Question:

Bought Wilderness for my ‘92.  After 10k miles had a rotation. Could hardly drive a freeway speed. The tires were bouncing all over the road. Took into Firestone dealer for "courtesy check" after reading about problems.  They said tires were OK but balance was off by over 2.5 ounces on three of four tires (this is the dealer who sold me the tires and balanced them the first time).  Seems like a big change for 10k miles (no weights were thrown, the balance just changed). So still on the Wilderness – hope they are ok. Nate

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone who has had a problem with the Firestones, please list the truck year, > mileage, and what happened. I’m just curious. Thanks.

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Anyone who has had a problem with the Firestones, please list the truck year, mileage, and what happened. I’m just curious. Thanks.

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Back in 1995, I had three flats in one year on my ‘92 Isuzu Rodeo with between 25-30K miles. Two of the flats were on different tires during the same trip. The last flat trashed the tire and I was forced to look for a tire store that was open on Sunday in Las Cruces, New Mexico. When I got back to Austin, I waited for a sale at Sears and dumped the Flintstones for a set of Michelins. Nice tires and no complaints. For those of you trying to decide, I recommend them. Now I own a new 2001 Explorer Sport with a set of Firestones. I wasn’t happy about them coming standard on new Explorers, but what are ya gonna do? I’ve looked them over while cleaning them and haven’t noticed any obvious problems – yet. Probably keep them for about another year and then start watching for sales on Michelins. Afterall, they aren’t cheap but you get what you pay for. BTW, I love my new Sport. So far, no apparent SOHC problems with about 3900 miles. Ron – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Anyone who has had a problem with the Firestones, please list the truck year, > mileage, and what happened. I’m just curious. Thanks.

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Two true account: Bought Wilderness for my ‘92.  After 10k miles had a rotation. Could hardly drive a freeway speed. The tires were bouncing all over the road. Took into Firestone dealer for "courtesy check" after reading about problems.  They said tires were OK but balance was off by over 2.5 ounces on three of four tires (this is the dealer who sold me the tires and balanced them the first time).  Seems like a big change for 10k miles (no weights were thrown, the balance just changed). So still on the Wilderness – hope they are ok. Second: Co-worker driving to LAX in fairly new explorer.  Firestone tires.  Front tire "explodes" ripping inside of fender well and somehow breaking the fuel line. Stranded but no injuries. Nate

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone who has had a problem with the Firestones, please list the truck year, > mileage, and what happened. I’m just curious. Thanks.

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Question:

From what I’ve heard, the next generation 4-door will be delayed until early 2001, and it will be badged as a 2002 model.  The current iteration will continue to sell through as a 2001 model. JH 95 EB – 117K miles – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Any more news on the 2001 Explorer 4 door? Or will the 2001 be the same > bodystyle as the 2000 and the new bodystyle be delayed until 2002 (or early > release 2002)? > Bernie Newman, Pittsburgh, Pa.

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I wrote to the BLUEOVALNEWS guy and he said his site was in error and he would correct it. The new Explorer will come out in January of 2001 as a 2002 model, NOT in January of 2002 as it says on the site. Bernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Any more news on the 2001 Explorer 4 door? Or will the 2001 be the same >bodystyle as the 2000 and the new bodystyle be delayed until 2002 (or early >release 2002)? >Bernie Newman, Pittsburgh, Pa. > After everything that I’ve read here and elsewhere, I still don’t > think that there is a definite answer to your question as to what year > number the new style will be. What does seem to be fairly definite is > that the new style will be delayed until early 2001. Whether it is > called a 2001 or a 2002 model is anyones guess. > To keep up with the latest news, just check in here everyday and also > check out http://www.blueovalnews.com/ > Steve

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>Any more news on the 2001 Explorer 4 door? Or will the 2001 be the same >bodystyle as the 2000 and the new bodystyle be delayed until 2002 (or early >release 2002)? >Bernie Newman, Pittsburgh, Pa.

