New Owner Questions (and reintroduction)

[kars85]

The wife and I "sealed" the deal on a '15 XLT 4WD last night at the dealer (Ames Ford Lincoln), who by the way, has been great to work with. Absolutely no pressure and very patient given that the wife and I have stretched the initial look, look again, test drive, and negotiation, each taking a day. The way it had to go with an 8 month old kid

The funny thing is, we haven't actually even seen it in person, as it's still in BFE Nebraska on another dealers lot. No money has transferred hands, but we've settled on numbers pending delivery Friday/Saturday.

Ended up getting getting smitten over a Magnetic with tan/black interior, 202A equipment package, towing package and rear buckets. While I would have LOVED the added features of the limited and/or sport, looking at over $50k OTD would have had me looking at a loaded Lariat F-150 for that kind of coin.

At any rate, I'm slowly looking at aftermarket goodies and will most likely be getting the Weathertech protection kit (floormats/cargo mat) as a start and hoping my existing Blendmount radar detector mount will work on the rearview mirror. I have to get up to speed with this new setup back from my '03 Exploder days!

One thing that is sort of disappointing is that you're stuck with the NA 3.5 if you want 4WD and something other than the $50k Sport. Would have been nice to have the twin turbo option in other trims. That being said, is anyone tuning these naturally aspirated motors, or is the money and power availability lending itself to just the Ecoboost guys? I worked with James Henson back in the day quite a bit back and forth, but don't know if he's still in the game or has moved on...

I'm also surprised Ford is still sticking with the sealed transmissions :scratch: The 4R70W in my '03 had the same thing, and at changing it at 90k, the fluid was awfully brown and stinky.

Anyway, a little bit of a welcome back introduction and a few questions. Let's keep all four on the road.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome back Kars85.:wavey:
Being a 'Husky' liner users I would recommend getting them since they offer more protection/better coverage than the WeatherTech liners. WeatherTech liners still do not cover the carpeted area up to the door sill. That said, you can't go wrong with either product. There are existing threads on the liners;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377712&highlight=liners
There is also a thread on mounting detectors;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316759&highlight=blendmount
As for the question about tuning a NA 3.5, see;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380609&highlight=tune+3.5

Happy motoring Karson.

Peter

 

[Halwg]

Interesting that there are a lot of things you are already disappointed in, haven't even seen, let alone driven the XLT, but are making a decision to buy. If you are thinking performance, you are going to be VERY disappointed in the 3.5L in the XLT. It has adequate power, but it's quite unexciting. Mine is OK, but doesn't have the snappy acceleration that you are probably looking for.

Probably what you should do is drive it when it comes in and make sure that is what you want. This will give you a couple days to ponder the decision.

 

[kars85]

Interesting that there are a lot of things you are already disappointed in, haven't even seen, let alone driven the XLT, but are making a decision to buy.

Note below that I have test driven one, only difference was it was missing the tow package.

...that the wife and I have stretched the initial look, look again, test drive, and negotiation, each taking a day.

If you are thinking performance, you are going to be VERY disappointed in the 3.5L in the XLT. It has adequate power, but it's quite unexciting. Mine is OK, but doesn't have the snappy acceleration that you are probably looking for.

Probably what you should do is drive it when it comes in and make sure that is what you want. This will give you a couple days to ponder the decision.

Coming from the 3.8L in my Wrangler which is rocking ~130 RWHP with equivalent aerodynamics of a square piece of steel going down the road, the Explorer was, how can I put it...adequate. I wasn't disappointed in the power, just as a consumer it would have been cool if Ford wasn't so limited in what the various trims could get for a motor

For some reason the dealer I bought it from said they're one of only three in the state of Iowa that offer an in-house lifetime powertrain warranty, so I'm not too terribly concerned about the sealed transmission. I need to see some actual signed paperwork once the deal being finalized, though, backing that up. Ford's actuarial scientists are much more adept of knowing the their vehicle component life expectancy than I, so I'm confident all will be well.

[MENTION=163604]peterk9[/MENTION] - thanks for the lead on Husky and the other links. They've helped tremendously!

 

[jmr061]

If it doesn't have remote start tell the dealer you want it enabled as part of the purchase!

 

[tmg19103]

I find the NA V6 to be perfectly fine. It's an SUV, not a sports car. I understand that people appreciate the power of the Sport, but for my purposes - suburban driving with some highway, the NA is just fine. I would not call it underpowered at all.

 

[peterk9]

^

Peter

 

[kars85]

If it doesn't have remote start tell the dealer you want it enabled as part of the purchase!

Good catch, I will! I read something about it being a component on all trims, XLT and above. Something about all I would need then is a new key with the remote start button and have the key reprogrammed to my vehicle? Is there a link I can read up on it more and get the specifics?

