Vininfinite
Member
- Joined
- August 5, 2010
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- New Jersey
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 95 Explorer XLT
Well, I've been lurking this forum for many years. Thought I'd finally post something. I've been interested in doing many ridiculous things to my truck over the years, (still considering Jurassic Park colors) but I now have a general idea of the direction I want to head. Once some money comes I will begin a few things. First let me detail my truck and myself.
Vininfinite's Truck:
1995 Ford Explorer XLT Gray
V6 4L Cologne V6
4WD
~300k
The vehicle is stock. It's been carefully road driven it's whole life.
Vininfinite's Problems (old too new):
OD light comes on if engines not warmed up.
60+ second delayed reverse on cold start.
(OD light doesn't come on when truck can shift into reverse)
When 4WD is engaged front wheels make a grinding sound when turning. I rarely use 4wd other then snow.
Dent on driver side rear door. (dog ran into my truck, I swear)
Small dent above left rear tail light.
Odometer stopped working around 220k
Fuel gauge can very by a 8th of a tank randomly. But not when low.
Rear windows sometimes don't have enough 'inertia' to go up.
Window controls sometimes unresponsive at start up.
Tape deck jammed, sometimes there's a burning electronic smell.
Battery light on, medium age battery. I think my alternators going. Goes off at high rpm, but normally come back on.
Rear spring leaf shackles are rusting threw. Replacing soon.
Rust is getting bad and has to be dealt with soon. Proper rust prevention tools and chemicals on their way.
Im not traditionally mechanically inclined. I have NO workshop and have few tools. I am however very hands on. I do not like taking short cuts almost as much as I hate stopping and starting a project. What I mean by this is if Im going to do something; I don't like going back to it. Yes, I realize this can be a problem with large projects, but I will most likely keep those to a minimum. An example of my light handy work. Inspired by some Jurassic Explorers I've seen.vininfinite.deviantart.JurrasicParkJeep or Power Wheels Forum: Jurrasic Park Jeep
I'd like to clarify that I really don't care too much how my truck looks right now. I just don't have the money too care. Im more concerned with it's operation. Aside from the general problems I have to work on I'd also like to do some creative efficiency work with my truck. I've taken liking to aldive's 30mpg quest. I'm curious as what difference does SOHC vs non-SOHC engine make towards real world fuel economy. I've looked into diesel modifications and I love the idea, but I just don't have the mechanical knowledge to do it on my own. I'd like to get as much from a gallon of gas as I can. I am a eco driver as is. In fact I've wanted to start a "1500 rpm club" for a while. My Odometers broken, I need to fix that. Maybe I'll just use gps to get a good idea on my fuel economy.
Some varies questions/ideas:
My father has taken care of the truck for the first 14 years. We're still putting dino oil in it. I know synthetics can increase efficiency, but with the original seals I know a full synthetic oil would likely cause leaks. What has to be done?
I've thought about lowering my truck and installing a front air dam. I do enjoy the clearance when I need to stride over that occasional curb or pot hole. What would the cost of a basic hydraulic system be? Recommendations as too what I could do?
I like the idea of some roof mounted spot lights, but I'm curious too see if there's any aero dynamic alternatives. Something flush against the truck.
I'd like too install a camera system for the rear and side mirrors. Cost? Choices?
If I had a camera system couldn't I remove the rear window? What about the side trunk windows? I could loose those and save some weight. If not for weight some metal plates on the back of my truck would look awesome. lol
I don't like the amount of storage in the explorer. The spare tire placement waste so much space. Any info on removing the spare and opening up the bed of the truck to create a storage compartment?
I've seen spare battery's used. Mostly for trucks with sound systems or extremely heavy loads. Im looking for more info on deep cycle battery's. I don't like off roading as a sport, but I love camping in hard to get areas. I want a vehicle that I don't have to worry about not starting. Also where would a common place be for a spare fuel tank on the explorer?
If I were to move the spare I'd hate to put it on the roof. I can't block my trailer hitch and I dislike the idea of a tire on the back of my truck. I don't want to block the inside of my truck bed and I do need the spare. If I have a rear camera couldn't I mount it on the roof INSIDE the truck? With pulley or some sort of drop down rack?
The rear door/gate. I've always wanted a dropping door like a pickup. I've seen this done on chopped explorers. (Sport Trac style) If you were to chop off the bottom (below the glass) of the existing gate (leave a lip) and install a pickup gate to hold lip couldn't that work? Any info if this has been done?
I know this seems like a lot of off the wall stuff I'm asking, but they're just ideas and I'd like to get them off my mind. I don't want to make my truck a off road monster and I also don't want too make it look like a space shuttle, but desides all that my first and foremost concerns are the mechanical problems like the battery/alternator. I wish my tranny would work right, but after many articles I already know it's hopeless. The Explorer trannys are just nervous recks. I would like some info on my window problems though. Being caught in the rain with my windows down will kill me.
