Count-down to 100k miles!

[natenkiki2004]

Yes, it's an auto trans. Never been opened up, which is a little concerning.

Slap a Magnefine on that bad boy!

 

[Rhett]

Yes, it's an auto trans. Never been opened up, which is a little concerning.

Are you running 20 year old transmission fluid? Surely not, I bet the fluids been changed somewhere along the way (I hope).

 

[kmack]

Slap a Magnefine on that bad boy!

Interesting product! Hadn't heard of that, but I can see the benefits.

Are you running 20 year old transmission fluid? Surely not, I bet the fluids been changed somewhere along the way (I hope).

My wife's Uncle was pretty meticulous about the truck when he had it. I know he had some things done prior to the sale to my father-n-law, but I don't know to what extent. And unfortunately, I can't ask my FIL anymore... I check the fluid regularly and it is in good shape (not burnt).

I will be doing a filter change and full flush on the trans in the next month. Just need to make the time between other projects.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Interesting product! Hadn't heard of that, but I can see the benefits.

I will be doing a filter change and full flush on the trans in the next month. Just need to make the time between other projects.

I'd highly suggest putting on the Magnefine a while before you drop the pan. When you put it on, pump 2 quarts of fluid out (run the engine with the cooler line disconnected, into a container). Put the filter on and add 2 quarts of fluid. Drive that for a while (couple hundred miles) and if there's no issues, go for the pan and full fluid exchange.

Adding a small amount of fluid this way will start the cleaning process gently and the in-line filter will catch any crud that happens to get knocked loose. A big problem with older transmissions that aren't maintained (not saying yours isn't) is varnish. With Ford's crappy internal filter, it can let a lot of stuff flow in the fluid and clog things up or prematurely wear parts. The Magenefine is by far a much better filter and even at double the cost, it's well worth it to help the life of the trans.

 

[kmack]

Thanks for the idea Nate!
I was reading your thread on the spin-on filter for your trans. We used to have a '94 Ex that had the same 1-2 cold shift issue. I had a trans flush from a Ford dealer done back in the day and it really helped the issue. The extra benefit of the filter is spot on!

FWIW, in the early 90's I worked at a research facility and they had a contract with Ford to perform testing on the A4LD. Specifically trying to determine why it would not shift into Reverse at temps below -40*F. Why anyone would want to drive at those temps anyway is beyond me. But it was an interesting experience. Got a hold of a brand new '93 Ex (actually looked identical to mine) and cut up the floor in order to build a "cold box" around the trans. Like I said, interesting experience!

 

[Rhett]

What did they do, hook some tubes with really cold air to the "cold box"?

 

[2stroke]

Back when we actually had winters, I have driven in -36 degree weather with my 1994 explorer. I'm pretty sure it was a weekend, and I went ice fishing. The A4LD was the least of my concerns that day.

 

[kmack]

What did they do, hook some tubes with really cold air to the "cold box"?

Foam box built around the trans with liquid nitrogen to cool it. Didn't work too well at first. The heat generated from the engine and trans itself (not to mention South Tx heat) meant they could barely get it to freezing temp. Ultimately, we ran the trans by itself on a test-stand with a liquid nitrogen cooled box built around it. Pretty cool! Wish I had taken pictures. Myself, I got to run the trans pump by itself. I over-cooled the fluid one day and got it down to -140*+... I never knew trans fluid would turn to a gel!

As a general idea of what we did at that facility: We did a lot of transmission testing. Specifically, torque-loss testing. Which measures Torque In and Torque Out. The difference is the loss required to run (or turn) everything in the trans. Then we would take each and every individual component (down to the bearings themselves) and measure the torque required to turn them. Another side of our division did the same thing with engines. The idea was to give manufacturers ideas to make the trans/engines more efficient.

That was a great gig working part-time while I was in college. Even got to drive two M1-A tanks for 4 hrs...just to make sure they were running ok after sitting for 4 years!!! A gear-heads dream job!

 

[kmack]

Been driving the Ex this past week for work. So I got to put a "few" miles on it. I went back and looked at my oil change records and I've only put 3k miles on since June of 2016 (including the miles from this week)! The miles shown on the Trip Meter are from Friday (2/17) only as I had to drive from San Antonio to Corpus Christi for a meeting.

 

[kmack]

Just a quick update... Currently sitting at just over 3200 miles showing! Went out to the deer lease 2 weeks ago and got some good pics...

 

[CDW6212R]

Ken, that's still a nice truck with low mileage and about 24 years old.

I've got a spare instrument cluster from my old 93 that I cut up, to rebuild my 99. I can send that to you, so you can swap in the odometer, and brag you've got 112,622 miles on it then. My 91 XLT is for sale, and it's under 120k still, set for most of it's life. Keep driving it, they last longer with regular use. Regards,

 

[Mr. Alligator]

Nice truck! Just keep at the maintenance, one project at a time. Each project is a new challenge. With patience and tenacity, your truck will serve you well for many more years and miles, And you are in the right place.... This Forum has great information, and the members have endless wisdom.

Drive safe.

 

[kmack]

Just a little update on how little I actually drive this truck!

Odometer rolled past 100k on December 26, 2016. It is now just over 13 months since then, and it turned past 4100 this morning! That is on average, about 315 miles per month!

eh....I think I need to get her out on the road more often!

 

[CDW6212R]

Just a little update on how little I actually drive this truck!

Odometer rolled past 100k on December 26, 2016. It is now just over 13 months since then, and it turned past 4100 this morning! That is on average, about 315 miles per month!

eh....I think I need to get her out on the road more often!

That sounds better than my first Explorer, a 91 that had 108k when I got it. Now it's around 116k or so, and needs to be sold. I ran it a dozen days a year when I bought it, but about eleven years ago it had a trans seal leak that kept me from driving it.

You need to drive a car once a month for sure, 300 miles is plenty to keep it in good shape.

 

[kmack]

So, I headed out to the deer lease again this weekend. Went to go check my game camera. And here's a pic of what was seen...

I couldn't believe it! A very elusive, 1st-generation Explorer has been out roaming my property!
You very seldom see these out in the wild these days. So few remain in nature! This one appears to be well nourished and easily capable of sustaining it's current life style.
I only had the one picture, but I hope it keeps showing up. Such a great-looking version!

Currently sitting at just a tick over 4800 miles showing on the clock. Still running strong.
In the left-hand side of this pic, you can see the small hill and path we use to & from the feeder. It is loose gravel and a fairly steep incline. Perfect for making sure my 4WD is still in good working order.

 

[kmack]

Wow...
6 months later and I'm only showing 5,525 miles!

Headed out for my first hunt of this season on Thursday. I'll get to put some miles on her this weekend (slow & low-gear)!!!

 

[kmack]

Well, It finally happened! The week before Christmas I had to go get a state inspection which put a few miles on. But then yesterday I did a little more running around and she finally rolled over! It's kind of weird seeing all the 0's!

I had to pull over on the side of the road to memorialize this moment.
View attachment 311902

View attachment 311903

Almost 4 yrs later and still not yet showing 10k miles! This gives a pretty good idea of how little miles get put on this Explorer!
(Although I'll probably hit the 10k mark this weekend!)

 

[1991 sploder]

You get the same feelings going past 200k