Worth keeping?

[tjtony]

Picked up a 2005 Ford Explorer XLT from the original owner a few months ago. 118k, sunroof, 3rd row, remote start. interior is mint, exterior is great with the exception of rust by the fuel fill door. its due for some maintenance, including new tires, front left wheel bearing, and upper control arms. i can do the work myself (except tires), and depending on what tires i get i'm looking at 800-1000. i was also going to change (not flush) the transmission fluid and filter also. when i bought it for around 3k i looked at it as a 250/month car payment for a year, if it lasted a year it would be worth it, and i thought it would be good for towing our old popup camper a few times, but after hearing about transmission problems i'm not so sure. not looking at is an investment, but don't want to get stuck with a broke tranny. should i unload it, fix it and sell, or fix and keep? let me know what you think and what i could get for it.
Thanks

 

[TechGuru]

I have a 2003 with 241K and have been missing 2nd and 5th gears for the past two years and just a few months ago developed a oil leak somewhere on the driver side. I'm done putting money into it, I've been wanting to upgrade to something with higher towing capacity. Also I hate maintaining/keeping aligned IRS (Independent rear suspension) so Expeditions are out. As much as I'd like to stay with Ford because ForScan makes working on them a breeze, Ford no longer makes any live axle SUV's so I'm leaning towards getting a 2007+ Suburban or Tahoe, 4WD of course.
Should have enough saved up by next fall. I'd get a Toyota 4Runner or Sequoia but they're just too expensive. Not looking to spend more than $8K.

I would consider another Explorer if I came across a good deal on a V8 4x4 one with a decent transmission, then I could just transfer most of my new parts over to it.

Where do people find used older cars these days? I'm finding hardly any 3rd and 4th gen explorers on AutoTrader and CraigsList. Did they all crap out and go to the shredders?

 

[94Eddie]

I found my Steeda Mustang and 2010 Mountaineer on Facebook for very good prices. I think it is far better than Craigslist or the car websites. I don't have a use for Fakebook otherwise except to tell friends and relatives Happy Birthday. It seems there are better deals on better vehicles there, in general. It is also a good place to find a lot of used items locally. The vehicle search functions are somewhat tedious but worth the effort.

 

[yeet1331]

Spend the money, but hold on the transmission fluid change. At this point just leave it in for the rest of its life, as changing it may be enough to break it

 

[TechGuru]

Spend the money, but hold on the transmission fluid change. At this point just leave it in for the rest of its life, as changing it may be enough to break it

Another reason I want to move to GM. I want to have a trans dipstick and filler! lol

 

[Black Dynomite]

To my knowledge, most tranny issues are with 5R55W, you probably have 5R55S.
I'd do the servo bores fix and keep it!

Ford Lincoln Mercury Explorer Mountaineer Navigator Servo Bore Fix

AJ1E Superior Solutions, LLC - Ford Servo Bore Transmission Fix Solution Kit

www.fordservoboretransmissionfixsolution.com

 

[tjtony]

To my knowledge, most tranny issues are with 5R55W, you probably have 5R55S.
I'd do the servo bores fix and keep it!

Ford Lincoln Mercury Explorer Mountaineer Navigator Servo Bore Fix

AJ1E Superior Solutions, LLC - Ford Servo Bore Transmission Fix Solution Kit

www.fordservoboretransmissionfixsolution.com

I will have to check the sticker and see which one i have.

 

[drdoom]

If you want to tow, check and see if you have the towing package.

 

[tjtony]

If you want to tow, check and see if you have the towing package.

Well it has the factory hitch and plug....

 

[TechGuru]

Well it has the factory hitch and plug....

They all do...

You want the factory 2" with 7 pin socket

 

[yeet1331]

To my knowledge, most tranny issues are with 5R55W, you probably have 5R55S.
I'd do the servo bores fix and keep it!

