96firephoenix
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 14, 2015
- Messages
- 632
- Reaction score
- 55
- City, State
- Indianapolis, IN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Ford Explorer XLT
I just wanted to start this thread for some basic issues/findings about my explorer...
First off: yes, it is a 5-speed manual. Yes I know how uncommon they are.
Second: I've got an issue with the shifter where sometimes it just won't go into gear. If I let off the clutch with the shifter in neutral, it will usually go in. This only happens in 1-2-3 and R, in that order of frequency. Most of the time it feels like there is something in the shifter. I'm thinking maybe a bad synchro, but engine and vehicle speed have little to no bearing on this issue.
Third: I think I may have an aftermarket sunroof. Does anyone know if there was a company doing those? There is a logo on the shade, can't quite read it without cleaning the 13 years of dirty hand gunk first... but the drains are 0% like the ones I've seen in the junkyards as far as fit and finish. they look like something that an idiot put together. It's also possible that it is just a replacement unit for a factory install. there is water damage to the headliner, but no leaks in heavy rain or in a carwash. There's no overhead console though, and all the ones in junkyards have them, and a switch that looks like the window switches. The switch I have is rather plain and doesn't look/feel like something ford made.
I can't really load pictures at the moment... I'm using the wife's laptop, and it doesn't handle much of anything, let alone uploading large jpegs
Repairs I've done so far: Replace rear bumper cover and taillights, replace headlight support and 1x headlight housing, replace RR window motor, brakes & tires all 4 corners (took to a shop)
Repairs it still needs: wheel bearings, parking brake cables, headliner, front bumper cover, paint job, running boards refinish
Modifications in progress: 2" bumper hitch with 7-blade RV plug from mountaineer, 4-flat retained with splices and carefulness; F-150 tow hooks (hooks and bumper hitch pending paint drying); BWM (when I get the wiring sorted for my own way)
Goodies that I want and need help finding: Brush guard that goes through fog lamp holes or the faux fog-lamp-blockoffs on the XLS bumper.
I'm by no means new to wrenching, or Fords, or wrenching on Fords. I've had 2 rangers, an escort and a pontiac firebird that I"ve done lots of work on...
Pictures added from early days of owning...
I've replaced the light housing and the support, but bumper cover is still broken.
Broken rear bumper and mounty taillights (all the junkyard had):
Back end after getting some Ex taillights and a bumper cover:
First off: yes, it is a 5-speed manual. Yes I know how uncommon they are.
Second: I've got an issue with the shifter where sometimes it just won't go into gear. If I let off the clutch with the shifter in neutral, it will usually go in. This only happens in 1-2-3 and R, in that order of frequency. Most of the time it feels like there is something in the shifter. I'm thinking maybe a bad synchro, but engine and vehicle speed have little to no bearing on this issue.
Third: I think I may have an aftermarket sunroof. Does anyone know if there was a company doing those? There is a logo on the shade, can't quite read it without cleaning the 13 years of dirty hand gunk first... but the drains are 0% like the ones I've seen in the junkyards as far as fit and finish. they look like something that an idiot put together. It's also possible that it is just a replacement unit for a factory install. there is water damage to the headliner, but no leaks in heavy rain or in a carwash. There's no overhead console though, and all the ones in junkyards have them, and a switch that looks like the window switches. The switch I have is rather plain and doesn't look/feel like something ford made.
I can't really load pictures at the moment... I'm using the wife's laptop, and it doesn't handle much of anything, let alone uploading large jpegs
Repairs I've done so far: Replace rear bumper cover and taillights, replace headlight support and 1x headlight housing, replace RR window motor, brakes & tires all 4 corners (took to a shop)
Repairs it still needs: wheel bearings, parking brake cables, headliner, front bumper cover, paint job, running boards refinish
Modifications in progress: 2" bumper hitch with 7-blade RV plug from mountaineer, 4-flat retained with splices and carefulness; F-150 tow hooks (hooks and bumper hitch pending paint drying); BWM (when I get the wiring sorted for my own way)
Goodies that I want and need help finding: Brush guard that goes through fog lamp holes or the faux fog-lamp-blockoffs on the XLS bumper.
I'm by no means new to wrenching, or Fords, or wrenching on Fords. I've had 2 rangers, an escort and a pontiac firebird that I"ve done lots of work on...
Pictures added from early days of owning...
I've replaced the light housing and the support, but bumper cover is still broken.
Broken rear bumper and mounty taillights (all the junkyard had):
Back end after getting some Ex taillights and a bumper cover:
