Keeper's Explorer. Take two.

Welcome to my new registry. This is my 2000 Explorer XLT. Bought it from the original owner for $3,400. Came with the owners manual, and the paper work to prove it's been dealer maintained. When I purchased the Ex, it had 111,000 on the odometer, a small tear in the leather of the drivers seat, some sand in the back( take it the guy was a surfer, found a few surf board fins in the jack storage area). Gonna do a alignment when I get the chance, and start transferring all my mods from my Sport into this.

As she stands when I brought her home.

How she currently stands.

04/07/11

Current Mods:

Interior:

• Tan Leather, power seats, windows, locks.
• LED Front dome light.
• Alpine HU with Kenwoods all around.
• Garmin Nuvi 1390
• Cobra 19 mounted in the center console with magnet mounted antenna along with a reworked cubby area.
• Autovation racing pedals
• Fire Extinguisher mounted in the rear.
• Reupholstered center console.
• Extra anchor points.
• Hi-lift mounted in the rear cargo area.

Exterior:

• Bullit Mustang Fuel door
• Hankook AT M's (P255/70R16)
• Side steps removed.
• Assortment of super sweet decals and stickers.
• RCI front skid plate.

Lighting:

• Sylvania Silverstars for the headlights.
• x2 Hella 500 driving lights.
• Fog light/ High beam mod.
• LED Puddle lights, license plate lights.

Engine:4.0L SOHC

• Throttle Cable mod.
• Drop in K&N air filter.
• Silencer removed, air box mod.
• Synthetic Oil.
• Ford Racing 70mm TB
• Optima Red-top with Ballistic Fab tray.

Suspension and Brakes

• BTF Uni-ball upper control arms.
• Bilstein 4600's
• Torsion Twist and Warrior-153/AAL.
• Power Slot Rotors w/ Hawk Ceramic pads on all four corners.

Drive Train

• 5 Speed Auto
• 4wd
• 4.10's front and rear, Limited Slip Diff in the rear, with Solid Axle diff cover, and Royal Purple full synthetic gear oil.
• Replaced front hubs.

Projects for the future:

• Quick disconnects for front and rear sway bar.
• Possibly LS up front.

 

[Keeper0311]

I hadn't even thought of adding an amp. I've no experience when it comes to vehicle audio, so maybe with a bit of research I'll add that to my to-do list.

 

[Keeper0311]

No real additions to the Explorer lately, haven't had the chance with school ramping back up, and moving. Barely getting settled into my new place. Only minor maintenance issues, mainly my drivers side exterior door handle broke again...I had already replaced it once.

To remedy this situation I ordered two new handles from Rockauto and will be doing the work to replace this bad boy once again. I'll throw up some pictures of the work, and the busted part and hopefully you gentlemen can tell me what's causing this.

 

[Stic-o]

No real additions to the Explorer lately, haven't had the chance with school ramping back up, and moving. Barely getting settled into my new place. Only minor maintenance issues, mainly my drivers side exterior door handle broke again...I had already replaced it once.

To remedy this situation I ordered two new handles from Rockauto and will be doing the work to replace this bad boy once again. I'll throw up some pictures of the work, and the busted part and hopefully you gentlemen can tell me what's causing this.

Stop using it and it will not break..:

 

[Keeper0311]

Lemme just weld the doors closed and remove the windows...

 

[CJExplorer]

Make sure to get a window net and removable steering wheel while youre at it.

 

[gmanpaint]

Lube the piss out of them new handles & all moving parts (not electrical) with some white lithium spray on grease. That should help a bunch.

Do you get water inside the doors at all? Check the lower window seal for cracks or gaps.

 

[BSlusser]

How have I not seen you around Fullerton/Placentia/Brea yet?

 

[Keeper0311]

Hahaha not sure man. I no longer live in Placentia, but I still attend FC so you may see me around that area.

 

[Keeper0311]

Well the rain let up and I got some time to get down to business and fix the drivers door handle.

The broken handle...this was a replacement for the OEM.

Ensure you un-clip this little yellow thing and take the connecting rod outta the handle, and vice-verse for the install.

Here's an inside shot what the door will look like when the handle is pulled out.

With the new handle assembly partially installed.

Let's see how long this one last.

 

[Keeper0311]

With school winding down I've finally found some free time to start tackling some maintenance on Take Two, yesterday I slapped a new set of Moog sway bar end links on her and gave her a half assed bath. The new end links definitely tightened things up a bit. Got a lot more to do, any of you fine gentlemen care to aid me in this venture? Being in my current apartment I don't have the opportunity work on her as much. Plus some added experience would be awesome, I'll throw in six pack of your choice. :thumpsup:

 

[sport97]

Do those moogs seem like they will last longer? Im torn between getting those and ditching the whole sway bar. I blow through a set a year. Right now neither end link has any bushings left, and the one is all bent up. What did they cost you?

 

[Keeper0311]

They look a lot sturdier then the OEMs. Only time will tell how long they'll last. I picked up the set for $43 at oreillys.

 

[Stic-o]

Let me know when you want to do it, and if your up to driving to my place we can use my garage. Next couple of weeks are kinda nutty being the holidays, but I'm off work between x-mas and the new year

 

[Keeper0311]

Thanks Steve, mind pm'ing me your number, got a new phone..

 

[Stic-o]

Thanks Steve, mind pm'ing me your number, got a new phone..

Will do You don't have to worry about seeing your old rig all hacked up too, because it's at my dads :

 

[Keeper0311]

Just spied this while cruising the forums , 12v Harness deal for brighter headlights. Opinions?

 

[Keeper0311]

Anyone have input on the above post?

 

[Keeper0311]

Yesterday I rolled over to Steve's place to do a bit of work on Take Two. Our plan for the day consisted of new LBJ, and out tie rod ends. All went fairly well except pulling the old ball joints, after much slamming and twisting we couldn't get the knuckle to pop off, so we took a sawzall to the lowers the pressed them out. Other then that nothing eventful. Had a good time hanging with Steve and doing something useful with my time.


Here's take two and JP.

And the only shot I got of the work in progress.

 

[Stic-o]

Glad I could help Let me know if you help with the uppers

 

[Keeper0311]

Here's a few pictures from Truckhaven, Take Two tagged alone pretty well with the big boys, only a few scratches and some blown front sway bar end link bushings.