Q&A

From what you're describing, I would check the MAF sensor, throttle position sensor, then move deeper. From experience with my 01 explorer, those symptoms were a combination of dirty MAF sensor, vacuum leak from intake manifold gaskets. Clean the MAF with carb cleaner (be gentle with it) by removing it from intake body and let it dry before re-install, it may be beyond a cleaning though. Manifold gaskets made a HUGE difference, they are very cheap and straight forward to replace but plan on several hours of downtime. Which "flow meter sensor" did you replace and did anything change better or worse?