advice on a few replacement parts

[Savage22]

vehicle is a stock 1994 (when i say stock i mean it still has the stock shocks and everything.) 4wd. after changing over to manual hubs i noticed ALL ujoints on this truck appear to be toast. are the u joints in the axle shafts the same as the joints in the driveshafts?
I saw a few that were listed as replacements. I dont need the strongest u joint out there, just something new. This truck is not offroad at all. (its open front/rear)

does anyone know what the factory speaker sizes were? they need replaced terribly. This truck came with the "high end" (for 1994) speakers (cant recall the names) if that makes a difference. but they are on their last legs.

Also going to change the spark plugs soon, as i believe they are the stock ones too with 230,000 miles on them. :thumbdwn: whats a suggested plug. I dont need a racing plug or the cheapest one either.
ive read the rear passenger side plug can be gotten through the wheel well and to remove the air box. any other suggestions?

How about those shocks? good replacement?


one last thing, they dont make a small lift do they? Like a spacer lift do they? I know on my Jeep I did a small 2" spacer lift that was pretty easy to do. gonna stay away from a body lift, i would be scared at what id find!
sorry for all the q's in one post!


edit: forgot one! is there way to add a transmission temp gauge? Id like to be able to monitor that.

 

[gmanpaint]

vehicle is a stock 1994 (when i say stock i mean it still has the stock shocks and everything.) 4wd. after changing over to manual hubs i noticed ALL ujoints on this truck appear to be toast. are the u joints in the axle shafts the same as the joints in the driveshafts?
I saw a few that were listed as replacements. I dont need the strongest u joint out there, just something new. This truck is not offroad at all. (its open front/rear)

does anyone know what the factory speaker sizes were? they need replaced terribly. This truck came with the "high end" (for 1994) speakers (cant recall the names) if that makes a difference. but they are on their last legs.

Also going to change the spark plugs soon, as i believe they are the stock ones too with 230,000 miles on them. :thumbdwn: whats a suggested plug. I dont need a racing plug or the cheapest one either.
ive read the rear passenger side plug can be gotten through the wheel well and to remove the air box. any other suggestions?

How about those shocks? good replacement?


one last thing, they dont make a small lift do they? Like a spacer lift do they? I know on my Jeep I did a small 2" spacer lift that was pretty easy to do. gonna stay away from a body lift, i would be scared at what id find!
sorry for all the q's in one post!


edit: forgot one! is there way to add a transmission temp gauge? Id like to be able to monitor that.

Depending on your needs and expectations of your rig, there are a variety of options. I would at least go a step better than stock on some things.

Spicer U-joints are fine, just ask the parts counter person for them, they will give you the proper replacements.

Speaker size is 5"x7" or 6"x8" either or will fit.

Motorcraft plugs for the spark plugs, can be purchased about anywhere. Removing the plastic wheel liner tub will give you more room to change the plugs as well.

Monroe sense-a-trac shocks are better than stock and can be had for $20/pc.

Installing a set of coil spacers from a F-150 will give you close to 2" lift up front, and a set of shackles on the rear leaf springs will give close to the same. After you get a wheel alignment, you can then go with 31" tires for a little more lift.

This is your freebie info post, next time use the search feature in the related forums You can find the info for the trans temp gauge using "Search"

 

[Tony H]

The 'U' joints on the axles are different sizes then those on your driveshaft. I believe that was the question.

Plugs Autolites ASP765 are basic Copper plugs. gap to .054 If these plugs have been in there for years, I suggest spraying a little Kroil or BBlaster ( not WD40. that stuff is useless Fishoil) on the plugs about 1 hour before taking them out. A 12" extension with a swivel on the end will be a great help for getting the rear Passenger side plug out from the Fender well. take the tire off.

 

[Savage22]

Depending on your needs and expectations of your rig, there are a variety of options. I would at least go a step better than stock on some things.

Spicer U-joints are fine, just ask the parts counter person for them, they will give you the proper replacements.

Speaker size is 5"x7" or 6"x8" either or will fit.

Motorcraft plugs for the spark plugs, can be purchased about anywhere. Removing the plastic wheel liner tub will give you more room to change the plugs as well.

Monroe sense-a-trac shocks are better than stock and can be had for $20/pc.

Installing a set of coil spacers from a F-150 will give you close to 2" lift up front, and a set of shackles on the rear leaf springs will give close to the same. After you get a wheel alignment, you can then go with 31" tires for a little more lift.

This is your freebie info post, next time use the search feature in the related forums You can find the info for the trans temp gauge using "Search"

i did do some searching actually, thats why i knew to take the airbox etc out to get to the plug. I couldnt find anything on suspension lists, i didnt see any dedicated "sticky" concerning suspension lifts/sizes etc. Mostly were 4-6" lifts which i dont need.
This vehicle is stock and will remain pretty stock, dad didnt do any maintenance aside from oil changes in the decade or so that he had it. I just need this to last me a few more years.
thanks for the information though!

 

[Savage22]

The 'U' joints on the axles are different sizes then those on your driveshaft. I believe that was the question.

Plugs Autolites ASP765 are basic Copper plugs. gap to .054 If these plugs have been in there for years, I suggest spraying a little Kroil or BBlaster ( not WD40. that stuff is useless Fishoil) on the plugs about 1 hour before taking them out. A 12" extension with a swivel on the end will be a great help for getting the rear Passenger side plug out from the Fender well. take the tire off.

i figured they would be different, would be too easy to be the same part
we've got plenty of extensions etc here in the shop so i should be able to get to it one way or the other.

 

[Tbars4]

...This should help for a trans temp gauge...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225103

..If you had your location under your name would help...I have a good set of stock speakers...

 

[Savage22]

some of the pics are missing but yes that gauge idea is just what i was thinking. however, why could you not just "T" off before the cooler?

 

[Tbars4]

...From the first post of that thread, but there is other info on why to be found in that thread too...

"...So far so good...On the brief first 7 mile trip in stop and go city traffic my temp went up to 180*-182*...I have confirmed that this is the proper tranny operating temp reading for an A4LD ...I also know that the best place to get a true tranny temp reading is from the pan.."

 

[gmanpaint]

I couldnt find anything on suspension lists, i didnt see any dedicated "sticky" concerning suspension lifts/sizes etc. Mostly were 4-6" lifts which i dont need.

If you don't see a sticky on something your looking for, it does not mean it is not there. There is a search feature in every sub-forum, type in what your looking for, and hit enter. There is hundreds if not thousands of posts concerning any size or type of lift for a 1st gen such as yours. It took me a while to get it down, and I still get frustrated looking for some things, but I know the answer is here somewhere. Just have to keep on plugging away till it comes up