Looking at a '99 Explorer XLT

[yuri4281]

As a first time poster, I'd like to thank the owners, mods, and users of the forum for their service.

I currently drive a '91 Explorer XLT with just shy of a quarter million miles on her. I got her as a hand me down from my parents when I got my license. Now I'm in college and need a more dependable ride. (The a/c is shot, it needs four new tires and has a severe need for new paint.) I really love the form and function of the Explorer, so my search for a replacement hasn't gone too far from home.

I'm looking at a '99 Explorer XLT with the 5.0. It's driven just over 100k miles.

My question is: What should I specifically need to keep my eyes open for? Did anything have a high failure rate and fail in a way that might not be too noticeable?

Thanks for your help!

EDIT: How do I identify if it has a MACH or "Premium audio" system?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the transmission fluid, blend door, oil (no water mixed into it), brakes, coolant, U joints, and the ball joints.

 

[yuri4281]

Thanks for the reply. How would I check the blend door, isn't it inside the dash?

Sorry about the audio question, the audio section did more than answer it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I have several links on repairing the blend door in # 61 in my list of useful threads.

 

[yuri4281]

There are several useful topics in your thread list, thanks.