Just purchased 94 explorer 4x4 with V6 4.0-maintenence TIPS?

[protomind]

I just purchased a 1994 For Explorer 4x4 Lmt Edition in pretty nice shape. 86k miles one other owner. I do know that it needs a little TLC at this point to make it really nice and I am ready to do it. I do have a 1994 Ranger that I have put over 80k miles on:I have done all of the work myself, so I know my way around a ranger. However my Ranger is a 4-banger(awesome engine IMO) and does not have 4x4. What should I do to this car now? I had this in mind.......

Change OIL w/Mobil1 Synthetic
Change ATF Fluid -should I flush a vehicle this old or drain out of the plug?
Replace Rear Transfer Case fluid w/synthetic
Isnt there a 4x4 'transmission' in the front of this truck? A transfer case? What should I do to them? I will replace them with the best fluids possible.
Replace Spark Plugs/Wires, Cap-n-Rotor(or electronic?) PCV Valve, Air Filter and Fuel Filter. . .
Flush Coolant
Drain and replace, Brake Fluid, Power Steering Fluid. . . am I mssing any fluids?
Grease all fitting and joints, replace ball joints and tie rods where needed.
Replace shocks wherever needed.
Does this have a timing belt or chain?

If I forgot anything please let me know. I would love to get this car tuned up and running top notch before my girlfriend and I travel the country with this car. if you have any other ideas or tips please let me know.

p.s. if this is not in the proper forum please move !!

 

[mkpecor]

the transfer case is be hind the tranny, go thruogh all fluids like you said, get rid of the automatic hubs with warn hubs, when ever i buy some thing i check all fluids and repack the front wheel bearings, just check all your basic stuff.

 

[protomind]

go thruogh all fluids like you said, get rid of the automatic hubs with warn hubs

Should I in your opinion flush the tranny or drain?
And what are auto hubs with warn hubs and how do I tell if those are mine?

Thanks for all the helpful advice


Edit: I googled the warn hubs, are they that crucial for my purposes? I do not plan on going off road that much. I will be doing some serious camping and some light-medium trail hopping. My GF will drive the truck quite a bit too and manual hub locking is a VERY hard sell. Is there an alternitive strong auto hub?

 

[Robin Hood]

Transfer case is the thing that comes from your transmission and 2 driveshafts come out of it, one to the front axle (which is what i think you meant by transfer case) and one to the rear axle.

I don't really think you need to be using all these synthetics, but its up to you.

The only fluid you forgot:

HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDSHIELD WASHER FORMULA.

xD... just giving you a hard time.

 

[exbass94]

Change ATF Fluid -should I flush a vehicle this old or drain out of the plug?

I recommend a full flush, but I would also drop the pan in order to replace the transmission filter

Replace Spark Plugs/Wires, Cap-n-Rotor(or electronic?)

It has an electronic ignition, so it doesn't have a cap or rotor.

Drain and replace, Brake Fluid, Power Steering Fluid. . . am I mssing any fluids?

Yes, don't forget the differential fluids. There's a diff. in the front and the rear. Change 'em both.

Does this have a timing belt or chain?

It has a chain. No replacement necessary. Sounds like you have a good maintenance plan, I would do everything you mentioned. Good luck!

 

[BlackBII]

The auto hibs will work, if they are not already blown out. I have blown a number of auto hubs with all stock stuff doing mild offroading. The auto hubs are just not strong at all, very unreliable in my opinion. If you go camping with your GF, you dont want to get stuck in the mud with one wheel drive

Stock auto hubs

More better Warn manual hubs

 

[protomind]

The auto hubs are that bad huh? Damnit. . . . oh well I guess I will replace them with the warns. What about that warn fuse thing? Is that recommended? I assume that there is not a reliable auto locking hub replacement?
On a side note how is the auto 4wd on something like a 98 explorer?

I am also wondering what the most cost effective performance mods are on this thing?

 

[mkpecor]

cold air in take will help alot and good cat back system you can probly find a after market throutle body to, ya if you go camping alot i would forsure ditch the auto hubs all auto hubs are not strong if you get warns then you know you will get back to camp or home its worth the money trust me..

 

[protomind]

I feel like the truck tilts slightly to the right, anyone experience this?
I plan on doing a few other things to the truck before we take it on a 8k+ mile trip.

Transmission and oil cooler.
Possibly install rear disc brakes.
Possibly upgrade the suspension.
Upgrade intake and and look into this cat back system.\
Am I missing anything obvious? Any other tips? We plan on doing alot of camping and wilderness stuff in this truck, so I am trying to keep all of that in mind.

 

[Drg racr]

Maybe you have a little spring sag on one side. I don't do much off-roading with my 94, but since I rebuilt my auto hubs, they haven't given me any trouble. I may end up putting Warns on just because I'm used to manual hubs.
Watchfor signs of future problems, like:
1. Tranny slippage- very common with Explorers, weak transmissions.
2. Head gasket leakage- very common with the 4.0L
3. Plugged Cat. Converters- very common
I know the guys here can mention other problems the Explorers have.

 

[protomind]

Weak trannys huh? Is there a way to try and get my trans to slip just to see if this is about to become a problem for me?

 

[exbass94]

Not really, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Yours only has 86k miles, so the tranny should lots of life left in it. I would definitely flush and change the filter though, add a cooler and maybe a temperature gauge, and just try and go easy on it and change the fluid regularly. Maintenance is very important when it comes to making these last. The manual trannys are tougher, so if you're gonna be wheeling/driving hard a lot, you may want to look into that.