educate me on the 96-99 SHO

[superhighoutput]

I know about the 89-95s, but would like to learn more about the 96-99s. They seem to be the used SHOs most widely available these days. I've looked over the v8sho site which is very nice. But I have some questions. What year is considered "the best?"
What are the pros and cons of the semi active ride control? Can you tell much of a difference? Is it expensive to fix? Is the '99 better or worse since it sounds like some of them lack this feature.
Is the JBL or Mach one radio best? Did cd changers come standard with these, since I bet it is tough to upgrade from the oval control panel.
Is the transmission the same as other taurus, or unique to the SHO? How much does the valve adjustment at 100K miles cost? or do you just have this done whenever you get the cams welded?
Are the 96-98 wheels the best, or do people like the 99 wheels?
It looks like most eventually came standard with most previously optional equipment-how rare are the options on the '96s? Thanks for any input.

 

[wuzzzer]

Well, the 96s, as you know, had the most options and as years went on certain things started getting deleted. For instance, in my 97 the front doors don't have lights in the bottom part of the door, just reflectors, which is kind of pointless if you ask me.

Starting with the semi-active ride control. Personally I like it a lot. With the non-SARC SHOs, the struts are about halfway between the soft/firm setting of the SARC struts. I like the ability to pull the SARC fuse and have the struts in hard mode all the time, and a lot of people have wired in a switch to choose between semi-active setting and full hard at the flick of a switch. The SARC struts are pretty expensive, I believe in the neighborhood of $130/strut. I would imagine the non-SARC struts are a lot cheaper as you could probably use something other than an OEM strut.

My SHO has a factory 6 disc trunk-mounted CD changer. If any SHO doesn't have one, I believe they can be installed pretty easily.

The transmission is the same that was used in some Lincolns IIRC, no other Taurus' used the transmission.

I like the look of the 96-98 wheels, especially in chrome, personally. The 99 wheels are the lightest as far as I know, though. So, it depends on what you mean by 'best.' All Gen 3 wheels are 16"x6.5".

 

[Centori]

Welcome to the fun world of Gen III's there's really no one year that's "better" then another but... I'd have to say if I had to pick on it would be the '96. The reason? the most content JBL and SARC was still intact along with the power antenna etc... The only things lacking on the 96 are map pockets in the front doors.. '96 also saw a rare color that was only in '96 rose mist.
97 much the same
Mach replaces JBL.
V8 badges appear
window switch "backlighting" on pass and rear doors will "turn off" when you lock them out

98 and 99 I know little about other then there were minor de-contents on both years.. also the amber turnsignal len's on the rear are now all red.. power antenna goes for 99
door courtsy lights are now reflectors only

Allll years have the cam issue.. (see v8sho.com) all have the same computer program.. no one year is more aggressivly tuned then anouther

SARC: I like it... others hate it...
It's very similar to the ride control used on the Thunderbird SuperCoupe with the important distinction that there is no driver "override" swich for the firm vs soft setting (this can be added) the bad part about SARC is that when it does need shocks (60-70K) they will be around a grand to do all the way around

The 6 disk is an option but most have it
The JBL system is superior to the MACH (subwoofer with JBL)

Phone was a rare option all years, but it's analog technology...

If you're looking for all out RARE I'd say... a 96' with cloth interior (was optional) in rosemist with the cell phone... good luck on that one....

Transmission is common to all Tauri.. but it's been beefed up some with the internal for the SHO (thats not saying much) get a cooler

I think that everything.....

 

[superhighoutput]

Thanks for the good replies. I'll keep a lookout for a cloth interior rose mist

 

[Fast4SHO]

Another note on the wheels..the 96-98 SHO's came with an option of chrome rims vs. the same wheels only in silver as a standard. Most are seen w/ chrome as you can see on my car in my signature. I previously owned a 95 MTX and the only thing that I don't enjoy more about my 97 is the ATX. The Gen 3 is a much more solid and refined car in my opinion if you ignore the cam problems. SARC makes the car better handeling than a stock GEN 2, but these struts seem to show premature wear (around 60k miles). I've never heard a JBL sound system, but I feel that the Mach has a good sound for OEM and in case you were curious the 6 disc changer is located in the trunk.

 

[BodylessSHO]

Mach is a good sound system, it's got really good bass for not having a subwoofer. Putting a custom header in is a bitch, though putting one in the glove compartment is an option. Black ones are the prettiest .

 

[stephen newberg]

"Another note on the wheels..the 96-98 SHO's came with an option of chrome rims vs. the same wheels only in silver as a standard."

This is not quite right. One of the reasons I think the '98 is the year of choice, aside from my natural bias )), is because it was the year where pretty much all of the options of other years were standard equipment, and you got it all every time. IIRC, the only option available on the '98 was if the passenger seat had the extra multi-position seat system that was used for the driver side. Also, the decontenting really did not hit hard at all until for the last, '99 model year. Prior to that some things came in and some things went out more or less as they tried to figure out their marketting problem, before more or less giving up on it entirely for the final year.

If anyone seriously wants, I can pull my window sticker to check on the above, since mine was a fully loaded version for 1998.

pax, smn

 

[wild01ride]

I am personally biased too, but I do love the fact that the '98's do have pretty much every option possible.

