Heading out to pick up my Explorer in a few hours...

[Trunkmonkey]

Ha. This is so weird...I'm not used to being the n00b (I'm member 518 of 56000 on www.impreza.net). Either way, in a few short hours, I'm heading down to RI to pick up a 1993 Explorer XLT. I wasn't in the market for one but my navigator's Father was selling one cheap due to a busted gas gauge. We needed a team support vehicle and $3k seemed like a steal.

So, the Explorer will be our tow vehicle for the rally car. I know it's an underpowered V6 and 4500 pounds of car and trailer is a bit heavy, but I've had a few people who pull boats with V6 Explorers tell me that it'll be fine for flatland but wheeze up hills. Looks like a tranny cooler, tranny temp sensor, and class III hitch are in my immediate future.

Anyway, just figured I'd drop in, say hi, and stop being the n00b lurker! The Explorer will be our latest addition to the family (MY96 Impreza 2.2 L Sedan PGT-prepared rally car, MY90 Legacy L Wagon, and MY00 New Beetle GLS 1.8 T).

 

[Mbrooks420]

Change the fluid in the trans ASAP. Don't tow with it until you get a temp gauge. These trannies don't take well to towing heavy loads very far without heating up.

 

[IAmTodd]

Get the biggest coolrer you can. Hell, go with a second radiator I temp gauge is also nice to have. It lets you know when to back off and take a break.

 

[snocross1985]

Just noticed tyou are from Haverhill. I went to high school in Amesbury, I live one town north of Amesbury. Currently I am working in Georgetown. Nice to see a local person here.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site...

 

[Trunkmonkey]

Just got back. The body is in absolutely mint condition. Zero rust. Zero dings. Not a scratch on her. Inside is spotless...the leather is barely broken in. You could pass this truck off as new if it wasn't for the dated styling.

The belts are a bit dryrotted and starting to crack, so they'll need to go ASAP. There's also a minor leak in the oil pan seal. No biggie. Needs new plugs and wires. Transmission was clean, but there's mystery goo in various spots on the bottom of the motor. Once the sun comes up it'll be time to get up on ramps and investigate further. Even if I have to toss $500 at her, the price was still a steal!

Mbrooks420 - Will do. Our first event is Maine Forest Pro Rally at the end of July, so there's plenty of time to hit up the local junkyard and scrounge for tranny bits.

snocross1985 - Cool cool! I've got a few friends in your town.

But yeah...the Explorer isn't going to be any major project vehicle, but I'll be lurking around here as I give her an overhaul and search for maintenance info.

 

[Crankcase]

Welcome to the site.....

 

[Hokie-Dave]

What does everybody else think of this recommendation? On old auto transmissions, I usually come from the school of you can do more harm than good by changing the trans fluid if you don't know what maintenande schedule the vehicle has been on in the past. Sometimes, if the trans hasn't been changed in a while the old fluid is actually holding some parts in working order that new fluid will destroy.

Change the fluid in the trans ASAP. Don't tow with it until you get a temp gauge. These trannies don't take well to towing heavy loads very far without heating up.

 

[general x]

What does everybody else think of this recommendation? On old auto transmissions, I usually come from the school of you can do more harm than good by changing the trans fluid if you don't know what maintenande schedule the vehicle has been on in the past. Sometimes, if the trans hasn't been changed in a while the old fluid is actually holding some parts in working order that new fluid will destroy.

Id say that recommendation is pritty good. I think the problabo with changing the oil in a non-maintained tranny is that the new tranny fluid carrys the crap in the tranns to new places where it goos stuff up because its all moving at the same time. I changed the oil in my x and i think the black oil that came out left stuff in my tranny that, in turn, went to my shift governer and now i cant shift out of first

Im done, Welcome to the site!!!

Edit- I wasent aware that you were talking about the recommendation of anouther person, but i feel the recommendation is a good one....if you dont change the fluid, at least get an external filter to filter out some of the goo and then later change the fluid when theirs less crap to move around......Long edit

 

[Mbrooks420]

It depends. If the fluid is nasty and you have a lot of gunk buildup it will be knocked free by the new detergents. The solution probably is to drop the pan and change the filter a few times if this is the case. If you get the filter cloggin gunk out new fluid won't hurt anything.

 

[general x]

Good point, i forgot about the detergents. Id change the oil a few times too, id just hope the gunk inside didnt hurt anything on the way out. Maybe it'd be a good idea to get it flushed at a tranny shop???

 

[bmxking5]

Welcome to the site!!

 

[Mbrooks420]

When they flush them they don't replace the filter.

 

[general x]

True, I guess you could flush then replace the filter if you feel like it! maybe it would clean it out really good...or be a waste of time. I think my knowledge tap has run dry

Find whats best and do it!!!

 

[Hokie-Dave]

I've got the same situation on my new to me X. I'm going to be heading up to the dealership to find out if the previous owner had the trans fluid chnaged there recently. I'm just scared to replace the fluid on a trans that I don't know the maintenance record on and is shifting just fine.

 

[izackary]

Welcome Sean. We can always use more Massholes! If you're interested, us New Englanders are attempting to arrange a wheelin trip up to Mason, NH for the 17th this month. I'm also planning a trip up to Vermont to a truck show if you have any urge to get in touch with your inner redneck (see the sig).

PS: You wouldn't know any Dearborns in Amesbury wouldja?