There seems to be an unending stream of sport-utilities hitting showrooms. But none have come close to the popularity of Ford's Explorer. It has been so successful that there has been little inducement to change it. However, there are some improvements for 1998. A programming change in the four-wheel-drive system sends more power to the front wheels under hard acceleration to lessen the likelihood of the rear wheels slipping. The standard ABS has been massaged to improve control on slippery surfaces, with reduced noise and vibration when activated. The rack-and-pinion steering system has been refined for better on-center feel and quicker response. All models now have Ford's SecuriLock security system, which the company claims is virtually impossible to defeat. A simple three-position dial on the instrument panel controls the four-wheel-drive system. The normal mode is Auto. This mode continually monitors and adjusts power to the front wheels to minimize slip. The 4x4 High mode electronically locks the transfer case in high gear, providing a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels; this mode is primarily for driving off road or in extreme winter conditions. The 4x4 Low mode switches the transfer case to the lower gear ranges for serious off-roading. The Explorer offers an engine for everyone. Choices start with a 4.0-liter overhead-valve V6 rated at 160 horsepower. Next up is a 4.0-liter single overhead-cam V6 with 205 hp. And finally, the big 5.0-liter V8 makes 215 hp. Explorer permutations are numerable. They start with a basic two-door, two-wheel-drive XL at $20,405 (including destination), and stop with the four-door, 4WD Limited at more than $35,000. Our tester, a four-door XLT 4x4, equipped the way many are sold, sits in between the extremes at $29,585. That includes the 4.0-liter sohc V6, our recommendation, for $540. The V8, with a trailer-towing package and four-speed automatic, tacks on another $1600. All told, in ascending order of trim and price, there is Explorer XL, Sport, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. Deciding to buy an Explorer is not too difficult. Deciding which Explorer with which engine and which transmission could take an afternoon of brochure browsing.
Ford
Explorer
1998
1998 Ford Explorer
Change vehicle or year
Expert Rating
Unavailable
Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.
Select a Trim Price: - From $19,880
1998 Sport 2dr 4x2
Select a Trim
1998 Sport 2dr 4x2
most popular
1998 XL 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $21,560
1998 Sport 2dr 4x4
Price: - From $22,725
1998 XL 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $23,480
1998 XLT 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $24,740
1998 XLT 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $26,745
1998 XLT 4dr All-wheel Drive
Price: - From $26,745
1998 Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $28,910
1998 Eddie Bauer 4dr All-wheel Drive
Price: - From $30,465
1998 Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $30,915
1998 Limited 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $31,715
1998 Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive
Price: - From $33,270
1998 Limited 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $33,720
Menu
Select a Trim Price: - From $19,880
1998 Sport 2dr 4x2
Select a Trim
1998 Sport 2dr 4x2
most popular
1998 XL 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $21,560
1998 Sport 2dr 4x4
Price: - From $22,725
1998 XL 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $23,480
1998 XLT 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $24,740
1998 XLT 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $26,745
1998 XLT 4dr All-wheel Drive
Price: - From $26,745
1998 Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $28,910
1998 Eddie Bauer 4dr All-wheel Drive
Price: - From $30,465
1998 Eddie Bauer 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $30,915
1998 Limited 4dr 4x2
Price: - From $31,715
1998 Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive
Price: - From $33,270
1998 Limited 4dr 4x4
Price: - From $33,720
Overview
Specs & Features
Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard:
4.0L V-6 / 160 HP / 225 ft.lbs.
Available:
4.0L V-6 / 205 HP / 250 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard:
5-spd man w/OD
Available:
5-spd auto w/OD
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
16 / 21 / 18 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
4
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque | Standard:
4.0L V-6 / 160 HP / 225 ft.lbs. Available:
4.0L V-6 / 205 HP / 250 ft.lbs. |
Drive Type | Rear-wheel |
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined | 16 / 21 / 18 Mpg |
Brakes | 4-wheel Disc |
Front Suspension | |
Rear Suspension | |
Spare Tire And Wheel | Full-size Steel |
Fuel Tank | 17.5 Gal. |
Recommended Fuel Type | Regular Unleaded |
Average Cost To Fill Tank | $67 |
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume | 69.4 Cu.ft. |
Passenger Volume | |
Exterior Length | 179.6 " |
Exterior Width | 70.2 " |
Exterior Height | 67.0 " |
Front Headroom | 39.9 " |
Rear Headroom | 39.1 " |
Front Legroom | 42.4 " |
Rear Legroom | 34.5 " |
Front Shoulder Room | 56.7 " |
Rear Shoulder Room | 57.9 " |
Front Hip Room | |
Rear Hip Room | |
Curb Weight | 3,692 Lbs. |
Wheel Base | 102 " |
Turning Radius | 17.3 ' |
Exterior Features
Door Count | 2 Doors |
Wheels | 15.0 " Silver Aluminum |
Paint | Monotone |
Exterior Mirrors | Dual Power Remote |
Bumpers | Black / Colored |
Grille Moldings | Body-colored |
Rear Spoiler | |
Exhaust | Non Stainless Steel |
Interior Features
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Rollover Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Front Impact Airbags | Driver And Passenger |
Driver Side Impact Airbags | |
Knee Airbag | |
Passenger Side Impact Airbag | |
Rear Side Airbag | |
Seatbelt Pretensioners | |
Anti-Lock Brakes | 4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs) |
Forward Collision Warning | |
Blind Spot Sensor | |
Lane Departure Warning | |
Autonomous Cruise Control | |
Pedestrian Detection | |
Driver Attention Alert | |
Daytime Running Lights | |
Auto High Beams | |
Adaptive Headlights | |
Parking Sensors | |
Security Systems | Security System |
Panic Alarm | |
Ignition Disable | Immobilizer |
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Major Components Months | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Included Maintenance Months | |
Roadside Assistance Months | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Corrosion Perforation | 60 Months / Unlimited Miles |
Accessories Months | 36 Months / 36,000 Miles |
Used 1998 Ford Explorer for Sale
Other Ford Explorer Listings
We have expanded the search to include other Ford Explorer years that you might be interested in.
Limited
Color: Black
Price
$26,985
Mileage
60,972 mi
Gardena Nissan (17 mi)
Phone: (424) 260-5446
XLT
Color: Oxford White
Price
$27,700
Mileage
39,944 mi
Cerritos Nissan (25 mi)
XLT
Color: Iconic Silver Metallic
Price
$24,500
Mileage
70,720 mi
Cerritos Nissan (25 mi)
Limited
Color: Stone Blue Metallic
Price
$44,988
Mileage
13,872 mi
Raceway Nissan (65 mi)
Phone: (951) 992-1849Insider Information
We have information you must know before you buy the Explorer. We want to send it to you, along with other pricing insights.
I agree to receive emails from CarsDirect. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you, and will never sell your email. Privacy Policy.
Thank you. You are now subscribed to our Pricing Insider updates.