clunkers. A ground-breaking effort in its day, a much better family hauler than the Grand Cherokee. However, if you wanted real off-road capability, the Jeep was the way to go.
@rev.jaecho96979 ай бұрын
My favorite Explorer!
@steveespinola76529 ай бұрын
I still see these generation of Explorers on street going strong.
@palebeachbum9 ай бұрын
This makes me miss Fords of the '90s. I'm not a fan of what the brand has become in the USA. A bunch of unreliable, overpriced 4cyl turbo CUVs and fussy trucks.
@dave_riots9 ай бұрын
The success of this led to the creation of the unnecessary trend of everyone owning crossovers
@palebeachbum9 ай бұрын
@@dave_riots I'm fine with CUVs. In fact I've grown to like them. They're practical and have better visibility. What I don't like is the trend of more electronics, more computer intervention, and unreliable tiny turbo engines. I also think the prices are getting out of hand. Ford's cheapest CUV starts at $29k, which is insane.
@angelgjr19999 ай бұрын
@@palebeachbumThe only old school NA V6 body on frame suv left is the 4Runner, but those are expensive
@_IMNNO5 ай бұрын
It’s really sad that the Clash for Clunkers program killed so many of these. I spent about a decade of my childhood riding in a 95 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.
@HelmetOfHonor9 ай бұрын
This was the last generation of high quality Ford vehicles. By the early 2000's their transmissions, power steering, and engines became cheaper quality because they used Mexico to build their parts along with General Motors
@rustbeltrobclassic25129 ай бұрын
always loved this generation saleen explorers..
@joseguerra40299 ай бұрын
These were peak Eddie Bauer Ford’s. Definitely a special time in automotive history. 90s cars had personality and uniqueness, now sadly, most cars are carbon copies of each other.
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
...and Character!!!!!😎😎😎
@jayd85479 ай бұрын
This was the SUV to have during that time!
@sweets68656 ай бұрын
I had a 96 Eddie Bauer edition V8 engine, I had replace the transfer case in it had 142000 miles on it when I had it replaced.
@chadharmon57169 ай бұрын
still have mine a 99 eddie bauer with a 5.0 v8
@brandondannys-menary36789 ай бұрын
I really want one of these with the 5.0l. They’re hard to get though now
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
I see a ton of them in places like Seattle and Portland for sale. They dont get a lot of salt. Im still looking for one as well
@CarlosMartinez-rx9vk8 ай бұрын
I guess the plastic moldings replaced the two tone paint jobs.
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
YEAH. Nobody does two tone paint anymore!! WTF IS UP WITH THAT!!!!!
@vwbora268 ай бұрын
Crazy nose dive under hard braking
@artvandelay8379 ай бұрын
why did they do away with the pop out glass on the hatch?
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
probably a safety thing or no one ordered it. Escorts and Bronco IIs used to have pop out and opening rear windows. Or cheaper to build with out them.
@fernandochaves96658 ай бұрын
Tough, beautiful Ford.
@davidbaron66478 ай бұрын
OLD SCHOOL
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
Firestone tires.. for us Gen Xers who read and remember. www.autosafety.org/firestone-500-steel-belted-radials/ Not a stretch to think the rubbers were at fault
@bobroberts23719 ай бұрын
Anyone still think that old cars are cheaper and new ones are " overpriced " ? Standard base $ 20,870 in 1995 is $ 42,103 in 2023 Eddie Bauer base $ 29,515 in 1995 is $ 59,544 in 2023 Eddie Bauer full $ 32,945 in 1995 is $ 66,463 in 2023
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
inflation sucks.
@bobroberts23718 ай бұрын
@@Butchcub75 My point is, too many people think that stuff was cheaper in the day. Wages for particular type of job in 1995 would have more or less risen with the cost of the vehicle in my example above. Tell someone that a mid level Explorer is 60,000 in 2024 and they will scream that it was half of that in 1995 when in reality it is the same price.
@Butchcub758 ай бұрын
@@bobroberts2371 oh I totally get it. Not disagreeing with you.
@HullAnimations1133 ай бұрын
Back then, Firestone still had a partnership with Ford
@성태김-c1w9 ай бұрын
Family Explorer
@everythingvideos243 ай бұрын
That's pretty bad that Eddie Bauer in this video is in better body shape than my 96 Ford Explorer V6 Limited. The sad part is the Engine light is on in this video and mine has zero codes pending.
@gabrielgochenour82255 күн бұрын
Great riding vehicles but the 4.0 V6 was completely, insanely, unbelievably underpowered for this application. The 5.0 was just fine but the V6 would make you fear for your life merging onto and interstate
@Shyguy6249 ай бұрын
I swear they sold so many of these its not even funny everyone and their mom had one
@delvindoodles21828 ай бұрын
Step by Step brought me back here
@ngb8028 ай бұрын
Wow 6.7 “ ground clearance, crossovers have more than that now days
@qmto9 ай бұрын
A very common sight at the junkyard these days.
@marcusjosefsson49989 ай бұрын
Where's the oil and volt gauges?
@chriscornelius25189 ай бұрын
These were good, nit great vehicles that were very popular.
@nathanlopez56679 ай бұрын
The same year they made the 5 L V8 a option
@jaydibernardo43209 ай бұрын
I had a 98 2 door Sport model. Great vehicle and not too large. Ford sure doesn't make decent vehicles like these anymore. Ford makes junk nowadays. Hence I own a Mazda CX-30 now.
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
I recall those models being price oriented for folks like me who couldn't afford a decently loaded Explorer.😎😎
@vetteluvnh9 ай бұрын
These were too rugged, too reliable, & too easy to work on. When the next generation came out Ford made sure they didn't make that mistake again.
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
Funny, sad, AND TRUE!!!!!
@qbertguy9 ай бұрын
My uncle had one with a V8, Maybe it was a later one though
@Spidernick889 ай бұрын
LOL Firestone tires on a Ford Explorer ... Wow
@rustlesee9 ай бұрын
02:40.. awkward.
@dunnkenny9 ай бұрын
20k for a new SUV?!?
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
I don't remember it being THAT expensive. After all me & my friends could only afford the base model. You know, the one minus air conditioning??
@Welcometofacsistube9 ай бұрын
Durangos were way better
@jmcrjc67999 ай бұрын
😂 My old explorer is better than any junk Durango ever was
@MrTaffiny19 ай бұрын
Durangos are junk.
@landonbenford83696 ай бұрын
I miss its predecessor the RamCharger, but that was a completely different class of truck.
@ToranaA9X3089 ай бұрын
In Australia we got a few of these and they gained the name ford EXPLODER absolute shit Box with no steering feel rubbish build quality rusted away and the 6 cylinder was a total hand grenade.