Kazer's 2002 Explorer (Vera)

Finally got around to starting my registry. ive done alot to the vehicle that i havent taken pictures of, so i'll try my best not to forget anything

Running Total for current and past modifications, including paint, sandpaper and the miles of electrical tape:

17x8.5 MB Chaos 5 rims + 245/65r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10's = $1000
20% tint = $160
First sound system, Power Acoustik 7" + 2 12" Kicker CVR's = $720
blacked headlights and corners = $130
bug guard = $50
added oem foglights = $150
hids = $65
fx4 decals = $70
aftermarket tails+led bulbs = $100
full interior swap(grey cloth to black leather+added third row) = $400
1.5bodylift = $80
second set of "winter only" rims(oem 1995 mustang cobra r 17x9s) = $80
f150 tow hooks, mounty gauge cluster, 2" hitch swap, led interior/puddle lamp conversions = $100
airbox mod, added factory homelink = $25
new strutteks in front = $150
various different paints used = $50
BTF spacers = $250
Moog K8008's = $70
More tint, 5% winshield strip and %5 sunroof tint = $45
Lifetime Firestone alignment = $150
Black Billet Grilles = $60
Shorty Antenna = $10
Flowmaster original 40 series = $100
New Headunit. JVC KW AVX640 = $430
New Subwoofer. Polk 8" + Custom box = $180
New Remote Start + Alarm. Python 991 = $480
Used Cooper Discoverer STT's = $200
Another mountaineer cluster = $40
Used set of 20x8.5" MB Bruzer rims = $375
Smoked LED Clearance Lights = $95
Used 275/60r20 Cooper Zeon LTZ's = $340
Failed OME Spring Idea = $220
UDP's = $150
Abandoned E-Fan Conversion = $90
Mustang GT Rims 17x8 = $100
315/70r17 BFG A/T KO = $100
Tire Mounting and Balancing = $100
Spartan Locker + Gear Oil and misc items = $391
MasterPro Upper Control Arms + Ball Joints = $130

Total = $7,436

Sold Aftermarket Taillights & Bulbs = $45
Sold Kicker Comp CVR 12s = $250
Sold MB Choas 5s & 285s = $500
Sold MB Bruzers & 275s = $500
Sold Mini Van Running Boards = $65
Sold 315/70r17 BFG A/T KO = $200
Sold '95 Mustang Cobra R 17x9s = $80

Total = $5,796


Stock:

63,300 miles
White with grey cladding
Minivan running boards
No fog lights
1 1/4" class IV reciever
Grey Cloth Interior (2 Rows)

Current Mods (It's a long and costly list):


Front end:

Ford Expedition tow hooks
Removed lower air dam
Added OEM fog lights
8k DDM tuning HID's in the headlights and fog lights
Black Painted headlight housings
Black painted corner lamps with clear reflector
AVS Bug guard II
Upper and Lower black billet grilles (thanks Nate Harris)
Black Rustoleum paint on front cross member and front lower control arms
Air box Mod with K&N drop in filter


Between the bumpers:

MB Chaos 5 17" rims, -6 offset
245/65/r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10's
Struttek front strut assemblies
BTF Fabrication 2.25" front lift spacer
1.5" Body lift (Thanks James, aka Ronin8002)
Blue LED's in puddle lamps
Complete interior swap (2004 Mountaineer Black leather) + Added Third Row
JVC KW-AVX640
Complete interior dome light swap (Blue LED's)
Added OEM Homelink buttons next to sunroof control
Brown wire mod
4 Gauge amp wiring
Sundown Audio SAE-100D Sub woofer amplifier
8" Polk Audio Sub woofer
Rockford Fosgate P1683 door speakers
Complete 20% tint all around + 6" 5% windshield strip + 5% sunroof tint
Ford F-250 OEM FX4 decals
BTF Fabrication 1.75" Rear lift spacer


Rear End:

Black Rustoleum painted exhaust pipe
Custom made 3" Aluminum Exhaust tip
Aftermarket Euro style tail lights
Red 24 LED tail light bulbs
12" x 12" Rock star Energy Logo
2" Class III Receiver swap


The day i brought her home:

HID's:

Multiple sets of rims (Stock, Summer, Winter):

Getting the new rims (-6 offset. no lifts at this point):

Sound Systems (new and old):

Interior Swap(Grey Cloth 2, rows. swapped to Black Leather, 3 rows:

took the mounty gauges as well

Miscellaneous Pictures:

BTF Lift:

Grilles:

Flag Mount for the Dunes!

Flowmaster:

And you thought your Ex was a money pit....?

 

[Ronin8002]

Of course in terms of actual ground clearance obtained just from the tire switch it's only about 1/2". But if I upgraded to 2.25"/1.75" spacers at the same time that might help That plus the tires would be a bit over an inch more clearance at the center of the front crossmember. Then I'd have to get another alignment too.....ahhhh $$$$$.

Maybe not such a great idea for me after all lol

 

[Kazer]

Haha. Yeah probably not worth the hassle but it'd look pretty sweet with a 285 on the back. On another note, I ended up getting the lifetime alignment from firestone for I think $125 after a coupon, so far I've needed two 4 wheel alignments so I think Its paid for itself. Are you considering one of the new lift kits?

 

[Ronin8002]

Haha. Yeah probably not worth the hassle but it'd look pretty sweet with a 285 on the back. On another note, I ended up getting the lifetime alignment from firestone for I think $125 after a coupon, so far I've needed two 4 wheel alignments so I think Its paid for itself. Are you considering one of the new lift kits?

