[ Dreaming... | Transmission | Links ]
1993 Ford Explorer Sport (2-Door)
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I've
owned this explorer for about 2 years now (bought it from my mom), and
unfortunately I didn't really get into cars until very recently, when
my transmission decided to fail. Me being somewhat poor ($7/hr
ok....), I decided to do the labor myself and have the transmission
rebuilt at a repair shop. Since the time my car has become
immobile (the past 2 months), I've slowly been learning as much as I
can about automobiles and slowly accumulating tools. I plan to
document every change I make to this SUV on this site, mostly to help
other DIY'ers, as well as to keep a record for my own purposes.
Work I'm planning to do:
This vehicle is 10 years old as of this year (2003), and almost everything is still stock. Figuring that I just spent $850 to rebuild the Mazda 5speed tranny in this thing and I'm not planning on getting a new vehicle any time soon (this one is paid off), why not spend a few grand more and make it a "like-new vehicle"? I'd rather spend money when I want to replace old parts than to spend $200+/month on car payments plus insurance. So here is a list of things I'm planning on doing to my explorer, in pretty much the order listed. As I complete these things, I will document it on this site, so make sure you come back and check it out from time to time.
Transmission
My explorer has a Mazda M5R1 5 Speed transmission. Why a ford has anything but a ford tranny I do not know... Ford owning Mazda may have something to do with it. Here is before and after (both pics are the same tranny) pics of the transmission before and after it being rebuilt.
This is the first time I've ever done any kind of major repair on a vehicle, so this was definitely a fine learning experience. Before this I had only done simple stuff like changing the oil/filter and replacing spark plugs. Since replacing a transmission involves a decent amount of labor, I decided to go ahead and replace the clutch assembly (clutch disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and pilot bearing) so that I don't have to do all this over again any time soon, just to replace the clutch.
Like working with any vehicle that is this old, you are most likely going to discover other things that must be replaced as well. In my case, once the transmission was removed, it was obvious I had some kind of oil leak in the engine (doh!) that I couldn't see from the top side of the engine compartment. Turns out it was just the rear main seal (~$5 at the parts store). Since I had to take the flywheel off to be resurfaced anyways (there goes another $25), it wasnt any big deal to replace the seal.
Check out those blue heat scoring marks on the flywheel. Definitely needs to be resurfaced!
Work I'm planning to do:
This vehicle is 10 years old as of this year (2003), and almost everything is still stock. Figuring that I just spent $850 to rebuild the Mazda 5speed tranny in this thing and I'm not planning on getting a new vehicle any time soon (this one is paid off), why not spend a few grand more and make it a "like-new vehicle"? I'd rather spend money when I want to replace old parts than to spend $200+/month on car payments plus insurance. So here is a list of things I'm planning on doing to my explorer, in pretty much the order listed. As I complete these things, I will document it on this site, so make sure you come back and check it out from time to time.
- Rebuild the engine. It will be my first time attempting to rebuild an engine, so I know it will take a great deal of time. Because of this, I have decided to find a short block at the local auto graveyard. I will either go with the same size engine or get the 5.0L V8 that comes with the V8 model of explorers. This way, I can rebuild that engine and still drive the one currently in the vehicle, since this is my only vehicle. Hopefully I will be done rebuilding it by the time my current engine decides to die (there is 189k currently on the vehicle).
- Replace the entire cooling system (radiator, hoses, thermostat, and water pump). I want to do this the same time I replace the engine.
- Replace the exhuast system. I'd like to install a dual rear exit exhuast.
- Add air intake, new throttle
body, and performacnce MAF sensor
- Replace suspension components (I'd like to do a 3/4 drop at this time also)
- Replace all brake components (rotors, calipers, and new pads and any lines if needed)
- FIX THE A/C! (it should be against the law to live in Florida and not have a working A/C)
- Replace the hood with one with cowl induction
- It definitely needs a paint job
- other exterior pleasantries like a new front grill, air dam, and roll pan
- I'd like to replace the stock 15" alloys with something a little spicier and a little bigger (16 or 17")
As
you can see, the paint looks perfect on the sides, but the hood and
roof has peeling clear coat...
Wow, I didn't realize the interior looked that dirty! I'll take care of that in the morning :)
Wow, I didn't realize the interior looked that dirty! I'll take care of that in the morning :)
Transmission
My explorer has a Mazda M5R1 5 Speed transmission. Why a ford has anything but a ford tranny I do not know... Ford owning Mazda may have something to do with it. Here is before and after (both pics are the same tranny) pics of the transmission before and after it being rebuilt.
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Before
 |
After
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This is the first time I've ever done any kind of major repair on a vehicle, so this was definitely a fine learning experience. Before this I had only done simple stuff like changing the oil/filter and replacing spark plugs. Since replacing a transmission involves a decent amount of labor, I decided to go ahead and replace the clutch assembly (clutch disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and pilot bearing) so that I don't have to do all this over again any time soon, just to replace the clutch.
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Old
Clutch
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New
clutch
 |
Like working with any vehicle that is this old, you are most likely going to discover other things that must be replaced as well. In my case, once the transmission was removed, it was obvious I had some kind of oil leak in the engine (doh!) that I couldn't see from the top side of the engine compartment. Turns out it was just the rear main seal (~$5 at the parts store). Since I had to take the flywheel off to be resurfaced anyways (there goes another $25), it wasnt any big deal to replace the seal.
Check out those blue heat scoring marks on the flywheel. Definitely needs to be resurfaced!
While
the tranny was out, I decided to go ahead and grab a new clutch slave
cylinder since it still had the stock unit in it, thus decreasing the
likelyhood even more that I will have to remove this tranny again
anytime in the near future. Money spent is time saved. This
set me back another $60 or so.
After I got the tranny installed, and the clutch hydraulic system bled (so I thought), I went to crank it up. It started but the clutch felt kinda spongy (doh!). What could it be now!?!?! Turns out... no matter how much we bled the clutch hydraulic system by hand, it still wouldn't get all the air out. So, another $26 later I was back from Autozone with my Mighty Vac. This nifty little hand vacuum pump saved the day. Bled it with that and blam.. next thing I knew I was driving away =)
As you can see, what started out as just replacing the transmission turned into quite the money spending operation.
Links
After I got the tranny installed, and the clutch hydraulic system bled (so I thought), I went to crank it up. It started but the clutch felt kinda spongy (doh!). What could it be now!?!?! Turns out... no matter how much we bled the clutch hydraulic system by hand, it still wouldn't get all the air out. So, another $26 later I was back from Autozone with my Mighty Vac. This nifty little hand vacuum pump saved the day. Bled it with that and blam.. next thing I knew I was driving away =)
As you can see, what started out as just replacing the transmission turned into quite the money spending operation.
Links
- Ford - official site
- Ford Truck Enthusiasts - "The Internet's Community And Information Source for Ford truck and SUV owners." This is an excellent resource for Ford truck/SUV owners, especially the forums. This site is essential for the Ford truck owner.
- The Explorer Owner's Maintenance Reference Page - Another excellent site with many common problems (and solutions) for common Explorer problems.
- Serious Explorations - Another great Explorer site. Has a great "technical articles" sections with pictures included. There's a forum here also.
- fordpartscheap.com - has great prices on ford parts
- rec.autos.makers.ford.explorer
- great USENET resource. Another must for other owners.
MORE
TO COME!
Last Updated 8/3/2003
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Last Updated 8/3/2003
[email protected]