The one thing that I would have loved on mine is the nets on the back of the seats and a leather shifter found in the earlier years. Other than that, I am very content!

 

[Fast4SHO]

Thanks for the correction on the wheels, got a little ahead of myslef.

 

[Mac98SHO]

Oh boy I got an option on my 1998 SHO... passenger seat.. kewl

 

[SHOWHAT9]

EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT DIFFERENCES
This link takes you to the V8 website and hopefully the most completed guide to different years on the web. If not, jeesh, more work for me!

 

[djbartu]

Here's my opinion:

Shop around for a good deal on any year, they're all great. Many Gen IIIs have sold from $3500 - $4500 on eBay. Now I don't know the details on these cars, but if you look around long enough you're sure to pick up a deal on something in decent condition. If it's mint you're loking for, you'll ending up paying much more.

When you find the one you want, The first thing to do (as you already know) is get the cams welded. The second thing I would do is get a pair of aftermarket mufflers. They don't help performance, but they do make the car sound great! I drove my '96 stock for about 4 years ... I should have had my flowmasters installed the day I picked up my car. Third, I would upgrade the rear speakers. The Polks I put in are much better than stock and it is a relatively easy and cheap project. (I just left the factory subwoofer alone.)

Keep reading the old posts on this site (all 4 sections of Gen III). You can learn just about everything you would ever want to know about the '96 - '99 SHOs!

 

[kjw86ca]

Hey,

I know this post is a bit old. One thing I noticed though I wanted to say that someone was not correct on.

The gen III SHO uses the same AX4N as the 3.0L 24V DOHC 200HP 1996-1999 Taurus does. The difference is this: It has the exact same first through fourth gear ratios, EXCEPT, there is a change in the final drive ratio from 2.33:1 to 3.77:1.

-Kyle

P.S. I LOVE the SARC. It does an excellent job. Along with the VAPS, the car has a wide range of it's capability. It can be a soft smooth ride on the freeway, or very tight, responsive steering in the twisties. It's great. The SARC is a Fichtel and Sachs system.

 

[Glue Maker]

EXCEPT, there is a change in the final drive ratio from 2.33:1 to 3.77:1.

I thought it was from 3.99 to 3.77, and that the AX4N was shared with the windstar

Also I thought the torque converter was different.

 

[SHOZ123]

The OEM final drive on the GEN 3 SHO is 3.77. The '96 Windstar with the AX4S has the 3.99 final drive. I have the 3.99 Windstar final drive in my '97 but there are issues that I am currently trying to resolve via programming.

IMHO this would be a great mod if the programming can be solved. The parts are less than $100. You have to have the tranny out to change them though.

The GEN 3 SHO has a unique TC.

 

[kjw86ca]

The gen III Taurus uses the AX4S (which is mated with the 3.0L 12V OHV V6 that makes 145HP) and the AX4N is mated with the 3.0L 24V DOHC that makes 200HP. Every once in awhile you will find the AX4N mated with the OHV motor (my 98 SE had it) but it's rare. The newer Taurus (gen 4, 2000-present) all use the AX4N I believe except it is revised. The rate of the tranny failing in the gen 4's is a lot less than in gen 3. In fact, I can't even remember anyone on TCCA saying they had a gen 4 tranny go. It's a lot more refined and has a larger tranny cooler. Thats all I know about it. Other than some gen 4's have a tranny pan that says "AX4S" but it's really a AX4N. Supposidly they were using whatever pans they had left from gen 3.

 

[ElTauro]

Lies!!! I have a g4 Taurus and it has the AX4S, not the AX4N. Its not some transmission pan leftover, it is the AX4S, i got screwed over. Ha! I got the 3.99 final drive though.

 

[kjw86ca]

Are you absolutly positive? Because what I've read and been told is that all gen 4's have the AX4N, some with the AX4S. It could be since yours is a 2000 (first year) that it has an AX4S. I've had both a 2000 and a 2001 and they both had the AX4N. Maybe I'm wrong?

Anyway...I guess it doesn't really matter. The main topic is the 96-99 SHO.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

The gen III Taurus uses the AX4S (which is mated with the 3.0L 12V OHV V6 that makes 145HP) and the AX4N is mated with the 3.0L 24V DOHC that makes 200HP. Every once in awhile you will find the AX4N mated with the OHV motor (my 98 SE had it) but it's rare. The newer Taurus (gen 4, 2000-present) all use the AX4N I believe except it is revised. The rate of the tranny failing in the gen 4's is a lot less than in gen 3. In fact, I can't even remember anyone on TCCA saying they had a gen 4 tranny go. It's a lot more refined and has a larger tranny cooler. Thats all I know about it. Other than some gen 4's have a tranny pan that says "AX4S" but it's really a AX4N. Supposidly they were using whatever pans they had left from gen 3.

I doubt that the trannies have gotten any better over the years. The reason that not many gen 4 trannies haven't failed is that the average mileage is less. That and there are fewer Gen 4's on the TCCA forum.

 

[SHOZ123]

Gen 4s also have the renamed version of the AX4N now called AF50N.