My First Explorer, 2000 EB

[traveler]

Well, Clifford is back. My stepson and I installed a new strut in his 2017 Escape and its good as new.
Now, this Saturday, I get to install new Torsion bar pads and a transmission mount. The pads are aftermarket, so probably cheap, but they'll last long enough to let me see how the truck rides with new ones. By the time they do wear out I'll have something to replace them. So I get to spend Saturday on my back under the Explorer.

 

[donalds]

I get to spend Saturday on my back under the Explorer.

You loved every minute

 

[traveler]

LoL Not exactly. The underside of my truck shows the signs of abuse. The bolts are bashed against rocks and difficult to get wrenches on.
The new Torsion bar pads are infinitely better than the old ones. I know this to be true as when I got the old ones out, the only thing left was the steel plates that the pads go in. The Transmission mount that I was hoping would move the transmission over at least an inch... didn't. The driveshaft yoke is just rubbing against the plastic cover over the fuel tank. It didn't use to do that. And if you look along the driveshaft toward the rear end it doesn't look like they're at a 90° angle to each other. Somehow the driveline has drifted toward the drivers side. I don't know, maybe a bent cross member? Motor mounts bad? I'm considering drilling new holes in the crossmember for the trans mount.

 

[gmanpaint]

If your Motor Mounts check out to be fine, then look at all 4 Leaf spring bushings, including the rear inner frame box itself for them.

Take a look at your back tires outer edge while standing behind the rig. Is the Dr side sticking out further? While this is not uncommon, a more prominent difference from the Dr side extending further, is a sign the engine torque on the driveline has taken a toll on it. 4low use and climbing tends to speed up these issues.

 

[traveler]

Thanks for the confirmation. I had considered the possibility of the rear axle being outa wack. Particularly since I put those F150 springs in. Maybe I didn't get them lined up right? Though I don't see how I could get them wrong. I'll take some measurements and see what I can find out. I really don't like the way it looks under the truck now.

 

[CDW6212R]

Have there been any hard impacts to the side of the wheels or suspension from off roading? The body can move on the frame mounts with enough force.


My first 93 had been rolled, the wheels hitting the ground hard caused minor damage to the left fender and quarter panel. I discovered the wheels moved to the side a lot, 3/4" at least. I fixed that by loosening the body mounts and pulling the body to the right side to center it.

 

[410Fortune]

Measure! From the frame to tires and from front axle to rear tires see if it is all near square

The factory transmission mount worn out?
Engine mounts also suspect

In my signature I have a thread for 5.0
Crossmember modifications to upgrade the factory transmission mount to a much stronger one
I always move the transmission 1/4”
To the passenger side when converting from awd to 4wd it helps with driveline
Clearance and rear driveline shake

It is common for me to trim thay plastic guard as well because the f150ndriveline is larger and likes to run close to that plastic

 

[traveler]

Been thinking about the driveshaft to near the fuel tank. It can't be the rear end. Due to the U-Joints, even if the rear end isn't square it isn't going to move the front of the driveshaft that much, it would bend at the joints (right?). The issue has to be the transmission somehow has shifted to the drivers side an inch or so. BUT the new mount doesn't have enough play in it to allow that. The new mount should put it right where it is supposed to be (right?). Unless, somehow, the crossmember that the mount attaches to is wonky. I'm fairly certain it isn't the motor mounts.
I'm thinking of just pulling the trans mount out, drilling new holes about 1" to 1.5" to the right of the original holes (putting a 1/4" steel plate in it to reinforce the original holes) and re-installing it. Also like the idea of trimming the plastic. Thoughts?

 

[410Fortune]

I’ve only ever had to move the trans to the passenger side 1/4”
1-1-5” is a lot! Your engine will be twisted in its mounts
If your trans has moved over 1” then something for sure going on with engine mounts or? There are only 3 mounting points for the whole drivetrain
If your crossmember has been bashed up that badly maybe replace it?

You can see the transmission mount I use on these v8 autos in my signature

 

[traveler]

Haven't actually taken any measurements. I just threw some numbers out there. I'll take some actual measurements this weekend.

 

[traveler]

Ok, got the driveshaft moved away from the gas tank. When I said 1.5" I was thinking of the driveshaft, not the transmission. I had forgotten about how arcs work. I moved the transmission at the mount by 1/2" tops, The new holes are literally right next to the oem ones and they are 1/2" holes. That moved the driveshaft just over an inch. Got clearance now, its all good.
I haven't been out on a trail in way too long. I'm heading up north in late June to drop Sandi off at our regional church camp. I'd love to attend myself but we have two dogs that need attending (Did I mention we got a Yellow Lab Puppy?). So I'm dropping Sandi off, setting up the camper, and heading home. The reason I mention this is the campground is literally on the Senator Highway, a simple trail I'm aching to explore. Its supposed to be a relatively simple trail from Prescott to Crown King, so I'll take Clifford and see how it looks!

 

[traveler]

Just realized I mentioned our new pup but didn't post a pic.
Meet Dolly

 

[410Fortune]

Good looking k9!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

How cute!!!!!!!

 

[traveler]

Yea and only 8 months old. LoL she's cost us a couch so far, and put a hole in our wall. Not sure how she did that yet!

 

[Turdle]

That is a mirror of Molly. Nice looking fur kid Mike.

 

[traveler]

Yea, they are quite similar. Molly was better behaved, but then again Dolly is a puppy. And Molly was a Dudley (pink nose and belly) Dolly isn't. Sandis sister has a black lab male and a yellow lab female so when they had pups, Sandi got to pick one from that litter. We didn't really need another dog but this one is quite a character.

 

[traveler]

Quick question for those that have Eddie Bauers and Limited's. I'm considering removing the computer console and installing a regular XL type console so I'll have room to move my light and fan switches from the radio area to the console, allowing me room for a double din stereo. The question for those that may have done it... did you end up missing the computer display?

 

[DintDobbs]

Having both a Limited and a Sport, I am going to tell you right now that not having the computer display is more to my liking than having it. Having it is kind of a flex, since it's retro fancy high tech stuff, but having the little storage cups is much more convenient for every purpose. The display doesn't actually provide any useful information - fuel economy, fuel range estimator, washer fluid refill reminder, oil change reminder. If I hadn't bought the Limited just to keep it nice, I'd have ditched that little display within a month. When I'm driving the Sport, none of those things ever cross my mind.

 

[traveler]

All are very good points, of course I'd end up covering the cups with a panel for switches. But still valid points. Thanks.