Bang, no reverse!

[Josh P]

I remember Joney stating there is some rust on this vehicle. $4k might or might not be a wise investment for this specific explorer if it has rust issues.

 

[C420sailor]

Got it. Then I’d try to find a clean explorer

 

[Josh P]

Got it. Then I’d try to find a clean explorer

If this was my project, I'd be taking a trip somewhere where rust free cars live, south of Interstate 40.

 

[joney]

I remember Joney stating there is some rust on this vehicle. $4k might or might not be a wise investment for this specific explorer if it has rust issues.

Yeah, that's the catch! Around here even the 2010s, etc. have as much rust as mine. Previous owners took good care of it but it's the Rust Belt!

 

[joney]

Lot of miles and never rebuild (?), who can say what about the other gears?
All a matter of transmission fluid pressure, maybe the next issue is a blinking overdrive lamp
or slipping gears.
You are rely on a transmission shop?

I've had the overdrive light come on when putting it into gear for a couple of years now, have never had the transmission slip however. Wondering if the 4wd hi and low are affected by this??? We're getting snow and I'll have to crawl over some of it to move the truck tomorrow so they can plow.

 

[Josh P]

I've had the overdrive light come on when putting it into gear for a couple of years now, have never had the transmission slip however. Wondering if the 4wd hi and low are affected by this??? We're getting snow and I'll have to crawl over some of it to move the truck tomorrow so they can plow.

If it shifts into 4 wheel drive and moves under its own power, you're fine.

 

[joney]

If it shifts into 4 wheel drive and moves under its own power, you're fine.

Thanks! Hoping it does. May be tooling around with it starting April....when I can park it on the street.

 

[joney]

If it shifts into 4 wheel drive and moves under its own power, you're fine.

Update: I also have a working 1st gear. Was able to do a drive through the backyard snow piles in 4 high. Now to change that fan belt back to the old one as it's squealing full time. Hate to give up this truck, but have no idea how to DIY the transmission part!

 

[wollimann]

I've had the overdrive light come on when putting it into gear for a couple of years now, have never had the transmission slip however.

"Couple of years now", did you never had the time to take care for your car?

Hate to give up this truck, but have no idea how to DIY the transmission part!

There are only four ideas,
-take him to the yunkyard
-take him to a transmission shop
-buy a rebuild tranny and change it by yourself
-rebuild your tranny by yourself if possible

Decision is hard to find.
I would rebuild it by myself, it's not a rocket technology
and the cheapest way.

 

[joney]

"Couple of years now", did you never had the time to take care for your car?


There are only four ideas,
-take him to the yunkyard
-take him to a transmission shop
-buy a rebuild tranny and change it by yourself
-rebuild your tranny by yourself if possible

Decision is hard to find.
I would rebuild it by myself, it's not a rocket technology
and the cheapest way.

Wasn't sure what the OD off light meant. Have had O'Reilly check it for trouble codes and none ever show up. I'd press the OD button and the light would go off. As far as the tranny goes, I don't have 4K for the repair shop. Since I do have 1st gear, going to explore what all is needed to drop a transmission and if it can be done in a back yard. I don't have experience but my nephew is smart and may be able to help. Too cold to work on it now. But same nephew, and my niece's husband, just switched the serpentine belt back to the old one, and voila! no belt squealing! Plan on driving it around without the reverse as soon as I can park it on the street legally (Not allowed in winter, here)

 

[Josh P]

Wasn't sure what the OD off light meant. Have had O'Reilly check it for trouble codes and none ever show up. I'd press the OD button and the light would go off. As far as the tranny goes, I don't have 4K for the repair shop. Since I do have 1st gear, going to explore what all is needed to drop a transmission and if it can be done in a back yard. I don't have experience but my nephew is smart and may be able to help. Too cold to work on it now. But same nephew, and my niece's husband, just switched the serpentine belt back to the old one, and voila! no belt squealing! Plan on driving it around without the reverse as soon as I can park it on the street legally (Not allowed in winter, here)

If you're going to open it up and replace parts, it's all or nothing as in if you don't do it all you'll end up where your at now and nothing left in your wallet. If it was me, I'd bribe those family members that can remove the transmission and get the used one that has 41k miles on it. Rebuild the dying one.

 

[C420sailor]

This man speaks truth. You don’t “fix” a high mileage transmission. It needs a full rebuild, soup to nuts.

I’d do exactly what he says. Swap in a low mileage known good tranny and/or rebuild the existing. You’ll save a lot of money removing and reinstalling yourself (or having a family member do it) but you need to find a good tranny shop that will do “take out” rebuilds. Many won’t.

 

[joney]

This man speaks truth. You don’t “fix” a high mileage transmission. It needs a full rebuild, soup to nuts.

I’d do exactly what he says. Swap in a low mileage known good tranny and/or rebuild the existing. You’ll save a lot of money removing and reinstalling yourself (or having a family member do it) but you need to find a good tranny shop that will do “take out” rebuilds. Many won’t.

I wonder if anyone has ever swapped the transmission for a manual one

 

[Josh P]

I wonder if anyone has ever swapped the transmission for a manual one

Yes

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I wonder if anyone has ever swapped the transmission for a manual one

Its been done!!!!!

 

[joney]

Its been done!!!!!

Wondering if that would save $ or be a hassle. Have heard they are more reliable. Have thought of learning to drive stick.

 

[Josh P]

Wondering if that would save $ or be a hassle. Have heard they are more reliable. Have thought of learning to drive stick.

It's cheaper to manual swap. I did this with my 91 aerostar van. The benefit is better mpg and a transmission that will last longer than the automatic.

 

[joney]

It's cheaper to manual swap. I did this with my 91 aerostar van. The benefit is better mpg and a transmission that will last longer than the automatic.

Thanks, that was quick! Fix this one or get another, that's always the question. With my low budget, another used car could be about ready for major repairs like these, or it could be golden. Seems a bit of a crap shoot, LOL. But I do like my current Ex warts and all

 

[Josh P]

Thanks, that was quick! Fix this one or get another, that's always the question. With my low budget, another used car could be about ready for major repairs like these, or it could be golden. Seems a bit of a crap shoot, LOL. But I do like my current Ex warts and all

Parts gather for a manual swap, run what you got till it dies, save the manual transmission parts for another explorer in the future. We can help with the parts list.

 

[joney]

Parts gather for a manual swap, run what you got till it dies, save the manual transmission parts for another explorer in the future. We can help with the parts list.

You guys are the best! Still weird to be a newbie at fixing cars at my age, LOL