Expert: Carl Brandt - 12/30/2011

Question
do these all ride like crap? bought it had tranny rebuilt shifts fine,about 2000rpm. rides rougher than anything ive ever seen and you get on gas kinda feels like in bind.is this just the full-time 4 wheel drive? can i change tranny to a part-time without computer problems. indicator goes from auto to 4hi and 4lo. if took tranny from another explorer with indicator off to 4hi n 4lo will i have problems? and would it even help? do i still have tranny problems or maybe transfer case? love truck but cant deal with power loss and extremely rough ride anymore. acts like aint got a suspension just beats you to death.any ideas or imput greatly appreciated.

Answer
Dan,

Wow.  It sounds like you got a real lemon.  You should test drive another Explorer the same year if you can find one locally and compare the two.  

I would guess that this one had some major problems when you bought it.  You have some transfer case errors that may be electrical, or internal.  When turning a real tight radius, sometimes full-time 4-wheel drive can feel like the steering is trying to bind slightly.  This is due to the different tire speeds, and the front end is trying to engage.  This should be very minor and only at slow speeds and in a very tight turn, such as the end of a cul-de-sac.  If you are feeling some sort of binding and a power loss, then that is probably what is happening.  Something in the drive train may be trying to lock up due to a bad bearing, driveline problems, wrong fluids, or other component failure.

The indicator switching back and forth from 4hi to 4lo indicates that you may have a bad ground, or a short in the transfer case electrical wiring.

I would say that it needs to go to a reputable transmission shop and have the transfer case checked out.

As far as the ride goes, you may have bad shocks, worn springs, bad bushings, etc.

Carl