Please feel free to ask any questions or answer any!
Vininfinite's Truck:
1995 Ford Explorer XLT Gray
V6 4L Cologne V6
4WD
~300k
The vehicle is stock. It's been carefully road driven it's whole life.
Vininfinite's Problems (old too new):
OD light comes on if engines not warmed up.
60+ second delayed reverse on cold start.
(OD light doesn't come on when truck can shift into reverse)
When 4WD is engaged front wheels make a grinding sound when turning. I rarely use 4wd other then snow.
Dent on driver side rear door. (dog ran into my truck, I swear)
Small dent above left rear tail light.
Odometer stopped working around 220k
Fuel gauge can very by a 8th of a tank randomly. But not when low.
Rear windows sometimes don't have enough 'inertia' to go up.
Window controls sometimes unresponsive at start up.
Tape deck jammed, sometimes there's a burning electronic smell.
Battery light on, medium age battery. I think my alternators going. Goes off at high rpm, but normally come back on.
Rear spring leaf shackles are rusting threw. Replacing soon.
Rust is getting bad and has to be dealt with soon. Proper rust prevention tools and chemicals on their way.
Im not traditionally mechanically inclined. I have NO workshop and have few tools. I am however very hands on. I do not like taking short cuts almost as much as I hate stopping and starting a project. What I mean by this is if Im going to do something; I don't like going back to it. Yes, I realize this can be a problem with large projects, but I will most likely keep those to a minimum. An example of my light handy work. Inspired by some Jurassic Explorers I've seen.vininfinite.deviantart.JurrasicParkJeep or Power Wheels Forum: Jurrasic Park Jeep
I'd like to clarify that I really don't care too much how my truck looks right now. I just don't have the money too care. Im more concerned with it's operation. Aside from the general problems I have to work on I'd also like to do some creative efficiency work with my truck. I've taken liking to aldive's 30mpg quest. I'm curious as what difference does SOHC vs non-SOHC engine make towards real world fuel economy. I've looked into diesel modifications and I love the idea, but I just don't have the mechanical knowledge to do it on my own. I'd like to get as much from a gallon of gas as I can. I am a eco driver as is. In fact I've wanted to start a "1500 rpm club" for a while. My Odometers broken, I need to fix that. Maybe I'll just use gps to get a good idea on my fuel economy.
Some varies questions/ideas:
My father has taken care of the truck for the first 14 years. We're still putting dino oil in it. I know synthetics can increase efficiency, but with the original seals I know a full synthetic oil would likely cause leaks. What has to be done?
I've thought about lowering my truck and installing a front air dam. I do enjoy the clearance when I need to stride over that occasional curb or pot hole. What would the cost of a basic hydraulic system be? Recommendations as too what I could do?
I like the idea of some roof mounted spot lights, but I'm curious too see if there's any aero dynamic alternatives. Something flush against the truck.
I'd like too install a camera system for the rear and side mirrors. Cost? Choices?
If I had a camera system couldn't I remove the rear window? What about the side trunk windows? I could loose those and save some weight. If not for weight some metal plates on the back of my truck would look awesome. lol
I don't like the amount of storage in the explorer. The spare tire placement waste so much space. Any info on removing the spare and opening up the bed of the truck to create a storage compartment?
I've seen spare battery's used. Mostly for trucks with sound systems or extremely heavy loads. Im looking for more info on deep cycle battery's. I don't like off roading as a sport, but I love camping in hard to get areas. I want a vehicle that I don't have to worry about not starting. Also where would a common place be for a spare fuel tank on the explorer?
If I were to move the spare I'd hate to put it on the roof. I can't block my trailer hitch and I dislike the idea of a tire on the back of my truck. I don't want to block the inside of my truck bed and I do need the spare. If I have a rear camera couldn't I mount it on the roof INSIDE the truck? With pulley or some sort of drop down rack?
The rear door/gate. I've always wanted a dropping door like a pickup. I've seen this done on chopped explorers. (Sport Trac style) If you were to chop off the bottom (below the glass) of the existing gate (leave a lip) and install a pickup gate to hold lip couldn't that work? Any info if this has been done?
I know this seems like a lot of off the wall stuff I'm asking, but they're just ideas and I'd like to get them off my mind. I don't want to make my truck a off road monster and I also don't want too make it look like a space shuttle, but desides all that my first and foremost concerns are the mechanical problems like the battery/alternator. I wish my tranny would work right, but after many articles I already know it's hopeless. The Explorer trannys are just nervous recks. I would like some info on my window problems though. Being caught in the rain with my windows down will kill me.
Please feel free to ask any questions or answer any!