Maintenance for 2007 Explorer XLT 4.0 V6 4x4

[sjkaholt]

Hello all,
I just purchased a 2007 Explorer XLT 4.0 V6 4x4 with only 68,000 miles currently. It runs and drives awesome right now, and looked to have only one previous owner (I bought it as a trade-in at a local Toyota dealer), which is why I purchased the vehicle. I would like to know what is recommended for preventive maintenance for all major items with this rig as well as what I should keep an eye one that frequently goes wrong with this exact model.

I'm concerned with the transmission, engine, transfer case, differentials, etc. I know the transmission is prone to failing. I doubt the transmission has ever been serviced in 10 years/68,000 miles.

I have a 3 year or up to 125,000 mile drivetrain warranty, so major issues should be covered for awhile.

My biggest question is this: Should I try to do/maintain anything with the transmission? Filter/fluid change? Or should I just drive it and let it run its course, hopefully breaking (if it ever does) within 3 years and 125k miles and being covered under warranty? A friend who is a transmission mechanic almost guaranteed me that the transmission WOULD fail before 125k miles. Thoughts?

If I can do anything short of tearing into the transmission that will prolong the life of the vehicle to 200,000+ miles, please share. Unless it is best to rebuild/fix after it breaks and I'd have a stronger, longer lasting transmission.

Any help or thoughts is appreciated.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Some have luck with those 5R55 trannies to go over 200k, but most of them don't make it past 125-150k

Mine went south at 116k and the truck was driven by a woman, very gently, never towed anything. It's just weak design, adequate maybe for mustangs with v6, not heavy SUV like an explorer.
Engine is also a ticking bomb due to a poor and over complex timing design.

Fortunately for you, at 68k you should not have any problems for a long while.
If you drive a lot, maybe you will get to the "breaking point" in the next 3 years.

Sorry for those details, v8 combo is much better design, with stronger tranny.

 

[sjkaholt]

I

Any suggestions?

 

[Explorer_PL]

I would still replace the filter and fluid. I did my first service on my tranny (the one on v8) at 60k, and do it every 60k. Still pulling strong at 240k.
5R is a different animal but at 68k I would still service that.
When I was talking to a tranny shop owner, he told me the main thing that kills them is when people switch gears while moving in the opposite direction. When I bought the v6 for my son, it did not have a reverse. Most likely the previous owner shifted to R to quickly while driving forward and broke the reverse band.
I installed a fully re manufactured unit for $ 1800. The shops have those trannies on the shelves ready to swap, that's how "popular" it is, but also because it was used in many other applications (Mustangs, Lincolns, even Jaguars I believe).