Sirdoogz
New Member
- Joined
- July 23, 2017
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Newington
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Eddie B. 4.6L
PLEASE NOTE: I've put a couple of Q's at the bottom of this unnecessarily long intro marked with 2**'s in RED that I could use some help with if you have time. If you have better things to do than to read my rambling intro, I don't blame ya, but I'd still really appreciate if you had just a min to scroll down to my questions and offer any helpful insight you may have. Thanks in advance for any info you may provide. ~sirdoogz
Hey now fellow "Exploder" fans! I'd 1st like to thank all of you for taking the time to post so much incredibly helpful information here on everything Explorer. I've been back in the Ford Family with the purchase of my '03 Eddie B. for nearly 2 years now, after a very misguided decade on the dark-side with a slue of GM's and Europeans. Hey, at least I can admit my mistakes...
Ever since my return, I've turned to this group for proper guidance to help get my truck where it needs to be mechanically, and I never have any trouble finding plenty of input on every job I undertake. Of course, it helps that these trucks have SO MANY common issues, but that's just part of their charm, right? I think of 'em as little character builders that show up to make you prove you're worthy of owning a 10+ yr old truck. I take a lot of pride in driving the older "forgotten" gems of yester-year. Those cast aside by the mainstreamers because a newer model came out with blutooth and a 10" backup cam, or because they're no longer elligible for lease or a warranty.... I love my Explorer; its great for everything I do; towing the bikes, boat, hauling materials, bicycles, 7 dancers getting off shift, or joyriding in the sun and snow (with 7 dancers...).
The truth is that in my 20+ yrs of owning and servicing my own vehicles, I think I've honestly had less frequency of issues with the GM's I've owned. However, they were always more catastrophic issues that were more difficult, and expensive to fix (if even able to be fixed at home), than any of the common, simple issues I've faced with my Fords. As soon as I got a wrench on the truck I have now, I instantly remembered how Fords have always seemed to be engineered in a way that was "backyard mechanic" friendly. Pretty much every problem I've had has been relatively simple to fix, parts readily available and affordable, and someone else has already fixed it and either written, or posted a how-to video on it.
A little background on me:
Began my driving life in a tan '85 'Escort sportin' chrome & gold Keystone Classics - go ahead, laugh all ya want 'cuz it was kinda funny, but it certainly sharpened my mechanical abilities as a teenager outta sheer necessity, and introduced me to the simplicity of Ford engineering! Over the years since then I've had several other Fords such as an '85 T-Bird 3.8L, '96 T-Bird 4.6L, '93 Mustang LX Hatchback 5.0L, as well as, dozens of F-Series (gas and Power-Stroke) work trucks & vans for towing, hauling, and bucket/crane work. I've also gone through a bit of a European phase with V-dubs and BMWs, but I swear every time I get behind the wheel, or under the hood of a Ford, it feels like being reunited with an old friend or family member. It feels good to be back, even though the past couple of years has been full of nearly every "Character builder" that these Explorers are known for.
My '03 Eddie has 195K on the body and tranny, and roughly 110K on the motor, which was swapped at 180K by the previous owner using a donor with 90-sum K on the clock (I have the paperwork filed away, just can't recall the exact mileage right now). SO FAR, with the helpful insight from this group just reading through threads as needed, I've replaced: ignition coils, both front hub assys, rear wheel bearings, rear upper & lower ball joints (did NOT replace the rear control arms), installed rear camber adjusters (Moog for all previous listed parts), rear brake rotors, pads, e-shoes, springs n pins, changed rear diff fluid with Royal Purple 75w/140, alternator (240A), K&N filter, blend door/gate actuator, and the BWM (Brown Wire Mod), which was probably the coolest damn thing I've learned here, and saved me from having to buy tires right away when I got the truck because the fronts where worn far worse than the rears and I had the humming and thumping sound goin' on in the driveline whenever on a "down stroke" coast from 60+mph. 10 minute BWM job fixed that issue for $0.00!! Took longer to read the threads on it than to actually do it.
