SUVs/Trucks withOUT transmission problems?

Chainblade · 12-25-2007, 12:08 PM

well as some of you may know, I had to have my transmission rebuild on my 94 Explorer. Upon researching it, it seems that even to this day Explorers have crappy transmission. In fact, 2000 miles after I just got the transmission fixed, it's acting up again. Luckily I have a 12000 mile warranty but still a pain in the ass. Since this seems like an issue with Explorers (even new ones...correct me if I'm wrong though), what other SUVs would be better and not have constant transmission problems? Do Expeditions have the same problems? What about Chevy Tahoes or GMC Yukons? Why I am mentioning american SUVs is because they would be in my price range. I guess if all american SUVs have transmission issues, i may have to just save (or get a car loan...don't want to though) to get a Toyota 4Runner or Honda Pilot. I assume that Toyota and Honda make a lot more reliable SUV's (again, correct me if I'm wrong).

ThatHideousStrength · 12-25-2007, 12:20 PM

I'm 100% sure any import SUV will be more reliable then American ones. Do you really need a SUV/Truck or is it a preference.

Chainblade · 12-25-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatHideousStrength

I'm 100% sure any import SUV will be more reliable then American ones. Do you really need a SUV/Truck or is it a preference.

technically a preference but since I went from an Accord to that Explorer, it has done wonders for my back and knees. I'm 6'6" so getting in and out of cars just hurts and I'm only 23...i can't imagine how much it would hurt when I'm older lol. So ya I'd prefer an SUV or truck. I mean I know import vehicles are more reliable anyways but finding an import SUV or truck for hella cheap is impossible. and by hella cheap I mean that the $3000 or so I paid for my truck was a lot to me. If Chevy's or GMCs don't have transmission problems, then it would be worth the switch. Sure they aren't as reliable as the Hondas and Toyota SUVs but transmission problems are such a pain in the ass.

ThatHideousStrength · 12-25-2007, 01:47 PM

It probably won't be transmission problems with Chevy or GMC but it will probably be some other problem that they have.

MSP · 12-25-2007, 03:06 PM

Honda CR-V = happiness.

Chainblade · 12-25-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP

Honda CR-V = happiness.

ya i know you love your CR-V lol. That's a little too small though for my taste (not to mention they are ugly

). I'd much rather prefer the Pilot. But, again, cost

MSP · 12-25-2007, 04:06 PM

I came this close to getting the Pilot, but it was really more than I needed. Plus I wasn't sure how well it would fit in my garage. And I love that 23-30MPG...

What's your price range? The Pontiac Torrent (Chevy Solstice) rides nice, and I think they get pretty good reliability marks for an American SUV. Plus, unlike my Honda, you can actually tow with it.

sims · 12-25-2007, 04:27 PM

older 4 runners are pretty bullet proof, but they hold they're value so they're considerably more expensive then older america SUV's(with good reason)

Chainblade · 12-25-2007, 04:44 PM

haha my price range is...free lmao. really, whatever I could sell my Explorer for or trade it in for would be all I could really spend. Obviously not a lot to work with I know. I'll just wait and see and hope that the shop will fix up my transmission and it will STAY fixed this time and try to squeeze as much out of this Explorer as I can. Other than the transmission, it's had no problems and I love it. In the future when I can afford more, I'll probably look into either a Honda or Toyota SUV or truck.

MSP · 12-25-2007, 04:45 PM

What you could sell your Explorer for and buy = a decent small used car.

Chainblade · 12-25-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP

What you could sell your Explorer for and buy = a decent small used car.

ya but like I said before, going back to a car just won't work. My g/f has an accord still and i had to drive it today and it's just so hard on my back and knees, it's so low to the ground. i mean the top of the car comes to my belly button or something ridiculous like that. I was just curious of any other older american SUVs were more reliable than the Explorer as i could probably sell or trade my Explorer for a Tahoe or Yukon for the same price. Sounds like they are all gonna suck so I'll just stick with my Explorer as long as I can until I can afford to buy something else that's better in about 10 years

Daveyiv2k1 · 12-25-2007, 04:58 PM

4 runner or tacoma depending on if you want an suv or truck

MSP · 12-25-2007, 05:04 PM

Yeah, how about a used F-150? It's not an SUV, but throw a cap on it and you get most of the benefit. And cheap as shit used too. They've sold a gazillion of them. Best selling vehicle on the planet.

