According to my Haynes repair manual :
For the 4.0 liter OHV / pushrod style engine used in a 1996 Ford Explorer :
( YES , in order to remove the timing chain cover you have to remove the oil
pan , which involves removing the engine from the vehicle )
Your 4.0 L - OHV - V6 engine has a timing CHAIN
The Explorer 4.0 does not have a timing belt. Both the regular 4.0 or SOHC model have timing chains. The SOHC, I think has the timing chain at the back of the engine.
No. Timing belt replacement is possible in vehicle.
The Ford Explorer engines use a timing CHAIN
According to my Haynes Ford Explorer repair manual : On the 4.0 liter OHV / pushrod style engine , in order to remove the timing chain cover you have to remove the oil pan which involves removing the engine
Yes, you have to remove the camshaft from the engine to replace the timing gear. The timing gear is pressed both on and off of the camshaft using an arbor or other suitable press. Since there is not room to remove the camshaft in the car the engine has to be out of the car.
In a 2002 Ford Explorer : The 4.0 liter V6 engine has ( 3 timing CHAINS ) The 4.6 liter V8 engine has ( 2 timing CHAINS )
Timing chains have no scheduled replacement they are designed to last the life of the engine. Timing belts have replacement intervals
Directly behind the timing chain cover which is attached to the engine, on the passenger side of the engine. It is completely sealed so you cannot see it at all unless you remove the cover. It should not need replacement unless you are having a problem that can be attributed to the timing (there is no preventive maintenance replacement interval).
On a 2007 Ford Explorer : The 4.0 liter SOHC , V6 engine has ( 3 timing CHAINS ) The 4.6 liter , V8 engine has ( 2 timing CHAINS )
you have to pull the engine out. there is a timing cassette on the back which is not accessible while the engine is in the car. It also requires a number of special tools. Unless you plan on doing it multiple times and have a good deal of automotive experience, I would recommend taking it to a shop. If you mess up on timing the engine you will have major engine damage.
The 4.0 liter SOHC , V6 engine in a 2002 Ford Explorer has ( 3 ) timing CHAINS