Mountainnergreen's Mounty Buildup Worklog

**MountaineerGreen** · 06-29-2006, 01:58 PM

Since my last post a few things have happened. I bought a lift kit that I will be installing and I bought a 4600# dry weight camper. New Jayco 23 FB. I really like it. I had to upgrade a few things to pull it. I had to install an electric brake controller, a 7 prong RV plug, and a 7500# capacity hitch. I put the plug flush mount on my bumper by cutting a huge hole in it. It about made me sick to do so but it had to be done. Ill post pics ASAP of the new hitch, camper, plug and lift.

churd69 · 06-29-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountaineergree

Since my last post a few things have happened. I bought a lift kit that I will be installing and I bought a 4600# dry weight camper. New Jayco 23 FB. I really like it. I had to upgrade a few things to pull it. I had to install an electric brake controller, a 7 prong RV plug, and a 7500# capacity hitch. I put the plug flush mount on my bumper by cutting a huge hole in it. It about made me sick to do so but it had to be done. Ill post pics ASAP of the new hitch, camper, plug and lift.

What kind of lift kit did you buy? Interested in how towing is with the kit installed. You will have to let me know. I am interested in purchasing a camper, just not sure of how it will be towing and lifted, might be worse for me since mine is a sport.

-Rich

**MountaineerGreen** · 06-29-2006, 04:32 PM

I bought a 4" superlift for the front. Here is the threads with all of the info up to now;

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=160174

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=160328

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=161916

**MountaineerGreen** · 06-30-2006, 04:34 PM

Here is my new hitch and plug set up- ignore the dirt, its been really dry lately!

And in case your wondering, I did cut a big hole in my bumper to put that plug in

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-21-2006, 08:13 PM

And the mods continue..........

I did a transfer case swap to get 2wd, 4wd, and 4low. Im loving the extra fuel mileage and power by being able to drive in 2wd.

My thread on the swap is here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=166726

The lift kit is on hold for now. Now that I have the different case, a custom driveshaft can be made much easier eliminating the need for the superlift shaft. I need a few brackets to install the kit, but I must wait until I have a different tow vehicle for the travel trailer. I don't think the lift will help any with towing. Or would it??

'97 V8 · 09-21-2006, 08:25 PM

throw in a dana 60 rear...that should help with towing.

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-21-2006, 08:33 PM

Im not really worried about the 8.8. What I don't know about is how the added height will affect my ability to control the weight behind me.

conig · 09-22-2006, 09:50 AM

right now you sit pretty level and that is a plus its better for the tongue to be higher then lower IMO. im subscribing, I like the changes you have made/make and your right ups.

big thumbs up here.

'97 V8 · 09-22-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountaineergree

Im not really worried about the 8.8. What I don't know about is how the added height will affect my ability to control the weight behind me.

When i was stock i had about 500 poumnds of luggage and other crap with me when the family went to the airport for a vacation....stopping was a biatch. Just recently in the summer, i loaded the mountaineer with 1300 pounds of brick in the back and accross the fold down seats. Acceleration was good, but again brakes.

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-22-2006, 11:10 AM

Well brakes are not an issue with the electric brakes on the travel trailer. I can stop pretty much as I please using them.

I got to checking into installing the lift today and here is what I have found-

The four cross member drop down brackets are ruined, I tried to straighten one with a torch and hammer. I got it straighter but the metal started to crack, so they have to be replaced.

I am missing one diff drop bracket, I can fab one or have to buy one.

I need shocks which will cost $140 plus.

I need sway bar links which I think I can fab up.

I got screwed on the whole thing. The guy who sold me the lift never filed a claim with FedEx. I will never see any of the missing parts. (driveshaft) I paid that SOB $245 for what I have now, plus sent him a stock driveshaft that cost me $50. Now I need $300+ to complete the kit. I ought to kick him in the nuts.

The good news is I don't need the driveshaft anymore, the transfer case swap will allow me to run the F150 driveshaft. If it has problems, I can get a double cardian setup much easier.

When I can talk the wife into letting me spend the money, I will buy the stuff I need to install this thing. She would stroke out if I dropped another couple of hundred all in one month!

