What Next?

[97WillowXLT]

160k...

All of the following has been replaced/done:

New plugs.
New plug wires.
Tranny filter + flush.
Thermostat.
Fuel Filter.
MAC Intake.

Plan to do's:
Clean that whining IAC valve.
Cat-back exhaust.
Front mounted huge transmission cooler.
Some grounding.

I am running smaller tires than stock. They're about 27" high, and I think stocks are around 29" high...

Keep in mind, what I'm looking for is reliability, maintenance mods + gas mileage.

What else should I consider doing?

 

[410Fortune]

gear lube change to synthetic
IN fact change everything to synthetic


Flush cooling and power steering

 

[aldive]

Add an external filter on the transmission. See http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34136&highlight=filter

The picture is on my '99.

 

[aldive]

For ideas and recommendations for gas mileage improvement, look at the link in my signature ( Quest for 30 MPG ).

Good luck .......

 

[97WillowXLT]

gear lube change to synthetic
IN fact change everything to synthetic


Flush cooling and power steering

I run synthetic oil + tranny fluid..... besides gear oil, what else is "everything"?

 

[97WillowXLT]

Someone write me a "Zaino polish" for dummies realquick...

What is it, how is it used, and what does it do?

 

[aldive]

I run synthetic oil + tranny fluid..... besides gear oil, what else is "everything"?

Wheel bearing grease.

 

[97WillowXLT]

The external ATF filter.... are you leaving the stock one in also or removing it?

and Why?

 

[aldive]

The external ATF filter.... are you leaving the stock one in also or removing it?

and Why?

I leave it it.

 

[97WillowXLT]

Well, i'm not asking to question your decision....

I am just trying to gain knowledge, so please dont take my questions the wrong way.

But, what purpose would an additional external filter serve?

 

[97WillowXLT]

Also, I tried cleaning my IAC valve once one time before because it was making a little noise.... I could not for the life of me get that black cap off without it feeling like it was going to break....

Is there some trick?

 

[97WillowXLT]

Sorry... when you said gear lube, I assume you meant the gear lube in the rearend.. Should the one in the front (for the 4x4) be changed also?

 

[MONMIX]

Well, i'm not asking to question your decision....

I am just trying to gain knowledge, so please dont take my questions the wrong way.

But, what purpose would an additional external filter serve?

Ummm filtering. Dirt and other contaminates can make an ugly mess of your tranny. Keeping the fluid filtered and clean will keep things running smoother longer.

I too run a tranny filter just like Al. As a matter of fact, many, many people here have one. Ford trannys are not the best in the world so we like to show them a little more love by adding some extra cooling and filtering.

 

[MONMIX]

IN fact change everything to synthetic

Yeah I switched to synthetic wisdshield washer fluid.

That stuff is SOOOOOOOOOOO much better than the regular stuff

 

[97WillowXLT]

Ummm filtering. Dirt and other contaminates can make an ugly mess of your tranny. Keeping the fluid filtered and clean will keep things running smoother longer.

I too run a tranny filter just like Al. As a matter of fact, many, many people here have one. Ford trannys are not the best in the world so we like to show them a little more love by adding some extra cooling and filtering.

Alright, i'll add a filter like that on when I add the cooler up front....

Mine has 160k on it.... and works perfectly...... how long do they usually last?

 

[jwrezz]

It's time. Mine just got rebuilt. It went really suddenly too. My odo says 130,000 but have been running unadjusted odometer for both 31" tires and 33" tires. My estimate comes to about 150,000 miles. So just be prepared.

As for the Zaino, just go to their site. I use it quite often. Claybar only once a year if that, but z1, z2, z5, z6, z7. I'm gonna try the new z8 soon. z1 is very rarely, I interchange z2 and z5 depending on how much off roading I've done. They are so easy to put on and take off that I really don't care about doing it. I used to wash and use fine compound then put on pure carnuba wax, no additives. That was easy and did a great job, but the zaino stuff is even easier even w/ the added steps, lasts long, and looks superb. Even on my really beat up paint job.

 

[97WillowXLT]

Waxing a car has a noticeable difference on gas mileage??????

How much did your rebuild cost?

 

[97WillowXLT]

=d

 

[jwrezz]

I can't say for sure about waxing and mileage, but it's been proven some where. Clean slick surfaces cause less drag. On a big ol explorer, that surface is pretty big. I've heard about wind drag at highway speeds costing 10% in mileage, but that's just from my memory. The rebuild cost 1400, but I know I got off lite. I walked into his shop w/ 800 bucks cash and he said, "just bring me 600 more and we're good" so that's what I did. But i got every thing that need to be upgraded, upgraded. I'm very happy. Any one in N. Jersey should check this guy out. "Foreign & Domestic Transmission" just off I-287 exit 55 on Ringwood ave. Actually he's pretty close to the NY border for any one around there! The actuall town is Haskell, NJ

 

[97WillowXLT]

$1400 off lite?

Holy ****, that's hard to swallow....