2003 Explorer transmission FYI

[Porcupine]

This is a FYI for some people that might encounter certain transmissions problems. With today's trannys it could be more common than not and not just the Ford Explorer

For a while I had a problem with my transmission.

It was usually in the downshift mode where it would shift erratically or thump and chatter and give all kinds of goofy symptoms. My upshift was awesome. Therefore highway driving was no problem. My city driving is where the problems reared its face.

I put up with it for the longest time fearing the worst of a major rebuild and being hosed by those crooked tranmission shops..........

Well, as it turns out, such was not the case. My paranoia was quickly lifted when a friend of mine recommended a local shop.

After a road test, some Q&A and other tests the tech (which turned out to be the owner's son) quickly referred to a particular part. It was the solenoid body , which I guess controls the electronic shifting.
Their attitude was to change this part first to avoid "major expense" If this did not fix the problem or if they really had to rebuild the transmission they could still reuse this solenoid body.

I liked their approach and they could probably save me some money based on their honesty.

Bottom line:
The solenoid body was replaced and I've been driving it for about 4 weeks now with not a hiccup. It's almost like driving a new vehicle.
BTW the bill came to $867 as opposed to a typical trans rebuild of $2,500

[vetteonr]

Good for you Porkster. As I read this I was thinking, geez, you've had that thing a long time. And that lead to me thinking about your old Arrowbucket. Do you still have that thing?

[Porcupine]

yea, I still have the Bucket. The Explorer is as good today as the day I bought it due to my intense servicing and just plain keeping on top of things.

As for the bucket, not sure what to do. It does take a good amount of funds to do what I wanted to do to it. Go custom or just keep it original. Customizing a Bucket? nah it just wouldn't look right. There's no frame to have a V8 plus trans exchange and anyone's guess what else needs to be done. Keeping it original would probably be better. It's been sitting outdoors at my brother's farm. Not sure how many weeds or mice made through to the interrior.

I have tons of stuff on the go right now, so the Bucket waits. To do what I want to do would be a total tear down and I'm sure I'd be spoofed by the hidden rust. As you know I had a complete body and paint done but that was several years ago. To do anything would be a restart and a new project.
Hopefully someday before I get too old

[Daniel Wood]

Looks like we may have a transmission man to answer our questions. Thanks Porcupine.

[KA9MOT]

I'm thinking you should mount the bucket to a Bronco frame and build a Monster Bucket. Bob Chandler built one.... it looked amazing.



Or better yet:

[vetteonr]

Keep in original. It was a pretty clean machine back in the day......

[Daniel Wood]

Yeah, keep it original!

[KA9MOT]

Originally Posted by Daniel Wood

Yeah, keep it original!

It needs a screwdriver antenna Dan.

[Daniel Wood]

Beefy, that's the first time I've ever seen anything like that. With all of the radios that Porcupine has, I'm sure that'll come in handy.

[KA9MOT]

Aint it sexy?

[Porcupine]

I've heard mixed reviews over the ScrewDriver antenna. Some like it some don't and it's not cheap, Unless you buy it at Dayton.

I built my own standoff that plugs right into my trailer receiver and then I add anthing between 20M to 80M whips. I Only have that set up installed when I do highway trips, definately not for around the city. They look squirrelly enough. I'm pretty much base these days, aside from my quad-band for both base and mobile.

Actually my wife and I are making a road trip in a few weeks, heading north bound so I bought a separation kit for the ICOM 706MK11. I'll be playing multi-band at times this summer with the mobile.

[Porcupine]

Originally Posted by vetteonr

Keep in original. It was a pretty clean machine back in the day......

It ain't bad for a bucket but I'll most likely keep it original. Just another project on the horizon

[KA9MOT]

Originally Posted by Porcupine

I've heard mixed reviews over the ScrewDriver antenna. Some like it some don't and it's not cheap, Unless you buy it at Dayton.

I built my own standoff that plugs right into my trailer receiver and then I add anthing between 20M to 80M whips. I Only have that set up installed when I do highway trips, definately not for around the city. They look squirrelly enough. I'm pretty much base these days, aside from my quad-band for both base and mobile.

Actually my wife and I are making a road trip in a few weeks, heading north bound so I bought a separation kit for the ICOM 706MK11. I'll be playing multi-band at times this summer with the mobile.

I ran a Little Tarheel, that belonged to KA9EEM, (with an FT-857D) for a couple of months on my Grand Caravan. It worked very well and never gave me any problems. I added 3 new countries while doing my little chores around town, including Sierra Leon on 17M. What a blast!
Mellisa would say, "I'm going to get grocieries" and I would reply, "Wait! I'll drive ya'!".

I think 90% of the problems people have is because they don't install them properly. Frank N9GQR ran them on his semi for years with few problems.