Need advice about what to do with my Ex's

[EastoutWest]

Hi there. I respect this forum and its users so I'm creating this thread to use your vast knowledge as well as your strong opinions to hopefully come to a conclusion on what to do with my explorers.

The setup: I have two 1991 Explorer XLTs. I'm going to designate them as the red one and the blue one for ease of discussion. They both have power everything, LSD axles, and manual trannies. I have to move soon and can't take two vehicles with me.

The red one: Electric transfer case and auto hubs. High mileage and rusty engine compartment and undercarriage. Pretty reliable but engine is showing signs of age. Tranny and 4x4 work great. It was in a wreck before I got it but the only damage was to the right rear quarter panel and liftgate, which have since been rigged to be functional. This truck is slowly falling apart although the paint is pretty.

The blue one: Manual t-case and hubs, factory tow package (which, I'm told means better suspension), no body damage, faded paint but no rust, it has obviously been better cared-for. I think the tranny is shot though. I can start it and it runs great but when I let the clutch out (no matter what 4x4/gear combo) it either makes a horrible clattering then locks up and stalls or just locks up (even in neutral with t-case in neutral). With the clutch in, it is silent. The shifters do move into what feels like gears. It cannot be driven whatsoever. I drained the transmission and transfer case fluids. The transmission oil smelled really burnt and was full of metal shavings. The t-case fluid appeared normal. Sounds like the transmission is shot, right?

So my dilemma: I don't want to drive a wrecked vehicle. It looks bad and is embarrassing. I like the idea of a manual transfer case and hubs. I don't have much money either as I am looking for work. I was originally operating under the premise that I would take the tranny from the red one and put it in the blue one. But I am running out of time. A shop wants ~$500 to do the swap, which I don't have. I don't have a transmission jack and don't have anyone to help me. And my biggest fear is that I get a different transmission in the blue one and find out the t-case is bad.

So my next thought was maybe to sell the red one as a working vehicle and take the proceeds and buy a used transmission and have a shop put it in the blue one. I have found used M5od-r1's for around $250-300. But I don't know if a 2wd ranger's m5od will match up to my manual t-case/extension housing. will it?

My third thought is to sell them both and buy something else with better gas mileage. But I must say, I recently went 4-wheeling and was impressed with the x's abilities in stock form. I like having a truck. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to get much money for these two explorers.

So what do you all think I should do? It would be cool to sell to someone from this forum. I'm in Charlotte NC.

 

[EastoutWest]

It occurred to me that my post may be too long for those with short patience, so here is the short of it:

Red and blue 1991 explorers have manual transmissions. The red one has a shot body, the blue one has a shot transmission. I have no money and no transmission jack. I only need one vehicle in the end. What do?

 

[Maniak]

Thats a tight spot...

Swapping the trans from the red to the blue is what I would do. If you find the transfer case is bad, you can swap that too, and for "now" you can manually shift the case by pulling the transfer case motor and turning the shaft manually. I know its not ideal, but that will leave you with a working vehicle.

Also, When you swap the trans, you may end up needing to swap the clutch as who knows what damage was done to it. When your doing the clutch and have the trans out, change the slave cylinder as it is in the bell housing, along with the clutch.

I can understand your concern about lifting/installing a trans by yourself, but others here have done it.. I belive MrQ has done it a few times recently (few, as in 4 or 5). I'm sure he may have some tricks for you.. My biggest issue with dong that is I always seem to have the vehicle too high for me to reach up. To take it down I just use a floor jack and it comes down in a controlled fall.

Around here, a vehicle sold as scrap gets you about $300 or so, but you have to get it to them and IIRc, you have to pull the tires/rims and gas tank off.. That doesn't quite sound like something you can do.. You can sometimes find places that will take away scrap vehicles and give you some money, but its about 1/2 or less than what you can get if you scrap it yourself.

Thats just my .02.. I'm sure others will have input, probably better than mine too.

