My 2000 5.4l Eddie Bauer 4x4

[ExplorerTom]

Living up to its namesake a little while handling the duties of family camping mobile. Had to take an easy trail to get to the campsite. Crossed a stream 5 times, some suspension twisting berms, steep climbs. Packed in 4 people, 2 dogs and 2 nights worth of stuff.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

Last time I was in co, I got shut down on the mountains on i76 eastbound west of denver. Nice place otherwise!

Also. That wax looks fantastic. I need to get the time to wax mine but I stay on the road too much. Maybe I can just wash my semi and feel better

 

[black 4x4]

That spot looks great.

 

[cman1120]

Looking good. That's one thing I need to do one of these days soon is take the expy camping.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[ExplorerTom]

Went camping agan. This time just off Weston Pass (over the mountain from Leadville):

 

[ExplorerTom]

Doing the transmission fluid now. Last night I drained the pan (I was over the moon when I saw a drain plug in the bottom of the 4r100!!!). I got a little over 4 qts from the pan alone. Then I drained the torque converter. I haven't measured that yet but I suspect it to be about 7 qts. I think I might try shifting through the gears (engine not running) to see if I can find some more fluid. Then I'll remove the pan and replace the filter.

The fluid did not smell burnt (perhaps I don't know what burnt Mercon smells like) but it was not pink anymore. It is sort of a greyish color. I had been noticing my trans temp (Scangauge) reading as high as 223 lately (coolant temp as high as 206).

I also ordered a Hayden transmission cooler to replace the factory external cooler. I have one on my Explorer and it seems to work well. The Hayden is probably about 2 to 3 times as large as the factory. I'll post pics.

 

[R4mbo]

Nice thread ! Your truck looks awesome

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Doing the transmission fluid now. Last night I drained the pan (I was over the moon when I saw a drain plug in the bottom of the 4r100!!!). I got a little over 4 qts from the pan alone. Then I drained the torque converter. I haven't measured that yet but I suspect it to be about 7 qts. I think I might try shifting through the gears (engine not running) to see if I can find some more fluid. Then I'll remove the pan and replace the filter.

The fluid did not smell burnt (perhaps I don't know what burnt Mercon smells like) but it was not pink anymore. It is sort of a greyish color. I had been noticing my trans temp (Scangauge) reading as high as 223 lately (coolant temp as high as 206).

I also ordered a Hayden transmission cooler to replace the factory external cooler. I have one on my Explorer and it seems to work well. The Hayden is probably about 2 to 3 times as large as the factory. I'll post pics.

I too have replaced my factory cooler with the Hayden, I also have my trans output line fed to a remote filter assembly with a temp sensor built in wired to my auxiliary dash gage, then into the cooler, then to the rad, then back to the trans. While towing 7000lbs up a long pass at 55pmh in 2nd and 93-95* outside I never got above 200* trans temp on the output line. Very much like my setup.

 

[AbbadonTD]

Please write up your hayden cooler, I was considering putting one in. are they all universal parts, and if so which one did either of yall use?

 

[ExplorerTom]

I haven't done the Hayden yet but I finished up the fluid change.

I didn't measure what came out all that well but I estimate it to be about 12 qts (I filled several containers that had a little fluid in it already). I was surprised at how easy the pan came off- once all the bolts were out gravity dropped it. I was expecting to have to pry or pop it loose somehow.

I didn't check the fluid level before I drained it. After I added the estimated 12 qts I drained out, I checked the fluid and didn't see any so I added more. I figured I had at least as much as I had before so I drove to dinner and back to get the transmission nice and warmed up. Still didn't see any fluid so I added another qt and got it on the dipstick. Added 1/2 qt and got it into the low end of the "hot" part of the dipstick. I figured since the trans temp was only around 142 (ScanGauge) it was probably pretty good.

So estimated 12 qts drained. Refilled close to 15 qts. Something's not right.

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Was probably low. Keep checking it but you could be slightly askew in your removal estimate? If I remember correctly the teams dry takes almost 18 or 19 quarts so 15 seems right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ExplorerTom]

I could have been off on my estimate.

Drove home from Elitch's (local amusement park) with the air temp in the mid to upper 80s. AC on and highway speeds. I watched the trans temp climb to just over 200. I installed the Hayden cooler shortly after using the method you suggested Mediamonkey- just unscrew the factory hardlines, push the fittings down and put the rubber hose on over. The hose supplied with the Hayden kit didn't want to go over the hardline flare, but with enough finese, brute and cussing it goes on. I secured the cooler via some aluminum strap and various fasteners from my collection. I didn't take pics because I did it all without removing the grill or bumper- just the top shroud that closes out the radiator. Sort of felt like I was assembling a ship in a bottle, but I got it done.

Also reconnected the rubber mat that sits behind the bumper and "scoops" the air toward the radiator- it had been just hanging straight down.

And painted the front skid plate with some bedliner just cuz.

Pressure washed the AC condenser and radiator fins really well. With that top shroud off I could see some gunk built up between them. Lots of black stuff ran down the driveway. Must have cleaned something off.

Went to the store as my test drive and took the long way round. The trans temp never got above 169. But I was driving with the window down. I've had the AC on every other time the trans temp has been high. Tomorrow I'm headed up into the mountains so that will be a good test for it.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Took it to Maaco to get an estimate for the hail damage. but because it was late in the day, I didn't get a written estimate. Instead he guesstimated that I had around $3500-$4000 worth of damage. I bought it for $4500 so it could be totaled. But that's just based on his guesstimate.

Either way I was looking to keep the cash and do what I could on my own to fix it (or at least lessen the visual impact). Dry ice????

I've got an appointment next week with another shop. Once I know what they say I'll have a better idea if it is going to be totaled or not.

 

[cman1120]

Ouch. That is brutal. I don't think they take the damage and put it against the $$$ you paid, but rather the $$$ value of the truck bluebook. But I might be wrong, I'm not an insurance adjuster. Either way, keep us informed and good luck. I'm not too sure about what could make the dents come out, I've heard dry ice and taking a small ball peen hammer to get some of the larger dents out. Never tried it myself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[docraymund]

Your engine looks like it's a 4.6L are you sure it's a 5.4?
Like the black color!

 

[AbbadonTD]

Hail is the Colorado Hug.

I live in the alley here in town, I have a new roof from a few years back. There are multiple hail lots too.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Got an estimate today from a body shop: $5918.

Holy cow! The damage really doesn't look that bad.

So I'll see what insurance says.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Ordered some Rancho shocks today. The shocks on it now look old and rusty- probably been on there way too long. The ride feels floaty at times too. These will be my 3rd set of Ranchos installed (1 set on 2 different Explorers) and have liked them.

While driving to Leadville this weekend, the brakes were pulsing pretty good coming down off Eisenhower Tunnel. While I'm doing shocks, I'll probably get the front rotors turned or replaced.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Got an estimate today from a body shop: $5918.

Holy cow! The damage really doesn't look that bad.

So I'll see what insurance says.

Well insurance agreed to total it out. But in CO, totaled out from hail damage doesn't mean a salvaged title. I'll see what I can do about lessening the visual impact on the hood with some DIY tricks. The rest of the damage is on the roof. And even at 6'1", it's higher than I can see so I'm not worried about that stuff.

 

[ExplorerTom]

After looking at the reviews for the Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets available from Advance Auto, it appears that many people find that they don't fit. To avoid that hassle, I went to my local Ford dealer and got the OEM parts. I spent about twice as much (roughly $95) for the pair over the Fel-Pro, but these should fit the first time. I made the parts guy verify my VIN worked for these.

Plan is to tackle is tomorrow- possibly tonight.