Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread | Page 31 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

The new turd mobile. 2000 Mountaineer v8 awd.



The bad:

Was living it's prior life on a dusty road. Must tear out interior and deep clean.
Driver window off track "or something" and will not roll down. It tries but the rear part wants to stay up.

3 out of 4 door handles have issues. I have 4 new outer handles on order.
Cracked passenger side tail light housing. ( Ebay for some cool tail lights)

Compass-Thermometer thingy lit up and went out--idunno bout that yet

Door locks seem sticky, probably has to do with the handles.
It has a funky purple color trim with red metallic ( you'll have that every now and then) :(

The good
Gas tank was full
109k miles
I am the 2nd owner!!
Is from the local area, which means no salt!
The undercarriage is fairly clean
No dents to underside panels
Good rubber
Camber shims already installed
Looks like good service records, all recalls were completed.
Clean carfax believe it or not.

The "maybe" bad

The original owner, told the dealership it had a bad "heater core" however I have run it for several cycles, over an hour each idling in the driveay and see no leaks.
However, there was evidence of a windshield leak or the like,I saw condensation on the inside of the windows this AM. The moisture smell is that of water only-no anti freeze smell. I am thinking it could also be a cowl drain which is clogged???? but she did say the passenger carpet got wet.

I tried to get heat, however it is an auto climate control. Being 90 degrees outside, I doubt it would have given me heat.The heater core hoses were hot, and the coolant bypass valve does operate. AC blows Ice cold.

Maybe she meant to say "heater door"???

Anyway--here are the pics.



My intent is to drive this and use it as a tow rig for a light weight off road toy. Mods will be minimal. Edit: This plan did not work out so on to plan "b"

Current visual status

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Progress pictures
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031.jpg


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044.jpg


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042.jpg

038.jpg


Now, let's clean it up a little


Herculine'rd rocker panels. Rock sliders installed

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BW 4406 True 4x4 Manual transfer case ( AKA Mouse entry point) installed 8-27-2012
Installed newer Tcase from a 2003 11-14-15

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Saw a rainbow in Colorado so yeah, time for a picture
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And here she is, on top of the highest pass road in North America. Careful tire placement a must!!!
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2-2-2013

Changed "color scheme" of the Dick Cepek DC1 wheels. New Falken Wildpeak AT 31x1050x15

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Then I decided Maroon washer on the wheels would look better

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Update 6-6-2013

New bumpers, winch and Pro LED light . Front Bumper from RLC, Skid plate from RCI, rear bumper from Kert307


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Rear anti sway disconnects

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Update 9-2-2014
A cracked radiator at 70mph led to engine failure. Replaced with a freshened up a bit 80k mile engine starting on page 23

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Found another rainbow in Kansas.

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2 ideas here Jon.

Do you think by letting the transmission down in the back that it will give you enough room to get the bolts out? Maybe just take the 6 bolts out that hold the cross member in and lower it enough to get the engine bolts out. Once you have them out, jack the transmission cross member back up and put the 2 horizontal alignment bolts back in to hold it in place while you do your engine work.

I did the engine my self by holding the transmission up on the engine end with a ratchet strap slug over the frame rails and under the bell housing of the transmission. That supported it pretty nice. With the transfer case on it is still going to want to roll towards the left side. I fixed that by putting a floor jack under the heavy side of the transfer case.


I was going there, had some wood planks on some jack stands under the front of trans pan ( all the way across) and a jack under the transfer case, then lifted the engine a tad with another jack and decided it was too much for me to manage, came inside and started typing. :D

If the rear of the transmission goes down, the bolts become closer to the firewall. However the angle does change so it might help.

I wanted to get the trans bolts loose but it seems I will need to wait for the posse.
 



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What Andy said. When I did mine, I took the bolts out of the trans cross member, dipped the trans down, got all the bolts out except the ones at 3 and 9 o'clock, then lifted the trans back up bolted the member back in, then took the last two out. You have the exhaust out now, so it will be easy
 






No the trans can stay in place you need just disconnect the bell housing and torque converter

Thanks!

