After getting my X, got some ?s...

[ZachMan]

I have a 2000 XLS 4-door 4x4 w/ 49k miles. There are some things I have noticed now since I have driven it a few days now:

- I can feel every bump in the road and also hear it. I plain on getting some Rancho RSX shocks, but I am wondering of the XLSs have less material between the carpet and floor than other models? I am thinking of spraying bedliner on the floor and put the carpet ontop of that....Anyways I just have alot of road noise and can feel everything on the road. I may need to look into new tires too.

- The engine and power steering seem loud too. I am mainly wondering if there is anyway to quite down the power steering? I was told its normal, but still it very loud.

- There are a few light light (like crickets) rattles in the cabin too. One seems to be somewhere on in the driverside door and for the life of me can't find whats doing it! It sounds almost like a loose speaker wire, but it does it even when the sound is off and it has no rythem at all to it.

Thats it right now.

 

[jimcom]

Hiya Zach,
I'm converting over to RSX's as well when I get new tires, I'm betting new shocks and tires will help your first problem the most, I'm not sure that a bedliner would really do all that much, but hey if you got the money and time, it would be a unique mod. The most important thing to realize is, these are trucks we drive, and even though ford has done their best to give us a car like ride with the independent suspension, we are still going to feel the bumps. As a comparison, I have a 94 explorer as well as my 2000, that beast feels like the bottom is going to drop out whenever I hit a bump. Good ol TTB suspension, not only is it tough as nails, but makes you feel like your riding on rails as well Now my 2000 feels like it glides right over the bumps in comparison. It's all in one's perception really.

Secondly, I can't really comment on the power steering problem, since I haven't experienced it, but it could be as simple as you are low on fluid, or maybe even overfilled. Exactly what type of engine noise are we talking here, whines, rattles, whistles, explosions, give us some details and someone on here may be able to help you track down the problem.

Lastly, I also have the crickets in my explorer. It helps if you keep the windows up, then the crickets don't hop inside
Actually, I've got the same little creaks and you'll drive yourself nuts trying to find them, mine ended up being rusty parts rubbing together behind the backseat fold-down area. The next time you fold down your back seats, lift that thing up and take a look, I found all kinds of stuff the previous owner had stashed in there. As for the drivers side door, it could be a loose wire, but more likely its just the plastic lining of the interior thats rubbing against itself.
The best solution to annoying noises is.....turn the radio up a notch.

 

[ZachMan]

Thanks,

Yeah I know its a truck I have never owned a car, lol. I'll have to post about that if tires/new shocks don't do it.

The engine is just kinda loud, not loud as in problems (I don't think) just louder than any other vehicle I had including Jeeps and Trucks.

I am gonna check everything over good this weekend and see what all I find in and out of the X, lol. I will check the power steering fluid when I get my oil changed tommorow.

Zach

 

[TPLYNCH]

If you have the OHV 4.0, it is just a loud engine. Not much to be done about it....

 

[ZachMan]

If you have the OHV 4.0, it is just a loud engine. Not much to be done about it....

Yeah thats what I figured.

 

[TheJMan]

If you really want Rancho RSX shocks, then go for it, but I wholeheartedly recommend using Monroe Reflex shocks, especially if you drive it a lot on-road. They are a ton cheaper than Ranchos and use very similar (if not identical) technology.

I noticed that my old 4.0 was a lot quieter if I ran 10W-30 synthetic in it.

Good luck.

 

[ZachMan]

If you really want Rancho RSX shocks, then go for it, but I wholeheartedly recommend using Monroe Reflex shocks, especially if you drive it a lot on-road. They are a ton cheaper than Ranchos and use very similar (if not identical) technology.

I noticed that my old 4.0 was a lot quieter if I ran 10W-30 synthetic in it.

Good luck.

Is it OK to run Synthetic? I am afraid the rear main seal might start leaking etc. It did that on my '00 Jeep Cherokee when I switched, the stuff softens up the seals pretty good.

Thanks for the tip on the shocks, I guess I'll go with those, but I may go all out and get some OME shocks.

 

[TheJMan]

My 1993 Explorer was handed down to me from my parents. My dad always changed the oil and used conventional 10W-30. At 76,000 miles, I started using a 5W-30 synthetic, but I noticed a bit more valvetrain noise when cold. Next oil change I used M1 10W-30, and all was well. No leaks, now at 89,100 miles.

 

[aldive]

Is it OK to run Synthetic?

It sure is and its a wise move.

Good luck.....

 

[Mbrooks420]

Synthetic oils don't soften seals. They just have smaller, round, uniform molecules, instead of larger jagged coventional oil molecules, thats tend to have a tougher time getting through the seals. Ford power sterring pumps are usually very noisy. As for the ride, even with nice shocks,a nd new tires, it won't ride very well. The Explorers ride quality is lacking