The Black Hole

[gmanpaint]

Whats In A Name?

It was hot humid august night. The winds have all but vanished. I was doing my best to keep the sweat out of my eyes. The A/C was dying in my 94 Explorer, lovingly named "Pugly", and there was no relief in sight. I decided it was time to stop throwing good money into bad. I was gonna do the unthinkable,.......I was going to commit the most heinous crime of them all! I was going to trade Pugly in for a newer model! Oh the heart break! The insanity of it all! I couldn't believe the thoughts were even going through my head.

I managed to get the old girl back home, to her resting place. She seemed at ease in her familiar surroundings. I had to come up with an explanation to let her know of my evil plan. So i just gave her that old wink and grin that she likes to see from me as we made it back home from another day of adventure in the treacherous Midwestern terrain. I did my best in hiding my cynical thoughts, as I walked around to her rear flank and gave her that little pat on her bumper, as I always have when we part for the night.

The next morning I gave her a real good bath, cleaned behind her mirrors, and brushed her grill. She still looked pretty good for her age. Oh sure she had the tell tale signs, gravity has got its firm grip on her, and I am not the best cosmetics guy in the world. she didn't seem to mind too much, she still kept her nose up and drove with pride.

After looking at many vehicles I just could not find anything that had the same feel as my old girl. Then it happened! Was I seeing a mirage? Was I so desperate to find another rig that I was blinded by insanity? I found my replacement! I quickly made a sale with the owner, and brought it home.

When I pulled in the driveway, my heart sunk as I looked into the yard to see my 94 looking at me in disbelief. She was sunning herself in the grass looking all shiny and then, she just looked away from me. My heart was tearing in two. I parked the new rig, and walked up to her and gave her a soft spoken "Hello". No reply. I tried to tickle her mirrors, no response. The tension was so great, you could have cut it with a 32 count fine tooth hacksaw. I had to explain to her that she gave me great satisfaction for many years, and we made a terrific team together, but the time has come for her to just relax and enjoy her final days. She finally revved up, and understood, her days as my work horse has ended (so we thought).

I introduced her to her daily driver replacement. The shiny new(er) next generation of her kind. The 95 Explorer XLT. She warmed right up to it. Before you know it they were swapping stories. Now I had to ask her for help. I needed a name for the new DD.
so I went to find her, and what did I see? Those two were grill to grill in the driveway. rubbing chrome! I had to get the water hose out and break them up! Sheesh, she was acting like a girl at the prom dance! I let the name thing drop for awhile.

The new(er) Ex needed to get its shots, and a physical. When I got the word on it's health, I about chit and fell back in it! "What do you mean Doc"! I yelled. "Your kidding right"? I asked. The Doc just shook his head and gathered his tools. As he walked away, He said it had a 50/50 chance of survival. My stomach knotted up, my teeth ground, my heart raced, and I could feel the energy build up as I let it all out, "Why! Why! Why did this have to happen"! I screamed.

The prognostic exam from the doc was such. It had a blown steering rack, the shocks were gone, the brakes were non existent, front sway bar was cracked in half, the 3rd brake light was out, none of the windows or the moon roof would work, the door locks were broke, the rear end LS clutch pack was burned up, the tires were all in need of replacement, the spare was a Firestone recall and flat, the engine had a nasty tick to it, the TPS was shot, the MAF was corroded, the battery had a dead cell in it, the hood shocks were not working, the rear hatch lock was jammed up and you couldn't open it with out a key in the lock, The carpet was stained to no repair, the rear window wiper didn't want to work, and we could not tell what year its engine came from. it was a mess, to say the least.

I went in the house to get my gun. I was gonna just put it out of its misery right there and then. I realized I was out of ammo from shooting at the jeep that was in my field. I went to the computer to find a place to buy some cheap ammo, and I stumbled across this website, explorerforum.com that said it could heal any ford Explorer no matter what the problems were! I jumped for joy, I could not believe the things I was reading! I wore out the search button, asked a bunch of questions. I quickly broke out my pen and paper, feverishly writing down things as I was learning! I had found a cure for everything that was wrong with my Explorer! It was a Godsend, an angel from the SUV heavens!