NINJA EDIT: Is this it?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=418625

I find the NA V6 to be perfectly fine. It's an SUV, not a sports car. I understand that people appreciate the power of the Sport, but for my purposes - suburban driving with some highway, the NA is just fine. I would not call it underpowered at all.

Exactly my thoughts, too. And the more I drift back into reality, I'm doubting if any performance after market stuff short of forced induction would even be noticeable. Or, make a difference overtaking a vehicle, for instance. At 6,000 lbs, it'd be a hard sell for anything short of 30HP, or even more, to make a difference. On a 600 lb motorcycle - that's another story Don't get me wrong, I've done my fair share of farkling on my old X, and I can't say with confidence the HP increase/$ ratio was worth the cost. Everyone's opinion and experience varies, of course It's an elusive conquest - that's for sure!

 

[jmr061]

Good catch, I will! I read something about it being a component on all trims, XLT and above. Something about all I would need then is a new key with the remote start button and have the key reprogrammed to my vehicle? Is there a link I can read up on it more and get the specifics?

NINJA EDIT: Is this it?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=418625

Yup that is the thread. The hardest part most people have is convincing the dealer to enable it as a reasonable price. If you can get the key(s) included with the deal that would be even better!!

 

[kars85]

Yup that is the thread. The hardest part most people have is convincing the dealer to enable it as a reasonable price. If you can get the key(s) included with the deal that would be even better!!

Sweet - thanks!

I fired off an email to my salesman explaining the 3 buttons the service tech would have to do from the computer (IDS). Dunno what to do about the IKT keys - I'm pretty sure the keys won't have the 4th remote start button needed. :scratch:

Does anyone with an XLT know if the standard key is a 3 button key, or will I have to order new IKT fobs, have them cut, then reprogram the door locks and remote start myself from the manual? Lots of things were crammed in during the time I've been looking, the number of buttons on the keys weren't one of them

I don't have a power assisted lift gate.

All we've done is negotiated a price and both signed on a single piece of paper we negotiated on showing the agreed upon price.

 

[jmr061]

Sweet - thanks!

I fired off an email to my salesman explaining the 3 buttons the service tech would have to do from the computer (IDS). Dunno what to do about the IKT keys - I'm pretty sure the keys won't have the 4th remote start button needed. :scratch:

Does anyone with an XLT know if the standard key is a 3 button key, or will I have to order new IKT fobs, have them cut, then reprogram the door locks and remote start myself from the manual? Lots of things were crammed in during the time I've been looking, the number of buttons on the keys weren't one of them

I don't have a power assisted lift gate.

All we've done is negotiated a price and both signed on a single piece of paper we negotiated on showing the agreed upon price.

You need to use 4 button remote start IKT's to utilize the remote start feature. If you can't get the dealer to toss at least one in contact me directly. Programming the key to your vehicle is simple as long as you follow the owner's manual instructions to a "T".

 

[kars85]

You need to use 4 button remote start IKT's to utilize the remote start feature. If you can't get the dealer to toss at least one in contact me directly. Programming the key to your vehicle is simple as long as you follow the owner's manual instructions to a "T".

I appreciate that, Jason. I'll work the dealer angle as best I can to try and get a key or two. Since nothing's set in stone yet and the deal is sooo close, I'm hoping they'll work with me a little.

 

[JETZ]

That's right! It's a 5000 lb. people/junk mover, not a 3500 lb. Shelby Mustang GT 500.

I find the NA V6 to be perfectly fine. It's an SUV, not a sports car. I understand that people appreciate the power of the Sport, but for my purposes - suburban driving with some highway, the NA is just fine. I would not call it underpowered at all.

 

[Sunny32_1967]

Welcome back Kars85.:wavey:
Being a 'Husky' liner users I would recommend getting them since they offer more protection/better coverage than the WeatherTech liners. WeatherTech liners still do not cover the carpeted area up to the door sill. That said, you can't go wrong with either product. There are existing threads on the liners;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377712&highlight=liners
There is also a thread on mounting detectors;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316759&highlight=blendmount
As for the question about tuning a NA 3.5, see;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380609&highlight=tune+3.5

Happy motoring Karson.

Peter

I just bought Weathertech Floor Liners for my Explorer 2015. Even though they are one of the best out there, I was sad to see that the quality of their liners has gone down quite considerably. The ones I purchased back in 2007 and 2010 were thick and difficult to bend. The side wall construction was solid preventing any spill to move on to the carpet. The ones I got for my explorer are thin and flimsy. Side-walls on these liners are not thick and sturdy anymore. In some spots they are kind of collapsed. I have never used Husky before otherwise looking at the pictures, they seem to have a better product than Weathertek.