X~Factor's Page

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 07:55 PM

I guess after 11 years I'm finally ready to put some mods worth doing on my '97 Explorer.

I've compiled some pictures that I've done recently.

To start off I have already done the following:
Lowered 2" all around
Edelbrock shocks
Explorer Express sway bars
KKM intake
Honest Charlie Air Dam
17x9 Bullitt wheels with 275/55 Hankook Ventus ST
17x8 Bullitt wheels with 255/60 Hankook Ventus ST
Shaved rear hatch

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 08:02 PM

I guess the first order of business is to replace worn out parts. 11 years is a long time for a stock ball joint to last, eh?

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 08:07 PM

Front grill.

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 08:14 PM

My main goal really is to go as light weight as possible. I know I know its a truck but hey, doesn't hurt to try eh?

Speaking of which. The easiest way to lose weight is to remove the spare tire and all that is associated with it... and then replace it with Triple A.

I've also have since replaced the Edelbrock shocks with Doestch Nitro in the back and Doestch monotube in the front. These are measured exactly to the amount of drop I have which are now 3" all around.

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 08:25 PM

I've also realized my 17's are all but outdated. 17's were cool... in 1999.

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 08:27 PM

Got them replaced with 20's.

These are Bullitt Wheels wrapped with Toyo Proxes 4.
20x8.5; 245/45
20x10; 275/40

The offsets puts the rear VERY closed to the inside edge of the truck. I'd say less than an inch.

*X~FACTOR* · 08-30-2008, 08:48 PM

I have also removed the front diff/axle. Losing at least 100 lbs right thur.

storlied · 08-30-2008, 11:11 PM

Looks like you were getting a little mad at that driver's side CV..... lol..

Nice job though, keep it up.

Performance mods planned??

*X~FACTOR* · 08-31-2008, 08:17 AM

As far performance mods go, I have the KKM intake there and that is it. I do have a Black Magic 180 electric fan sitting in my basement and a Flowmaster 40 delta flow is coming in a couple of weeks. My immediate task at hand right now is to get my rollpan installed. I have been bumperless for weeks.

*Jakee* · 08-31-2008, 09:29 AM

Looking good. I like the new wheels and the font grill.

*X~FACTOR* · 09-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Black Magic 180 electric fan is in. The clutch fan was a bitch to remove. When everything was said and done, the plastic fan blade and clutch disc were in pieces! In PIECES, I tell ya!!!

It does make a difference at first test drive. The engine doesn't feel so bogged down trying to spin that huge plastic fan.

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 09-07-2008, 08:54 PM

nice explorer

Uafan · 09-08-2008, 12:33 AM

Looks good. Nice work.

Donner · 09-08-2008, 12:42 AM

oh, just when it got captivating, it stopped

This is interesting...

*X~FACTOR* · 09-10-2008, 06:52 PM

I have added the hood scoop from a month ago and cut the hood to make it functional. Unhappy with the result I went a step further and cut and vented the hood using the pre-existing template underneath. Now I could see the heat rise up from the hood when stopped at the light. Now THAT'S functional!!!

.

*X~FACTOR* · 09-10-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storlied

Performance mods planned??

The plan is to go as light weight as possible, get decent gas mileage (around 20 mpg), and make the X my daily driver. When the moon is just right and everything is perfect in the X~Factor household, I will go supercharger.

**section525** · 09-10-2008, 07:26 PM

Nice work, Ray!

The new wheels look sick too!

*Blacksheep Josh* · 09-14-2008, 09:31 PM

Can you post some more pictures of the hood vents? More specifically how the screen is attached underneath? I like how it looks.

*X~FACTOR* · 09-15-2008, 07:33 PM

Sorry man, I don't have one up close. But I use "kitchen and bath" silicone at Home Depot. I've tried them all and this one is by far the best one to use. I actually vent hoods on the side for my fellow s2000 forum friends. I've done about 30 cars. Mostly S2000 but I've done Miatas, an old Mercedes 300E, and now the X.

Some of my work.

*Blacksheep Josh* · 09-15-2008, 08:28 PM

I'm guessing the screen is just a hard aluminum/steel screen and nothing special? Probably also bought at home depot?

08-30-2008, 07:55 PM	#1
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	X~Factor's Page I guess after 11 years I'm finally ready to put some mods worth doing on my '97 Explorer. I've compiled some pictures that I've done recently. To start off I have already done the following: Lowered 2" all around Edelbrock shocks Explorer Express sway bars KKM intake Honest Charlie Air Dam 17x9 Bullitt wheels with 275/55 Hankook Ventus ST 17x8 Bullitt wheels with 255/60 Hankook Ventus ST Shaved rear hatch Attached Images Last edited by X~FACTOR; 09-16-2008 at 09:02 PM.

