Some questions on a 2005 Sport Trac...

[EgregoreMaster]

Hello everyone,

This is a great site, with some very knowledgeable people on it.

First off, I am a new owner of a 2005 Sport Trac XLT with 42,000 miles on it, and most of them are axle miles because an older couple use to tow it behind their RV. I bought this truck because I use to have a 2000 Saturn LS2 V6 with 75,000 miles, and my timing belt broke which cause everything in the engine to break, and/or bend. It would have cost me $4,000 or more to basically replace the engine - that was just not going to happen.

For my first question about this 2005 truck - are there any known major issues with the timing chain, and/or anything else which could rape a persons wallet clean? Also, if there are any little issues with this year of truck - I would like to know that as well.

I just got it yesterday, and I bought a 5 year/60,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty with it. With this warranty they look at the 42,000 miles as really being only 1 mile, so it is like a warranty for a brand new truck, which I thought was a good deal, and something that I needed considering what I just went through with the Saturn I had.

I have 30 days to return the truck if I decide to not go through with the deal, so if anyone has any comments on any issues with this particular year of the Sport Trac - it would be greatly appreciated .

Have a Merry Christmas everyone...

 

[rmcalis]

My 2005 ST just went over the 50K mile mark. Only issues I've had is a speed control problem (repaired under warranty) and a rear transmission seal (repaired myself, about $12 and half hour labor). Seems that most of the generation one problems had been solved by the 2005 model year. One thing I keep hearing about over on the mysporttrac web site (http://www.mysporttrac.com/mysporttrac/) is a sensitive auto tranny, but nothing extraordinary. BTW, Lots of good advice and projects over there. Good luck with your truck.

 

[EgregoreMaster]

Thank you for the info...

 

[brianjwilson]

There is a common problem with the timing chain tensioners on these 4.0L SOHC engines. Listen for a rattle when the engine is cold, that's normally how it starts.
Also it is a good idea to install a bigger (stacked plate style) transmission cooler to help keep the transmission cool. Mine used to run in the 180's on an average day driving around town empty. After a bigger better cooler, the transmission temp was average 20 degrees cooler in the same conditions. Heat will keep that transmission pretty quick.
There are other fairly common issues like balljoints, heater blend door issues (fairly spendy to fix)... Overall fairly trouble free I think, but those are some of the common things.

 

[JohnnyO]

I had an '05 before, no major problems in three years and 45,000 miles. One wheel bearing and one ball joint replaced. I think that was it. By '05 the timing chain issues were fixed and not subject to recall as far as I know.
DO change all the fluids. I can't stress that enough. Tranny flush every 30k and do the transfer case too (assuming you have a 4x4) because the fluid in it will look like tar. It takes ATF as well. Tranny takes Mercon V, t-case uses plain Mercon. Coolant too, even if it hasn't actually been driven that many miles, time itself will still cause electrolysis in the coolant.
Fuel filter.
Oh, and DO put new shocks on right away if it still has the originals. They're way too soft and actually unsafe IMHO.

 

[brianjwilson]

True, the factory shocks are garbage by 30k miles.

 

[EgregoreMaster]

Thanks for all the information guys - helps out a lot. One question about the shocks on it, without sounding like a dummy. How do I know if they are the original shocks? Is there a certain brand or number to look for on them? Thanks once again...

 

[JohnnyO]

If the shocks are plain black with no name then they are likely the originals. Go with Monroe Sensa Tracs if you drive mostly on-road, if you're going to off-road or tow then Monroe Reflexes are a little stiffer. I put Sensa Tracs on my old '05 at 12,000 miles after I hit a ripple on the New York Thruway and got sideways at 70 mph.
Catch them on sale at Sears and you can get four installed for around $200.
Anybody here will tell you it's money well-spent.