Should I buy an OJB or an Explorer

[72bronco]

I've got a Lexus that is showing its age. The damn thing is expensive to repair, even for little things. Plus I can't work on the thing myself like I can with my early bronco. So I'm selling the Lexus (which I don't drive much anyway) and planning on getting a cheap 3rd car. After giving it some thought I've narrowed it down to two options:

Option 1: 92-96 Bronco
I've always like the OJ Broncos. They are big, powerful and I think good looking vehicles. My preference would be to get a 5.8L engine. Since the engine and other components are similar to my older bronco I wouldn't be afraid to work on it. In my opinion the later model years of the full-size bronco looked the best. Plus this is a vehicle that I could eventually put some work into and fix up or even use for offroading. The downside is that I would most likely be picking up a high mileage vehicle. Plus only having two doors makes it awkward to load passengers in the back seat.

Option 2: 96-98 Ford Explorer V8
I'm really not much of a fan of Explorers, however it would clearly be a more practical vehicle than an OJB. As a four-door SUV loading passengers would be a cinch, plus it would be smaller and easier to maneuver around town. It is also a vehicle that would have more modern engineering and features than an OJB. I would only consider an Explorer with the 5.0 V8, which again is very similar to the 302 in my early bronco. The downside is that this is not a vehicle I would plan on keeping in the long run or in fixing up. It also wouldn't be used for offroading, but again I'd still have my EB for that. One advantage might be for me to drive it for a few years and when it is totally worthless I can pull the 5.0 engine and stuff it in my EB.

I figure that many of you may have owned one of these vehicles and could provide me with some feedback, positive or negative, on which to buy or to avoid. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[commonlaw]

I have never owned an OJB so I cant really comment there. However, I used to own, and my parent's currently drive, my older 98 V-8 Exploder. It was pretty functional and actually had a lot of pep. I can't give it too high of marks for reliability though. It actually had few major problems but there was always some minor glitch that it had. It tended to nickle and dime me after awhile and the dealership wasnt the best at responsiveness and workmanship. My brother actually drove the thing into a ditch and a pretty good speed and the airbag didnt deploy. I took it in and, what do you know, there was no airbag in it at all. The lawyer in me started to really turn the my wheel on that one. I actually let that issue die and had them put in an airbag without any threat of litigation. If my brother was harmed as a result I would have been more adamant I am sure. That said, I am not a huge fan and considering you want a car with little maintenance, i would go for the OJ--plus, you will have a better knowledge of its innards and could maybe curtail some expenses along the way. Good luck 72bronc.

 

[kcmacg]

My uncle had an explorer, and he had some problems with his (transmission i think) but he also is in outside sales, so the miles he puts on a truck are extreme. I say the explorer. its better for around town, every spare dime i have goes to my EB, i dont think i could afford any more broncs to put money in

 

[DiggetyDan]

I've had a 94 Explorer for about 5 years now. I got it at 60K miles and it now has about 140K. In that time i've had to put hardly any money into it and it's been very reliable. I like it because it's got four doors which is great for passengers, it drives well, and out of the various SUV's out there the cargo room is great, the seats fold down in the back and you can fit a boatload in the back. Some of the other SUV's out there right now have too many curves so you can't fit big boxy things in the back.

Right now I've got a '76 Bronco for fun, an Infiniti for long drives or going out with the wife, and an Explorer for winter driving, drives to the auto parts store when the broncos apart, and hauling stuff. This seems to be working for me pretty well. For what it's worth my brother in law had a 96 explorer for the past 5 years and just traded it in for a 2004 which is pretty sweet.

Oh, and it's a 5 speed manual V6 which gives me plenty of go.

 

[Rustytruck]

You already have one money grabbing Ford gas hog, dont go looking for another. For your street mobile, go get a 4 door Honda or Toyota, Nissan something fairly new with a small engine and the maintainance will be nill and the Milage great, in the end it will leave you more cash for your pride and Joy. Then when you want to get serious, then you will have a much better Bronco to ride in style.

 

[j.r.nice]

I had a company owned 1991 Explorer V6 and a 1994 FSB 5.8 and I currently own a 1989 FSB 5.8

The explorer was a little underpowered for my taste. But with gas being what it is.... Yes, it was easier to load rear seat passengers. The seat slides/tilts forward but it's still difficult especially if they are older or in a child seat.
If you haul passengers a lot, avoid the FSB.

I would definitely go for the V8 Ex if you do.

Actually the FSB is easier to park and drive around town than the explorer. It was also a lot more comfortable on a long trip.

But I dont buy a vehicle for sheer economy and practicality.That's why I am planning on resurecting my 89 again. No fool like an old fool!

 

[Nobody]

I have a 97 V8 Exploder and I love it. The all wheel drive is awesome. Never slips a tire. Healthy 5.0L, 4R70W tranny, disc brake 8.8, what else could want. It does great towing my folks trailer.

I'm one of those that's dreds a car payment, but I comment to the wife all the time how happy I am with our Exploder. We've driven all over the state, down to San Diego, and then some. I all I do is change the oil.