I sprung into action. I worked day and night, Pugly was right by my side the entire time, helping me in any way she could. I never seen this side of her, and was really amazed at how well she handled the pressure. She gently squeegeed the sweat out off my fore head with her soft wiper blades as I worked away. After an entire weekend of work, I collapsed. I needed some rest, and so did the 95. The sun crested over the hills, and awoke me to a new day. I shuffled my feet to the window facing the driveway, peeled the drapes gently back, and peered out at the 95. WOW!
It had a its color back, and was looking great! Now as the time went on, (and most of my paychecks), and the selling of almost everything I own for funds to get the 95 to its former glory, I whispered into Pugly's passenger side mirror, and she giggled with delight.

I climbed up onto the front bumper in my pajamas and robe half opened, with a cup of coffee in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other, I raised my arms with out stretched hands and proclaimed the new name of the 95.

BEHOLD...........THE BLACK HOLE!!!!!!!!

The legend still lives, and is still my DD. Pugly has come out of retirement and is going to do one last thing before she cant muster the energy any more, she is going wheeling for the first time, side by side with her new best friend, The Black Hole!

The End................(or is it just the beginning?)

[gmanpaint]

NOV 2009 Truck of the month.
April 2012 Most capable IFS truck of the month

The Rig
Black 1995 XLT
Camel Tan interior / full console
4x4 Manual Trans - Italian leather shift boot
4.0 OHV
Drop in K&N conical filter
1354 Manual Transfer case - Italian leather shift boot
3" Body lift--PA 853
Magnaflow stainless Muffler, Stainless 2.5" pipe, Mag Flow stainless tip exiting pass side
Optima Red Top
Emergency 12 v power disconnects

Front IFS suspension
Manual switched Center Axle Disconnect
Lockright Automatic Locker 2311-LR
12" Adjustable QA1 Polished Alum coil over shocks
12" 750 lb Eibach Silver Coils
12" Quad wrapped limit straps
Lower control arm Dixon Bros DOM cross member
4.56 U.S. Gear Ring & Pinion
Timkin Hubs
Pro Grade BJ's, UCA's, Inner & Outer Tie rods

Rear suspension
Custom 7 pack F-150 leaf packs / 4" lift
5/8" U-bolts
4.56 U.S. Gear Ring & Pinion- Hardened pinion shaft
Lockrite Automatic Locker 1822-LR
Rock Crusher diff cover -Turdle powder
Rancho Adjustable 9000XL shocks
3" shock lift mounts


Armor
Front full skid plate-3/8" -Turdle Powder
Rock sliders w/Nerfs -1/4"-Turdle Powder
Front tube bumper with stinger
Radiator skid plate
T-case skid plate-stock
Gas tank skid plate-stock
Rear leaf U-bolt skid plates-1/4"

Tires & Wheels
35" x12.5" Pro Comp MT / Dynabead balanced
15"x10" Alum American Eagle -Turdle Powder

Exterior Mods
Roof Basket
Rugged Ridge 8500 lb winch
Tow points all 4 corners
Turdle powder coat Hi-Lift jack/custom mounting brackets
1 pc steel trench shovel
1"Steel tube roof rack bars (built by Corkey)
1"Steel tube light bar
Black grill w/billet insert -Turdle Powder
Window vent/rain guards
2" Fender flares
Limb riser cables
Roof basket mounted rear view camera
EF stickers & EF plate holders



Interior Mods

Rear view camera monitor
Heavy duty floor mats
Rear cargo vinyl carpet protection
Cargo panel mounted D-cell Mag Lite
Fire Extinguisher
James Bond Mod-(Hidden switches in Ashtray)
Rear Cargo removable spare tire mount/full size spare
100 amp service accessory fuse block located in tissue holder inside console
Red gauge needles
Hand Throttle Mod



Lighting
All switched from inside ashtray

2-6" chrome 100w long throws on steel light bar with Zukmam EF covers
2-6"130w long throws on front tube bumper
2-80 w PIAA Fogs
2-55 w back ups (on roof basket)
4-55 w rocks all 4 corners
2- 12" 25 w fluorescent rocks (Side Rocker pockets)
2-10ct led rock bars (rear cross member)

Tunes
JVC CD HU
Clarion-Rockford Fosgate amps
Pioneer door speakers
10" Rockford Fosgate / ported sub box, clear Plexiglas face.