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-25-2006, 10:35 PM

Well after some debate amongst myself, I have decided to give the superlift a whirl, even with needing to tow. I hope this doesn't affect my ability to handle the weight of the travel trailer. I had to build some of the brackets that the guy that had the lift before me bent and one that fed ex lost. I hope to install this Wednesday if all goes well. My brackets I built:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=167063

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 09-26-2006, 01:36 PM

mountaineer where is ur exhaust at now. I didnt see them in the pictures and do you got any sound clips of it.

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-26-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sams01XplrSprt

mountaineer where is ur exhaust at now. I didnt see them in the pictures and do you got any sound clips of it.

My exhaust is a muffler dumped just before the rear axle. The muffler is a cheap turbo muffler. The dynomax I had was too loud with the headers and didn't have enough back pressure. And the tailpipe I had bent was so crappy anyway, I just scrapped the whole thing and dumpped the muffler. I dont have any sound clips, but could probably come up with some.

'97 V8 · 09-26-2006, 07:12 PM

hows the superlift bracketry goin?

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-26-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '97 V8

hows the superlift bracketry goin?

I updated the info in the link in post #37- its going good

**MountaineerGreen** · 10-01-2006, 09:55 PM

I finally got the Superlift done. I made my own drop brackets because the ones I got were so bent out of shape. It all went pretty well overall and the different driveshaft from the BW4406 swap works great. I don't have to drop the big money for a custom driveshaft.

Updated Pictures after a wash:

**MountaineerGreen** · 10-01-2006, 10:00 PM

The BW4406 swap thread-

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=166726

**MountaineerGreen** · 10-13-2006, 01:33 PM

I got some time today to try out the lift components and take pictures- Enjoy

My Favorite Shot

StaTTiKK · 10-20-2006, 01:23 AM

ride looks tight as hell man. for sure. I need to join this click. drive a 98 mounty and just turned 130. Rides like a dream, well as I keep the dream going, anticipating a front left cv shaft replacement which sits in the back waiting to go in. Grr. oh well. Anyways, your ride is tight man for sure, and i Am feeling the wheells, wonder how those would look on a 2 inch dropped mounty hmmmm anyways, ciao...

'97 V8 · 10-20-2006, 01:40 AM

Very nice. Your front seems to flex pretty well. Disconnect the front sway bars and lets see some real flex

06-29-2006, 01:58 PM	#21
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Update Since my last post a few things have happened. I bought a lift kit that I will be installing and I bought a 4600# dry weight camper. New Jayco 23 FB. I really like it. I had to upgrade a few things to pull it. I had to install an electric brake controller, a 7 prong RV plug, and a 7500# capacity hitch. I put the plug flush mount on my bumper by cutting a huge hole in it. It about made me sick to do so but it had to be done. Ill post pics ASAP of the new hitch, camper, plug and lift. __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

06-29-2006, 04:32 PM	#23
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I bought a 4" superlift for the front. Here is the threads with all of the info up to now; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=160174 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=160328 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=161916 __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

06-30-2006, 04:34 PM	#24
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Here is my new hitch and plug set up- ignore the dirt, its been really dry lately! And in case your wondering, I did cut a big hole in my bumper to put that plug in __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

09-21-2006, 08:13 PM	#25
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	And the mods continue.......... I did a transfer case swap to get 2wd, 4wd, and 4low. Im loving the extra fuel mileage and power by being able to drive in 2wd. My thread on the swap is here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=166726 The lift kit is on hold for now. Now that I have the different case, a custom driveshaft can be made much easier eliminating the need for the superlift shaft. I need a few brackets to install the kit, but I must wait until I have a different tow vehicle for the travel trailer. I don't think the lift will help any with towing. Or would it?? __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

09-21-2006, 08:25 PM	#26
'97 V8 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lima, Ohio '97 mounty 5.0 4x4 baby!! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,696 Vehicle Specs	throw in a dana 60 rear...that should help with towing. __________________ 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4x4 V8 3" bl, manual t-case. Dana 60/14 bolt combo with 36x13.5x17 iroks on H2 rims. 5.13's. Future plan: 3.9 or 5.9 Turbo diesel cummins

09-21-2006, 08:33 PM	#27
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Im not really worried about the 8.8. What I don't know about is how the added height will affect my ability to control the weight behind me. __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

09-22-2006, 09:50 AM	#28
conig Wannabe Elite Explorer tallahassee fl. 96 v8 xlt. Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 340 Vehicle Specs	right now you sit pretty level and that is a plus its better for the tongue to be higher then lower IMO. im subscribing, I like the changes you have made/make and your right ups. big thumbs up here.

