Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread | Page 6 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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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

001-8_zps25438bd5.jpg


Progress pictures
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026.jpg


027.jpg


028.jpg


031.jpg


032.jpg


044.jpg


043.jpg


042.jpg

038.jpg


Now, let's clean it up a little


Herculine'rd rocker panels. Rock sliders installed

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004-3.jpg



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

003-7.jpg

Saw a rainbow in Colorado so yeah, time for a picture
119.jpg

And here she is, on top of the highest pass road in North America. Careful tire placement a must!!!
041-1.jpg


2-2-2013

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

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Then I decided Maroon washer on the wheels would look better

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003_zpse4691714.jpg


Update 6-6-2013

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


001-8_zps25438bd5.jpg


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Rear anti sway disconnects

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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

001_zps0a3e1791.jpg



Found another rainbow in Kansas.

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Well, I got the water pump off. A couple of those long studs were pretty well seized up and I knew it was bad news to break one so they needed some coaxing.

Annnnd, guess what? The 2 to passenger side, on either side of the timing cover coolant passage,( right where the leak is) were pretty loose loose, which makes me wonder if I just throw a pump back on and get it tight it would hold. I really do not want to pop the timing cover if I don't have to. I should start a poll---:D


Thoughts?

I vote to change it now because it'll be the least of your worries later. If my dog didn't just have surgery, I'd drive down and lend a hand because I'm bored:)
 






If I already had the new parts on hand I would change it all.
 






Well, I got the water pump off. A couple of those long studs were pretty well seized up and I knew it was bad news to break one so they needed some coaxing.

Annnnd, guess what? The 2 to passenger side, on either side of the timing cover coolant passage,( right where the leak is) were pretty loose loose, which makes me wonder if I just throw a pump back on and get it tight it would hold. I really do not want to pop the timing cover if I don't have to. I should start a poll---:D


Thoughts?

Do it right or don't do it at all :D Sure as **** you don't pull the timing cover and replace the gasket it will leak.
 






...At your age, less is more...:D

...Just fix what needs fixin before you forget what all the parts are and where they go..:p:

..Oh yea...Happy Belated Birthday..:biggthump
 






Well, looks like older minds think alike, I used Ted and Greggs suggestion, and it seems dry-or maybe I am just optimistic.

However, dang lower hose is not sealed to the water pump and it drips. Gonna get a new one tomorrow.

I cleaned and dried the timing cover "drip trail" , then warmed Puff up good and hot. Tomorrow morning I should see a drip on the corner of the oil pan if it is still leaking--fingers crossed.
 


















Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
 






Thanks Jack--it's working!

Stupid spring clamp is all it was. I put on a band clamp and all good now. Timing gasket seems to be holding.


I think the most time consuming part of the whole deal is getting all the air burped out.
 






Any updates?
 












Well, nothing new to report. My wife has been driving it for her commutes, and it is doing fine.

Nice mounty.

Have you fixed your rear park assist issue? Mine does the same thing, but I just haven't bothered to actually check it out fully because I've survived this long w/o park assist.
 






Nice mounty.

Have you fixed your rear park assist issue? Mine does the same thing, but I just haven't bothered to actually check it out fully because I've survived this long w/o park assist.

Yeah me either. It worked, until I messed with trailer wiring.

I guess it isn't that important yet. Thanks for reminding me though. I might fool with it on a warm day.

Puff has sat in the garage, and driveway all week. I moved it out so I could powdercoat some yard thingys , then back in the garage. Every time I think of washing it a storm comes thru so it is a bit dirty.
Other than that I have been driving the econobox into the ground.

Since my wife carpools with 2 others, it gets driven little.
 






Yeah me either. It worked, until I messed with trailer wiring.

I guess it isn't that important yet. Thanks for reminding me though. I might fool with it on a warm day.

Puff has sat in the garage, and driveway all week. I moved it out so I could powdercoat some yard thingys , then back in the garage. Every time I think of washing it a storm comes thru so it is a bit dirty.
Other than that I have been driving the econobox into the ground.

Since my wife carpools with 2 others, it gets driven little.

I haven't washed the Explorer since september. Going to get it washed and maybe get the rear cargo rug shampooed in an attempt to get the tranny fluid stains out of it.
 


















Cool, and what's the top speed in low range?
 









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Cool, that looks like a blast. Who was it that went around four barrels? Good stuff.
 






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