How do I get my Explorer to last 20 years??

[Hawken]

Hi Guys,

When I change my oil every three months, what else should I be doing? I oil the hinges and wipe some oil on the U-joints and drive shafts to help fight rust but I don't see any grease fittings. I bought my baby ( 2001 4 dr XLT Sport V6 SOHC) last November and I only have 4500 miles on it. I use it mainly on weekend putting most of the milage in the fall when I go deer hunting in upstate NY. I have been changing my oil every three months with mobil one and just switched to a Purolator Pure One filter from Motorcraft. I was unable to find a Mobil 1 filter to fit my X or anyone who sells a KN oil filter. When I went to Auto Barn the guy actually said that Mobil one was hype and that that I should buy the latest Fram filter in a gray can, X2 . I think he was a bit off his rocker.

I plan on doing a total tranny fluid replace every fall including filter as well as the transfer case and differentials, plugs too. Is there anything else I should be doing? What type of filter do yo use/ think is best. I was able to get my truck w/o financing it and I want to keep it for about 20+ years.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would rather spend money on top quality care for my truck than have to buy a new one prematurely.

PS: this is an awsome forum and have learned much.


Explorer rookie
Joe P aka Hawken

Queens, NYC

 

[tbomb]

when you do the tranny fluid change, use mobil 1 atf. also, stay on top of the coolant changes, and air filters and fuels filters. for air filters, you might wanna get a KKM or a K&N - you didnt say you were looking for more performance, but either of those filters are cleanable, you dont have to replace them, which is a little easier maintenance....um, brain fart, i cant think of anything else right now.

 

[kilroy]

put it on blocks in a garage and mothball it, and i gaurantee it will last 20 years

 

[tbomb]

hehehe.

also, keep up on fords recalls; you should be getting about one every week for the next 20 years or so

 

[Hawken]

Hey Guys:

Very funny Kilroy, but not a bad idea that way I'll never be in a roll over. ;-)


tbomb: I plan to go all the way with synthetics in my baby. I have read that the K&N type filters don't clean the air as well as the standard types. But since Sam, Dave, Mel and the other car show hosts use them, that can't be true, can it? Pores are too big which is why they use oil or some crap like that. A guy here at work swears by Fram with triad fiber technology. If I put a K&N filter do I need to do anything to the exhaust or can it handle the extra air flow? Sad but true about the recalls at least I finally got reimbursed for my 16" Goodyears.

Thanks guys

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Hawken
But since Sam, Dave, Mel and the other car show hosts use them, that can't be true, can it? Pores are too big which is why they use oil or some crap like that. A guy here at work swears by Fram with triad fiber technology. If I put a K&N filter do I need to do anything to the exhaust or can it handle the extra air flow? Sad but true about the recalls at least I finally got reimbursed for my 16" Goodyears.

Thanks guys

The K&N as well as the KKM filters do an excellent job of filtration; you need not worry about either.

 

[aldive]

Another way to make it last is to keep a good shine on the truck. I recommend Zaino products for that job.

Good luck........

 

[tbomb]

yeah, aldive is right. and you wont need to get new exhaust or anything just to keep up with the KKM or K&N. youll be fine. another thing to make your truck last a long time, is to keep up on waxing it, oitherwise itll fade.

 

[KEbert]

As long as you take good care of your Explorer, it will last you a long time. Be sure to check the vavle covers for leaks. Also, after about 100,000 miles, change the timing chain and tensioner. It just adds more life to the engine.

 

[85Dave]

Don't forget to lube the front end when you change the oil. Flushing the brake fluid every year should also be done. I don't think wiping oil on the u-joints will help them.

 

[glc8937]

You said in your first post that you did not see grease fittings. Factory bearings do not come with grease fittings. Go figure! You have to buy aftermarket to get grease fittings. One day mine finally dried up and went bad so I replaced with some from autozone. They had grease fittings and have not had a problem since. I refill them at every oil change.

 

[sholzee]

To make it last 20 years move down South!! I'm from Buffalo NY and the salt on the roads in the winter is eating my Explorer alive.

 

[tbomb]

dont move to the south! i live in PA and id rather live with the salt in the winter time than always have my truck sucking in hot air. remember: dont get cold down south.

**to everyone who lives in the south or out west, kindly ignore this post

 

[Hawken]

Hey Guys,

I have no intension moving down south, the deer are bigger here in the north, ;-).

85Dave,

What on the front end needs to lubed? Is there anywhere where I can find a 'checklist' of what has to be lubed? I changed my oil the other day and I sprayed lithium grease on all spots that looked like they should be lubed. I would love to beat the tar out of S.O.Bs who invented the sideways pouring drain plug. I have yet to change the oil without spilling some on the floor. They probably put it there to dicourage do it myselfers.

Thanks for the help guys

Exporer rookie

Joe P aka Hawken

 

[85Dave]

As I recall, on my 92 there are grease nipples on the tie rod ends, idler arm, and upper ball joints. Don't quote me on those, but everywhere you see a grease nipple, put some grease in. You will need a grease gun and grease. I doubt that spraying lithium grease on components will help.

85Dave in Tennessee
"Happy to be in the South"

P.S.
You just think the deer are bigger up North because that's what we want the Yankees to believe. It's part of a conspiracy that I'm not supposed to talk about.

 

[mikeh]

I own a 98 and would like to keep mine for a while too. There are no grease fittings on your truck. There aren't any on mine either. When they go bad you replace them with parts that have grease fittings. Even though Ford says not to change the fuel filter I plan on changing mine around 100K. Keep up with all of the maintenance in the book by the schedule and you should be fine.

Remember what goes into your engine is the most important things to keep up with (Oil, Air, and Fuel). So make sure to change oil, fuel and air filters by the schedule. You might want to go by the severe schedule since it sounds like you use your truck for more outdoorsy stuff.

Mike Hill

 

[Jim Galloway]

Take a cab.