09-22-2006, 11:10 AM	#30
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well brakes are not an issue with the electric brakes on the travel trailer. I can stop pretty much as I please using them. I got to checking into installing the lift today and here is what I have found- The four cross member drop down brackets are ruined, I tried to straighten one with a torch and hammer. I got it straighter but the metal started to crack, so they have to be replaced. I am missing one diff drop bracket, I can fab one or have to buy one. I need shocks which will cost $140 plus. I need sway bar links which I think I can fab up. I got screwed on the whole thing. The guy who sold me the lift never filed a claim with FedEx. I will never see any of the missing parts. (driveshaft) I paid that SOB $245 for what I have now, plus sent him a stock driveshaft that cost me $50. Now I need $300+ to complete the kit. I ought to kick him in the nuts. The good news is I don't need the driveshaft anymore, the transfer case swap will allow me to run the F150 driveshaft. If it has problems, I can get a double cardian setup much easier. When I can talk the wife into letting me spend the money, I will buy the stuff I need to install this thing. She would stroke out if I dropped another couple of hundred all in one month! __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors Last edited by MountaineerGreen; 01-06-2008 at 10:50 AM. Reason: cleanup

09-25-2006, 10:35 PM	#31
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well after some debate amongst myself, I have decided to give the superlift a whirl, even with needing to tow. I hope this doesn't affect my ability to handle the weight of the travel trailer. I had to build some of the brackets that the guy that had the lift before me bent and one that fed ex lost. I hope to install this Wednesday if all goes well. My brackets I built: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=167063 __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

09-26-2006, 01:36 PM	#32
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport (sold) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,633 Vehicle Specs	mountaineer where is ur exhaust at now. I didnt see them in the pictures and do you got any sound clips of it. __________________ 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0 sohc engine. Mods include: dual 40 series flowmasters & high flow k&n air filter & removed silencer & yellow fog lights (sold for $1,800) as of 2-26-12

09-26-2006, 07:12 PM	#34
'97 V8 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lima, Ohio '97 mounty 5.0 4x4 baby!! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,696 Vehicle Specs	hows the superlift bracketry goin? __________________ 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4x4 V8 3" bl, manual t-case. Dana 60/14 bolt combo with 36x13.5x17 iroks on H2 rims. 5.13's. Future plan: 3.9 or 5.9 Turbo diesel cummins

10-01-2006, 09:55 PM	#36
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Superlift Done! I finally got the Superlift done. I made my own drop brackets because the ones I got were so bent out of shape. It all went pretty well overall and the different driveshaft from the BW4406 swap works great. I don't have to drop the big money for a custom driveshaft. Updated Pictures after a wash: __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

10-01-2006, 10:00 PM	#37
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	The BW4406 swap thread- http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=166726 __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors Last edited by MountaineerGreen; 01-01-2007 at 07:31 PM.

10-13-2006, 01:33 PM	#38
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Superlift Flex Shots I got some time today to try out the lift components and take pictures- Enjoy My Favorite Shot __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

10-20-2006, 01:23 AM	#39
StaTTiKK Wannabe Elite Explorer Arizona 98 Mountaineer Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 55 Vehicle Specs	ride looks tight as hell man. for sure. I need to join this click. drive a 98 mounty and just turned 130. Rides like a dream, well as I keep the dream going, anticipating a front left cv shaft replacement which sits in the back waiting to go in. Grr. oh well. Anyways, your ride is tight man for sure, and i Am feeling the wheells, wonder how those would look on a 2 inch dropped mounty hmmmm anyways, ciao... __________________ STaTTiKK AKA JOSH 98 Mounty Black

10-20-2006, 01:40 AM	#40
'97 V8 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lima, Ohio '97 mounty 5.0 4x4 baby!! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,696 Vehicle Specs	Very nice. Your front seems to flex pretty well. Disconnect the front sway bars and lets see some real flex __________________ 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4x4 V8 3" bl, manual t-case. Dana 60/14 bolt combo with 36x13.5x17 iroks on H2 rims. 5.13's. Future plan: 3.9 or 5.9 Turbo diesel cummins