First Snow with the Sport

[BluIsBlue]

So, my first winter owning my Sport, it was out of commission for a new thermostat housing and figuring out if the headgasket had blown. Snow came and passed while the explorer sat and I didn’t get to gather any of that snow driving experience. Unluckily enough, soon after replacing the thermostat housing, I find that my 4x4 module no longer works. Thanks to 410Fortune, my 4x4 works again. I managed to get it fixed just before heading to college.

Well, this past week we got our snow and this was my first time getting to play in it with the Explorer (and luckily without any major problems with the truck)!

I was eager to get out with my car club buddies and do some playing, and playing we did. Found this snow covered parking lot (that was really more ice than snow) out of town so we wouldn’t be a bother and had some fun. Sadly I didn’t get any good video of that but I got the area we found just before that. 4x4 is working flawlessly I might say, hugeeee thanks to 410Fortune on that front.

The other night we heard news of a car that had gone into a ditch and got stuck so me and my buddy who drives a Subaru (and conveniently is the only one of us car guys with decent tow straps) decide to go out and help. Well by the time me and the Subaru got out there, the guy who went into the ditch had like 10 people push him out so we decided to go to yet another empty parking lot and do some driving. My rear LSD is putting in some work. Kinda scared to do the diff fluid in it when I get the chance to..

Anyways, here’s the little footage I got. I was getting real good with it but then the cops shut us down and that was the last time I went out so I don’t have many “good” clips for yall. Mostly me getting a feel for the explorer’s capabilities.

 

[BluIsBlue]

Some photos of it in the first lot I got to spin it around in

 

[BluIsBlue]

Also in one lot, there was a hill to get into it that those of us with 4x4 had to climb up. It was nice to actually use my 4x4 for doing some light off roading. All around a great time. So very happy I got my snow.

(Was a bummer for those who came without 4x4 though, they got stuck at the bottom of the hill and we had to help them park somewhere safe until we all left. One of them had the BRIGHT idea to bring a 2wd Tesla out. That was a struggle to get unstuck. My rubber floor mats really came in handy there)

 

[dvdswan]

Looks like a great day of releasing the demons.

 

[410Fortune]

Sounds like fun! Sports are great in the snow!

 

[BluIsBlue]

Sounds like fun! Sports are great in the snow!

Took on the snow like a champ. I was keeping up with a Range Rover with an intelligent 4wd system. Can only imagine how well this thing could handle something a little thicker and deeper with proper snow tires

 

[BluIsBlue]

Looks like a great day of releasing the demons.

Oh it was amazing. Once I really got the hang of it, I was sliding across a parking lot without losing control but still holding a good slide. For someone who’s never done this stuff in the past, it was exhilarating.

 

[borntodrift]

sounds like fun and some great photos!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Looks like fun! We havent had much snow here yet, waiting for a nice freeze and some snow to have some fun!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

So, my first winter owning my Sport, it was out of commission for a new thermostat housing and figuring out if the headgasket had blown. Snow came and passed while the explorer sat and I didn’t get to gather any of that snow driving experience. Unluckily enough, soon after replacing the thermostat housing, I find that my 4x4 module no longer works. Thanks to 410Fortune, my 4x4 works again. I managed to get it fixed just before heading to college.

Well, this past week we got our snow and this was my first time getting to play in it with the Explorer (and luckily without any major problems with the truck)!

I was eager to get out with my car club buddies and do some playing, and playing we did. Found this snow covered parking lot (that was really more ice than snow) out of town so we wouldn’t be a bother and had some fun. Sadly I didn’t get any good video of that but I got the area we found just before that. 4x4 is working flawlessly I might say, hugeeee thanks to 410Fortune on that front.

The other night we heard news of a car that had gone into a ditch and got stuck so me and my buddy who drives a Subaru (and conveniently is the only one of us car guys with decent tow straps) decide to go out and help. Well by the time me and the Subaru got out there, the guy who went into the ditch had like 10 people push him out so we decided to go to yet another empty parking lot and do some driving. My rear LSD is putting in some work. Kinda scared to do the diff fluid in it when I get the chance to..

Anyways, here’s the little footage I got. I was getting real good with it but then the cops shut us down and that was the last time I went out so I don’t have many “good” clips for yall. Mostly me getting a feel for the explorer’s capabilities.

I wouldnt worry about the diff, this LSD keeps up with wheeling and what not, if anything a good chance to refresh the clutches. It locks hard w/ refreshed clutches. The diff is perhaps one of the more stout parts on these, since its a 31spl.

 

[BluIsBlue]

I wouldnt worry about the diff, this LSD keeps up with wheeling and what not, if anything a good chance to refresh the clutches. It locks hard w/ refreshed clutches. The diff is perhaps one of the more stout parts on these, since its a 31spl.

Okay good, when I look into servicing the diff I’ll probably order a clutch pack and get it all fresh there. Thanks for the info!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Okay good, when I look into servicing the diff I’ll probably order a clutch pack and get it all fresh there. Thanks for the info!

The carbon fiber clutch pack makes it lock well haha. If it hasnt been done my axle seals were also leaking a few years back, good time for that too if you need it.

 

[BluIsBlue]

The carbon fiber clutch pack makes it lock well haha. If it hasnt been done my axle seals were also leaking a few years back, good time for that too if you need it.

Looking to do some pretty good refreshing to it when I’ve got the money. Last oil change I noticed some gunk on the underside of my motor. Thinking oil pan/oil pan gasket leak. If I replace those, may as well do the transmission fluid+filter+pan and do a diff service as well. Gotta plan things carefully cause I’m not working right now. But before I do anything to it, I’ll give it all a good inspection so I know what I need. I’ll check for leakage along the seals. See what needs replaced. I’ve gotta figure out my coolant again too. It’s leaking from.. somewhere. I’m suspicious of my thermostat housing again or a pinhole in a hose somewhere as I’ve got a brand new radiator. It’s not dripping at all from what I can tell but I know it’s going away. It’s not in my oil or my exhaust from what I can tell. Always more work with these old things but it’s worth it to keep them on the road

 

[DintDobbs]

@BluIsBlue Love a Sport 2-door! Those 102-inch wheelbases are a hoot no matter how you use them.