Chainblade · 12-25-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP

Yeah, how about a used F-150? It's not an SUV, but throw a cap on it and you get most of the benefit. And cheap as shit used too. They've sold a gazillion of them. Best selling vehicle on the planet.

yep I'm fine with an F-150. anyone know if they have the same transmission problems that the Ranger/Explorer have though? I would hope they put a more heavy duty transmission into that thing but you never know...

Juballharshaw · 12-26-2007, 09:08 AM

4Runner is going to your best bet for a used SUV. Keep in mind the pilot is based on the accord platform, so if you were uncomfortable in the accord you may have the same issue in the pilot. I would suggest looking into used 4runners and tundras if you want reliability and the truck stature. Your next best bet would be to grab a f150 or even an old old old school gmc.

WoodButcher · 12-26-2007, 10:13 AM

I have no bitch w/ my '97 GMC Safari minivan. I blew the rear end and broke an upper ball joint but I abuse the shit out of it. I use it for work to hal my tools and occasionally materials. When building my garage I went to get rebar and drove on the scales for shits and giggles, "empty", just my tools and I, I was 1/2 ton over the GVWR, to which I added another 1/2 ton of steel. I've always thought bigger discs would be nice for my front brakes but at 200Kmi, I bought it at 125K for $3,000 so it owes me nothing.

JustinL · 12-26-2007, 10:16 AM

Maybe look at an older S10. If you can find one with a 4.3 v6 (bullet proof engine), it may come with a 700r4. If the tranny blows, you can swap in a turbo 350, turbo 400, 700r4, or most any other standard gm tranny that is a dime a dozen. Can you drive stick? That would be my preference for a long lasting transmission. Even if the synchros go out, you can just double clutch them and not worry about it.

~~Electric_Head~~ · 12-26-2007, 04:27 PM

I second the F150. Those things run damn near forever. My brother has a 1991 F150 and he just broke 500,000 miles. Factory stock inline 6 cylinder with a 5speed manual transmission never rebuilt. The only thing that has had problems is the front-end suspension...the balljoints are weak as shit and we can't get the allignment straight anymore, but it's still a good work horse.

Chainblade · 12-26-2007, 04:31 PM

cool F150 sounds good. I can drive a stick but my g/f can't

. How are the automatics on the F150s?

EDIT: how are Ford Broncos? aren't they based on the F150 platform so they should be pretty good too?

JustinL · 12-27-2007, 07:07 AM

Bronco's are pretty good. Are you able to do work on your own? If you stick with an older car (say early 90s), you can most likely pick up a replacement tranny for cheap if the current one blows up. My friend just had a race built 600+hp turbo 400 built for around $800, which I imagine was a lot cheaper then your explorer. I don't know what trannys came in the fords, but the C4 and C6 have a good reputation AFAIK.

Home > Discussion > Gearhead Garage SUVs/Trucks withOUT transmission problems?
Join The Cult	Tweakers	Image Gallery	Donate	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read

12-25-2007, 12:08 PM	permanent link to #1
Chainblade Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 2,316 (#43 ) My photos: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	well as some of you may know, I had to have my transmission rebuild on my 94 Explorer. Upon researching it, it seems that even to this day Explorers have crappy transmission. In fact, 2000 miles after I just got the transmission fixed, it's acting up again. Luckily I have a 12000 mile warranty but still a pain in the ass. Since this seems like an issue with Explorers (even new ones...correct me if I'm wrong though), what other SUVs would be better and not have constant transmission problems? Do Expeditions have the same problems? What about Chevy Tahoes or GMC Yukons? Why I am mentioning american SUVs is because they would be in my price range. I guess if all american SUVs have transmission issues, i may have to just save (or get a car loan...don't want to though) to get a Toyota 4Runner or Honda Pilot. I assume that Toyota and Honda make a lot more reliable SUV's (again, correct me if I'm wrong).
	Main PC: AMD Sempron 3100+, Geforce FX5500 128MB, 1GB RAM, Sony SDM-S81 18inch LCD Monitor, Ubuntu 8.04 Storage PC: Intel Pentium 4 2.26Ghz, Geforce FX5500 128MB, 1GB RAM, 1TB USB 2.0 Hard Drive, Windows XP Pro SP3 Gaming PC: Pentium 4 3.0Ghz, Geforce 7800 256MB, 2GB RAM, Dell E207WFP 20inch LCD Monitor, Windows XP Pro SP3 Work PC: Macbook Pro Personal Phone: T-Mobile MDA Work Phone: AT&T Tilt Vehicle: 1992 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4, 31x10.5x15 Tires, 1994 Rims, Flowmaster 40 Exhaust

