WormsExplorer
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- February 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,415
- Reaction score
- 568
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- City, State
- Colorado Springs, co
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Durango
Looks great sir.
-
Performance Upgrades - Maintenance - Modifications - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street Trucks.
Covering the Explorer, ST, Sport, Lincoln Aviator, Sport Trac,
Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Aerostar.
Featuring H.I. - Human Intelligence.
Register Today It's free!
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
Whoa! Holy not keeping everyone updated Batman! Boy do I have things to share! We'll share with the personal stuff and end with the stuff everyone wants to hear about....
We'll start with the most important of the life updates...Mom and baby are doing great! Little stinker wouldn't always move to where the specialists could get the ultrasound pics they needed, but everything is going really good! Momma is feeling fine, baby is growing like it's suppose to, family and 12 week old cousin are as excited as we are! Another six weeks and we'll be sharing our home with a bouncing baby BOY! (If we're friends on the Facebook, you may have already seen the video of the reveal.) Will be sure to raise him up right, working on the Ex, and maybe one day pass it down to him.
Speaking of sharing our home, I last updated that we were in the process of buying the house we are renting. When we started this process, there wasn't much on the market in our price range, considering the wifey hadn't been at her new job long enough to be a part of the loan, so my approved amount was small. We started the paperwork, got a purchase agreement signed and landlord got it taken to the attorney. Few weeks went by and no one had heard anything. Turned out, the attorney lost all the paperwork. So needless to say, our landlord was ticked and decided to go with another attorney for a purchase agreement. Many weeks of overtime prevented him from going sooner and we were getting pretty restless. Just out of curiosity, we looked on ZIllow for anything close to us, and as of 6 weeks ago we were both approved for a larger amount, and signed a purchase agreement for a relatively cheap, 2 acre property in the country, with a pond, that needs no work other than a bathroom update that we should be closing on this coming Friday...almost exactly what we've dreamed of, and got it $10k less than their original asking price!
Now, I say almost what we've dreamed of...if you notice in the pics, there is no shop for me and my tools, nor a garage for any vehicles or tools whatsoever. I have taken care of that little inconvenience and will have a workspace at a friends shop until I can build a shop over an already existing concrete pad on the property. Minor details that I can correct with a specialized set of skills I have learned in my profession.
Now, onto the really good stuff....well, somewhat good. I have gotten some work done on the doors, but not much at all. A majority of the metal work is done, rears need caps at the top of the cuts, some Bondo work has started, and wire harnesses were stripped down to the bare minimum needed and installed on the front doors.
Wife and I recently went on a camping trip with our church, and I decided to put the front half doors back on to the Ex. (Due to some clutch hydraulic issues with my 95 Escort, I needed the Ex for work, and some not so nice weather was in the forecast, so the full doors were put back on.) I finished the top portions of the capping, looked at the rear doors and decided that I wanted to leave them on if we took the dog or packed gear in the back seat, and then thought about the times that I might leave it in that combo, that I might want to lower the rear windows. Driver front door wire harness was stripped down, a few wires moved in the controls, leaving only speaker wires and two switches to control the rear windows.
Mirrors were added to be legal, and sourced from eBay. They are replacement manual paddle mirrors for a Ranger, and needed just a little bit of trimming to work perfectly. I also started some Bondo work on the driver door, but now that deer season has started, 6 o'clock mornings are often cold and damp and I don't have covers made, all 4 full doors are currently on Edgar. Did get a nice pic after the opening morning hunt that spurred me to switch doors again...
A few other updates involve future plans and hopes for the ol' XLT. I may have mentioned that my boss' son has been building a Ranger. Started with a small lift that moved to a D30 SAS. 4X was never connected due to gearing differences in the D30 and the rear axle of the Ranger and a transmission in need of a rebuild. At some point along the 2 year build, he happened to acquire 2 D60 axles, a Sterling 10.25, and a manual BW1350. A conversation was struck a few weeks ago as he inquired about the rear in my Explorer. He knows I've had my eye on the 1 tons sitting around the shop, and in exchange for my rear axle and a transmission rebuild for his Ranger, he is offering me the 1 tons and the BW1350 for a doubler build. I'm excited about getting this stuff, moving up a few tire sizes and getting Edgar up to the crawling rig I've dreamed of for a while now. Will take some more time as I won't be able to just walk out my door and do some work, and a kid and house will take some money, but hey, it isn't labeled "5spdman's slow and cheap XLT build" for nothing!