Ford Lincoln Mercury Explorer Mountaineer Navigator Servo Bore Fix

AJ1E Superior Solutions, LLC - Ford Servo Bore Transmission Fix Solution Kit

www.fordservoboretransmissionfixsolution.com

I have a 2005 4.6.. which one do I have myself

 

[Davies0202]

I have a 2003 with 241K and have been missing 2nd and 5th gears for the past two years and just a few months ago developed a oil leak somewhere on the driver side. I'm done putting money into it, I've been wanting to upgrade to something with higher towing capacity. Also I hate maintaining/keeping aligned IRS (Independent rear suspension) so Expeditions are out. As much as I'd like to stay with Ford because ForScan makes working on them a breeze, Ford no longer makes any live axle SUV's so I'm leaning towards getting a 2007+ Suburban or Tahoe, 4WD of course.
Should have enough saved up by next fall. I'd get a Toyota 4Runner or Sequoia but they're just too expensive. Not looking to spend more than $8K.

I would consider another Explorer if I came across a good deal on a V8 4x4 one with a decent transmission, then I could just transfer most of my new parts over to it.

Where do people find used older cars these days? I'm finding hardly any 3rd and 4th gen explorers on AutoTrader and CraigsList. Did they all crap out and go to the shredders?

I have a 2003 with 241K and have been missing 2nd and 5th gears for the past two years and just a few months ago developed a oil leak somewhere on the driver side. I'm done putting money into it, I've been wanting to upgrade to something with higher towing capacity. Also I hate maintaining/keeping aligned IRS (Independent rear suspension) so Expeditions are out. As much as I'd like to stay with Ford because ForScan makes working on them a breeze, Ford no longer makes any live axle SUV's so I'm leaning towards getting a 2007+ Suburban or Tahoe, 4WD of course.
Should have enough saved up by next fall. I'd get a Toyota 4Runner or Sequoia but they're just too expensive. Not looking to spend more than $8K.

I would consider another Explorer if I came across a good deal on a V8 4x4 one with a decent transmission, then I could just transfer most of my new parts over to it.

Where do people find used older cars these days? I'm finding hardly any 3rd and 4th gen explorers on AutoTrader and CraigsList. Did they all crap out and go to the shredders?

Facebook marketplace has an ungodly amount of cheap used cars

 

[Black Dynomite]

I have a 2005 4.6.. which one do I have myself

5R55S

 

[mountaineer2004]

Where do people find used older cars these days? I'm finding hardly any 3rd and 4th gen explorers on AutoTrader and CraigsList. Did they all crap out and go to the shredders?

I think the explorer was either 1 or 2 crushed in "cash for clunkers" back in 2009.

 

[yeet1331]

5R55S

yay i don't have the problem child! I do have the 2-3 flare when it warms up tho

 

[Rrobby$]

yay i don't have the problem child! I do have the 2-3 flare when it warms up

yay i don't have the problem child! I do have the 2-3 flare when it warms up tho

I have an '05 Sport Trac so assume mine to be 5R55S, too, but what is 2-3 flare? What do I need to worry about happening, next?

 

[yeet1331]

I have an '05 Sport Trac so assume mine to be 5R55S, too, but what is 2-3 flare? What do I need to worry about happening, next?

When my transmission warms up if I take off when it shifts from second to third it kind of slips a little, it's mostly a computer issue actually

 

[drdoom]

I have an '05 Sport Trac so assume mine to be 5R55S, too, but what is 2-3 flare? What do I need to worry about happening, next?

Sport Trac has the 5R55E, IIRC.

 

[Black Dynomite]

 

[MichaelMajorana]

I have a 2003 with 241K and have been missing 2nd and 5th gears for the past two years and just a few months ago developed a oil leak somewhere on the driver side. I'm done putting money into it, I've been wanting to upgrade to something with higher towing capacity. Also I hate maintaining/keeping aligned IRS (Independent rear suspension) so Expeditions are out. As much as I'd like to stay with Ford because ForScan makes working on them a breeze, Ford no longer makes any live axle SUV's so I'm leaning towards getting a 2007+ Suburban or Tahoe, 4WD of course.
Should have enough saved up by next fall. I'd get a Toyota 4Runner or Sequoia but they're just too expensive. Not looking to spend more than $8K.

I would consider another Explorer if I came across a good deal on a V8 4x4 one with a decent transmission, then I could just transfer most of my new parts over to it.

Where do people find used older cars these days? I'm finding hardly any 3rd and 4th gen explorers on AutoTrader and CraigsList. Did they all crap out and go to the shredders?

Hello I am a new member but have a lot of experience with auto trans, If I was you I would drain the oil then remove the pan take the valve body off and send it out to be rebuilt you have a stuck spool or a bad solenoid all repairable.