Welcome!
I agree, a straight swap would be about right. A lot of well-maintained high-mileage Explorers are going for barely over $4k.
The 1996 Q45 is lacking variable valve timing (available on all other Q45s from 1989-1995). On the plus side, its easier to diagnose certain problems thanks to OBD II. Most of the strange reliability quirks from 1990 onward have been worked out.
Metallic brown is an old fashioned but very elegant color. I dont have any photos of it handy, maybe there's some in
http://q.spilky.com/random. In some angles or certain kinds of light, it looks maroon or burgundy.
There's ECU upgrades, but I don't know if the 1996 Q45 can utilize them.
Install a transmission cooler ASAP, drain/fill or flush the tranny fluid, change the tranny filter, use OEM air filters (to protect MAF), and fix things early. You'll be good for 250k. Enjoy the ride!