Definately get the V8, they have the good transmissions, and well they are V8's!

And just because I have nothing better to do, here's a few pics of some of our Exploder excursions.

http://www.broncoii4x4.com/bb/exploder-ocean.jpg
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/bb/exploder-fishing.jpg
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/bb/exploder-camping.jpg
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/bb/exploder-sauk.jpg
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/bb/exploder-sthelens.jpg
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/bb/exploderpump1.jpg

 

[SaddleUp]

I have a 97 Explorer 4DR EB with the 5.0 @ 160K. I can't brag about gas mileage (The best I've seen is 18 MPG) but it has all kinds of Pep. Since I bought it I've made 3 trips clear across the US pulling a 25' travel trailer and I use it regularly to pull my EB out to the trails.

 

[Nobody]

and I use it regularly to pull my EB out to the trails.

Flat tow or trailer?

 

[WASP1971]

You've got to do whats best for you but I drive a lifted 93 white bronco. The true oj mobile. I wouldn't trade it for a crummy ol explorer.

 

[texashcane]

I have a stock 95 OJB with the 5.8. I love it and still get comments on it. But, it doesn't get much, if any better gas mileage than my 74 bronco with 33's and original 302. Both are alternate vehicles for me, so I cannot comment on driving it everyday. If gas mileage is an issue, you should definitely beware of the big bronco.

 

[SaddleUp]

Flat tow or trailer?

Trailer. At one point I considered flat towing but I prefer to have the trailer brakes to keep it under control if I need them. It also isn't as hard on the Explorer brakes.

 

[Nobody]

Trailer. At one point I considered flat towing but I prefer to have the trailer brakes to keep it under control if I need them. It also isn't as hard on the Explorer brakes.

I was wondering about the brakes. I always wondered if my exploder could tow my bronco(safely)....Now I have to ponder building a trailer ;D

Have you towed over any of the passes? What's your honest opinion of towing with the exploder?

 

[72bronco]

Thanks for all the replys. I do find it funny however that the votes are equally split between an OJB and Explorer. Thanks for helping me make up my mind. ;D

 

[maverickconner]

I recently sold my 93' Bronco, it was a great vehical, would have loved to keep it, but need room, so we bought our Excursion.... Had 177,000 miles on it, and the only thing I ever did was put a water pump on... My wife really liked it,,,, only suggestion is to get one with the 5.8 in it.

 

[4WDJOE]

The downside is that this is not a vehicle I would plan on keeping in the long run or in fixing up. It also wouldn't be used for offroading...

Are you sure about that?

Here's a link to a nice build up this guy has going. http://gitout.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=196

 

[SaddleUp]

I was wondering about the brakes. I always wondered if my exploder could tow my bronco(safely)....Now I have to ponder building a trailer ;D

Have you towed over any of the passes? What's your honest opinion of towing with the exploder?

I tow my EB up into the mountains regularly and some of them can be pretty steep. (At one point I was on gravel steep enough that all 4 tires spun but it was able to dig in enough to go) My travel trailer has seen many long passes behind it including some long hard pulls in Colorado in late June. That was the hardest pull I've made with it I think. It's the only time it was slowed to 25 or 30 MPH but even cars were getting slowed down there. As far as my opinion of it I think it does very well. I do plan to sell it and replace it with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton extended cab diesel pickup but that is so I can put a camper on and still tow my EB. My travel trailer hasn't been out since Memorial Day (Last Year) so it isn't getting enough use anymore.

 

[SaddleUp]

Thanks for all the replys. I do find it funny however that the votes are equally split between an OJB and Explorer. Thanks for helping me make up my mind. ;D

You might also consider the Excursion. I thought about trading my Explorer in on one a few times just to have a little extra room for hauling stuff. (Stuff primarily being my growing family)

 

[72bronco]

You might also consider the Excursion. I thought about trading my Explorer in on one a few times just to have a little extra room for hauling stuff. (Stuff primarily being my growing family)

I do like the Excursion but it is also quite a monster in size. A vehicle that big wouldn't seem very practical for just driving around town. If I were looking for something with massive cargo and towing capability then it would be perfect but holy cow, that thing is even bigger than a suburban. I'm not sure my wife would ever drive such a vehicle since it would almost be like driving a school bus.

Actually I was amazed that you've been using a V8 Explorer to tow your EB. I didn't expect that from an Explorer.

 

[SaddleUp]

I do like the Excursion but it is also quite a monster in size. A vehicle that big wouldn't seem very practical for just driving around town. If I were looking for something with massive cargo and towing capability then it would be perfect but holy cow, that thing is even bigger than a suburban. I'm not sure my wife would ever drive such a vehicle since it would almost be like driving a school bus.

Actually I was amazed that you've been using a V8 Explorer to tow your EB. I didn't expect that from an Explorer.

Whoops, I meant the Expedition. Whichever one is about the size of a Big Bronco. As far as my Explorer I've been pretty impressed. When I put together an Uncut EB for driving around town I plan to put an Explorer 5.0 in it.