$700 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer/Project Frankentranny II

Plagorizer, I know...
I recently acquired this ugly 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4 with 197k, for $700. It has some things that it needs, but then again, what would you expect from a $700 Explorer?
-Needs a Transmission, or reverse ring (reverse is out)-FIXED
-Roof liner is toast-FIXED
-Rear drivers side quarter panel is crumpled from guard rail hit
-Both bumpers are junk-FIXED
-roof has 2 dents-FIXED
-roof rack is all bent-FIXED
-Front drivers side fender is pushed out (common problem from the "Wal-Mart Kid" jacking vehicle up in wrong place).-FIXED
-Grille is crap-FIXED

I could keep going for another 30 things.

If you saw my thread, I had a chronicles going on putting a 5R55E transmission into the place of my old 4R55E transmission. I had to find out the hard way, got the 5R55E from the JY then found out it wont fit. Look's to be in good shape so I'm gonna sell it anyway. Still looking for a 4R55E transmission for under 400 bucks.

I will post up the entire list of crap it needs, (small things like a lug nut, headlight ect) I am type A and cannot stand broken things, misfit things, ugly things...I know, then you say "then you shouldn't of gotten an Explorer". I think it's a piece of art, rust or not. (guess what mine has the case of...yep, you got it.)

This thread, I will keep all of you people informed and updated on my Explorer project, which I like to call, "project Frankentranny II" I will also post up small fixes, and corrections that I found out myself personally that maybe some people don't know anything about.

Be aware, skeletal and freaky ugly pictures are about to stare you in the corneas, but don't be frightened, so much progress can only reveal how nice this Explorer can shine. It seems like junk yard find, but indeed, it is a diamond in the rough.

These are some pictures of when I first purchased it. Cost me $700 delivered to the door. Enjoy, and subscribe to this thread if you want to see this ugly Aunt Agatha turn into a beautiful piece of art and machinery, that will sell for less than KBB! Read ahead.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Swapped seat panels today. The drivers side was totaled, as you can see in the picture. Took me a good 3-4 hours but the result is worth it. Now I can say officially, "NO ripped leather!"

Old seat panel:

New seat panel:

 

[1992fordgreen]

BTW, here is a walk around of my Ex. I know, that's not an A/C compressor, and it's ghetto, but enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ivE4dv_64&feature=youtu.be

 

[MrBman1300]

Thanks! I'm watching it right now

 

[1992fordgreen]

So the transmission has been not engaging right away when you select the gear, and it hasn't been kicking down. When accelerating, it revs to 5k but no kickdown occurs till you let off the throttle then it will. 1991-1994 Explorers had kickdown cables but 1995 and up are all electronically controlled kickdown. O/D light flashing so gonna pull the code of whatever that's shooting soon.

 

[1992fordgreen]

SO I got the OBDII code puller and plugged it into the Explorer. No codes. Of course, I had disconnected the battery. Now I need to "attempt" to put itno gear and drive forwards and backwards a little so the O/D light blinks again, and so the ABS and CEL go on. Sigh. Will keep you guys updated on what it is.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Looks like my explorer project is on hold for a while. Broke my leg in two spots. (Tibia and Febula)

 

[sport97]

Oh man that's not good... I hope you get well soon. How'd you manage that?

 

[1992fordgreen]

I was playing some ultimate frisbee with some friends and one of the 200 pound dudes dove for the disc and laterally smashed my left leg. Tibia and febula Are broken. The tebia required surgery to put a titanium rod I side the leg and screw it into the bone. Really painful, but yea I'm getting along. Will take about 6-9 months to fully heal

 

[1992fordgreen]

Starting to work on the Explorer. Troubleshooting the A/C since it stays on heat even when the knob is turned. (actuator obviously) working on that rear bolt. No space to access.

Update on trans...explorer had been sitting for 2 weeks. My Dad went out there and drained 1 quart give or take .2-4 quarts of trans fluid. Now, it works almost flawlessly. What the crap? dipstick showed an inch or so above the full line but based on our math the Explorer had 9.5 quarts, it takes 9.8 since its a 4x4. Rear transfer case-transmission bolts were leaking quite a lot fluid. Turns out I forgot to tighten 3 or 4 of those bolts. Almost time to move on to more important cosmetics, but first, a couple more weeks for my tibia and febula to "knit" back together as well as rehab.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Confirmed that the door actuator for the A/C does not rotate, thusly, it is bad. Finding it very hard to do anything to the Explorer with a cast...

 

[1992fordgreen]

Did a little finally to the Explorer today.

Tranny-drove it about 7 miles. Slipped slightly once. Transfer case is leaking terribly.
A/C-the actuator works perfectly. No A/C out of front and rear vents, just heat. BUT, the A/C is ice cold I stuck my hand behind the glovebox and felt cool air rushing from where the actuator arm rotates the selector. Thats encouraging.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Little update, if anyone cares.

A/C is fixed. Ice cold out of the vents.

Headliner, and cosmetics are left...

We're getting pretty close to finishing this bugger up and selling it Gentlemen.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Went to U-Pull-and-Pay today. Got A headliner WITH A SUNROOF this time, the Fuel vapor canister and purge valve solenoid, and a lot of parts for my Lexus SC.

Once these things are done, the Explorer is almost ready to sell. (after a take-apert-clean-put back together deal

Exited.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Got Fuel EVAP canister and Purge valve solenoid put up in the rear, got both rear shocks put in, (bolts.nuts were stripped). Gonna take it to Discount tire and have them balance the tires, then replace the headliner, maybe one tire, make the hood struts hold the stinkin heavy hood up, and fix the front end issue and we're golden from there! After I clean it of course.

 

[MrBman1300]

What about the fender? When you get it sold you can get another one.

 

[1992fordgreen]

What about the fender? When you get it sold you can get another one.

If you mean the front fender stick out, thats fixed. If you mean the rear body damage, thanks for the reminder, add that to the list. :bdrunk:
I'm actually thinking of sticking to LExus after I sell this puppy, but we shall see. It really depends what's for sale at the time. NO MORE FORD EXPLORER TRANNYS thats for sure. Headache, burden, ect.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Took apart the entire interior of the Explorer today. Found many ancient coins, and mouse homes. GROSS. I removed the carpeting entirely. I pretty much removed everything except the dash, door panels, and headliner.

Whatya all think? Overkill?

 

[Varsity]

Not at all, good to see you're doing a thorough job! Make sure you take some pics after you're done with the truck so we can get a good before/after kinda thing to see. Great job!

 

[1992fordgreen]

Finished installing the interior today. Couldn't remove 1 stain...yellow crayon. I'll post pics up when I get the chance to snap them.

 

[1992fordgreen]

I didn't get the carpeting as clean as I wanted it to get, and you cannot see much of it anyways, but here is the ending result. Unfortunately, there were a couple stains of crayon I could not remove, but everything removed fine. I put the carpeting back in, vacuumed it again, then carpet cleaned it, again. Cant ever do it too much.

YES, I'll be cleaning the Explorer tomorrow. Kinda dusty. That will include detailing the engine bay, since there aren't very many pics of a detailed explorer engine bay. I will also be removing the cluster and cleaning the amber excretion from the signal levers, and might remove more stuff in the front.

Pictures: Lemme know what you think, and any suggestions as to what else I can do to make the Ex look better is appreciated.

Sorry if the pictures aren't that good.