A friend of mine, who destroys every vehicle he gets in a matter of days (Just a total idiot) had an '87 Pathfinder for 2 years, and sold it to someone who is still driving it. The second place vehicle was an '85 Daytona that he had for 2 1/2 weeks before putting a rod through the side of the block.

I'm not exxagerating this... he even blew up a Plymouth Caravelle with a slant 6 in it.

My parents have an exploder...I hate it. I won't drive it because it's such a piece of crap.
I'm going in a couple weeks car shopping for myself and I'm not planning on coming back with anything but what I got my heart set on, which is not an exploder.
Anyway, they've put two front hubs on the thing with 115-120K miles on it. Wheel bearings in these pieces of shit are attached to the self locking 4wd hub. So, you have to take the whole frigging hub off and replace it for like 90 to 100 bucks a piece plus work. It's not just the bearing that has to be replaced, which is the killer. Ford built them stupidly, at least in my opinion. The worst part about this is that one goes, the other follows shortly after it. So, figure on replacing both when you start getting grinding and banging noises in the wheels.

Shael

Posted by Shael My parents have an exploder...I hate it. I won't drive it because it's such a piece of crap. I'm going in a couple weeks car shopping for myself and I'm not planning on coming back with anything but what I got my heart set on, which is not an exploder. Anyway, they've put two front hubs on the thing with 115-120K miles on it. Wheel bearings in these pieces of shit are attached to the self locking 4wd hub. So, you have to take the whole frigging hub off and replace it for like 90 to 100 bucks a piece plus work. It's not just the bearing that has to be replaced, which is the killer. Ford built them stupidly, at least in my opinion. The worst part about this is that one goes, the other follows shortly after it. So, figure on replacing both when you start getting grinding and banging noises in the wheels. Shael

My Uncle who WAS an Ford Employee (lets not go there now...thats an entire thread) had a Ford Explorer for their family car. He always had some odd small problem or one random big one like when he was driving on the Thruway and the alternator gave out. And BTW, the interior is easy to beat up

Resurrecting an old thread here.

I had a '97 Jimmy (4.3 V6 Vortec engine) and during the 6 1/2 years I had it I've replaced the alternator, front differential and front ball joints. Bought it used with 47,831 kms on it.

Otherwise, this was a very reliable vehicle and when it got written off in a wreck in January 2007, the insurance company actually gave me an additional $300 for it as it was running like brand new and looked almost brand new (some rust at the back). It had about 214,000 km on it when it was written off.

The vehicle I had before it was a '90 S15 pickup. It too had a 4.3 V6. Traded it in on the Jimmy. While it ran pretty good, the main bearings were going on the engine and the body needed a lot of work. Again, I got pretty lucky with it and the only major repairs (before I found out about the bearings) were battery, fuel pump and starter motor had to be replaced. The truck was a company vehicle and had 114,000 when I got it. When I traded it in, it had 260,000 and despite its appearance, I actually got $1000 for it.

Buddy of mine had a 1988 Blazer from brand new. No complaints with it and he finally sold it in 2005. I don't know what he got for it but he had no complaints.

As for the Explorers, funny but when they were hauling the Jimmy up on the wrecker the night of the accident, the tow truck driver commented "Good thing you weren't in an Exploder. You wouldn't be walking right now."

Posted by Samurai Isuzu Rodeo/Amigo/Trooper Samurai

Yeah good call Isuzu's are super reliable. They run forever if you leave them alone. (photo below explains the last part of my statement)

Posted by Samurai You want a good, reliable, indestructible 4x4, find yourself an old Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Crashfinder, Isuzu Rodeo/Amigo/Trooper, a full-size Blazer/Jimmy Samurai

You forgot the Rodeo's bastard cousin, the Honda Passport

I must suggest the 91-96 Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0 and a auto with any of the transfers. ( I prefer the base one a NP 231 I think is what it is ) I see them commonly with over 300,000 miles and running strong. Rust can be a issue up north. expect to pay $300-$4000 depending on miles and condition.

http://www.youtube...atch?v=_Zw5oZahrys

ftw

seen that done with an older 3door model.

subarus are the champion field beater.
unkillable.