Torque converter nuts are off. Motor mount nuts off on driver side, MM plate to block bolts ( from underneath) out of passenger side. All that is left are the 6 transmission ( bell housing) bolts.
 






On mine we 100% left the tranny in place too.cant remember exactly what process we did as I think Geoff did some work when I was at work. I know ratchet wrenches help on some of those tight bolts though
 












I'll probably be leaving out Friday (I have a pretty long drive) and then head back Sunday. Post up what tools you might need for this so we can bring them.
 






I'll probably be leaving out Friday (I have a pretty long drive) and then head back Sunday. Post up what tools you might need for this so we can bring them.

Wow, really? I don't know what to say. That is a long drive.

I think I have it covered as far as tools go but you never know. I don't have any long extensions (3/8 or 1/2" drive) only several 6" ones. Longer ones might help with the bell housing bolts.

It will be good to meet you , and, we will be able to stick this old engine into your truck. :D

You said "we" though. I love surprises but I do need to be sure I have enough bovine flesh to go around.
 






I meant tools that might be needed from the group of us coming. It'll only be me, my german shepherd isn't a big fan of car rides. :D

I also have a transmission jack and a big ass impact I can bring.
 












I meant tools that might be needed from the group of us coming. It'll only be me, my german shepherd isn't a big fan of car rides. :D

I'm grateful Dan. It's a 10 hour drive for you. Thanks:thumbsup::D

Boy, the folks around here are going to be driving around the block and staring. Unless we have a fire this is a pretty dead town. They won't know what to think!

I just had a thought. Once we had a wrenchfest here, I think it was for regearing a black truck or something--

anywhoo, we had some tarps set up over the driveway which really helped my fan cool a huge area. We'll have to do that again.
 












Well guys I'm sorry but I'm out I only got saturday off at my part time job and honestly I need to do a little bit of tuning of the Truck first anyways. I haven't had the money nor time plus I have a physical for the FORD plant up here as well. I'm really disappointed since I haven't got to hang with anyone from the forum in several years now and was looking forward to some 5.0 fun. Hopefully soon though! I was really anxious to join in:(
 






I know ratchet wrenches help on some of those tight bolts though

I've bought several sizes of Gear Wrench ratcheting wrenches this year. Don't know how I got along without them.
 






Well guys I'm sorry but I'm out I only got saturday off at my part time job and honestly I need to do a little bit of tuning of the Truck first anyways. I haven't had the money nor time plus I have a physical for the FORD plant up here as well. I'm really disappointed since I haven't got to hang with anyone from the forum in several years now and was looking forward to some 5.0 fun. Hopefully soon though! I was really anxious to join in:(

You will be missed Thomas. But that sounds like quite a list and I would be upset if you didn't follow through on it. You are always invited, you know this--:D

Got some shopping done today. Fresh home grown sweet corn from the farmers market. Peaches and cream-yummy.

Steaks ( Rib eye or KC strip, place your order now) , burgers, baked beans, cole slaw and roastin' ears are on the menu so far. Still working out the bugs on the whole chocolate lasagna thing. She gave me a weird expression when I mentioned it.

I also got on Amazon and ordered a patio misting system, but I plan on rigging it to my big fan. heh heh It arrives tomorrow so I should be able to get it set up.
 


















got clearance for take off, will roll in saturday midday. Gotta get the brake caliper on the diesel finished and I will be ready.
 






My dog got his foot stepped on and is in a lot of pain. I was using cold compresses last night on his paw plus aspirin and he was still limping pretty badly this morning. I am taking him to the vet today :( . Depending on what they say, I may have to bow out to take care of him this weekend.

Gman, if you are still at your house, go ahead and bring that jack just in case. I'd hate to screw up Jons plans for the weekend.
 









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