91 Explorer 4x4 been sitting for about five years...

[SouffléGirl]

We are looking at picking up a 91 Explorer 4x4 that has been sitting for about five years. Aside from the usual things like fluids (gas, oil, coolant, tranny fluid, brake fluid, blinker fluid , etc), plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil and fuel filter, and battery, as well as bleeding the brakes, is there anything else specific to these vehicles that we should look into before we try to start it back up? We recently got a Camaro going that had been sitting for a couple of years, but we've never done one that has sat for five. The current owner is a family member, and he was just going to part it out and then scrap the rest. We're trying to save it and get it back on the road where it belongs. We know it was parked because the tranny was slipping, but we'll tackle that after we get it running again. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[mr cribb]

Check for excessive rust being as the truck lives in the salt zone. By this I mean your hard lines, such as brake and fuel which you probably know that.

Radius arm bushings, shocks, wheel bearings.

No need to worry about cap and rotor (doesn't have one), it only has one coil pack, and those rarely quit.

 

[Tbars4]

...I would definitely start shopping for an "A4LD" trans asap if you plan to keep it automatic or start shopping for a complete manual swap which is a better long term route..

 

[SouffléGirl]

Check for excessive rust being as the truck lives in the salt zone. By this I mean your hard lines, such as brake and fuel which you probably know that.

Radius arm bushings, shocks, wheel bearings.

No need to worry about cap and rotor (doesn't have one), it only has one coil pack, and those rarely quit.

From what we were told the truck has only seen one IL winter on the road before it was parked. It spent the first part of its life in Mississippi. But it's not a bad thing to check anyway.

And thanks for the info on the coilpack. We're used to dealing with my husband's 92 Ranger 3.0 and didn't realize the 4.0 was that different besides size.

 

[SouffléGirl]

...I would definitely start shopping for an "A4LD" trans asap if you plan to keep it automatic or start shopping for a complete manual swap which is a better long term route..

Yeah, we've already been looking around at replacements. We've even considered rebuilding it ourselves, but never having done a tranny rebuild, we're not sure we're up to the task.

For now we'll probably keep it auto just to get it on the road. In the future... Who knows?

 

[2000StreetRod]

soak the piston rings

I suggest pulling the spark plugs and spraying in penetrating oil or pouring in Sea Foam to soak the piston rings for a few days before cranking the engine. Sometimes the rings rust to the cylinder walls. After soaking rotate the crankshaft manually with the plugs still out. If it turns freely then crank it with the starter to blow out left over penetrant. Then change the oil since it will have been contaminated with the penetrant that seeps past the rings.

 

[SouffléGirl]

I suggest pulling the spark plugs and spraying in penetrating oil or pouring in Sea Foam to soak the piston rings for a few days before cranking the engine. Sometimes the rings rust to the cylinder walls. After soaking rotate the crankshaft manually with the plugs still out. If it turns freely then crank it with the starter to blow out left over penetrant. Then change the oil since it will have been contaminated with the penetrant that seeps past the rings.

Good advice. Since we obviously have to change the plugs and wires, this should be easy to do. Thanks!

On a side note: Since the truck has been sitting, there are definitely bugs inside, and possibly critters of the four legged furry variety. Any suggestions on cleaning it out besides a vacuum, bug spray, soap and water, and maybe a mouse trap or two?