glfredrick
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- January 25, 2003
- Messages
- 2,415
- Reaction score
- 26
- City, State
- Sheboygan, WI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Explorer Limited
Mine is Guy.
I'm a fan of more capacity in an auto tranny (or engine oil pan) as long as the deeper pan doesn't get bashed on rocks when off-roading.
There are numerous devices out there to add capacity and cooling to an automatic transmission, from deep pans to pans with tubes for air flow. I typically prefer a plate-style cooler -- most efficient and easiest to plumb into the system. NEVER remove the stock cooler -- run additional coolers if need be, but the stock internal radiator cooler is the most efficient design.
There is probably a point of no return with added capacity. Once the system is hot, all of it is hot, and having more oil won't really help. It just costs more to fill, especially if you are running synthetic oil, which gets fairly costly by the time you add 10-12 quarts.
About the Trailblazer -- yeah, I know about the problems. I'm on trailvoy.com a user site like this one for Explorers. I've yet to see a vehicle that doesn't have an issue here and there -- par for the course. I've been an ASE master tech for the past 30 years, and I've fixed them all...
Part of the reason you sold so many parts for Trailblazers is due to the fact that they are everywhere... I've owned 4 Explorers, 2 Rangers, and a host of other Ford trucks in my life. I'm very well aware of their issues. I sold my 97 because at 87,000 miles it needed its 3rd transmission, a cam position sensor, a timing chain replacement, a new intake manifold, the GEM module was on its 4th try and still didn't work, the T-case locked in 4x4 every time I backed up, the driver's side front seat was on the edge of breaking the hinge (it leaned WAY back), the console lid had a crack the full length which rubbed my arm raw, the upper A-arms and ball joints were shot, and the paint was faded almost down to bare metal on the top of the hood and the roof. Other than that, it was a pretty good truck...
Newer Explorers went to fully independent suspension -- not what I was looking for in a rig that I wanted to use for towing. I was shooting for an Avalanche, but ended up with a Trailblazer and I love it.
I'm a fan of more capacity in an auto tranny (or engine oil pan) as long as the deeper pan doesn't get bashed on rocks when off-roading.
There are numerous devices out there to add capacity and cooling to an automatic transmission, from deep pans to pans with tubes for air flow. I typically prefer a plate-style cooler -- most efficient and easiest to plumb into the system. NEVER remove the stock cooler -- run additional coolers if need be, but the stock internal radiator cooler is the most efficient design.
There is probably a point of no return with added capacity. Once the system is hot, all of it is hot, and having more oil won't really help. It just costs more to fill, especially if you are running synthetic oil, which gets fairly costly by the time you add 10-12 quarts.
About the Trailblazer -- yeah, I know about the problems. I'm on trailvoy.com a user site like this one for Explorers. I've yet to see a vehicle that doesn't have an issue here and there -- par for the course. I've been an ASE master tech for the past 30 years, and I've fixed them all...
Part of the reason you sold so many parts for Trailblazers is due to the fact that they are everywhere... I've owned 4 Explorers, 2 Rangers, and a host of other Ford trucks in my life. I'm very well aware of their issues. I sold my 97 because at 87,000 miles it needed its 3rd transmission, a cam position sensor, a timing chain replacement, a new intake manifold, the GEM module was on its 4th try and still didn't work, the T-case locked in 4x4 every time I backed up, the driver's side front seat was on the edge of breaking the hinge (it leaned WAY back), the console lid had a crack the full length which rubbed my arm raw, the upper A-arms and ball joints were shot, and the paint was faded almost down to bare metal on the top of the hood and the roof. Other than that, it was a pretty good truck...
Newer Explorers went to fully independent suspension -- not what I was looking for in a rig that I wanted to use for towing. I was shooting for an Avalanche, but ended up with a Trailblazer and I love it.
