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Old 04-26-2011, 04:04 PM
ranger690 ranger690 is offline
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Default couple questions on maintenance

I picked up my truck an (01 excab 4.0 auto 4x4) about 2 months ago at a used car dealership...i really wanted a ranger again and so far it has been good to me, but it is my only vehical and daily driver so i want it to last...my biggest concern is the fact it has 143k on it...now im not sure what mechanically has been done to the truck so i want to know what are the first things i need to look into for prevenative maintenance...

the truck dosent leak any oil and i believe it was taken pretty good care of by the previous owner...

i have been reading about getting the tranny fluid-filter serviced. what does this entail and is it something that could be relativly easily done or is it best to take it somewhere to get it done(any ideas what this costs roughly)..i am on a military base and i think it has a hobby shop with lifts and tools and such..

also what are some other things to keep a watch out for or keep up maintenance on....plugs-wires,fuel filter,belts, the rear end.

I really like the truck and would like to to see it go 200k...is this likely with proper-preventative maintenance..my biggest killer for the trans that worries me is that 80% of my driving is on base in (city type traffic)..

any imput on other things to look into is greatly appreciated
thanks,
kyle
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Old 04-26-2011, 06:06 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

What you'd need to know first is that you should match your plugs with what was originally in the engine. Same with ignition wires.
You might get an unnecessary scare or poor performance if you try to use something fancy. Don't know why. It's a computer managed engine is all I can say.
Change the oil at respectable intervals. Throw in a new PCV valve to assure that the crankcase is able to vent freely. Keeps the oil cleaner for longer.


Seafoam that bad boy.

I know you can easily change out the front and rear differential fluid using a suction pump, but I'm still looking at safe alternatives to flushing the trans w/o taking it in. Probably just recommendable to take it in. If the fluid is full and looks healthy, you may already be in good shape. You can check out the filter though.

It may also be time to look into changing the timing chain.

I'm sure others will add their thoughts and experiences as well.
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Old 04-27-2011, 02:18 PM
ranger690 ranger690 is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

thanks for the info...
and how hard is the timing chain to replace
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Old 04-27-2011, 02:49 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

It's impossible to properly and completely flush the transmision without one of their machines to do it. There is no way to put fluid back in from the transmission cooler as you drain it out of the cooler.

Plugs should always be motorcraft or autolite brand.
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Old 04-27-2011, 03:01 PM
ranger690 ranger690 is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

when i picked up the truck from the dealer they gave me a sheet of what they had done to it since they got it and it was like a $1000 worth of maintnance, i lost the sheet and never really looked over it..kinda wish i knew what they did...I just went out and checked the transmission fluid and it looked to be a light red color and seemed pretty clean..i assume this is a good sign?? and the plug wires look decent like they might have been changed at some point and the plug had a red-orange paint on the part where it connects to to the plugwire-boot...anyone know if they came from the factory like this??

thanks again
kyle
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Old 04-27-2011, 03:06 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

i bet u could get another sheet from the dealer if u ask
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Old 04-27-2011, 03:49 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

$1,000 worth of dealer performed maintenance... hmmm all fluids changed, a tire rotation, cabin filter and a little spritz of air freshener?
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Old 04-28-2011, 03:38 AM
ranger690 ranger690 is offline
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Default Re: couple questions on maintenance

"$1,000 worth of dealer performed maintenance... hmmm all fluids changed, a tire rotation, cabin filter and a little spritz of air freshener?"
...........

yea thats basically what i was thinkin...
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