Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread | Page 65 | 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

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Progress pictures
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044.jpg


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042.jpg

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Now, let's clean it up a little


Herculine'rd rocker panels. Rock sliders installed

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

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Saw a rainbow in Colorado so yeah, time for a picture
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And here she is, on top of the highest pass road in North America. Careful tire placement a must!!!
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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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Update 6-6-2013

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


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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

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Found another rainbow in Kansas.

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So in the news----

@RockRanger came by for a visit, and boy am I glad he did. He showed me how his version of the coilover conversion brackets are mirror imaged. The top shock mounts are not equal. Each is angled slightly rearward to help with the end spherical bearing load.
Gusset placement was also explained. I needed that also.

We watched some football, ate some junk foods and I scored another autograph for my oven. It was great to see you again Matt!

Football part of the day though--eh, not so great. not so great at all.
 



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what are you up to now?

Picture for ya :D

I feel bad because the numero uno main explorer dude himself, Rick, was here and no signy. My bad. He's just gonna have to come back.

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i think the entire forum need to plan a road trip to your place this summer. what day works for you? :D

its to bad john rock will never be on there
 












That would be a fun trip to do. I am pretty sure it would be easier to get the Explorers lined up then it would to line up cats LOL.
 






I think mine would be difficult to line up unless everyone came here. :(
 






Going back to your coilovers, are750lb springs going to be enough with all that hardware you have up front? The bumper, winch, skid plate, etc.?
 












Going back to your coilovers, are750lb springs going to be enough with all that hardware you have up front? The bumper, winch, skid plate, etc.?

I have my reserved hopes but you do raise a good point.
 






It was great to see you again and finally meet Sheri. Also was nice to see the grown up Josh. I hope I can make it back down there again.
 






I'd love to get there if at all possible. I'd need quite a bit of notice to ensure time off, funds, etc.
 






Keep me posted. I've got other things on my list to get done ahead of the springs... Like bumpers, winch, skid plate, etc. LoL
 






I have my reserved hopes but you do raise a good point.

Keep me posted, I have other things to get done ahead of the springs. Like bumpers, winch, skidplate, etc. LoL
 






Well, those Mock up coils look great, if they don't work, someone will want them. :)

Jon, do you know the Interior measures of your roof basket? I need to change mine to a longer one, but really don't feel like making one from scratch, when they are readily available for cheap.
 






Well, those Mock up coils look great, if they don't work, someone will want them. :)

Jon, do you know the Interior measures of your roof basket? I need to change mine to a longer one, but really don't feel like making one from scratch, when they are readily available for cheap.

I measure 37 x 58" at the top bars inside.
 






Keep me posted, I have other things to get done ahead of the springs. Like bumpers, winch, skidplate, etc. LoL
I sure will.

Hopefully I will now begin to get emails on this thread again.
 






Betty had developed 2 muffler holes, so, last night she went to a sleepover at Tom's muffler to have her rear whatchacallitconvertermajigs deleted and a stainless Toyota dual in single out muffler with 2.5" tailpipe installed. Now, instead of rattles and grumpy she just sounds grumpy.
 









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What Yoda model was the muffler intended for? Most models have 4-6 bangers with smaller tube.

Just trying to get an idea, of which rice burner your rig sounds like now. More Yaris or more Tacoma?






:p
 






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