Hartman's 1996 5.0 V8 THE GOLDEN GOOSE

*Hartman* · 10-08-2010, 06:42 PM

As many of you know this is my second Explorer. I sold my old 95 in 08 to buy a car. Well, I have a Mustang GT now and I needed something for winter/rain/zombie apocalypse. Naturally I started looking for another Explorer because I already know quite a bit about them after spending 7 years here.

After several months, I picked up this 96 Explorer V8 for $1400. It was ugly and had some EGR issues, but other than that it was just dirty. Strong drivetrain.

I wish I took pictures of the interior carpets, they were almost black.

Here are some pics after I cleaned it up a bit:

The rear tires were worn, so rather than buying two new tires, I started my hunt for some BFGs

Got lucky and came across some two month old BFG AT on craigslist for $300.

Added some Warrior shackles with a TT. Painted the center of the grille metallic gray. As she sits now:

**Rick** · 10-08-2010, 07:25 PM

That's one clean machine

*Hartman* · 10-08-2010, 07:57 PM

Thanks Rick. The pics make the paint look better than it is...but I still keep it clean!

Lacky01 · 11-05-2010, 10:13 PM

great find on those BFGs! I can never find sweet deals like that myself.

and that truck sure cleaned up nice

*BradR* · 11-05-2010, 10:19 PM

I like it, I like it a lot.

*Spdrcer34* · 11-05-2010, 10:33 PM

...It's nice to have you back in the fold.....

Ryan

*Hartman* · 11-06-2010, 07:41 AM

Thanks guys. I am still looking into my long starts issue...basically it turns over an extra 1-2 seconds before firing. Always fires, just takes longer than normal. I've also developed a small antifreeze leak coming from the front of the engine on the drivers side. I'm thinking it must be the water pump since it's coming from the front of the engine and all the hoses seem to be fine.

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 12-12-2010, 02:13 PM

nice x

*Joe Dirt* · 12-12-2010, 06:51 PM

Looking really nice!

I had a similar starting issue on Shamrock, it ended up being the crank sensor...

Need a saddle tan cargo shade?

*Hartman* · 01-12-2011, 04:39 PM

Not much going on with the Explorer besides a new water pump, thermostat, belt, idler pullies and tensioner pulley.

I guess this would be considered a "mod", replaced my old broken Explorer emblem from a newer one off eBay:

*Joe Dirt* · 01-12-2011, 07:42 PM

I really dig your truck, Hartman... Very nice. What kind of paint did you use on your grille? Is it chipping at all?

I still have that saddle tan cargo shade...

*Hartman* · 01-12-2011, 08:12 PM

I just used regular Duplicolor that I had laying around for the grille. No chipping as I used primer and copious amounts of clear over it.

*Joe Dirt* · 01-12-2011, 08:47 PM

10-4, Ghostrider...

*2TimingTom* · 01-12-2011, 10:12 PM

It hurt my eyes to look at your X with the original tires. The BFGs really help make it. The shackles and TT help as well.

I like your painted grill. I'll probably do something with mine when the weather is more painting friendly. Mine is faded kinda funky.

This is a dumb question and I'm sure it could be found by searching, but- how do you remove the grill? Does it just pull off or is it fastened in place another way? I've poked my head around and couldn't determine how it was held on.

*Hartman* · 01-13-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2TimingTom

It hurt my eyes to look at your X with the original tires. The BFGs really help make it. The shackles and TT help as well.

I like your painted grill. I'll probably do something with mine when the weather is more painting friendly. Mine is faded kinda funky.

This is a dumb question and I'm sure it could be found by searching, but- how do you remove the grill? Does it just pull off or is it fastened in place another way? I've poked my head around and couldn't determine how it was held on.

Well I didn't remove the grill to paint it, but I do know how to remove the grille, it's just been a while. First thing you have to remove the corner lights, there are screws behind them. You also have to take the top cowl cover, remove the screws behind them as well. Then simply pull the grill outwards, it's held in with friction clips.

*NHarris* · 01-13-2011, 03:02 PM

Looks good. I wasnt digging you Ex with the old tires, but with the lift and BFGs it looks way nice. Keep up the good work!

*Joe Dirt* · 01-13-2011, 08:21 PM

Here ya go 2TT...

CLICK ME

*Glen4X4* · 01-13-2011, 09:08 PM

The truck looks nice Hartman. I like it.

