Got the wife something better...

[dvdswan]

Well the Buick was a nice vehicle but she wanted to get another SUV. So we picked up a 2002 Explorer XLT 4WD. Nice and clean and low mileage. No fog lights which is a bummer, and the wiring is not there either. I notice that there are lights under the mirrors and the dr. side is burned out. The radio is AM/FM/Cassette/CD which I find odd but 90s vehicles had that. It has auto shift 4WD/4HI/4LO but no 2WD. 4.0L and 4sp automatic and drives really nice.

 

[snoranger]

but no 2WD.

Google: Explorer Brown Wire Mod

 

[RonD]

Looks like a good buy

You will want to put in the 2 new timing chain tensioners, use Motorcraft only
Unless there is paper work of them being done already, they need to be changed every 100k miles after that

It will have 5-speed auto software in a 2002, so a 5R55S automatic, these didn't have a dipstick..............
If should have a 2nd trans cooler, check that it does, if not add one

 

[dvdswan]

Good to know @RonD Thank you. I'll have to look at the carfax. there was a big maintenance done at 100k then again at 125k so the tensioners may have been done. They look simple, at least the front one, to do. There is a small 2"wide x 10-12" long cooler, it looks like one of the old P/S coolers on a Lincoln, below the radiator on the crossmember.

So how do you check the fluid level on the trans or add fluid to it?

I guessed it was a 4sp because of the PRDL was PRD321 and an on/off switch for the O/D on the shift lever.

The Explorer Brown Wire Mod, will this save on gas mileage or just disable the traction control?

 

[DILLARD000]

For your 2002 V6~4.0L~SOHC,
I'd NOT assume the 2 OilPressurized TimingTensioners have been changed unless your records note them specificly;
actually the right rear tensioner is easier to change than the left front.
Also consider replacing the junk Plastic ThermoStat Housing with an Aluminum ThermoStat Housing
before it leaks, overheats your engine & leaves you stranded.
ThermoStat Housing & left front Tensioner are next to each other; if changing one, it's a good time to change the other.

 

[snoranger]

Good to know @RonD Thank you. I'll have to look at the carfax. there was a big maintenance done at 100k then again at 125k so the tensioners may have been done. They look simple, at least the front one, to do. There is a small 2"wide x 10-12" long cooler, it looks like one of the old P/S coolers on a Lincoln, below the radiator on the crossmember.

So how do you check the fluid level on the trans or add fluid to it?

I guessed it was a 4sp because of the PRDL was PRD321 and an on/off switch for the O/D on the shift lever.

The Explorer Brown Wire Mod, will this save on gas mileage or just disable the traction control?

The BWM isn’t to disable the traction control. It for the AWD.
Basically, you put an inline switch in the brown wire that engages the AWD. With that signal shut down, it’s always in 2wd. You should get a little better mileage.

 

[dvdswan]

This site is awesome. I never knew of any of this stuff. Always good info and I appreciate it.

You guys are awesome! Thank you.

 

[RonD]

It might be a P/S cooler on an Explorer, when you are under there have a look at what its connected to

5R55S has a pipe "level" drain plug in bottom of pan

Trans fluid needs to be warmed up, at least to 120deg, and engine idling to check fluid level
There is a center screw on the drain plug that you remove, if fluid slowly comes out its full, put screw back in
If no fluid or not much then you will need to add some
There is literally just a tube sticking up from the drain plug, if level is low the fluid is below to top of tube so none comes out, if it at or just a bit higher than end of tube some fluid comes out

Google: Checking and Adding ATF to Ford Trans Without Dipstick
There is a 2:37 video

Its a messy business, I preferred the dipstick, lol

 

[Dirtman]

It might be a P/S cooler on an Explorer, when you are under there have a look at what its connected to

5R55S has a pipe "level" drain plug in bottom of pan

Trans fluid needs to be warmed up, at least to 120deg, and engine idling to check fluid level
There is a center screw on the drain plug that you remove, if fluid slowly comes out its full, put screw back in
If no fluid or not much then you will need to add some
There is literally just a tube sticking up from the drain plug, if level is low the fluid is below to top of tube so none comes out, if it at or just a bit higher than end of tube some fluid comes out

Google: Checking and Adding ATF to Ford Trans Without Dipstick
There is a 2:37 video

Its a messy business, I preferred the dipstick, lol

Engineers is smart...

 

[RonD]

Too smart

The whole "living in a cave" thing and having BBQ every night sometimes looks better than "the real world" I live in now
But I am partial to indoor plumbing and warm water showers so................it only sometimes looks better

And the lives a working TPMS system saves probably shouldn't have been driving in the first place, although they are out there and always seem to manage to get in front of me

And I like vegetarians, good eatin' nothing like a good grain fed vegetarian on the BBQ, slow cooking
And no that's not cannibalism, humans are not vegetarians, duh, we eat meat, so NOT cannibalism, human eating human

 

[wildbill23c]

Good to know @RonD Thank you. I'll have to look at the carfax. there was a big maintenance done at 100k then again at 125k so the tensioners may have been done. They look simple, at least the front one, to do. There is a small 2"wide x 10-12" long cooler, it looks like one of the old P/S coolers on a Lincoln, below the radiator on the crossmember.

So how do you check the fluid level on the trans or add fluid to it?

I guessed it was a 4sp because of the PRDL was PRD321 and an on/off switch for the O/D on the shift lever.

The Explorer Brown Wire Mod, will this save on gas mileage or just disable the traction control?

I believe that cooler under the radiator is actually an engine oil cooler. Power steering cooler is just a metal line that makes 1 loop across in front of the lower side of the radiator. Then there's also a transmission cooler which is more of a square cooler off to the side usually...might just be on the V8 Explorers though which is what my 08 Explorer is, and it has coolers for everything it seems like, as well as what looks to be an electrically engaged fan clutch.

 

[dvdswan]

thank you @wildbill23c

 

[wildbill23c]

thank you @wildbill23c

I've had my 2008 Explorer for about 7 months now, its the model design newer than yours. So far I love mine, 128k on it, does need new tires probably before winter though but other than a few minor scratches its in great condition inside and out. The 4L V6 was a good engine if its kept maintained of course like any vehicle, they just seemed to be thirsty...yeah says the guy who got an Explorer with the V8 LOL....anyhow I don't mind the lower fuel economy with the V8 I do a lot of driving in town with it so fuel economy in any vehicle in slow/stop and go traffic sucks anyhow LOL...I bought it to enjoy it and be comfortable and better than the Jeep Grand Cherokee it replaced....so far so good...didn't take much to be better than the Jeep HAHA!!! Although I think even the early 2000's Explorers were larger than the 90's models the 4L V6 that was in my parent's 95 Explorer seemed to have plenty of power, never tried towing with it as it didn't have the tow package, but I don't think it would have had any trouble doing light duty towing tasks.

I also have the predecessor to the Explorer....the Bronco 2...the Explorer is night and day difference in ride quality, its larger and a bit heavier so you don't feel every grain of sand on the road like you do with the Bronco 2 HAHA!!!

 

[onequerl]

Nice. I'm sure your wife's very pleased.

 

[Ranger850]

I see the Expo, the Ranger, and what seems to be a Mazda RX-7. Where is the D21? are you out of Nissans?