1997 Ford Explorer: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

17 builds left the factory as a 1997 Explorer, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 10 main configurations
  • 2,228 vehicles built
  • 4 for sale right now

Which Explorer is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Explorer

What actually differs

XLT · AWD XL 1FMDU34X-V XL 1FMDU32X-V XL 1FMDU32E-V
Engine 5L 8-cyl 4L 6-cyl 4L 6-cyl 4L 6-cyl
Power 211 hp 152 hp 152 hp —
For sale right now 2 1 — —
Vehicles built 647 425 305 303
Same on every 1997 Explorer
  • Drivetrain All-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
  • Doors 4-door
  • Typical price today $9,249
Cost to run

12/17 mpg city/highway. Roughly $3,320/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1997 Explorer

Safety, in plain English

What 1FMDU34X-V means

1FM DU34X · V
1FM
the World Manufacturer Identifier Ford registered — assembled in the United States
DU34X
together encode the Explorer line — Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), 4L 6cyl — as Ford filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
V
in position 10 — model year 1997
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
7 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Explorer?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.