Yesterday, 05:30 PM	#2
Sponsored Links
(hide)

12-25-2007, 04:44 PM	permanent link to #9
Chainblade Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 2,316 (#43 ) My photos: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	haha my price range is...free lmao. really, whatever I could sell my Explorer for or trade it in for would be all I could really spend. Obviously not a lot to work with I know. I'll just wait and see and hope that the shop will fix up my transmission and it will STAY fixed this time and try to squeeze as much out of this Explorer as I can. Other than the transmission, it's had no problems and I love it. In the future when I can afford more, I'll probably look into either a Honda or Toyota SUV or truck.
	Main PC: AMD Sempron 3100+, Geforce FX5500 128MB, 1GB RAM, Sony SDM-S81 18inch LCD Monitor, Ubuntu 8.04 Storage PC: Intel Pentium 4 2.26Ghz, Geforce FX5500 128MB, 1GB RAM, 1TB USB 2.0 Hard Drive, Windows XP Pro SP3 Gaming PC: Pentium 4 3.0Ghz, Geforce 7800 256MB, 2GB RAM, Dell E207WFP 20inch LCD Monitor, Windows XP Pro SP3 Work PC: Macbook Pro Personal Phone: T-Mobile MDA Work Phone: AT&T Tilt Vehicle: 1992 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4, 31x10.5x15 Tires, 1994 Rims, Flowmaster 40 Exhaust

12-26-2007, 09:08 AM	permanent link to #15
Juballharshaw ¡pɹɐpuɐʇs ploƃ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 52 ǝʇɐʇsɹǝʇuı ˙s˙n Posts: 2,971 (#29 ) My photos: 99 Thanked 15x in 10 posts	4Runner is going to your best bet for a used SUV. Keep in mind the pilot is based on the accord platform, so if you were uncomfortable in the accord you may have the same issue in the pilot. I would suggest looking into used 4runners and tundras if you want reliability and the truck stature. Your next best bet would be to grab a f150 or even an old old old school gmc.
	6002 '10 ʎlnɾ 'ɯɹǝds ʎʞɔnl uo 'ƃolq s,ʍıʞuɐɯ ƃǝɹƃ "˙qnlɔ ɯɹǝds ʎʞɔnl ǝɥʇ ɟo sɹǝqɯǝɯ" sǝɔuɐʇsɯnɔɹıɔ ʎɥʇlɐǝʍ uı dn ʍoɹƃ oɥʍ ǝsoɥʇ ƃuıllɐɔ 'pıɐs [ʇʇǝɟɟnq uǝɹɹɐʍ] "'ɥʇlɐǝʍ ɔıʇsɐuʎp uı ǝʌǝılǝq ʇ,uop ı "

Welcome to Tweak3D

Login to reply. Sign-up here.

Be notified of new replies to this thread

	User Name Password Save? Not Registered Yet? Go here.

	Home Forums Deals Articles Reviews About

12-25-2007, 12:20 PM	permanent link to #2
ThatHideousStrength Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,542 (#12 ) My photos: 0 Thanked 5x in 4 posts	I'm 100% sure any import SUV will be more reliable then American ones. Do you really need a SUV/Truck or is it a preference.

12-25-2007, 01:47 PM	permanent link to #4
ThatHideousStrength Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,542 (#12 ) My photos: 0 Thanked 5x in 4 posts	It probably won't be transmission problems with Chevy or GMC but it will probably be some other problem that they have.

12-25-2007, 03:06 PM	permanent link to #5
MSP Globe Trekker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,847 (#1 ) My photos: 143 Thanked 10x in 10 posts	Honda CR-V = happiness.

12-25-2007, 04:06 PM	permanent link to #7
MSP Globe Trekker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,847 (#1 ) My photos: 143 Thanked 10x in 10 posts	I came this close to getting the Pilot, but it was really more than I needed. Plus I wasn't sure how well it would fit in my garage. And I love that 23-30MPG... What's your price range? The Pontiac Torrent (Chevy Solstice) rides nice, and I think they get pretty good reliability marks for an American SUV. Plus, unlike my Honda, you can actually tow with it.