Communications
Cobra19 cb inside console
Cobra Noise Reducing Mic
External noise reducing speaker mounted shoulder level on Dr side B pillar
2' firestick/HD spring mounted on roof light bar

My Garage: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...?do=view&g=354


What it looked like in the beginning.


Evolving....




Still evolving...






Evolving More still....





A little personal touch in case I cant find it in a mall parking lot

[gmanpaint]

First thing was to get the 3rd brake light working. Fixed that by cleaning the trailer plug behind the dr side tail lights.

Next was the windows did not work. Fixed that by replacing the relays and fuses. The drivers side glass came off the track. Fixed that with some silicone adhesive.

Then the power steering rack was blown. Got a new one installed.

The shocks and front swaybar links were broken. Installed a set of cheap Monroe's, and a new set of links.

The tires were all but bald and had broken belts. Got a used set on 235 Mis-chillins to get by.

Off it went to the state inspectors so I could get it legal.

Next up was a plethora of fixer mods, and hopped up mods.

Had a poll going to see who liked what on tire walls.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=222742

Turns out a little more than half liked white letters out, the rest, black wall out. I got my war 153 shackles, did a TT, and mounted a set of BFG 31"x10.5 white letters out on a set of stock tear drops.



I got a smoked chrome billet grill from JTsmith, and installed some 100 watt lights behind it.





Next up was a set of nerf bars off a 2000 EX. I painted them black and hung them up.






Then it was a trip to Kansas to see the wizard. JTsmith helped me install new rear axle seals, new pass CV/axle, new E brakes and new brakes complete w/new rotors all the way around. That is when the cross shaft bolt head in the rear diff carrier snapped off.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=235962

We changed the lower ball joints, got my cruise control working again, and swapped my bad leaf springs, with another set I got off of 2 diff rigs, both passenger sides.



We also installed a Rock crusher rear diff cover with 2 tone powder coat.
[IMG][/IMG]

After a little time went by, I decided to keep doing things to it.

Next mod was a rear hitch with a tow hook.

Then new tunes, JVC HU, ported sub box, door speakers and an amp.

Next was a PA 853-3" body lift, and some heavy duty tow points in the front.
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[gmanpaint]

I wanted some new black crawler wheels, so I decided on the American racing 15"x8" steelie's. 31" mounted black wall out.
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Once the body lift was done, I needed bigger tires! Go figure right?
So I saved up for yet another set of tires. I went with the BFG 33"x12.5"x15" KM2.

Mounted them black wall out.
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With those tires on, more mods needed to be done..lol!

Sway bar quick disconnects were needed! Made a set & had them powder coated red along with the end links.

The 4405-CA Transfercase blew a clutch pack while I was wheeling. Went through a couple before I got a good one with a warranty. Major PITA!
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=241006

Ran all drive line vent tubes up as high as I could with new tubes. Rear diff ran up behind the dr side tail lights, T-case, trans, & front diff ran up into the engine bay to the top of the firewall.

My shocks were fine for the street, but not so much for off road, so I got a new set of Rancho 5000 in the front.
Slapped those on in an hour.

I got new stainless steel exhaust. 2.5" pipes ran, new Magnaflow muffler, and a Magnaflow stainless tip. Major difference in sound & performance. I changed the location of the tailpipe for protection from wheeling.

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A roof basket was added. got my full size spare and a couple of lights on it, along with a 1 pc steel shovel

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[gmanpaint]

Now my leaf springs were getting flat again, so I decided to replace them with a set of lift springs, and get rid of my shackles.
Before
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After
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My rear shocks had to be replaced, so I got a set of Rancho 9000Xl adjustable.

[IMG][/IMG]

Once they were installed by yours truly, I decided on painting the rear axle.
I got a D-ring powdercoated by JTsmith to go with the Black and red theme that was taking place.
[IMG][/IMG]

Cb installed under the arm rest. New cargo carpet with a plastic liner for protection.