~Mark

 

[EastoutWest]

Thank you for your advice, I'll look at MrQ's posts. I agree that would probably be ideal.
Do you not think someone would want to buy a disabled X with good parts if posted on craigslist?

 

[Maniak]

Thank you for your advice, I'll look at MrQ's posts. I agree that would probably be ideal.
Do you not think someone would want to buy a disabled X with good parts if posted on craigslist?

I don't think you will get anything for it on craigslist. Running 1st Gen explorers, without much rest, even with a/c don't go for more than $1500 or so.. non running is really only worth scrap price..

~Mark

 

[EastoutWest]

Know of any specific m5od 4x4 removal threads with pics. That option is sounding better... maybe I should just stop being a ninny and bite the bullet.

 

[Naasau]

As scary as it may sound, I'm with Maniak, bite the bullet and try swapping them out. If your worried about damaging the tranny by dropping it, pull the blown one first. That way you'll get a feel for how to do it and see what your dealing with. I would also agree that swapping in the other clutch & slave cylinder as it won't be much extra work and you'll thank yourself later. Also, I don't know how active forum members are in your area, but you might be able to pull some aid by offering free beer (or whatever) in exchange for a set of hands for an afternoon. I've done it here before, and its always worked out well.

IMHO, milage is a small price to pay for the dependabilty and overall driving experience of the 1st gens, and I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

 

[EastoutWest]

good call naasau. I've started removing the blue transmission. got the driveshafts marked and off, electric connections and speedo cable, brush guard. I've taken out the splash shields in the engine bay to get easier access to the manifold to y-pipe bolts.
I started removing the t-case but put the whole thing aside when i couldn't access the top t-case bolts. thought i might try removing the crossmember and lowering the rear end of the t-case/tranny/engine assembly to get to those top bolts.
After not working on it for about a month, i think i'll go out and see if i can get the transfer case and/or y-pipe out.

 

[Maniak]

Lowering the back of the trans does make it easier to get to those upper bolts.

I did a quick search and I couldn't find a manual trans r&r thread..

Also, you will want to drop the cross pipe. What I did is remote it at the manifolds and then I just cut the pipe after the cat. When I put it back together I just used a band clamp to hold the pipes together.

~Mark

 

[EastoutWest]

Maniak, if I were to need to also swap the transfer case, I would almost rather try to incorporate the electrical components from the red one than have to get under the vehicle to put it in 4wd. Have you heard of that being done? I'm a little more electrically inclined than mechanically.

Band clamp, I didn't think of that, or some larger diameter pipe with u-clamps...?

 

[Maniak]

Maniak, if I were to need to also swap the transfer case, I would almost rather try to incorporate the electrical components from the red one than have to get under the vehicle to put it in 4wd. Have you heard of that being done? I'm a little more electrically inclined than mechanically.

Band clamp, I didn't think of that, or some larger diameter pipe with u-clamps...?

Yup.. I like Band clamps. I have a pair on the mustang and they seal so much better, especially where I'm just sealing a pipe I cut (same size on both sides).

If you "have to" move the electric transfer case over to the manual truck, I'd run it with vice grips to start with then get either a shiftster (sp?) or some other manual control for the electronic transfer case once you can afford one. The electric shift is actually controlled by a shift computer in the back corner of the X and a multi wire switch/led control on the dash. I dont' think its worth the headache.

~Mark

 

[EastoutWest]

well i just spent the last few hours trying to break the y-pipe bolts loose and have decided I just don't have the tools or patience to do this. I got one of four loose and stripped the head of another one. I was twisting my socket extension.

Anyone wanna buy anything off the blue one before I scrap it? You have to remove it or take the whole truck... charlotte, nc

 

[EastoutWest]

What a terrible way to end that thread... I'm sorry.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340421

It is finally resolved! Thanks for your help Maniak and Nassau!

 

[Naasau]

Yay! Congrats on the saving of your X!