flyingtrees
New Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2008
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Palm Springs
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Sport
Hi all,
Finally bought a 98 Explorer Sport SOHC / Automatic 4x4 w/ 100,000 miles on it last week. I have been looking for a long time and I luckily got into this one for a real sweet price. Eventually I have my eye on the 2nd gen SportTrac but have to wait for prices to come down to earth, which won't be for a while i'm thinking. anyway, this 98 sport is going to be my baby for the time being.
So I'm posting because coming up in late June two friends and I will be taking a road trip that will have me driving from Palm Springs, CA all the way down the Baja Peninsula to Cabo San Lucas and then back up. Total trip will be about 2200 miles give or take. I'm plenty prepared for what to expect as far as Mexico goes, but where I could really use some help is with getting the explorer ready for the trip to ensure worry-free / trouble-free driving.
Again, this car is completely new to me. Never had any experience with this engine. The car's mechanical history is a mystery to me, previous owner had passed away so I could not get any info about what sort of maintenance has been done lately.
Baja is pretty sparsely populated and finding reliable parts access is not something I would count on other than in a couple of the towns. I figure it's better to be well prepared than wish I was after breaking down somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
I'd rate my mechanical ability a pretty solid 7 out of 10. Do my own oil changes / brake jobs.
SO.......
If you were in my shoes....and weren't looking to break the bank with a huge $$$ mechanic bill, what are the things you would check / change before leaving? Knowing the fact that this sport just turned over 100k is there anything I should absolutely not put off as far as routine major maintenance?
Also, what about a spare parts kit, are there any must haves you can think of that I should take with me just in case?
Thanks for your help!!! And loving this board so far.
Finally bought a 98 Explorer Sport SOHC / Automatic 4x4 w/ 100,000 miles on it last week. I have been looking for a long time and I luckily got into this one for a real sweet price. Eventually I have my eye on the 2nd gen SportTrac but have to wait for prices to come down to earth, which won't be for a while i'm thinking. anyway, this 98 sport is going to be my baby for the time being.
So I'm posting because coming up in late June two friends and I will be taking a road trip that will have me driving from Palm Springs, CA all the way down the Baja Peninsula to Cabo San Lucas and then back up. Total trip will be about 2200 miles give or take. I'm plenty prepared for what to expect as far as Mexico goes, but where I could really use some help is with getting the explorer ready for the trip to ensure worry-free / trouble-free driving.
Again, this car is completely new to me. Never had any experience with this engine. The car's mechanical history is a mystery to me, previous owner had passed away so I could not get any info about what sort of maintenance has been done lately.
Baja is pretty sparsely populated and finding reliable parts access is not something I would count on other than in a couple of the towns. I figure it's better to be well prepared than wish I was after breaking down somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
I'd rate my mechanical ability a pretty solid 7 out of 10. Do my own oil changes / brake jobs.
SO.......
If you were in my shoes....and weren't looking to break the bank with a huge $$$ mechanic bill, what are the things you would check / change before leaving? Knowing the fact that this sport just turned over 100k is there anything I should absolutely not put off as far as routine major maintenance?
Also, what about a spare parts kit, are there any must haves you can think of that I should take with me just in case?
Thanks for your help!!! And loving this board so far.