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first post here.

I bought a 97 Ford Explorer 4.0 V6 SOHC 4x4 for $2000 around December last year. Just migrated to Canada and needing a vehicle for the winter season - and hobby. I figured I'd list the problems I have hoping to get suggestions on what to check, which one's to prioritize, and whether it's even worth spending repairs on. So here I ***

1. SUSPENSION PROBLEMS
It makes a deep grounding noise (kinda like a "Gronk" sound) OCCASIONALLY, when i go over a deep drop on the road (as opposed to a bump or a hole on the pavement - those are fine and doesn't cause the noise). I noticed that when this happens, lifting my foot from the pedal and letting the truck stabilize before accelerating would prevent this from happening. And that if I continue to put pressure on the pedal, it would go on for a couple of seconds until the vehicle stabilizes. An even better way of preventing it from happening is releasing the pedal even before I pass over the bump and letting it go over the bump before going for the pedal again.

I know I have to replace my shocks ASAP (before winter arrives), but I wonder if this is being caused by some other suspension problem. I'll check and replace the rods, ends and bushings when I do this, but they seem to still be okay.

The height, especially at the back, looks fine compared to others I see on the road wherein the back in dropped already, but I wonder whether it would be worth replacing the leaf springs.

2. STEERING
I can hear the pump work a couple of seconds later (after the first move), which I believe is a little delayed (about 3 seconds before I hear it work) and fluid is dark already. I did bleed it already, but it seems too dirty. It's not at all hard to steer, but I wonder what would be a good way of keeping it working or servicing it.

3. ENGINE
When I got it, the truck was starting rough and choking during acceleration coming from a stop or close to it. At first I thought it was a transmission problem (someone suggested I might starting at the wrong gear). But after I got a chance to do a tune up on it, I saw that one plug had a crack. Now it's running smoothly, but there is a knocking sound when idling. I believe it's coming from the fan which seems to have a forward-back play when running. Is this normal? I replaced the tensioner and one other pulley I don't know the name of, because they were the easiest to check and the tensioner was popped out already. The other one wasn't turning smoothly when I took it off, so I replaced it anyway - but these didn't stop the knocking (clonking sound). It's only during idling though.

4. BRAKES
The parking brake isn't adjusted properly (doesn't work) but I believe this has to do with the pads thickness right?

Screeching sound in the front discs, but these are obvious. Just can't get time to do this (and don't have jack stands yet) BTW, what would be a comfortable size of stands and alligator jacks to work with? I also have a newer Civic, so I'd like something I could use on both.

5. TRANSMISSION
4x4 Low feels like a drag. I've always had cars and never driven a 4x4, so I don't know if this is perfectly fine - I'm thinking it's supposed to be for low speeds anyway. But when I tried it on low and turned, there was a clunk. I believe this could be the CV joints right?

on 4x4 High, when putting on reverse, I think it doesn't want to engage properly (sounds like when you don't press on the clutch properly on manuals and try placing on reverse). No problems when in 4x4 Auto, except there is a slight delay when engaging D and R, and the shifts in gears are quite noticeable.

I know there's a problem with the U-joints so I'd try to find time for that as well.

There's some paint job needed, as the lower part of the rear doors, near the fender are rusted already (not too much), plus some other minor stuff.

I hope I described the problems well and hope to get suggestions on how to diagnose them, as well as which one's would be easier to do and prioritized. Just had it scanned and everything seems to be okay - just the misfire from the bad plug.

Thank you and I'll be checking back hoping I get help and suggestions. I'm in Calgary so referrals to body shops and more experienced technicians would be appreciated as well. Thanks a lot.