Engine shuts off while driving

***UPDATE***

Electrical tests indicate that the battery is good and the alternator is charging steady at 14V. Intermittent alternator fault suggested. Battery indicator on dash is good at half way. When stationary and rev sharp up to 4-5000 rpm and then throttle released engine drops down to near stalling with battery meter going right down only to quickly correct back to normal. Lights and radio lights dim when hits near stalling. Recovery almost straight away. Mechanic suggested slight leak on the manifold area explains 'popping' noise and an electrical fault will screw up the ignition. Also indicated that an alternator fault would cause the vehicle to behave erratic as described. Seeking electrical mechanic Monday. Any advice as to fault greatly welcomed!

Thanks Medic. Read about disconnecting the battery to reset the computers might help. And the erratic gauges sounds right. Also just reading up remember smelling a hot smoldering plastic smell after drives. I thought it was normal on these Big cars (Im used to 2 litre alfa romeos in the UK!), But turns out it can be erratic charging from the alternator if bad connections or diodes gone causing an AC leak into the DC circuits. I think we're onto the fault here but still appreciate everyone's thoughts and input! Going to check the wires in the morning as lost the light now and maybe replace the alternator if the connections are good. BTW, lol on the call for help. I always get that from the family members in the UK. And you can do tons of work on an engine but it'll be the cheap new wing mirror that brings the wow face. Doh!

*** UPDATE - please help****

New symptom. Truck seems fine again and then boom. Local city driving and erratic speedo and loss of power. Also CLUTCH SEEMS TO SLIP ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - rpm counter spins up smoothly with accelerator depressed but no power and then grips again. Managed to get to a garage and then surprise surprise. It starts working fine again. TRANSMISSION / ALTERNATOR?

Electrical Mechanic gets back to me indicating that its all down to the Over Drive (O/D). The O/D hasnt worked since I got it and not to familiar with it on the automatic gearbox. Numerous little things have gone like bulbs in the dash but apparently its to blame for everything? Cheap repair anyhows and cheaper than an alternator or transmission thats for sure! We'll see how it goes. Thanks to all for help and especially for the wiring diagram!

Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Ford Explorer V8

Explorer shuts down. Beeping noise from behind radio and ABS light on dash comes on. Prior to this happening the headlights dim till car shuts down. Cannot restart but have to jump. Replaced the ABS and worked for few days then shuts down again. Ssame as before. Battery connection? Alternator?

Updated 12/10/09
2CarPros team:
Thank you for your response.
Mechanic said the battery was completely dead. On our first visit because the ABS light came on with the beeps suggested the ABS was faulty causing the computer to shut the car down. Replaced that unit at minimal cost. The car shut down again and this time as per your answers mechanic said the battery cables terminals were loose on the battery. They seemed tight to us. We had just purchased that battery from Advance Auto Parts last spring.
It was over a $100 battery. Either way, he replaced the cable terminals, checked the grounding and put a full charge on the battery. Also checked the alternator and said that was ok. He had wanted to replace the battery with a 'more powerful' one.
(Interstate) We opted for the full charge.
So far the car is doing ok but noticed when returning from the garage that the voltage needle points towards LOW rather than staying in the middle.
Sometimes it goes back to the middle but drops again. Let's see what happens to this old clunker. Again thanks.

I can either be sitting or driving and the engine will just stop. All electrical is still works. I have to stop and turn the car off and wait for a few minutes and then it will start back up. Some time it happens 3 times in a day or I may go for days before it will happen again. I will not go on the freeway because of this. Any help with this problem will be great.
1995 Ford Explorer limited 6 cyl 4.0l

Why does my 1995 ford explorer shut down when I drive it for about 10 minutes? Could it be my fuel filter?

Yeah it starts right up but when I put it in drive it stalls back out. I have to wait about 30 minutes before it will move again

Engine stalls after about 30 minutes of running. Seems like when engine and componets are warmed up that is when it stalls. It will not restart for about 45 to 60 minutes later

Yes I can hear the fuel pump and know there is no spark when this happens. I actually removed the coil pack to cool it down just in case it might be it but as far as it getting hot and not working, this is not it. If it has no spark should I still check for fuel

The only time the check engine light comes on is when the engine stalls as all the other lights as well. When I turn the key I can hear a consistant sound that sounds like a pump