*Hartman* · 09-02-2011, 08:21 AM

Welp my Mustang is for sale so my Explorer is going to become my primary vehicle soon. Already ordered all four balljoints, outer tie rods, and new hood struts. I'll be doing mostly maintenance but I never know what mods will come along.

Here are some minor issues I'm chasing right now
- Truck kind of hesitates when starting. Always fires but seems like it takes an extra half-second to second to fire. It hasn't ever failed to start so I'm not too worried. Might be the camshaft position sensor/synchronizer
- AC only works on MAX. Thinking blend door problem. May wait until next spring to fix

- Engine temp gauge fluctuates from 1/4th to 1/3rd. Water pump and thermostat are new. I'm thinking either the coolant temp sensor is bad or the fan clutch is toast and is always running the fan
- Outside drivers door handle is floppy and needs replaced soon. Already replaced inside door handle.

*Glen4X4* · 09-02-2011, 06:54 PM

That sucks about the mustang....As for the fan only working on high its probably the blower motor resistor, its under the hood at the hvac there are I believe 4 wires going into it and 2 small screws, I changed one out before on the V6 and was easy to do so.

10-08-2010, 06:42 PM	#1
Hartman Elite Explorer Indianapolis, IN 1996 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,444 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hartman's 1996 5.0 V8 THE GOLDEN GOOSE As many of you know this is my second Explorer. I sold my old 95 in 08 to buy a car. Well, I have a Mustang GT now and I needed something for winter/rain/zombie apocalypse. Naturally I started looking for another Explorer because I already know quite a bit about them after spending 7 years here. After several months, I picked up this 96 Explorer V8 for $1400. It was ugly and had some EGR issues, but other than that it was just dirty. Strong drivetrain. I wish I took pictures of the interior carpets, they were almost black. Here are some pics after I cleaned it up a bit: The rear tires were worn, so rather than buying two new tires, I started my hunt for some BFGs Got lucky and came across some two month old BFG AT on craigslist for $300. Added some Warrior shackles with a TT. Painted the center of the grille metallic gray. As she sits now: __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0 V8 - TT/shackles, 31" BFG A/T - Registry thread 2005 Mustang GT - Sonic Blue

10-08-2010, 07:25 PM	#2
Rick Admin Pumpkin Pilot Wayoutin, Aridzona '93 XL Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 27,229 Vehicle Specs	That's one clean machine __________________ Rick Horwitz, AB7FH "Serious Exploration's" Admin Rick's '93/'98 Explorer "The Great Pumpkin" Dodge Dart 512 Resto/Race 10.29 @ 129 2004 Mustang Mach 1 2003 Dodge Ram/Cummins Dually

10-08-2010, 07:57 PM	#3
Hartman Elite Explorer Indianapolis, IN 1996 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,444 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks Rick. The pics make the paint look better than it is...but I still keep it clean! __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0 V8 - TT/shackles, 31" BFG A/T - Registry thread 2005 Mustang GT - Sonic Blue

11-05-2010, 10:13 PM	#4
Lacky01 Wannabe Elite Explorer Eugene, Oregon 1998 Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 768 Vehicle Specs	great find on those BFGs! I can never find sweet deals like that myself. and that truck sure cleaned up nice __________________ 98 Ford Explorer Sport 2wd 5spd 4.0L OHV Mods so far: 4 door leaf packs; custom tow package; Magnaflow High-flow Catalytic Converter; Custom Front Bumper; 32x11.5x15 pathfinder ATRs on Cragers; Current plan: 4WD Swap and a 79 turbo Cobra work in progress

11-05-2010, 10:19 PM	#5
BradR Elite Explorer Novi, MI '99 EX 4.0 OHV Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 914 Vehicle Specs	I like it, I like it a lot. __________________ '99 Ex XLT 4.0 OHV 195k '00 Mounty 5.0 175k - SOLD '00 Ex XLS 4.0 OHV 159k - Sis '03 Windstar 3.8 - Moms '02 E-450 6.8 Box - Dads '04 Silverado 3500 6.0 Utility - Dads

11-05-2010, 10:33 PM	#6
Spdrcer34 Speed Bremerton, WA 1992 Explorer XL Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,884 Vehicle Specs	...It's nice to have you back in the fold..... Ryan __________________ 1992 Ford Explorer XL - with a few bolt ons...