After everything that I’ve read here and elsewhere, I still don’t think that there is a definite answer to your question as to what year number the new style will be. What does seem to be fairly definite is that the new style will be delayed until early 2001. Whether it is called a 2001 or a 2002 model is anyones guess. To keep up with the latest news, just check in here everyday and also check out http://www.blueovalnews.com/ Steve

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Any more news on the 2001 Explorer 4 door? Or will the 2001 be the same bodystyle as the 2000 and the new bodystyle be delayed until 2002 (or early release 2002)? Bernie Newman, Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Question:

Just took delivery on a 2000 XLS Explorer, and with 50 miles now on the odometer I like it.  I’m curious about how the ignition key with the chip hooks into the electronic system.  As near as I can tell from looking at the key, there is no place for a second contact to be made with it.  The part that is inserted seems to be solid metal, and the "handle" part is plastic.  My basic understanding of electrical/electronic gadgets is that they require TWO connections, and with a DC system one would be positive, and the other negative.   Is there a second connection to the key I have not noticed? If no second connection, how does it work? Is there a battery inside the key that will eventually need to be replacaed?  I can see a small "door" that I assume can be pried off for such a purpose. Any insight appreciated.  Many thanks. — CWLee Former slayer of dragons; practice now limited to sacred cows. Believing we should hire for quality, not quotas, and promote for performance, not preferences.

Response:

The transponder inside the key is "charged" by the same radio frequencies that communicate with the key.  RFID it’s called (Radio Frequency Identification).  A transciever mounted around the ignition lock transmits a signal when the key is inserted.  The transponder within the key is programmed to respond with a certain "code", and once the "handshake" is made, the switch in the ignition is activated so that you may start your vehicle.  If the connection is not made, the ignition is not electrically switched, and is disabled.  There are millions of possible code combinations set to some certain algorithm, so the possibility of it being duplicated is very very slim, and if it was, it could take days (your common theif won’t stick around for more than 2 minutes). The new 2001 Explorer (when it finally is launched) will sport the latest i-PATS system similar to that found in the 2000 Taurus/Sable which features a new chip, capable of billions of codes.  Even more security. JH 95 EB – 115K miles John G. Holt Mechanical Engineering University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee College of Engineering and Applied Science www.uwm.edu/~holter88

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Just took delivery on a 2000 XLS Explorer, and with 50 miles now on the > odometer I like it.  I’m curious about how the ignition key with the > chip hooks into the electronic system.  As near as I can tell from > looking at the key, there is no place for a second contact to be made > with it.  The part that is inserted seems to be solid metal, and the > "handle" part is plastic.  My basic understanding of > electrical/electronic gadgets is that they require TWO connections, and > with a DC system one would be positive, and the other negative. > Is there a second connection to the key I have not noticed? > If no second connection, how does it work? > Is there a battery inside the key that will eventually need to be > replacaed?  I can see a small "door" that I assume can be pried off for > such a purpose. > Any insight appreciated.  Many thanks. > — > CWLee > Former slayer of dragons; practice now limited to sacred cows. > Believing we should hire for quality, not quotas, and promote > for performance, not preferences.

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Question:

My 2001 Explorer Sport Trac is driving me nuts.  The chime sounds as soon as you  put the key in the ignition and keeps up until you get the seat belt on. How do you disconnect the darn chime without screwing anything else up? thanks JohnC

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If the seat belt is similar to the one on my 97, just unplug the connector next to where the seat belt is fastened just under the front seat.  The connector may be just under the carpet.  This will disable the chime for the seat belt but not the other functions. — Dr.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 2001 Explorer Sport Trac is driving me nuts.  The chime sounds as soon as > you  put the key in the ignition and keeps up until you get the seat belt on. > How do you disconnect the darn chime without screwing anything else up? > thanks > JohnC

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I think that’s what I did on my  92 Marquis.  I don’t think it’s a safety hazard.  The connector was easy to see and easy to unplug.  I hate all those annoying chimes too.  In my 84 LTD I located the device that makes all the cute noises and removed it.  The Explorer is next.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->If the seat belt is similar to the one on my 97, just unplug the connector >next to where the seat belt is fastened just under the front seat.  The >connector may be just under the carpet.  This will disable the chime for the >seat belt but not the other functions. >– >Dr. > My 2001 Explorer Sport Trac is driving me nuts.  The chime sounds as soon >as > you  put the key in the ignition and keeps up until you get the seat belt >on. > How do you disconnect the darn chime without screwing anything else up? > thanks > JohnC

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Question:

Does anybody know where I can get a bed extender for my 2001 Explorer Sport Track? My local dealer says they are not available yet. With the tailgate up, our bikes are too big.

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If you are referring to the cargo cage, they are available. Obviously, your dealer doesn’t know it’s products very well….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does anybody know where I can get a bed extender for my 2001 Explorer Sport > Track? My local dealer says they are not available yet. With the tailgate > up, our bikes are too big.

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