Tranny Maintenance

[2001ExpSport]

I just got some 33" Super Swamper TSL's mounted today and boy they are awesome!!

I have 3.73 gears and it does drive ok, bit I can tell a difference. I imagine this is going to strain the tranny a bit so I was wondering what preventive maintenance I can do to lengthen the life of my tranny before I need a rebuild? Granted it only has 22k on it, but I would like to take care of it before it breaks.

So, give me some advice guys.

Thanks in advance....Matt

 

[93 & 96 EB & XLT]

I would like to know as well Im getting 32 inch tires soon

 

[Kampy]

1. Get a BIG tranny cooler, as big as you can fit in the available space.
2. Use synthetic fluid.
3. Change it every 12 - 15K
4. If you can, go to steeper gearing, if you can't, stay out of OD unless you're really cruising.

That's your best bet to make it live a long happy life.

 

[SteveVB]

Yea, What he said...

An Aux tranny cooler is a must if you dont have one. Get a plate type not the tube type. And bigger is better.
I think you already have synthetic fluid in the trans from the factory. 12-15k is a bit much for changes, I would keep to the schedule outlined by Ford. If the fluid is kept cool and in good shape you really shouldnt need to change it-unless you get in some deep water, mud that could get in the breather tube(extend it so you dont worry) or the fluid color changes dramatically.
Get an Aux cooler- single best tranny mod I believe.

 

[Kampy]

Steve, I didn't realize the newer explorers had synthetic in the trannys. Thats good.
I run Attica with Matt, that's why I suggested the early change intervals. He works the old girl real hard. Deep water and mud, yea, Matt likes that stuff, and he's a little slow about asking for the strap. Here's a sample of Matt at his finest.

and

 

[2001ExpSport]

YEEEEHAAAW!!!

Here is a site I was looking at. Has some coolers on it. Is this what I should be looking for?

Hayden or Tru-Cool coolers...the biggest one is about $50.

Hayden Transaver 30000 GVW
# 1679 9 7/8" x 11" x 3/4" Heavy duty cooler

here's the site:

http://www.bulkparts.com/

 

[Kampy]

If it will fit, that's the one you want.

 

[2001ExpSport]

If it goes in front of the radiator, it'll fit......I think I have a small one already. There is a small cooler type radiator in front of the engine radiator.

 

[SteveVB]

Matt,

Before you get the hayden,check the ones on that site from tru cool. I think the plate type work a bit more effectively than the tube type, and as a result are much smaller/cooling capacity. Ive got the plate type on all my vehicles with aux coolers- much easoier to fuind the space to mount.
I have one thats about 1/2 as small as the one your looking at rated at the same GVW.

I would definately make sure your breather hoses are up in your cowl area. Your trans will suck in water and mud, especially if you go out in the cold months due to the pressure changes. Cheap too, just some hoses and clamps.

Good luck with the tranny.

 

[93 & 96 EB & XLT]

where can I find the tranny hoses on my 93 xlt? I know on the tranny, but I would be interested in extending them into my engine compartment too, I like mud a lot.

 

[SteveVB]

Tranny Vent location

The vent on the early models is on the driverside, near the shift linkage, on mine its a 5/16 or 3/8 (cant remember which) tube that points straight down. The tube is connected to both the t/C and the tranny.
I would assume the later models are similar since the tranny is the same(at least the mechanicals are the same)
Hope that helps

 

[01EB5.0]

I run synthetic fluid and change the fluid every 25K and change the filter every 50K.