Fix4Dirt '98 XLT

Finally, its about time!

The Specs

Basic- 1998 XLT 4x4
Mileage- 323k (8/25/22) 335k (11/2024)
Engine- 4.0 SOHC (stock)
Trans- 5r55e (stock)
Tcase- BW4405 (stock)
Front/Rear End- D35 IFS 3.73/8.8 LS 3.73 (stock)
Suspension- TT w/Keys/OME36+Shackle, ES UCA/LCA bushings, ES Sway bar end links (not stock)
Wheels/Tires- Stock 15" teardrop w/ 1" spacer/31" Toyo OC ATIII
Audio- MACH HU/Amp, Kicker CS door speakers, Kicker Comp C8 sub
Bumpers- RockRanger bumper+ HF 12k Winch
Accessories- Roof Basket, 30" LED Bar, Rear light pods, loads of sound deadening

The future!!!

- "New" hatch (spot welds tearing/torn on old one, need to paint up new one) In Progress
- Brake Booster Done
- Powertrax NoSlip
- Superlift?
- 33s?

Pics!!!

Stock

Lift stock tires

Current form (6/14/22) Lift & 31s

Current Form (12/29/22) A bit more lift, 31s, basket

 

[410Fortune]

What kind of alternator did you put in there? Reman?


Nice work! Smart choice not taking big risks when solo wheeling 100+ miles from home

V8 swap can totally be done in ca no issue 1998 totally legal to do so when the time comes

 

[DemonMudder]

the original ones i had were... if they didnt get torn up haha

Jeez man, different material this time?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

What kind of alternator did you put in there? Reman?


Nice work! Smart choice not taking big risks when solo wheeling 100+ miles from home

V8 swap can totally be done in ca no issue 1998 totally legal to do so when the time comes

Yep got it at AZ (couldve bought a rebuild kit... but I also needed it the next day haha)

If i was rebuilding wouldve been rebuilderinabox.com

Mhmm, I mean I could've probaly gone further, but no service no other people... lost out on a few hours of fishing, but didnt need a tow home

Mhmm! I looked into it, and can definitely do it... but if it aint broke dont fix it... for now haha. Someday though, I'd want a 5.0! Or at that point, go all the way and try to cram one og those 7.3 godzillas and a 10 speed hahah... nto even sure if they fit, but it'd certainly be a force!

Jeez man, different material this time?

Definitely gonna have to be!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Mazourka Peak.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Since the buddies have been getting on me to name the X, I think Bessie is fitting! The ole' tried and true! Cross-post but the X meeting its 26 year younger brother!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Question- My commute is mostly on the 405, so I generally manually leave it in 2nd (since we usually dont move very quickly... 4 or 5 mph haha), but occasionally, it picks up, so I sometimes drop it onto D at about 35 (so a hair over 2k), to 1.2k around. Is this bad for the trans to do that? It doesnt seem like the shock loading if you drop it into D from N? If not, it usually spends 10 miles shifting consistently from 1st to 2nd haha. Seeking advice from the council on this one...

 

[BKennedy]

It should be fine with your current method. If you leave it in 2nd, it should still be shifting into 1st when you stop.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

It should be fine with your current method. If you leave it in 2nd, it should still be shifting into 1st when you stop.

I'd have to check on that one. Being honest it feels much more sluggish off the line in 2 vs 1. So I think it uses 2nd and allows more TC slip? Maybe?

My main question was more that shifting from 2 into D once the pace picks up wont shock load the trans too much vs the consistent shifting

 

[BKennedy]

It won't cause any more shock than leaving it in D as long as you are at a reasonable RPM.

How I understand automatic transmission function is if you put the selector in 1st, it stays in 1st. If you put it in 2nd, it uses 1st and 2nd. 3rd, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Every one I've ever driven does this.

 

[BKennedy]

With my 700R4 in the Explorer, anything under 45 MPH I leave it in 3rd or it will shift into OD at 35 MPH. I use the torque converter lockout from 45-55.

 

[Turdle]

My 4r70 w stays in 2 if selected. Does not downshift to 1st.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

It won't cause any more shock than leaving it in D as long as you are at a reasonable RPM.

How I understand automatic transmission function is if you put the selector in 1st, it stays in 1st. If you put it in 2nd, it uses 1st and 2nd. 3rd, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Every one I've ever driven does this.

This is how most of them do, yeah! I tested it on the drive home and it engages 2nd even at a stop. No 1st is used when you select 2nd manually. It's a bit odd, since when I got home I drove the other truck and if I put it in 2nd it goes 1-2 2-1 like normal haha

I will keep runnign it in 2nd in traffic, so it doesnt keep shifting 1-2-3 3-2-1 all the time.

 

[Josh P]

The 405 is your problem.

 

[Stic-o]

In 2nd it should be locked in 2nd. Same with 1st. This is so if you want to start off in 2nd like on a slippery surface you can.

This is why I refuse to take a job on the West side. There is not enough money to pay me to sit in traffic like that.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The 405 is your problem.

True, don't need it spreading elsewhere! Just trying to make the best of the situation haha and put hopefully less wear on the Explorer

In 2nd it should be locked in 2nd. Same with 1st. This is so if you want to start off in 2nd like on a slippery surface you can.

This is why I refuse to take a job on the West side. There is not enough money to pay me to sit in traffic like that.

Dad works out of Alhambra, much better commute... argh I should reconsider my school choices haha takes me about hour 20 to get there hour 10 to get home... but the other UCs Id have to come up with rent, so which is the leaser of two evils... I dont quite kniw

 

[Turdle]

That's 15 hours per week you could be making money, instead of spending it. You'd be at least 25 hrs in wages ahead not wasting gas

 

[Fix4Dirt]

That's 15 hours per week you could be making money, instead of spending it. You'd be at least 25 hrs in wages ahead not wasting gas

Yeesh, good point. Although in my case I think Id use the extra time on weeknights to study and get better grades Neither of which is a bad option

Time to compare rent at other UCs & weigh it against UCLA commute...

 

[Stic-o]

Northridge is a lot closer ....

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Northridge is a lot closer ....

CSUN would definitely be!!!!! But classes aside, I love the research Im doing now on plasma physics (I do some crazy stuff!)

Yhe biggest draw of the UCs for me is the research Im doing... I can make black holes under westwood!


Its whatever Ill figure it out! Aside from the commute I pretty much love everything Im doing now... so I will see...