12-25-2007, 04:27 PM	permanent link to #8
sims Jolly Roger Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,985 (#50 ) My photos: 12 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	older 4 runners are pretty bullet proof, but they hold they're value so they're considerably more expensive then older america SUV's(with good reason)

12-25-2007, 04:45 PM	permanent link to #10
MSP Globe Trekker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,847 (#1 ) My photos: 143 Thanked 10x in 10 posts	What you could sell your Explorer for and buy = a decent small used car.

12-25-2007, 04:58 PM	permanent link to #12
Daveyiv2k1 Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 706 (#105 ) My photos: 5 Thanked 2x in 2 posts	4 runner or tacoma depending on if you want an suv or truck

12-25-2007, 05:04 PM	permanent link to #13
MSP Globe Trekker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,847 (#1 ) My photos: 143 Thanked 10x in 10 posts	Yeah, how about a used F-150? It's not an SUV, but throw a cap on it and you get most of the benefit. And cheap as shit used too. They've sold a gazillion of them. Best selling vehicle on the planet.

12-26-2007, 10:13 AM	permanent link to #16
WoodButcher Tweak Minion Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT. Posts: 1,567 (#62 ) My photos: 5 Thanked 3x in 2 posts	I have no bitch w/ my '97 GMC Safari minivan. I blew the rear end and broke an upper ball joint but I abuse the shit out of it. I use it for work to hal my tools and occasionally materials. When building my garage I went to get rebar and drove on the scales for shits and giggles, "empty", just my tools and I, I was 1/2 ton over the GVWR, to which I added another 1/2 ton of steel. I've always thought bigger discs would be nice for my front brakes but at 200Kmi, I bought it at 125K for $3,000 so it owes me nothing.
	*Q6600@ 3.4 Underwater, P5E-VM HDMI, 4GB OCZ, EVGA 8800GT, PCP&C 610w*

12-26-2007, 10:16 AM	permanent link to #17
JustinL Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,519 (#65 ) My photos: 1 Thanked 3x in 2 posts	Maybe look at an older S10. If you can find one with a 4.3 v6 (bullet proof engine), it may come with a 700r4. If the tranny blows, you can swap in a turbo 350, turbo 400, 700r4, or most any other standard gm tranny that is a dime a dozen. Can you drive stick? That would be my preference for a long lasting transmission. Even if the synchros go out, you can just double clutch them and not worry about it.
	Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch , Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. -Benjamin Franklin

12-26-2007, 04:27 PM	permanent link to #18
~~Electric_Head~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,939 (#51 ) My photos: 21 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I second the F150. Those things run damn near forever. My brother has a 1991 F150 and he just broke 500,000 miles. Factory stock inline 6 cylinder with a 5speed manual transmission never rebuilt. The only thing that has had problems is the front-end suspension...the balljoints are weak as shit and we can't get the allignment straight anymore, but it's still a good work horse.

12-26-2007, 04:31 PM	permanent link to #19
Chainblade Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 2,316 (#43 ) My photos: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	cool F150 sounds good. I can drive a stick but my g/f can't . How are the automatics on the F150s? EDIT: how are Ford Broncos? aren't they based on the F150 platform so they should be pretty good too? Last edited by Chainblade; 12-26-2007 at 05:53 PM..
	Main PC: AMD Sempron 3100+, Geforce FX5500 128MB, 1GB RAM, Sony SDM-S81 18inch LCD Monitor, Ubuntu 8.04 Storage PC: Intel Pentium 4 2.26Ghz, Geforce FX5500 128MB, 1GB RAM, 1TB USB 2.0 Hard Drive, Windows XP Pro SP3 Gaming PC: Pentium 4 3.0Ghz, Geforce 7800 256MB, 2GB RAM, Dell E207WFP 20inch LCD Monitor, Windows XP Pro SP3 Work PC: Macbook Pro Personal Phone: T-Mobile MDA Work Phone: AT&T Tilt Vehicle: 1992 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4, 31x10.5x15 Tires, 1994 Rims, Flowmaster 40 Exhaust

12-27-2007, 07:07 AM	permanent link to #20
JustinL Tweak Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,519 (#65 ) My photos: 1 Thanked 3x in 2 posts	Bronco's are pretty good. Are you able to do work on your own? If you stick with an older car (say early 90s), you can most likely pick up a replacement tranny for cheap if the current one blows up. My friend just had a race built 600+hp turbo 400 built for around $800, which I imagine was a lot cheaper then your explorer. I don't know what trannys came in the fords, but the C4 and C6 have a good reputation AFAIK.
	Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch , Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. -Benjamin Franklin