So my wifes POS X5 BMW broke and needs a motor. well I have no time or want to fix this thing so I stripped it of all good parts and managed to get 2k from salvage yard for it. so.....

I found a 2004 explorer 4x4. it has 112k on odo and owner says he put new timing chain/belt and tensionsers in (does it have a chain or belt?) and a fresh transmission.

I am not sure on the trim level but it has third row seating, cloth interior, and the lower body cladding and running boards. It looks to be in great shape to me I wana drive it tonight more and check the computer and such with my snap on scan tool.

so tell me about this rig,

Is the 4.0 a good motor?
the 5 speed zf trans?
It has the small trailer hitch receptical on rear can that be changed?
What is towing like with this rig?

Oh he is asking 5k for the explorer but I think I can get it for 4500.

 

Do you know which 4.0L it has (OHV vs. SOHC)? It's not likely practical to change the 1 1/4" receiver to a 2". The more likely scenario would be to add a 2" receiver underneath. But with the 1 1/4" it probably does not have the towing package which means it may not have provisions for the plug-and-play trailer brake controller or an auxiliary transmission oil cooler. What are you wanting to tow with this (weight and length)?

For probably not a lot more money or much of a hit in fuel economy you could find an Explorer/Mountaineer with the more robust 4.6L V8, same transmission, but class 3 receiver and towing package. These are getting to be pretty common on the used market, you shouldn't need to settle.

-Rod

 

4.0 SOHC. Decent power. Noisy, thirsty. Timing chain tensioners are trouble. Look at the receipt, if he did both sides you are good for another 100k+. There are four chains. Crank to balance shaft and crank to jackshaft (where the cam was in the pushrod motor) generally do not need service. Driver side cam chain is usually serviced at some point and the tensioners replaced. Passenger side chain and tensioner are at the back of the motor, and you either have to pull the motor or pull the trans to get to it. Make sure it was done. If not, it's a crap shoot on how long it will last. Some make it past 200k, and some are dead long before 112k. Keep clean oil in it.

5 speed auto: A Ford item with several issues like a flare between gears due to a too soft shift set up, and servo bore issues. If it's rebuilt, good. Keep clean fluid and an in-line filter does not hurt either.

Towing: I think they max at 5000lbs with the bigger hitch. You can put an aftermarket hitch under that smaller one.

I can't get instructions to load, but I get the impression the factory hitch is welded in, thus the "add on" nature of the aftermarket jobs.

AlaskanEx has towed some pretty good loads, he may pile on here.

IMO, a V8 (302) with a 4R70W would be a better bet. '98 - '01, the previous model.

 

So Guess I wana know, is there any mods, preventative work, that can be done to keep this "fresh" transmission happy.

fluid changes at 30k seems to pop up on here.

maybee a bigger cooler?

 

My Ford reman or new, not sure which, had an in-line filter put on the cooler lines. It started to do the flare between 1st and 2nd, or 2nd and 3rd, can't recall which. The independant shop put some Justice Brothers trans additive in it, and it shifted fine after that, 'til the day it went to the scrappy courtesy of a drunken driver.

 

Ok so I bit the bullet and purchased this rig. got it for 4500.

body is pristine, interior is great, except for a tear in the sunroof shade.

rear back up sensors do not work? what gives here. when placed into reverse the switch on the dash next to column illuminates and says off. is there a setting on this car to shut it off permanitly.

also there is an oil leak in the v of the motor. looks to be comming form the tensioner and the plug next to it. what is best way to repair this.

thanks

 

As for the backup sensor, there is a setting in the driver information center to silence the backup alarm, but I'm not sure if you can also disable it through the settings. It's worth scrolling through the settings to see what you can find. If you don't have an owner's manual for the truck you can download an electronic copy as well. If there is not a menu setting to disable the system, there is probably an issue somewhere with it that is causing it to shut off, such as corrosion in a connector or a bad sensor.

-Rod

 

No setting button on this explorer, only the standard instrument cluster with compas and miles outside temp.