11-06-2010, 07:41 AM	#7
Hartman Elite Explorer Indianapolis, IN 1996 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,444 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks guys. I am still looking into my long starts issue...basically it turns over an extra 1-2 seconds before firing. Always fires, just takes longer than normal. I've also developed a small antifreeze leak coming from the front of the engine on the drivers side. I'm thinking it must be the water pump since it's coming from the front of the engine and all the hoses seem to be fine. __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0 V8 - TT/shackles, 31" BFG A/T - Registry thread 2005 Mustang GT - Sonic Blue

12-12-2010, 02:13 PM	#8
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport (sold) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,633 Vehicle Specs	nice x __________________ 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

01-12-2011, 04:39 PM	#10
Hartman Elite Explorer Indianapolis, IN 1996 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,444 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Not much going on with the Explorer besides a new water pump, thermostat, belt, idler pullies and tensioner pulley. I guess this would be considered a "mod", replaced my old broken Explorer emblem from a newer one off eBay: __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0 V8 - TT/shackles, 31" BFG A/T - Registry thread 2005 Mustang GT - Sonic Blue

01-12-2011, 08:12 PM	#12
Hartman Elite Explorer Indianapolis, IN 1996 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,444 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I just used regular Duplicolor that I had laying around for the grille. No chipping as I used primer and copious amounts of clear over it. __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0 V8 - TT/shackles, 31" BFG A/T - Registry thread 2005 Mustang GT - Sonic Blue

01-12-2011, 10:12 PM	#14
2TimingTom Elite Explorer Highlands Ranch, Colorado '97 XLT Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,304 Vehicle Specs	It hurt my eyes to look at your X with the original tires. The BFGs really help make it. The shackles and TT help as well. I like your painted grill. I'll probably do something with mine when the weather is more painting friendly. Mine is faded kinda funky. This is a dumb question and I'm sure it could be found by searching, but- how do you remove the grill? Does it just pull off or is it fastened in place another way? I've poked my head around and couldn't determine how it was held on. __________________ 1997 XLT SOHC Auto 4wd 132,000 miles Explorer registry Also in the garage: 2012 Escape Limited 4wd V6 auto AND 2004 Saturn VUE 4 cylinder 5 speed Colorado 4x4 Adventures

01-13-2011, 03:02 PM	#16
NHarris Hmm.... Jeeps or Fords? Ogden, UT 1998 XLT V6 Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,477 Vehicle Specs	Looks good. I wasnt digging you Ex with the old tires, but with the lift and BFGs it looks way nice. Keep up the good work! __________________ Nate H 1998 Ford Explorer XLT 4.SLOW Restoration Project - OEM Restoration with larger than stock tires. 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - 3.5" Lift, Quick Disconnects, Rear Locker, Mopar Off Road Package, Gray Moab Wheels, Differential Skid Plates, and much more!

01-13-2011, 09:08 PM	#18
Glen4X4 Elite Explorer McClure, Pa. 96,97 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,438 Vehicle Specs	The truck looks nice Hartman. I like it. __________________ 96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's 03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4

09-02-2011, 08:21 AM	#19
Hartman Elite Explorer Indianapolis, IN 1996 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 8,444 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Welp my Mustang is for sale so my Explorer is going to become my primary vehicle soon. Already ordered all four balljoints, outer tie rods, and new hood struts. I'll be doing mostly maintenance but I never know what mods will come along. Here are some minor issues I'm chasing right now - Truck kind of hesitates when starting. Always fires but seems like it takes an extra half-second to second to fire. It hasn't ever failed to start so I'm not too worried. Might be the camshaft position sensor/synchronizer - AC only works on MAX. Thinking blend door problem. May wait until next spring to fix - Engine temp gauge fluctuates from 1/4th to 1/3rd. Water pump and thermostat are new. I'm thinking either the coolant temp sensor is bad or the fan clutch is toast and is always running the fan - Outside drivers door handle is floppy and needs replaced soon. Already replaced inside door handle. __________________ 1996 Explorer 5.0 V8 - TT/shackles, 31" BFG A/T - Registry thread 2005 Mustang GT - Sonic Blue

09-02-2011, 06:54 PM	#20
Glen4X4 Elite Explorer McClure, Pa. 96,97 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,438 Vehicle Specs	That sucks about the mustang....As for the fan only working on high its probably the blower motor resistor, its under the hood at the hvac there are I believe 4 wires going into it and 2 small screws, I changed one out before on the V6 and was easy to do so. __________________ 96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's 03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4