As soon as we can get internet to the new house, I'll try and keep up a little better on my updates!
We'll start with the most important of the life updates...Mom and baby are doing great! Little stinker wouldn't always move to where the specialists could get the ultrasound pics they needed, but everything is going really good! Momma is feeling fine, baby is growing like it's suppose to, family and 12 week old cousin are as excited as we are! Another six weeks and we'll be sharing our home with a bouncing baby BOY! (If we're friends on the Facebook, you may have already seen the video of the reveal.) Will be sure to raise him up right, working on the Ex, and maybe one day pass it down to him.
Speaking of sharing our home, I last updated that we were in the process of buying the house we are renting. When we started this process, there wasn't much on the market in our price range, considering the wifey hadn't been at her new job long enough to be a part of the loan, so my approved amount was small. We started the paperwork, got a purchase agreement signed and landlord got it taken to the attorney. Few weeks went by and no one had heard anything. Turned out, the attorney lost all the paperwork. So needless to say, our landlord was ticked and decided to go with another attorney for a purchase agreement. Many weeks of overtime prevented him from going sooner and we were getting pretty restless. Just out of curiosity, we looked on ZIllow for anything close to us, and as of 6 weeks ago we were both approved for a larger amount, and signed a purchase agreement for a relatively cheap, 2 acre property in the country, with a pond, that needs no work other than a bathroom update that we should be closing on this coming Friday...almost exactly what we've dreamed of, and got it $10k less than their original asking price!
Now, I say almost what we've dreamed of...if you notice in the pics, there is no shop for me and my tools, nor a garage for any vehicles or tools whatsoever. I have taken care of that little inconvenience and will have a workspace at a friends shop until I can build a shop over an already existing concrete pad on the property. Minor details that I can correct with a specialized set of skills I have learned in my profession.
Now, onto the really good stuff....well, somewhat good. I have gotten some work done on the doors, but not much at all. A majority of the metal work is done, rears need caps at the top of the cuts, some Bondo work has started, and wire harnesses were stripped down to the bare minimum needed and installed on the front doors.
Wife and I recently went on a camping trip with our church, and I decided to put the front half doors back on to the Ex. (Due to some clutch hydraulic issues with my 95 Escort, I needed the Ex for work, and some not so nice weather was in the forecast, so the full doors were put back on.) I finished the top portions of the capping, looked at the rear doors and decided that I wanted to leave them on if we took the dog or packed gear in the back seat, and then thought about the times that I might leave it in that combo, that I might want to lower the rear windows. Driver front door wire harness was stripped down, a few wires moved in the controls, leaving only speaker wires and two switches to control the rear windows.
Mirrors were added to be legal, and sourced from eBay. They are replacement manual paddle mirrors for a Ranger, and needed just a little bit of trimming to work perfectly. I also started some Bondo work on the driver door, but now that deer season has started, 6 o'clock mornings are often cold and damp and I don't have covers made, all 4 full doors are currently on Edgar. Did get a nice pic after the opening morning hunt that spurred me to switch doors again...
A few other updates involve future plans and hopes for the ol' XLT. I may have mentioned that my boss' son has been building a Ranger. Started with a small lift that moved to a D30 SAS. 4X was never connected due to gearing differences in the D30 and the rear axle of the Ranger and a transmission in need of a rebuild. At some point along the 2 year build, he happened to acquire 2 D60 axles, a Sterling 10.25, and a manual BW1350. A conversation was struck a few weeks ago as he inquired about the rear in my Explorer. He knows I've had my eye on the 1 tons sitting around the shop, and in exchange for my rear axle and a transmission rebuild for his Ranger, he is offering me the 1 tons and the BW1350 for a doubler build. I'm excited about getting this stuff, moving up a few tire sizes and getting Edgar up to the crawling rig I've dreamed of for a while now. Will take some more time as I won't be able to just walk out my door and do some work, and a kid and house will take some money, but hey, it isn't labeled "5spdman's slow and cheap XLT build" for nothing!
As soon as we can get internet to the new house, I'll try and keep up a little better on my updates!
WormsExplorer
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- February 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,415
- Reaction score
- 568
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- City, State
- Colorado Springs, co
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Durango
Congratulations on the new house. I know the feeling of getting a new home. Bought mine January. Look forward to seeing you and your son working on the Ex. 
