00 XLT 59k miles build

[Feez28]

This is a my 00 XLT AWD 5.0. It was given to my by my great grandpa that moved to Southern Indiana from Cali a few years back. He bought the X brand new and when he gave it to me, it only had 59k miles. I've had it for around a year and a half now and have it up to 73k miles.

 

[Feez28]

Some bone stock mudding. Also added CREE 20" LED bar and 4 LED pods to brush guard.

 

[Feez28]

Southern Indiana snow play

 

[Feez28]

Added additional 20" LED bar on the brush guard and roof mounted a 50" curved LED bar

 

[Feez28]

If not noticeable in prior post, the paint on my X was heavily oxidized due to sitting for a year before being given to me. After watching several"How To" vids on YouTube, I decided that I would make an attempt at buffing the paint. At first I made an attempt with a DA buffer, but decided quickly that it was not going to cut the nastiness. So a guy I work had a variable speed rotary buffer with several different foam pads that he let me borrow. I never really cared for Turtle wax products, but decided to try the liquid rubbing compound with the cutting pad. Suprisingly it cut right through the oxidation and left a nice haze. After the cutting process, I jumped to Meguiars fine polish and hit the X three total times before the haze from the cutting compound was invisible. After the polishing phase I then used Meguiars Crystal paste wax and hand waxed the entire truck. After the fourth coat of wax, I got the desired shine that I wanted.

 

[Feez28]

All along I knew that I wanted to lift the X and after reading several threads I decided to go with the AAL/Shackles/TT. I went with the Pro Comp 13120 AAL and the Warrior 153's. I ended up getting 2.5 inches in the rear and a full 2 inches up front after purchasing a longer bolt for the drivers side torsion bar.

 

[Feez28]

Before and after pics of the lift. I also decided to remove the running boards to get more clearance. Had to stick with the 255/70r16's for a bit due to funds.

 

[Feez28]

Finally got my tires and decided to go with 265/75r16 Mastercraft Courser AXT's. My Rancho RS5000's also arrived and lifted the front another half inch.

 

[Feez28]

So after I got the lift, tires, and shocks done, I decided to compare it to a couple of stock X's

 

[Feez28]

As my X sits as of today. Up and coming additions are front mount hitch, exhaust, all new audio, and led lighting for interior. I will post updates as the additions continue.

 

[A.J.C.]

Thats one clean looking Explorer! Nice job so far! Where did you get the tail light guards or were they already installed?

 

[Feez28]

Thats one clean looking Explorer! Nice job so far! Where did you get the tail light guards or were they already installed?

Thanks a lot bro. I really dig the white and how clean yours is also. The tail light guards came with the X but they are made by a company called Westin.

 

[Feez28]

Toys For Tots 2015

On Nov 7th the Evansville Area Jeepers put on their 7th annual Toys for Tots drive at Interlake OHV in southern Indiana. It was open to anyone however, I had the only Ex there. Around 300 Jeeps and SxS's showed up and approximately $5000 was raised for the cause.

Funny part is, the Ex stayed right with the Jeeps the entire ride. Lots of guys were impressed to the fact that it's only AWD.

 

[Varsity]

Looks like a blast. I thought about swinging by for fun but judging by your pics, maybe its a good thing I didn't, lol. That's a little over 6 hours from me, little far for a wheeling trip It's definitely on my list though when I get my 1354m.

The truck is looking awesome, keep representing the Explorers well!

 

[slaughterrt]

That's one nice rig.

 

[firefly1246]

Hey great looking explorer. What light bar did you put on the top. Any chance you can provide any details on the install? What brackets did you use or are they custom? Can you show more up close shots of the top bar and brackets? Thanks man!!