Kazer's 2002 Explorer (Vera)

[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 :