- Joined
- January 14, 2001
- Messages
- 6,266
- Reaction score
- 289
- City, State
- Fresno CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 86 ranger no more
- Callsign
- KK6TDL
Awesome. Love the doors.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
Thanks all! The doors continue to be work in progress, but they've taken a back burner to the house...we gained possession Monday, and I have yet to be to bed before 1 this entire week...hoping to have the house done and moved in by the 31st...I think there's something wrong with me lol
WormsExplorer
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- February 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,415
- Reaction score
- 568
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- City, State
- Colorado Springs, co
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Durango
Congrats on getting into the new house. I know the feeling of getting moved into a new house. Just got mine January and we are still unpacking.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
I won't tell my wife you said that...she's stressed out enough as it is lol.
WormsExplorer
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- February 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,415
- Reaction score
- 568
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- City, State
- Colorado Springs, co
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Durango
That is s great idea sir.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
Long time since I last posted, and a lot of stuff has happened...
Been living in our new home almost 5 months now, and really happy to be out of town! Takes a little longer to respond for fire or EMS, but it's close enough to be just fine.
Been putting in lots of work to the house...tore off the stapled ceiling tiles in the bedrooms and did something that fit the farmhouse look a little better...
Still need to do some trim work, but the house is coming along.
Progress really slowed down about 3 months ago though...
This little bundle has been an absolute blessing, and we're soaking in as much as we can!
Updates on the Explorer are grim...seem to have a blown head gasket. I recently bought a gasket kit and will hopefully be diving into that here soon, but finding the time has been a challenge. Also got a message tonight that the 1 tons will be delivered to where Edgar sits awaiting the new gaskets, so I hope to dive into that as well...
So many things to do, so little time...
Been living in our new home almost 5 months now, and really happy to be out of town! Takes a little longer to respond for fire or EMS, but it's close enough to be just fine.
Been putting in lots of work to the house...tore off the stapled ceiling tiles in the bedrooms and did something that fit the farmhouse look a little better...
Still need to do some trim work, but the house is coming along.
Progress really slowed down about 3 months ago though...
This little bundle has been an absolute blessing, and we're soaking in as much as we can!
Updates on the Explorer are grim...seem to have a blown head gasket. I recently bought a gasket kit and will hopefully be diving into that here soon, but finding the time has been a challenge. Also got a message tonight that the 1 tons will be delivered to where Edgar sits awaiting the new gaskets, so I hope to dive into that as well...
So many things to do, so little time...
- Joined
- January 14, 2001
- Messages
- 6,266
- Reaction score
- 289
- City, State
- Fresno CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 86 ranger no more
- Callsign
- KK6TDL
Do a little at a time and don't bite off to much at once.
mr cribb
US Army Retired
- Joined
- December 16, 2010
- Messages
- 2,343
- Reaction score
- 85
- City, State
- Naylor, MO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Z71, 89 stepside
That’s no lie, because I have done that before.
WormsExplorer
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- February 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,415
- Reaction score
- 568
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- City, State
- Colorado Springs, co
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Durango
He is a Cute little guy.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
Yeah, we're starting with the small things, but we'll eventually get there...little boy is growing up almost too fast it seems...
Well, while I'm sitting here in the blind on what is the last day of turkey season, I figured I'd throw in a little update...
Explorer got some work done! Well, sorta...been wanting to get these plates for a while...no mistaking me now for sure! Also took the emergency lights and siren out and old license plates (hence why I finally got the new plates) to put into the new daily...
Meet the Ranger, that has not been named yet....this little 95 2wd, 2.3L 5spd manual pick-up belonged to my wife's grandfather. For next to nothing we acquired it just a week before his cancer finally took him...he was pretty proud of it and took good care of it, but it did and does need a few little things here and there.
I've already replaced blown bulbs in the climate control panel, replaced the blower motor resistor and the disintegrated odometer work gear, remounted the arm rest, fabricated a new latch tab for the arm rest so that it can actually be used for storage, replaced the broken door locks, the erratic multifunction switch and the faulty ignition lock cylinder (if you bumped the truck at all after turning it off or even removing the key (which turned out not being needed to start said truck), the truck would ding at you, telling you the keys were on, except you couldn't hear it and it would drain the battery).
