what type of starter do i need, post or spade?

If memory serves there were two different V6 engines available and one V8, And two trannys. Talk to the manager. You may have to purchase the starters available with the understanding you can bring back the one's you cannot use, since your original starter seems to have already been shipped off for rebuilding. But here is a good rule of thumb. Never turn in the old starter for the core credit before installing the new one. Always compare. The same happened to me while changing a cracked plastic thermostat housing on a 2003 V6. The clerk looked up the part and placed the new one on the counter. When I compared it to the old one it was different. Comparing 2002 with 2004 housings it was learned the housing I had in the 2003 was for a 2004 V6. The clerk stated this happens with some frequency. Usually when looking up the part the catalog will list different parts for engines bearing vin code E and vin code F, for an example.

Being curious I went to Autozone's web site. If your explorer is a 4 wheel drive there appears to be to V6 engines available Code E and Code X. Compare the starter you have with the vin number on your vehicle. The all wheel drive explorer appears to only have come in the V8 configuration. The site does not request tranny info.