Aesthetic upgrades/improvements include: updated head and tail lights (smoked 4th gen-"mock" headlights/smoked tails), swapped stock 17" alloys for chrome [fascia] 2007 Limited wheels with Hankooks, added a roof rack, pair of aftermarket driving lights (in addition to stock fogs), billet grille, smoked windows, rain guards, and gloss black pillar covers. However, I can't find a rear set! WTF!!?! Swore I saw them listed somewhere on the inter-web when I first bought 'er. Now can't find 'em anywhere. If anyone actually reads this sleep depravity-induced ramble of an introduction and knows where to find them - PLEASE let me know. All I've read on this here is to paint or wrap, which is fine, but I'd rather have 'em match the rest if possible. In the somewhat near future, I plan to do a small lift - 3", not sure on tire size yet, still gotta read up on what works best. Also looking for a "Bull Bar" I like, and would like some new front seats if anyone knows a good source in the CT area. Prefer to stay with the Eddie B. 2 tone leather.
SO, the reason I'm here trolling around the threads for advice is because as I was driving to pick up the parts to do my front brakes, upper control arms (loaded), and lower ball joints, my truck decided that it would rather have some tranny attention first and although it shifts pretty decent (maybe a slight delay to O/D that I'm noticing now) and holds all gears, it hopped into "limp mode" started flashing the "OD OFF" light, and told me to "Check Transmission". I had already been planning to do the servo bore kit as a precautionary measure when I had an extra couple hondo available and a weekend to burn (in case I screwed up), but here I am.
**Q
oes anybody know what this is all about? :
5R55W / 5R55N / 5R55S Shift Correction Package (Superior K5R55W/N/S)
Here's the listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/201400893964
This New 5R55W/N/S Shift Correction Package includes:
Our Ever Popular K060 "No Stick" Line Pressure Relief Valve Kit
New Lock-up upgrade system that allows an On-Off Type Apply that is proof the lock up apply does not have to be firm and harsh to be fixed
3-4 Drum Piston return springs replace the often found fatigued originals, due to band and drum burn up
Addresses several TCC error & shift solenoid error codes as well as P0740
Keeps Solenoid Blocks, Parts and Components Cooler and well lubricated
The New system Upgrades and Superior Quality "Real Steel" Components
backed with solid TransLab Engineered improvements from Superior.
**Q: Is this a knock off of the AJ1E Superior Solutions Servo Kit, or is it something completely different, and possibly something else I should also consider doing, along with the Solenoid Block and a Secondary Filter?
**Unrelated Q: Does anyone know where to find rear pillar COVERS,like the ones they sell for the sides?
Thanks again to everyone who has posted in this group, and special thanks to anyone who actually tortured their eyes through this post. Hope that I may someday contribute something helpful on this site as well! Until then, keep Explorin' y'all...
Hey now fellow "Exploder" fans! I'd 1st like to thank all of you for taking the time to post so much incredibly helpful information here on everything Explorer. I've been back in the Ford Family with the purchase of my '03 Eddie B. for nearly 2 years now, after a very misguided decade on the dark-side with a slue of GM's and Europeans. Hey, at least I can admit my mistakes...
Ever since my return, I've turned to this group for proper guidance to help get my truck where it needs to be mechanically, and I never have any trouble finding plenty of input on every job I undertake. Of course, it helps that these trucks have SO MANY common issues, but that's just part of their charm, right? I think of 'em as little character builders that show up to make you prove you're worthy of owning a 10+ yr old truck. I take a lot of pride in driving the older "forgotten" gems of yester-year. Those cast aside by the mainstreamers because a newer model came out with blutooth and a 10" backup cam, or because they're no longer elligible for lease or a warranty.... I love my Explorer; its great for everything I do; towing the bikes, boat, hauling materials, bicycles, 7 dancers getting off shift, or joyriding in the sun and snow (with 7 dancers...).
The truth is that in my 20+ yrs of owning and servicing my own vehicles, I think I've honestly had less frequency of issues with the GM's I've owned. However, they were always more catastrophic issues that were more difficult, and expensive to fix (if even able to be fixed at home), than any of the common, simple issues I've faced with my Fords. As soon as I got a wrench on the truck I have now, I instantly remembered how Fords have always seemed to be engineered in a way that was "backyard mechanic" friendly. Pretty much every problem I've had has been relatively simple to fix, parts readily available and affordable, and someone else has already fixed it and either written, or posted a how-to video on it.
