dB2000
Member
- Joined
- April 27, 2019
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 3
- City, State
- San Diego
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2009 XLT
The 2009 Explorer was in excellent condition, inside and out, when I bought it 3 years ago, with 89k miles. It now has 122k miles on the 4 liter V6 that has the infamous 5R55S transmission. I have never replaced the transmission fluid or the transmission filter. I presume the two previous owners never did either. There is the old mechanic tale that if you have a transmission with over 100k miles and never changed the oil you should not change. And there is the Ford tale that the transmission oil is good for the life of the transmission.
On the 2500+ mile trip from Southern California to South Carolina I will be towing a trailer with a loaded trailer weight of 2200 to 2800 lbs. Trailer will not have brakes.
My gut feel is that I should change the transmission fluid and filter before I go. What say you?
The truck has a FoMoCo class III/IV hitch and the 3.73 differential. It has the transmission cooler. The whole truck all still seems to be in very good condition. The odd thing is it has 245 x60 R18 105h tires. Currently Cooper Evolution, H/T 245x60 R18 105H with m/s rating. Has lots of tread.
The repairs I have done or had done:
Replaced the brake switch and shift interlock module.
Replaced the $8 vacuum check valve for the Heater door.
Replaced spark plugs with double platinum plugs at 110k
Replaced the thermostat housing as it was leaking. Last Oct Replaced coolant with Zerex G05, 50/50 mix, at the same time as replacing the housing,
Replaced the left front-wheel bearing assembly. A few months ago.
Replaced the Front brake pads on both front wheels at the same time. But the mechanic gave back the old brake pads because there was hardly any wear on them.
Full synthetic oil changes every 7k to 10k miles.
Power steering fluid looks good and smells okay.
I am going to adjust the parking brake pads or replace the pads before I leave. I feel no resistance when I leave the parking brake on and drive off. It also feels like I am at the end of the travel of the brake pedal. Will replace rear disc brake pads if needed. Got the parts already.
Also,
The manual states that the brakes in the vehicle are designed for the GVWR of the truck, 6010 LB, and not the potential gross cargo weight which includes the trailer weight with all the other cargo and all people on board. It implies that you need to have trailer brakes for most trailers that you would tow. (I estimate that the curb weight of the truck would be about 4523 lbs) note that I am the only person on board.
So do you think this is a foolish thing to use a trailer that does not have brakes.
On the 2500+ mile trip from Southern California to South Carolina I will be towing a trailer with a loaded trailer weight of 2200 to 2800 lbs. Trailer will not have brakes.
My gut feel is that I should change the transmission fluid and filter before I go. What say you?
The truck has a FoMoCo class III/IV hitch and the 3.73 differential. It has the transmission cooler. The whole truck all still seems to be in very good condition. The odd thing is it has 245 x60 R18 105h tires. Currently Cooper Evolution, H/T 245x60 R18 105H with m/s rating. Has lots of tread.
The repairs I have done or had done:
Replaced the brake switch and shift interlock module.
Replaced the $8 vacuum check valve for the Heater door.
Replaced spark plugs with double platinum plugs at 110k
Replaced the thermostat housing as it was leaking. Last Oct Replaced coolant with Zerex G05, 50/50 mix, at the same time as replacing the housing,
Replaced the left front-wheel bearing assembly. A few months ago.
Replaced the Front brake pads on both front wheels at the same time. But the mechanic gave back the old brake pads because there was hardly any wear on them.
Full synthetic oil changes every 7k to 10k miles.
Power steering fluid looks good and smells okay.
I am going to adjust the parking brake pads or replace the pads before I leave. I feel no resistance when I leave the parking brake on and drive off. It also feels like I am at the end of the travel of the brake pedal. Will replace rear disc brake pads if needed. Got the parts already.
Also,
The manual states that the brakes in the vehicle are designed for the GVWR of the truck, 6010 LB, and not the potential gross cargo weight which includes the trailer weight with all the other cargo and all people on board. It implies that you need to have trailer brakes for most trailers that you would tow. (I estimate that the curb weight of the truck would be about 4523 lbs) note that I am the only person on board.
So do you think this is a foolish thing to use a trailer that does not have brakes.