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

Progress pictures

Now, let's clean it up a little


Herculine'rd rocker panels. Rock sliders installed

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

Saw a rainbow in Colorado so yeah, time for a picture

And here she is, on top of the highest pass road in North America. Careful tire placement a must!!!

2-2-2013

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

Then I decided Maroon washer on the wheels would look better

Update 6-6-2013

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

Rear anti sway disconnects

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

Found another rainbow in Kansas.

 

[Turdle]

2 updates

1- I got the 2nd trans cooler fan installed

While I was down there I was trying to use cigarette smoke to check airflow with only the engine fan. Sitting still, the smoke was dissipating to quickly so i flicked an ash. The belt driven fan sucked that ash clear through the trans cooler and ac condenser and it disappeared. Impressive air flow right there. This was without the electric fans running. I'm happy happy.


so, then the problem.
2-There is a big rubber hood bumper on the driver side, with an oval mount hole to allow water drainage. as luck would have it, I mounted my new cooling fans relay sideways, on the inner fender lining right under that hole. Then it rained real hard. Guess what happened?

 

[traveler]

thats a vaguely familiar setup! You shoulda used the red fans though..

 

[gmanpaint]

How am I supposed to click the like button, if you have 1 good, & 1 bad?

Rick, we need a Swiss flag button for situations like this.

 

[Turdle]

thats a vaguely familiar setup! You shoulda used the red fans though..

I was going to but I didn't want to copy you. OK, Ok, I copied you.

 

[traveler]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

 

[Turdle]

so, then the problem.
2-There is a big rubber hood bumper on the driver side, with an oval mount hole to allow water drainage. as luck would have it, I mounted my new cooling fans relay sideways, on the inner fender lining right under that hole. Then it rained real hard. Guess what happened?

Disappointed in the number of responses to what happened when the relay got wet.

While raining I went to make sure windows were rolled up,and, discovered fans running. Flipping the switch had no effect. I had to pull the in line fuse protecting the circuit.


I have since replaced, and, relocated the relay.

 

[gmanpaint]

Welcome to the Forum!

I think there is only like 2-3 people paying attention to the 95 thread, and only 1 person on the 94's. lol

Oh, and the way you worded it, I figured out what happened on my own.

 

[delexploder]

I'm here lol

 

[vroomzoomboom]

 

[ahodges]

I'm still following you! Watching all the craziness unfold I had a similar relay issue on my 2000 super duty when the windshield starting leaking, except this relay controlled the interior fan motor.

 

[rpenner54]

I read all the time. I just didn't know what to say to your misfortune! Other then Ugh....

 

[Dono]

lol, lots of us following.
I had the same relay issue as you on a vehicle, except a previous owner had put added a relay for making the headlights daylight running lights. Relay gets wet, headlights stay on. Best case, it happens at home. This was my wifes car, so it took me a while to actually see the headlights on for seemingly no reason. It also cost another battery since it froze in the winter after one of these escapades. I relocated the relay, and at least that problem was fixed.
There, now you see my worthless, sort of related relay misery. Obviously its a reasonably common issue, or were just two lucky guys. lol

 

[Turdle]

I'm so excited -- I actually ate fish tacos for dinner and don't care, that is how excited I am.

Finally, after months of waiting Betty is going on for rust repairs. I purchased lower dog legs and rocker panels late last year but one thing or another has put either $$ challenges or timing with the body shop hurdles,

Monday is her day. I have the interior gutted , she's been a 2 seater for quite a while now.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Where did you find dog legs for it? Been looking for them for a while now.
For the record, Betty isn’t as bad (from what I remember) as you think. Take a trip up here. Most of them need to be repaired from the door handles down

 

[Turdle]

Where did you find dog legs for it? Been looking for them for a while now.
For the record, Betty isn’t as bad (from what I remember) as you think. Take a trip up here. Most of them need to be repaired from the door handles down

Well, I got lucky. In frustration I typed
fixmyrust.com


I got the larger size, yeah they have 2 sizes

1991-2001 Explorer - Rust Repair Panels
1997-2001 Mountaineer - Rust Repair Panels

 

[vroomzoomboom]

can you take a picture of the ones you have? both side view, and bottom view if you dont mind.....i mean after your done barfing up the taccos's *bluch*

 

[Turdle]

can you take a picture of the ones you have? both side view, and bottom view if you dont mind.....i mean after your done barfing up the taccos's *bluch*

Habanero sauce makes anything go down.


Do you want pictures of my rust or pictures of the stuff in boxes?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

new parts please.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Welcome to the Forum!

I think there is only like 2-3 people paying attention to the 95 thread, and only 1 person on the 94's. lol

Oh, and the way you worded it, I figured out what happened on my own.

Add a 4th to the 95th thread although I do not get on here much anymore. Would like to see pics of rust also.

 

[Turdle]

Here ya go, new patch panels