If I were starting from stock and hadn't put money into my truck I'd probably look into the new lifts....they sound cool. But after putting my truck to the test at stony run trail I'm pretty happy with it so I think I'll leave it how it is.

At this point the only further big mods I have planned are:

-Install my deep transmission pan with dipstick, swap out the solenoid block and do the servo bore fix
-Swap out my current tires for some treadwright guard dog MTs in the same size (going down from load range e to load range c...should ride better on the road)
-Maybe a dual battery setup
-And maybe rocksliders

And then I'd be at the absolute limit of my budget for this truck. Need to keep some in reserve in case my trans or engine totally crap out and I need to swap in replacements

Also, for what it's worth I just took a look in the spare tire area and it looks like a 285 could be fit in there without moving the winch assembly. You would have to move the heat shield piece near the exhaust a bit more forward, and then you'd have to do something about the gas filler/vapor recovery lines. Other than that it should work fine.

 

[Kazer]

Also, for what it's worth I just took a look in the spare tire area and it looks like a 285 could be fit in there without moving the winch assembly. You would have to move the heat shield piece near the exhaust a bit more forward, and then you'd have to do something about the gas filler/vapor recovery lines. Other than that it should work fine.

you wouldnt go up to 265s with the guard dogs? and has anyone actually tired fitting a 285 up there or are people saying it based on the diameter of the two compared?

and as far as back up cash, it might be sad, but i actually want my motor to grenade....i have enough saved to swap in a 4.6 or a 5.4....

EDIT: whoops....i couldve swore you were only running 255's at one point haha

 

[Ronin8002]

I had planned on staying with the 265 guard dogs since the 285s only come in load range D and E.

I don't know if anyone has actually tried to fit a 285 up in the spare area, but looking at my 265 that's in there now I see that there is about 2" clearance all around except for the heat shield and the fuel filler line (my 265 is touching those right now.

 

[Kazer]

Can those two things be altered to fit the 285? If you think they could be modified ill pull off a wheel and see what I can make work this weekend

 

[Ronin8002]

The heat shield thing on the forward drivers side part of it can prob be moved or totally taken out.

Not sure on the fuel filler lines...there's a metal hardline in that bundle and I don't know if it can be bent or what.

I think also having the 3" body lift helps because it gives more clearance for the width of the tire so it wouldn't hang down too low.

 

[Kazer]

*EDIT*

Running total moved to original post

 

[GRNMACHINE]

You forgot

Smile on Face while Driving Vera = PRICELESS

 

[Kazer]

so i think its time i address an ongoing issue ive had since 2008. i didnt want to start a new thread considering the problem im having dosent pertain to explorers.

in august 2008 i bought my first car a week before my 16th birthday. its a 1992 chrysler lebaron with the 3.0l v6 and convertible top, 65,000 miles. anywho, ever since ive had the car my radio and speakers have always had a mind of their own. On somedays the right side speakers in the car will work and the left wont, other days the left side will and the right wont....untill i hit a bump, then it siwtches up or (rarely) both sides will work and sound great. now i thought this was just a wire short untill the same thing started happening with the front two on the dash, front two on the doors and the rear two next to the back seat.... some will work somedays and other will work other days. I paid $2500 for the car and havent had to put anything other than gas into it, still has the same tires, so i dont want to replace all 6 speakers and the headunit...any ideas on what might be goin on?

 

[sport97]

In my mind I think it has got to be the head unit. Is it a stock unit? If so you could probably find one on craigslist or a junkyard pretty cheap.

 

[Kazer]

yeah its a stock headunit, but the headunit its self has never acted up... could it still be the headunit?


EDIT: found out today that volume level also affects which speakers play sound. and i was on a flat surface today (no bumps on the road) and i simply applied the brakes and i went from 3 speakers to 6.....this is really starting to confuse me...

 

[Kazer]

spent a good chunk of my day cleaning the garage out. Vera now has her own shelves. and i finally got around to re wiring my BWM switch, it was in the glove box(pain in my ass), now it's mounted next to the steering wheel, it's where the adjustable pedals button is suppose to go. Is just a 3amp switch enough or should a relay be put in?

after a little re arranging

done

no room for all my wheels

 

[NHarris]

So what are your replacement wheels, since I see you're selling your MB Chaos wheels

 

[Kazer]

I'll just run my black cobra r's untill next summer then who knows. I'm planning on 20's on 305/50s, if I have the money that is...

 

[NHarris]

I'll just run my black cobra r's untill next summer then who knows. I'm planning on 20's on 295/55s, if I have the money that is...

Damn, 20's! What you got in mind for which ones you may get?

 

[Kazer]

after a few days of searching, this is what i'll be getting

Liquid Metal Motorsports Coil 5 black/machined

20x9 5x115 bolt pattern. from what ive read, the .7mm difference is too small to cause fitment issues, and ill run hub bore rings as these are 71.5mm and i think explorers are 70.5


still deciding on tire brand

 

[NHarris]

Good choice! I'd definately buy those, if they were 17" rims. I can't wait to see you get those on your truck!

 

[Kazer]

well i sold my 285's and 17" rims so heres how she sits until spring when i get my 305/50r20's

touched up my calipers and finally painted my new rotors. they were on for a month and a half and were already completely covered in surface rust....

 

[NHarris]

Got some small lookin tires there. lol :