TRanny Fluid Change

Once the weather breaks, I'm going to drop the trans pan and change the fluid, clean the pan...etc etc. Never did it before on an explorer. Any issues getting the pan down I should be aware of ahead of time? No lift...it'll be shade tree mechanic style.

Depending on how many miles yours has, may be better off getting a flush and filter change, not just the filter and pan change out. The problem is that on my son's 91 you would only get out around 3-3/12 quarts of fluid. (Most is inside transmission, ie torque converter etc. and won't come out without flushing, about 2/3 - 3/4 I think)
You can go ahead and simply drop the pan and do a simple change if that's what you want with no problems.It is not hard , a heck of a lot easier than my 93 Blazer. If interested I learned a way to flush the unit from a now extinct Explorer page, but it requires two people to do. It costs around 125-130 bucks for a good tranny shop to do this, or, you can go ahead and drop the pan, change the filter, and then take for a flush only for 60-65 bucks for so. Flushing is not done very often, perhaps once every 75,000 miles or so. If you have low miles and just want to replace the filter and the pan fluids you won't have any problems.

Since I bought it used, I can't be sure if the pan has ever been dropped. My thinking was to get all the metal filings out of the pan before I had it flushed. For some reason I just can't see pushing all those filings through the tranny. Can't be good for it. Opinions welcome

Probably the best reason for a filter and flush. Again, depending on how many miles you have on it. My son's 91 had 110K on it when he bought it. Looked like original crud in it. I was surprised that when I dropped the pan I did not see the shavings and junk I usually see when my other cars get changed, but it was really dark at the bottom of that pan. Way past just a simple filter and pan fluid change. If the truck only has 30,40, or 50K on it, or fluid nice and bright red the simpler change probably OK for now. If the fluid looks discolored though, or more than 75K I would still flush and replace filter. Some will argue flushes are not needed, but when you can only change 3-31/2 quarts out of 10 quarts you have to at some point.

Mine is at 80k. Fluid is browning. I agree the flush is much better. I guess what I'd like opinions on is should the pan be dropped prior to a flush to remove shavings and such and replace the filter? Is it necessary?

Yes I would do it. Again, a tranny shop will charge you apx/ 125-130 dollars to do BOTH drop pan, change filter and flush, or, you can do the filter change yourself and pay around 60-65 bucks for flush. Would advise a regular transmission shop rather than a Jiffy Lube.

Once the weather breaks, I'm going to drop the trans pan and change the fluid, clean the pan...etc etc. Never did it before on an explorer. Any issues getting the pan down I should be aware of ahead of time? No lift...it'll be shade tree mechanic style.
3 different transmission shops in my area and 2 master ford techs advised me NOT to do flushes on any transmission over 100k unless they have been done before on a regular basis. The best way to do it and actual cost effective, you have to have a little time and mechanical ability, Warm up the vehicle for a few minutes, drop the pan, clean the pan, replace filter, bolt pan back up, add FORD transmision fluid, drive it around for 10-15 minutes and do it again. High mileage transmissions, 100k +, that haven't been regularly changed will have wear debris in the pan, when you flush it it redistributes this, ussually there is more pressure on the flushing machine than the transmission is used to, this WILL further weaken already worn seals.Dropping the pan the second time will tell you how much garbage is left in the tranny. If the fluid is burnt from the begining you should see the transmission guy anyway. A simple band adjustment may needed. Unless you KNOW what you are doing with a tranny DONT do a flush. Be very careful about flushing. The local shops will not do them unless the customer signs a waiver that the transmission may not work to well or may have to be rebuilt shortly after the flush.. Good luck

3 different transmission shops in my area and 2 master ford techs advised me NOT to do flushes on any transmission over 100k unless they have been done before on a regular basis. The best way to do it and actual cost effective, you have to have a little time and mechanical ability, Warm up the vehicle for a few minutes, drop the pan, clean the pan, replace filter, bolt pan back up, add FORD transmision fluid, drive it around for 10-15 minutes and do it again. High mileage transmissions, 100k +, that haven't been regularly changed will have wear debris in the pan, when you flush it it redistributes this, ussually there is more pressure on the flushing machine than the transmission is used to, this WILL further weaken already worn seals.Dropping the pan the second time will tell you how much garbage is left in the tranny. If the fluid is burnt from the begining you should see the transmission guy anyway. A simple band adjustment may needed. Unless you KNOW what you are doing with a tranny DONT do a flush. Be very careful about flushing. The local shops will not do them unless the customer signs a waiver that the transmission may not work to well or may have to be rebuilt shortly after the flush.. Good luck

I totally agree with this comment, be very carefull with flushing, i have a 98 xlt with 122K and i am not doing any flushing, cause it might be the last time you will drive that car with same tranny. lol

I changed the tranny fluid in my 94 explorer "shadetree" style last year. The only problem I ran into was with a heat sheild clipped onto the transmission pan. It took a few minutes of struggling to unclip it, but it was no big deal. It took a little longer to clip back on.

The job wasn't difficult really, but it makes a mess. Next time I think I'm just going to spend the extra 60 dollars and bring it to a Ford Dealer...