Next items on the list are the emergency lights and siren (needed by me), chasing an electrical gremlin that won't let the interior lights, cargo lights or 3rd brake light work, and then the bed will come off....filler neck leaks when the gas tank gets full, tank straps equalled 1/2 out of two (picture was taken while gaining access to ratchet straps tank up for time being), and the rear shackles are, well, pretty much nonexistent...have ordered tank straps, spring hangers and shackles and need to order a filler tube yet. I may address so e rust buildup on the frame while the bed is off as well.
Still have the 2dr 5spd Escort...not sure what I'll end up doing with that yet...may teach my wife to drive it, sell her car, and have her drive it until we can afford the larger family vehicle we've been eyeing...
With turkey season ending today, I may start work on the Explorer soon, and a very cool wagon project for my son (and other future rugrats)...stay tuned for that, cause that's gonna be pretty cool...
I'll try to keep the updates coming more than every 2-3 months...
Well, while I'm sitting here in the blind on what is the last day of turkey season, I figured I'd throw in a little update...
Explorer got some work done! Well, sorta...been wanting to get these plates for a while...no mistaking me now for sure! Also took the emergency lights and siren out and old license plates (hence why I finally got the new plates) to put into the new daily...
Meet the Ranger, that has not been named yet....this little 95 2wd, 2.3L 5spd manual pick-up belonged to my wife's grandfather. For next to nothing we acquired it just a week before his cancer finally took him...he was pretty proud of it and took good care of it, but it did and does need a few little things here and there.
I've already replaced blown bulbs in the climate control panel, replaced the blower motor resistor and the disintegrated odometer work gear, remounted the arm rest, fabricated a new latch tab for the arm rest so that it can actually be used for storage, replaced the broken door locks, the erratic multifunction switch and the faulty ignition lock cylinder (if you bumped the truck at all after turning it off or even removing the key (which turned out not being needed to start said truck), the truck would ding at you, telling you the keys were on, except you couldn't hear it and it would drain the battery).
Next items on the list are the emergency lights and siren (needed by me), chasing an electrical gremlin that won't let the interior lights, cargo lights or 3rd brake light work, and then the bed will come off....filler neck leaks when the gas tank gets full, tank straps equalled 1/2 out of two (picture was taken while gaining access to ratchet straps tank up for time being), and the rear shackles are, well, pretty much nonexistent...have ordered tank straps, spring hangers and shackles and need to order a filler tube yet. I may address so e rust buildup on the frame while the bed is off as well.
Still have the 2dr 5spd Escort...not sure what I'll end up doing with that yet...may teach my wife to drive it, sell her car, and have her drive it until we can afford the larger family vehicle we've been eyeing...
With turkey season ending today, I may start work on the Explorer soon, and a very cool wagon project for my son (and other future rugrats)...stay tuned for that, cause that's gonna be pretty cool...
I'll try to keep the updates coming more than every 2-3 months...
mr cribb
US Army Retired
- Joined
- December 16, 2010
- Messages
- 2,343
- Reaction score
- 85
- City, State
- Naylor, MO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98 Z71, 89 stepside
I miss my old escort I had in high school which was 20 years ago this week. I have found only a few like I had, most were crushed years ago.
The escort I had was an 89 GT.
The escort I had was an 89 GT.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
Haha, not even close...still working on finding time to replace the head gaskets...
My boss's son (also a distant cousin to me) and I are slowly swapping parts/work back and forth (me for the Ex, him for his Ranger). Neither one of us are in a terrible hurry, and I'd like to replace the gaskets and the half doors and drive it a bit this summer. During this time, Imma try and come up with a game plan of build/fabrication, aquire some parts (other than just the axles), and get the axles ready to be worked on and put under. It will probably be a late fall/winter project to get them attached to the Ex. New house, 6 month old...if I spent as much time on the Ex as I used to, my wife would not be happy with me whatsoever...
Micah J
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- July 5, 2016
- Messages
- 138
- Reaction score
- 97
- City, State
- AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94 Expo
Lol I hear you there, mine isn't too happy about my new build either. Atleast you haven't sold it!
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!.
5spdman
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- December 2, 2009
- Messages
- 784
- Reaction score
- 129
- City, State
- Stryker, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 Explorer XLT
When I suggested purchasing the Escort, I had to ensure her that I was not going to be selling the Explorer, so I think I'm good there...especially since I have since also added a Ranger to the mix (although it belonged to her late grandfather, so I don't think she really minded that at all).
Featured images
Featured images
