Newbie Questions! (Yippie, right?)

[Excell]

Hey guys, I'll try my best to not sound like a n00bie as much as possible here.

My name is Chris and I picked up a 96 Explorer. I love it. I come from a Ford family and I'm glad to be back behind the wheel of a Ford again, after my Mustang was totaled in July.

A few questions for you folks.

1. I have the little keypad on the door and in the owners manual it says the factory code should be taped to the PCM. I pulled the PCM looking computer from the left-side firewall and didn't find anything that looked like a 5 digit code for the keypad. Is this the PCM? In my Mustang it was behind the passenger kickpannel. Where can I find this code?

2. My 96 has the factory tape player. Can I get a factory CD player from a newer Explorer and jusy plug-and-play? Are the harnesses the same, or would it be easier to just get an aftermarket CD player for it?

3. Is my 4.0l OBDII, or is it still EEC-IV or V?

I think that's it for now! Thanks guys!

 

[DeagleDave]

if i were you i'd go get a new CD player, if you already have a stock one, another stock one won't be any improvement in my opinion. If you're gonna do it, do it right!

and your Explorer is OBDII

 

[Robert]

EEC-V is OBD-II which is what your '96 has. Your code is not on the PCM, it is on the RAPS module. The PCM is in the firewall where you found it. The RAPS module is located inside your jack compartment. Remove the acess door and look towards the front. The module is about 6" forward of the opening. The sticker will be on the module and is often times difficult to see. A mirror and flashlight will help.

 

[Excell]

Ahhh, I should have remembered that EEC-V was OBDII. It's been a while since I've talked Ford computer systems.

I saw the RAPS module the other day and thought about taking a look at it, but I ended up just filling the washer fluid resevour and forgetting to check it out.

I guess I should just do it right with the stereo, I know how bad stock systems are.

I'm excited about modding my Explorer. I already have my GTP which is my project car, and should be seeing 12's on the 14th. Hopefully an 11 on the spray by the end of next season. I've already put a K&N filter on my truck, and been looking at exhaust systems and computer chips and the Hypertech Power Programmer. What other types of performance mods are there? I know it's an SUV and all but I'm a power guy.

A question about towing: Ford rates my Explorer at 5000lbs, is this conservative or the absolute MAX? I'd like to tow my car which with a trailer will be near 5000lbs. What are the thoughts on towing with the Explorer?

 

[Robert]

The tow rating is the maximum. One of the trailer magazines puts out a publication regarding towing. They stated that many things will actually lower your rated tow capacity. One thing that will lower it is elevation. For every 1000 feet in elevation that you will be towing at you are supposed to decrease your rating by a certain percentage. I can't remember the exact percentage, but remember that at around 5000 feet your tow rating will be about 60% of the actaul rating. This seems fairly accurate since mine is rated at towing 4800 lbs. When I tow about 3000 lbs up into the mountains it has a definate affect in driveability the higher I go. The magazine said that the tow ratings are based on a new vehicle, with new brakes, very low mileage, on flat ground and at sea level. Unless your Explorer meets all of these stipulations your tow rating will be somewhat less. You can definately get 5000 lbs. moving with your Explorer, however add a hill or try to stop in a hurry and you'll quickly find out if you are over loaded or not. You sould have some margin for gear, emergency stopping and mountains (unless you live in Florida).

I just went back to check your engine and see that you have the OHV 4.0L. In that case, I imagine you would have a very difficult time towing 5000 lbs. You could still do it on flat ground in an emergency, but I wouldn't make a regular habit of it. The automatics that come with the V6s are notoriously weak to begin with. Try moving around a combined weight of over 9000 lbs and it won't last very long.