08-30-2008, 08:02 PM	#2
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I guess the first order of business is to replace worn out parts. 11 years is a long time for a stock ball joint to last, eh? Attached Images

08-30-2008, 08:07 PM	#3
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Front grill. Attached Images

08-30-2008, 08:14 PM	#4
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	My main goal really is to go as light weight as possible. I know I know its a truck but hey, doesn't hurt to try eh? Speaking of which. The easiest way to lose weight is to remove the spare tire and all that is associated with it... and then replace it with Triple A. I've also have since replaced the Edelbrock shocks with Doestch Nitro in the back and Doestch monotube in the front. These are measured exactly to the amount of drop I have which are now 3" all around. Attached Images

08-30-2008, 08:25 PM	#5
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I've also realized my 17's are all but outdated. 17's were cool... in 1999. Attached Images

08-30-2008, 08:27 PM	#6
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Got them replaced with 20's. These are Bullitt Wheels wrapped with Toyo Proxes 4. 20x8.5; 245/45 20x10; 275/40 The offsets puts the rear VERY closed to the inside edge of the truck. I'd say less than an inch. Attached Images Last edited by X~FACTOR; 09-16-2008 at 09:03 PM.

08-30-2008, 08:48 PM	#7
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I have also removed the front diff/axle. Losing at least 100 lbs right thur. Attached Images

08-31-2008, 08:17 AM	#9
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	As far performance mods go, I have the KKM intake there and that is it. I do have a Black Magic 180 electric fan sitting in my basement and a Flowmaster 40 delta flow is coming in a couple of weeks. My immediate task at hand right now is to get my rollpan installed. I have been bumperless for weeks. Attached Images

08-31-2008, 09:29 AM	#10
Jakee Elite Explorer Huntsville, Texas 01 Sport Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,814 Vehicle Specs	Looking good. I like the new wheels and the font grill. __________________ STS turbo charged

09-04-2008, 08:17 PM	#11
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Black Magic 180 electric fan is in. The clutch fan was a bitch to remove. When everything was said and done, the plastic fan blade and clutch disc were in pieces! In PIECES, I tell ya!!! It does make a difference at first test drive. The engine doesn't feel so bogged down trying to spin that huge plastic fan. Attached Images

09-07-2008, 08:54 PM	#12
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport (sold) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,633 Vehicle Specs	nice explorer __________________ 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

09-08-2008, 12:33 AM	#13
Uafan Wannabe Elite Explorer Whippany, New Jersey 2004 XLS Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 524 Vehicle Specs	Looks good. Nice work.

09-08-2008, 12:42 AM	#14
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	oh, just when it got captivating, it stopped This is interesting... __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

09-10-2008, 06:52 PM	#15
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I have added the hood scoop from a month ago and cut the hood to make it functional. Unhappy with the result I went a step further and cut and vented the hood using the pre-existing template underneath. Now I could see the heat rise up from the hood when stopped at the light. Now THAT'S functional!!! . Attached Images Last edited by X~FACTOR; 09-10-2008 at 07:23 PM.

09-10-2008, 07:26 PM	#17
section525 sextion525 Red Bluff, Ca 1975 Ford Bronco 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 14,909 Vehicle Specs	Nice work, Ray! The new wheels look sick too! __________________ Support the Forum '13 3.5 Explorer '08 2.0 Focus '75 5.0 Bronco '04 6.0 Super Duty

09-14-2008, 09:31 PM	#18
Blacksheep Josh Slinky+Escalator=Fun Statesboro, GA 1993 Ford Explorer XLT Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,566 Vehicle Specs	Can you post some more pictures of the hood vents? More specifically how the screen is attached underneath? I like how it looks. __________________ "Thunder" Registry R.I.P. 2005-2012 2001 Ford Ranger (New!!) "You can hear me when I'm coming" - Yung Joc

09-15-2008, 07:33 PM	#19
X~FACTOR Name is Ray Valley Stream, Long Island '97 XLT 4-dr SOHC Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,729 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Sorry man, I don't have one up close. But I use "kitchen and bath" silicone at Home Depot. I've tried them all and this one is by far the best one to use. I actually vent hoods on the side for my fellow s2000 forum friends. I've done about 30 cars. Mostly S2000 but I've done Miatas, an old Mercedes 300E, and now the X. Some of my work. Attached Images Last edited by X~FACTOR; 09-20-2008 at 07:16 PM.

09-15-2008, 08:28 PM	#20
Blacksheep Josh Slinky+Escalator=Fun Statesboro, GA 1993 Ford Explorer XLT Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,566 Vehicle Specs	I'm guessing the screen is just a hard aluminum/steel screen and nothing special? Probably also bought at home depot? __________________ "Thunder" Registry R.I.P. 2005-2012 2001 Ford Ranger (New!!) "You can hear me when I'm coming" - Yung Joc