$350 Ford Explorer

[Tony Raine]

too bad a lot of people are missing the point here. some people like to travel (in a vehicle) beyond pavement and graded gravel roads. oh well, some get it, some never will.

an (older) explorer is not a "big suv." its a smaller, street-friendly vehicle thats very capable off-highway in stock form. it sits up tall enough to help see around the mammoth garbage thats on the street today.

keep in mind (older) explorers are every bit as capable as a 1/2 ton truck. lots of parts are the same. trust me, i could make a long list.

also, those 4 doors are perfect for camping. lay down those back seats and you don't even need a tent.

my parents had a '94 explorer 2wd. lasted 298,000 miles before blowing a head gasket in 2000. sold it to a guy that changed it out and is still driving it.

i agree that the cats probably need to be replaced. full fluid change too, as i am willing to bet the axle fluids have never been changed.



and i would like to say that what you did for your kid was very admirable it sounds like this rig will fit his needs very well. everyone has to start somewhere, and you are giving them a great one

[zjrog]

Thanks Tony. I tackled something I've never done (never did find out if there was something I could for FE with the trans...). We are active in Land Use issues locally to maintain what limited access we have as it is. I've slept in the back of my own Jeep, but the Explorer will be a nicer place to snooze. And as mentioned, the kids do appreciate the intent as well as the gift.

[Tony Raine]

really, the only thing you can do with an a4ld is take really good care of it. 5-speed swap is still the best(would take you over 20 mpg easy), but i understand that may not be in the cards.

for being involved in land issues. education and involvement are key to separating responsible 'wheelers from the drunken yahoo's


oh yeah, and for taking apart and auto trans. thats one job i wont tackle

[zjrog]

Ha! It wasn't that hard. Really. Good documentation (I really did RTFM), and keeping track of parts laid out is key. Keep things clean as you go and plenty of vaseline during reassembly.

A 5 speed swap is never out of the question. If the truck is still running well when this trans dies again, we'll look at it. I already turned one down for dirt cheap. I might have to get another whole truck for all the parts too...

Going on a trail cleanup this Saturday in fact. And my club has adopted a trail up in the mountains. We've built fencing and signs and worked with the Forest Service. But it'll be late June before we can get there. Gotta wait for the snow to melt enough to drive up there. Very few stock 4x4s make it to the lake up there... Education is key, just like Ecomodding...

[Formula413]

Hey, just saw your thread, I made a thread detailing my somewhat successful efforts to get good FE out of an Explorer I drive at work, you can see it here:

Hypermiling in an SUV

[zjrog]

I read that thread and thought you did a good job. I'd love to swap a 5 speed auto in, but don't want the extra electronics. And I am looking for a 5 speed and associated parts for this truck if the A4LD dies. But, its not my rig, my son has it and that was how I expected it to be. He really is good at pulling mileage.

[zjrog]

I might mention in a 4 hour time frame, our trail cleanup filled a large rolloff dumpster. We removed lots of trash, tires, an truck bed trailer, a lumber rack (?), and one burnt out car. Of course, that was on a Saturday before the holiday weekend was over. What WAS nice to see, ATV users that weren't part of the cleanup picking things up as they found them. We spoke with lots of users of the recreation area and many joined in with no hesitation. When I picked up a large chunk of plywood, we found a small rattlesnake. We had a couple small children with us and we took the opportunity to teach a little respect for the critters. Pushed a little dirt at him to get him rattling for the kids, but then he turned away and we let him be. He was a cute little guy though.

And, the cats were plugged in the Explorer. When we knocked the guts out, the truck became a real power house. I am waiting to hear about mileage results though. Should hear about that tomorrow. I'm hoping to hear better than 19... 20 would be better.

Edit... I will add that I have ordered a replacement cat setup for the truck...

[zjrog]

Just as a note, the truck finally broke into the 19s. This is averaged of course, and did include some 4 wheeling... But now that my son is comfortable with the truck he is using the cruise control more. He and I know it can do better.