My 97 is going great. It has about 62000 on it now and I know I need to start replacing the parts before they go bad. Here is a partial list of items I need what am I leaving out and what should I be getting to first. I expect the first of the year to be getting back to a somewhat regular off road "easy" schedule.

Tires
Plugs
Wires

dont forget to get a 5 inch lift and add some 33's. LOL
u should replace whatever hoses you can because they might look fine outside, but hoses usually corrode from inside out. good luck.

-ken :us:

OSAMA :shoot:

Ken,

I was going to fix whats needed then add the lift and other stuff. I just dont think I am going to have enough money to do it all at once

I think tires are a personal thing. Do you want aggresive tread or smooth highway comfort? I personally do a ton of city and highway so I am looking at Michelin's LTX for my next tire.

Plugs, a lot of guys use Bosch +4s but a few of them are not that impressed. I use Motorcraft Platinums (about $5 each) from Ford Parts Network. Wires, go with some good ones like Jacobs, Accel or Magnecor (I use these.) They aren't cheap, anywhere from $50-100. But they last longer.

I totally agree with Aldive about synthetics. Well proven to run cleaner and last longer, lower temps etc...
They should be in the diff, trans, power steering, oil. Just about anything that takes fluid, except your stomach:nono: :D

I have regular Bosch Platinums and Autozone brand plug wires. They work very well in my '95.

I'll add to the above mentioned. I'd change the fuel filter, and flush the cooling system and change the hoses. I would also have the tranny flushed and filled with synthetic fluid. If synthetic is out of your budget, at least get it changed with some fresh regular fluid.

I got a quote for $150 - $200 for a tranny flush and to change the rear end oil using synthetic. Synthetic is $12.45 per qt. Does that sound decent? I have a friend with a lift in his garage. He is a mechanic at a dodge dealer so I'm gonna ask him if he can do it with me helping him. I'll pay him and all but it will be cheaper if he will do it.

The front and rear axles are already filled with synthetic oil that do not need changing until 100K, unless it has been submerged in water.

Look for your service guide. It has the information on whatever you need to have the maintenance done.

If you don't have the manuals, sign up for one for you to download at http://www.ownerconnection.com

Originally posted by 98FordX24
[B] Synthetic is $12.45 per qt. Does that sound decent? B]

No way, my friend, I paid $6.30 a quart for Amsoil 0w30 Series 2000. I got it from AgExplorer.

yeah.. My amsoil purchase ran almost $7 a quart.

I realize that you CAN get it cheaper. This is the markup for having it done. I think I'm gonna buy the oil is a 5 gal. bucket. My dad can get it from his work at cost. Then ask my neighbor, who used to be a ford mechanic, if he is interested in making a few bucks. He has a lift in his garage and does work on the side.

You don't need a lift to change the oil. I have a set of drive up ramps. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes.

Originally posted by 98EBV8
The front and rear axles are already filled with synthetic oil that do not need changing until 100K, unless it has been submerged in water.

Look for your service guide. It has the information on whatever you need to have the maintenance done.

If you don't have the manuals, sign up for one for you to download at http://www.ownerconnection.com

Ford does not fill the front axle up with synthetic fluid. The rear will only be filled up with sythetic fluid his has a 4.10, limited slip or V8. If Ford didn't put synthetic in the differentials, then the 100K change interval applies. If Ford put in synthetic fluid, the according to Ford it is filled for life unless the axles are submerged in water. I would still change it though.

Originally posted by aldive
You don't need a lift to change the oil. I have a set of drive up ramps. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes.
Please explain...
are you talking about changing the tranny fluid?

Originally posted by 98FordX24

Please explain...
are you talking about changing the tranny fluid?

No, notor oil, I have the trannt fkushed vua a nachine at my kicak Juffy Lube,

yeah, I can do the engine oil but i cant do the tranny. do you need a machine to flush it?

Originally posted by 98FordX24
yeah, I can do the engine oil but i cant do the tranny. do you need a machine to flush it?

Not essential, but much easier, I dio not wish ro do this task.

Gotcha... My tranny is 10 qts. Yours is 9.5 qts. (I think). How many qts. did it take to do the complete flush? (I feel like I'm back in algebra.) Do you have any advice for changing the rear end fluid to synthetic?

Originally posted by aldive
You don't need a lift to change the oil. I have a set of drive up ramps. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes.

Or if you're as skinny as I am, you don't even need to put it on ramps. I just use my "cardboard creaper" (I just lie down on a pig piece of cardboard.) and go to town under my truck. If I wasn't Chinese and was bilt a little bigger (more muscular) my nose might actually touch the front crossmember. :D

I'm lowered 2" and if I try hard enough I can get under it without ramps or anything. I dont think I could change the oil like that though. When I do change the oil I park it in this one spot in my driveway where the grade changes which give me more room.

Originally posted by Robert


Ford does not fill the front axle up with synthetic fluid. The rear will only be filled up with sythetic fluid his has a 4.10, limited slip or V8. If Ford didn't put synthetic in the differentials, then the 100K change interval applies. If Ford put in synthetic fluid, the according to Ford it is filled for life unless the axles are submerged in water. I would still change it though.

How can I find out if the axles are filled with synthetic?

About the 100K interval, I read through the Police/Taxi section of the guide. So, it seems that the axles are lubricated for life, unless the axles are submerged in water.

But the guide is not clear on which vehicles have the synthetic lube. It does say that Ford design light-truck axles do have synthetic lube in it.


Here is the information from the 1998 Explorer Service Guide:

"Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life. These lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service required or the axle assembly has been submerged in water. The
axle lubricant should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in water.

Non-synthetic rear axle lubricants should be replaced every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, during extended trailer tow operation above 21 Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient
and wide open throttle for extended periods above 72 km/h (45 mph). The 5,000 km (3,000 mile) lube change interval may be waived if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear lubricant meeting Ford
specification WSL-M2C192–A, part number F1TZ-19580–B or equivalent.

Add 118 ml (4 oz) of additive friction modifier C8AZ-19B546–A (EST-M2C118–A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear axles. The rear axles lubricant should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in water.

Light duty trucks equipped with Ford design front axles are lubricated for life. These lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service required or the axle assemble has been submerged
in water. The axle lubricant should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in water."

Who changes diff lube every 3,000? Thats crazy. Does your truck have a limited slip? If it does it has synthetic.

I was mistaken regarding the limited slip. It is possible to get a limited slip with conventional fluid if the Explorer has a V6 and a ratio other than a 3.73 or 4.10. There is a tag on the rear differential that will state "synthetic fluid required" if Ford put it in and no one removed your tag. BTW, all front differentials get "Motorcraft SAE 80W90 Axle Lubricant". The following came directly from my '97 Owner's Manual:

"1) 4.0 L Explorer Conventional and Traction-lok rear axles are filled with XY-80W90–QL, Ford specification WSP-M2C197–A.

2) 5.0 L Explorer Conventional and Traction-Lok rear axles are filled with Motorcraft Premium Synthetic rear axle lubricant, F1TZ-19580–B, Ford specification WSL-M2C192–A.

3) Vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC or 4.0L EFI engines and 3.73 or 4.10 rear axle ratios or 5.0L engines require synthetic rear axle lubricant. Rear axles containing synthetic lubricant are lubricated for life. These lubricants are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service required or the axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any time the axle has been submerged in water. For Traction-Lok rear axles, add 4 ounces of additive friction modifier C8AZ-19B546-A, Ford specification EST-M2C118–A, whenever the lubricant is changed."

Hi Robert,
Now that the front axle are not filled with synthetic lube, then must I immediately start changing with every oil change? The maintenance schedule on both the booklet and online do not reflect on either diffs. I have over 25K on my '98 V8 with 3.73 limited slip.

You said that there is a tag on the rear diff indicating the type of fluid used. Is there one for the front also? Exactly where would they place them with all the crud under there?

Your excerpts from the 1997 Service Guide didn't mention specifcally about the front diff as the 1998s does, "Light duty trucks equipped with Ford design front axles are lubricated for life."

Maybe our front axles are not of Ford's design, but made by Dana. Or it's the same either way, with Dana as Ford's supplier?

There is no reason to change the axle lube before 30,000 miles IMO. Unless you sink it! A lot of people never change it. We had 140,000 in our 1991.

No, you don't need to change your fluid every oil change unless you have a trailer permanently attached to your Explorer. According to Ford the increased frequency schedule is for frequent towing. There isn't a tag on the front differential since they all came with the same fluid. Ford put the tag on the rear to differentiate between the two fluids they use. I would stick to the schedule in your Owner's Manual although it won't hurt anything to change the fluid at 100K especially if you ocassionally submerge your axle in water. My rear fluid (which is synthetic) was changed at about 60K when I had my rear wheel bearings replaced. My front has never been opened. I have 92.5K on it now and will give it some serious consideration to changing it this fall when the temperature drops. My Owner's Manual calls for regular 80W90 conventional gear oil for all of the fronts differentials in '97.

Thanks MBrooks and Robert on the question. I guess I don't need to worry for long. There is no maintenance interval on both axles on mine either in normal or severe duty, but I will look into changing in 100K miles. (that will be another 75K miles or 15 years :D )

Shane