Kazer's 2002 Explorer (Vera)

[Kazer]

got some extra 1" tubing layin around. what do you guys think of this design?

 

[sport97]

I think it would look great if you made the spacing away from the bumper right, and curve the left and right parts back in respect with the shape of the bumper(if that makes sense).

 

[Kazer]

I think it would look great if you made the spacing away from the bumper right, and curve the left and right parts back in respect with the shape of the bumper(if that makes sense).

i probably wouldnt be able to cuvre it but i could try to angle the sides that extend out to the foglights inward a tad bit

 

[Kazer]

installed clearance lights

 

[Kazer]

well i decided not to buy brand new rims, so instead i picked some up for $375 for four 20x8.5" +18 off set MB Bruzers with 275/45r20 General Grabber UHP's. The 275/60s will be put on in the spring. The clear coat on these rims is shot, so i'll have to get them blasted and painted, or powder coated (despite how many threads i've read saying PCing will over age the rims..) Considering the price, i'm contemplating buying 275/60s andd running these rims through the winter.

i really need to invest in a DSLR, this crappy 8MP kodak just isnt cutting it anymore

 

[Triton8273]

Just a thought on the 285 storage issue.

What about tearing down the rear headliner and seeing if there is anywhere to bolt custom made brackets and make some kind of carrier to hold the tire under the roof. I do realize that a 285 will prob be big enough that you wont have great visibility to see out the rear window, but them again i've never tried to hand a tire back there so who knows lol

 

[Kazer]

My 285/70r17s on after market rims were very heavy, I'm not sure that kind of weight could hang from the roof. A user on here "stockcarracer" has proved that a 285/75r16 on a stock rim will fit in the spare location but for aftermarket rims I think the best way to secure them is to mount them upright in the rear cargo bay to one side or the other, similar to a jeep?

 

[Triton8273]

Yes, that definitely would be the easiest way. I wouldn't be able to do that considering my newest project lol

 

[Kazer]

Awe man, what now? Lol

 

[Triton8273]

I'll email you pics.

Some people know what I've planned but have not shown the build to anyone until it's done.

 

[Kazer]

hmm, well I reset my trip counter last time I filled up. Im almost down to a half tank on the gas gauge and I've only drove 97.3 conservative city miles. I'm pretty sure that kind of mpg is below normal. what could I do to improve gas milage? Clean IAC valve? new plugs and wires? clean maf? Clean egr valve or pcv valve?

 

[Ronin8002]

Did the area you live in just switch to winter blend gas?

 

[Kazer]

I have no idea. But my trucks at 88k and never had a tune up. Plus this has been ongoing pretty much since I sold my 285s. What is winter blend?

 

[Ronin8002]

I have no idea. But my trucks at 88k and never had a tune up. Plus this has been ongoing pretty much since I sold my 285s. What is winter blend?

Winter blend gasoline has more of certain additives that make cold starts easier in the winter. But it does have a little less energy per volume than summer blend gas so your fuel economy goes down a little when using it. I figured if you saw a sudden decrease in your gas mileage recently your local stations may have started using winter blend.

Since you have not had a tuneup yet I'd say plugs and fuel filter are definitely a good place to start.

 

[NHarris]

I have no idea. But my trucks at 88k and never had a tune up.

Nice mileage. Same as my Explorer. Remember they are adding up to 10% ethanol into gasoline. If they get their way there will be up to 20% ethanol in fuel. That ethanol has little energy in it. I would recommend you change out your O2 sensors, plugs, fuel filter, and wires. O2 sensors will really kill your fuel mileage. I also beleive winter blend has alchohal in it to help keep it from freezing.

Merry Christmas and keep on Exploring.

 

[Kazer]

well i was ready to order plugs, wires and a fuel filter.... but i've been watching my rpms a lot more closely since christmas. i drive a half hour to work and all of the roads are 45 mph speed limit. anywho, at 45-47 mph my rpms are right on 2k. my torque converter used to lock up and my rpms dropped down to just above 1k. ive been watching for the past days and i never saw my rpms drop when on a striaght, level road at a constant speed around 46 mph. Could my torque converter be acting up/not engaging causing my horrendous gas milage?

 

[NHarris]

Take your truck to the dealership and have them check your fluid. Low transmission fluid could possibly cause this.
Why I say take it to a dealer is there actually is a special method of checking these "sealed" units. You must have a thermal scanner and get the transmission to 180 degrees (no hotter or colder) and have it in neutral or drive, I forget which. If you don't do that you will get a false reading.

 

[Kazer]

i'll look into that nate, thank you. for the time being, i put bigger tires on my truck and my torque converter loves me again lol


Updated Pictures. 275x60r20 (33.03x11.06) Cooper Zeon LTZ

 

[sport97]

Looks great, as usual. Good choice of rims and tires.

 

[BigRondo]

Outstanding!!