Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

2003 Explorer full time AWD issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 12, 2015 | 08:00 AM
  #1  
Badfunkn's Avatar
Badfunkn
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Va Beach
2003 Explorer full time AWD issues

picked up an '03 Eddie Bauer v8 with the full time AWD knowing that the transfer case needed to be replaced, I got a good deal so it was worth it. It's still driveable but it binds in sharps turns and I get the occasional knock. I have two questions really, what is the correct PN for the single speed transfer case for this year model? All the online ford parts store will give me is 7A195... well yeah, there's like a hundred different variations on that part number. And what year Mountaineers and Aviators will cross over to the Explorer? I've been searching ebay but their info is all over the place, no consistency.

As an after thought, how difficult would it be to convert this to a 2 speed part time 4x4?
 
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2015 | 10:02 PM
  #2  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
why not rebuild what is in it ? The "auto" monitors the rear wheel speed compared to front wheel speed. Locks in the front end when there is a big difference... I can pull off the side of the road, crank the wheel REAL HARD, and turn 180 degrees on a two lane road and the front end will "grab- bind" as the inside wheel front is turning much slower than the rear wheel outside.... Just the way it works. You don't notice it in normal turns or on the road.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2015 | 08:08 AM
  #3  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Just to be clear, is the stock unit full time AWD or automatic 4WD? There is quite a difference. Do you have any controls for the transfer case in the cabin?

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2015 | 09:26 AM
  #4  
Badfunkn's Avatar
Badfunkn
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Va Beach
Originally Posted by shorod
Just to be clear, is the stock unit full time AWD or automatic 4WD? There is quite a difference. Do you have any controls for the transfer case in the cabin?

-Rod
Full time, single speed. Part of the reason im asking how difficult it would be to convert to true 4x4. Im finding tons of used part time transfer cases cheap but the full time awd is harder to come by for explorers, but I'm finding a lot for aviators and mountaineers.

I thought about a rebuild but a new viscous clutch is about $800, a reman is about 500 plus bearings etc youre looking at a minimum $700 to rebuild. A used case from the boneyard is running 250-450 depending on the part number..
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2015 | 11:24 AM
  #5  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I had a 2004 Mountaineer with AWD and the V8. It worked just like the AWD in the Explorers that I drove, and it had absolutely no user interface. I traded the Mountaineer in on a 2004 Aviator, and the AWD in the Aviator was different from the Mountaineer. In the Aviator the truck would switch between RWD and AWD automatically and had an option to lock the AWD through the information center.

If you get an AWD unit from a Mountaineer (it might need to be one without RSC / AdvanceTrac) it should work for your Explorer. I don't think the transfer case from an Aviator would work properly though.

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2015 | 12:08 PM
  #6  
Badfunkn's Avatar
Badfunkn
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Va Beach
Originally Posted by shorod
I had a 2004 Mountaineer with AWD and the V8. It worked just like the AWD in the Explorers that I drove, and it had absolutely no user interface. I traded the Mountaineer in on a 2004 Aviator, and the AWD in the Aviator was different from the Mountaineer. In the Aviator the truck would switch between RWD and AWD automatically and had an option to lock the AWD through the information center.

If you get an AWD unit from a Mountaineer (it might need to be one without RSC / AdvanceTrac) it should work for your Explorer. I don't think the transfer case from an Aviator would work properly though.

-Rod
that's where that consistency issue comes into play, it seems Mountaineer and Aviator cross over regularly, but only Explorer and Mountaineer crossover... Makes it difficult to know if I'm looking at the right parts...
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2015 | 11:30 PM
  #7  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Originally Posted by Badfunkn
it seems Mountaineer and Aviator cross over regularly, but only Explorer and Mountaineer crossover.
In general I wouldn't agree with that statement. The Mountaineer is nearly identical to the Explorer except for a few body panels. The Aviator is quite different from both - different engine, several different body panels, a few different windows, quite different interior, and also, from my experience, different transfer case.

If you're seeing transfer cases that list they work on both the Mountaineer and Aviator, I'd suspect those are for Mountaineers with AdvanceTrac which might be different from what's in the Explorer.

-Rod
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
James Ayers
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
1
Mar 5, 2017 10:40 PM
Austin Rhodes
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
0
Mar 1, 2017 11:39 AM
Northroadak
2009 - 2014 F150
12
Apr 22, 2013 10:49 AM
Dags
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
3
May 6, 2011 07:22 AM
SaleenX
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Jul 25, 2004 01:42 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:22 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE