Hello from Saskatchewan

[ontwowheels]

Since I bought my Explorer a few weeks ago I've been lurking, but now that it seems I'll be on here a bit more I figured I'd better become an official member. The rig in question is a 1999 XLS Limited Edition that had 121000 km on it a few weeks ago, and currently sits at 127000 and some change.

I bought it to move myself from Ottawa to my new job (aviation mechanic apprentice) in northern Saskatchewan, and it managed to haul myself, my girlfriend, and a 5X8 enclosed trailer full of stuff with hardly any issues. The door ajar light is permanently on, but I've learned to ignore that.

Unfortunately, the tranny has started to develop some bad habits that weren't apparent when I bought it. I'm not 100% sure what a "flare" is, but when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th it kinda hangs up between them and then lurches into gear. I've read a bit on here about Ford TSBs, TransGo and Superior shift kits, and separator plates with bonded gaskets and honestly feel a little overwhelmed by all the information. I'm confident that I can install either of those shift kits myself, I have a hangar and a decent amount of tools at my disposal. But I'm also looking to be in and out of the tranny once and not have to worry about it again. Firmer/sportier shifts would be nice too.

I've got a Chilton manual on order for it, I'm hoping that will guide me though some of the operation.

If someone could point me in the right direction that would be fantastic.

I figure I better fix what's not right before I go adding things like an intake or exhaust.

Nick

 

[Willcall]

Welcome to this forum!

Chilton is a good manual but if its anything like the Haynes manual, it doesn't include information for major transmission work, just removal and installation.

I would buy a Ford Shop Manual / Service DVD from ebay. I paid around 20 bucks for mine and it was well worth it. Anything you want to know about fixing something on your Explorer, its got it.

-Will

 

[blueka]

Welcome, I'm just by Saskatoon,


Si

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the sticky thread in the transmission section called the 5R55E valve body rebuild diary for more information.

 

[1Aauto]

Hey Nick,

Welcome to the site. Hey we shoot a lot of DIY videos over here. I'm not sure what you have for a tranny, but this video may help you out.

Let me know if it does.

Regard,

Tony
1aauto.com

 

[muddingexplorer]

hey bud welcome to the forum....saw where you were from and thought this would be funny....http://youtu.be/TKUDRW9EA2c

 

[ontwowheels]

Tony, excellent video, thanks for posting it. Seeing that definitely makes me more confident about tackling this on my own. I believe the tranny in my truck is a 5R55E, based on what I have read. The pictures I've seen indicate that one in the video is the same as mine, but I could be wrong.

Are the new gaskets made of tougher stuff, what is the likelihood of this sort of thing happening again?

@muddingexplorer
I can't get enough of that movie. I'll let you know if I see that guy around.

Nick