Installed a set of PIAA 510 fogs behind the grill.
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I replaced the stock foggy head lights with a cleaner set of stockers.
The dash cluster bulbs were burned out, so new ones were installed.
Optima Red Top installed.
Winter wiper blades installed for protection from mud.
Third roof rack crossbar added so basket could be in the rear.
Front CAD Vac lines extended for body lift.

I have a ton of rock lights to install still. Custom made roof rack and light bars made, just waiting till I get them to finish up the light install.

[Turdle]

Looks great!!
Let's see a side shot with the new springs please

[gmanpaint]

I got a 42" high lift jack. I didnt like the red bar, so JTsmith powder coated it black for me.
[IMG][/IMG]

I will get some good pics of the EX soon, and post them up.

[Sams01XplrSprt]

looks nice

[gmanpaint]

Here is how the Black Hole looks with these mods.


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Notice that the way this is lifted, I don't have the front "Plow", or the huge drop brackets from the Torsion bars with a suspension lift kit. I have as much clearance as most do with a $2500 suspension lift. The 4" drop bracket lift does give more rocker height, but with the drop brackets, I feel it is a wash.
Still more to do in the next 2 weeks!

Next major mod:........Rock Sliders!

Stay tuned! This rig changes about every 2 weeks..LOL!!

[97sprt4x4]

I've gotta say your rig looks amazing. Must be nice to live within driving distance of JT I remember way back when your truck was still stock. Congrats on the great rig and keep it up!

Justin

[gmanpaint]

Originally Posted by 97sprt4x4

I've gotta say your rig looks amazing. Must be nice to live within driving distance of JT I remember way back when your truck was still stock. Congrats on the great rig and keep it up!

Justin

Thanks!!

I get some nice comments on it since it has been modified. A door to door roofing salesman goes, " I like your monster truck". LOL!!

It has been a chore, a pita, but also very fun to do!

[99ex22]

I like it! great work! I do think you should hit your grey plastics with some krylon fusion though. It would clean it up a little more.

[gmanpaint]

I am on the hunt for new bumpers. The front is all twisted from hitting something, notice how the tag is crooked. The rear I am looking for new plastics. It has some deep gouge's from some blind person backing into a trailer tongue repeatedly. Once I find these, they will be painted black. The pillars are getting a shot of black and clear very soon.

[loaderopp]

truck is looking pretty snazzy, you have done some nice clean mods.

[gmanpaint]

The sliders are on!!
Tig welded and powder coated by Turdle & CO. with Wrinkle Black satin finish.







Next up is the light bar and roof bars for a stronger mount. The basket will get the front lights removed, and some 55 watt lights in the rear. 100 watts are being moved to the light bar. All rock lights are on and working. Post all pics when finished

[Charlie]

Man, that looks awesome!

How long till you hit some rocks to test out the sliders?

[gmanpaint]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Man, that looks awesome!

How long till you hit some rocks to test out the sliders?

In about 36 hours..lol!

Going to wheel for the weekend in MO at SMORR.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=235477

[gmanpaint]

This weekend the Black Hole is getting some more things done to it. The new light bar and roof basket bars are in. The roof lights will be mounted and wired.

The led rock lights, just don't disperse the light well. So.....off they go, and a set of 55 watt mini halogens are going in their place. Not only do I want to see the terrain as I wheel, I want to have enough light to work on it if I have to.

The sliders came in handy last weekend. I was able to take more aggressive lines while wheeling. After wards, they cleaned up good as new! Powder coat is so much better than a rattle can paint job!

Got a few new scratches, but nothing that cant be buffed out. First real wheeling trip with it, and it went great. I pushed it, and it just took it like a champ.

you new ride looks amazing. someday...until then...what did you do with your old tires and rims? I like that style....

[gmanpaint]

Originally Posted by ThePhoenix

you new ride looks amazing. someday...until then...what did you do with your old tires and rims? I like that style....

I put them on my 94 XLT

It is a work rig, and it got T-boned in the driver side, but it runs like a champ, and did very well wheeling with just a 2" lift and the 31's on it.

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