A little background on me:
Began my driving life in a tan '85 'Escort sportin' chrome & gold Keystone Classics - go ahead, laugh all ya want 'cuz it was kinda funny, but it certainly sharpened my mechanical abilities as a teenager outta sheer necessity, and introduced me to the simplicity of Ford engineering! Over the years since then I've had several other Fords such as an '85 T-Bird 3.8L, '96 T-Bird 4.6L, '93 Mustang LX Hatchback 5.0L, as well as, dozens of F-Series (gas and Power-Stroke) work trucks & vans for towing, hauling, and bucket/crane work. I've also gone through a bit of a European phase with V-dubs and BMWs, but I swear every time I get behind the wheel, or under the hood of a Ford, it feels like being reunited with an old friend or family member. It feels good to be back, even though the past couple of years has been full of nearly every "Character builder" that these Explorers are known for.
My '03 Eddie has 195K on the body and tranny, and roughly 110K on the motor, which was swapped at 180K by the previous owner using a donor with 90-sum K on the clock (I have the paperwork filed away, just can't recall the exact mileage right now). SO FAR, with the helpful insight from this group just reading through threads as needed, I've replaced: ignition coils, both front hub assys, rear wheel bearings, rear upper & lower ball joints (did NOT replace the rear control arms), installed rear camber adjusters (Moog for all previous listed parts), rear brake rotors, pads, e-shoes, springs n pins, changed rear diff fluid with Royal Purple 75w/140, alternator (240A), K&N filter, blend door/gate actuator, and the BWM (Brown Wire Mod), which was probably the coolest damn thing I've learned here, and saved me from having to buy tires right away when I got the truck because the fronts where worn far worse than the rears and I had the humming and thumping sound goin' on in the driveline whenever on a "down stroke" coast from 60+mph. 10 minute BWM job fixed that issue for $0.00!! Took longer to read the threads on it than to actually do it.
Aesthetic upgrades/improvements include: updated head and tail lights (smoked 4th gen-"mock" headlights/smoked tails), swapped stock 17" alloys for chrome [fascia] 2007 Limited wheels with Hankooks, added a roof rack, pair of aftermarket driving lights (in addition to stock fogs), billet grille, smoked windows, rain guards, and gloss black pillar covers. However, I can't find a rear set! WTF!!?! Swore I saw them listed somewhere on the inter-web when I first bought 'er. Now can't find 'em anywhere. If anyone actually reads this sleep depravity-induced ramble of an introduction and knows where to find them - PLEASE let me know. All I've read on this here is to paint or wrap, which is fine, but I'd rather have 'em match the rest if possible. In the somewhat near future, I plan to do a small lift - 3", not sure on tire size yet, still gotta read up on what works best. Also looking for a "Bull Bar" I like, and would like some new front seats if anyone knows a good source in the CT area. Prefer to stay with the Eddie B. 2 tone leather.
SO, the reason I'm here trolling around the threads for advice is because as I was driving to pick up the parts to do my front brakes, upper control arms (loaded), and lower ball joints, my truck decided that it would rather have some tranny attention first and although it shifts pretty decent (maybe a slight delay to O/D that I'm noticing now) and holds all gears, it hopped into "limp mode" started flashing the "OD OFF" light, and told me to "Check Transmission". I had already been planning to do the servo bore kit as a precautionary measure when I had an extra couple hondo available and a weekend to burn (in case I screwed up), but here I am.
**Q
oes anybody know what this is all about? : 5R55W / 5R55N / 5R55S Shift Correction Package (Superior K5R55W/N/S)
Here's the listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/201400893964
This New 5R55W/N/S Shift Correction Package includes:
Our Ever Popular K060 "No Stick" Line Pressure Relief Valve Kit
New Lock-up upgrade system that allows an On-Off Type Apply that is proof the lock up apply does not have to be firm and harsh to be fixed
3-4 Drum Piston return springs replace the often found fatigued originals, due to band and drum burn up
Addresses several TCC error & shift solenoid error codes as well as P0740
Keeps Solenoid Blocks, Parts and Components Cooler and well lubricated
The New system Upgrades and Superior Quality "Real Steel" Components
backed with solid TransLab Engineered improvements from Superior.
**Q: Is this a knock off of the AJ1E Superior Solutions Servo Kit, or is it something completely different, and possibly something else I should also consider doing, along with the Solenoid Block and a Secondary Filter?
**Unrelated Q: Does anyone know where to find rear pillar COVERS,like the ones they sell for the sides?
Thanks again to everyone who has posted in this group, and special thanks to anyone who actually tortured their eyes through this post. Hope that I may someday contribute something helpful on this site as well! Until then, keep Explorin' y'all...
