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@DemonMudder I wouldn't bother setting up auxiliary reverse lights, but if I wanted rear-facing lights, I would most probably put 'em on the roof and wire them to a switch on the dash, same as these. If I used more factory fog lights, I'd most likely modify the bracket to get rid of the "handle"...

To all who are looking at this, don't think you'll get any throw AT ALL with this setup. I picked a short-range fog light for the flood pattern. The only purpose of these lights is so that I can see around corners before turning in the dark, and it does that and nothing else. DO NOT expect to...

@Chris1973 Oh, and if the ball is there, but the little hose is missing, then that would be the problem.

@Chris1973 Here's the little fella you're looking for, in the middle of this pic. It's right behind the bumper under the right fender, your fender will look slightly different when you remove the liner because mine is trimmed like 3 inches. If it's not there, then you've found the problem! For...

@DemonMudder I'd take some pics now, but it's dark outside. Trust me, it ain't pretty, but it's super easy to get replacement bulbs, since they're the same type as factory!

@Chris1973 Sounds loosely similar to what mine was doing with that code, but mine was just a faulty sensor. I'll second the others, check for a vacuum leak, that little ball in the right front wheel well (behind the plastic liner) could be responsible. Checking the more detailed computer logs...

Got tired of the weak cheap lights after one of the mounts rusted and broke off after some rowdy fun, so I ran over to the local junk yard and pulled a pair of factory fogs off one of the 2nd-gens, drilled some holes in a spare roof bar, and made a wide-angle light so I can finally see where I'm...

@Chris1973 That is probably from one of two factors. You'll have to explain the actual effects; elaborate on "loss in power" and "sloppy start" for us a bit. Is it choking out after starting? May be stalling under heavy acceleration? Does it crank all day but only start once in a while? Does...

@BKennedy @Fix4Dirt Forgot to specify, my front hitch receiver is flipped, so no more clearance lost than with a skid plate. The Curt sits back in there pretty far, so as to hide completely behind the bumper cover (right about where the little air deflector goes around the radiator). I have the...

@Metta Skid plate is a better idea, but for budget purposes I'm about to install a modified Curt Class III trailer hitch receiver (about $150 in the US) to protect those precious transmission cooler lines. I just had those little fellas replaced, so protecting the new ones is paramount.

Softer or stiffer springs depends on the application. If you're putting heavier tires on (more unsprung weight) and heavier gear up top (rocker bars, bumpers, etc. make more sprung weight) then stiffer springs will handle the load better. If you want more flex for the same height, softer springs...

Not trying to overwhelm you with all that, but it's stuff I learned by doing it; there aren't many options for our Ex's even in the USA, so I can only imagine that it would be harder to find and get parts shipped internationally. Hope to see what you decide! That's one fine looking machine!

@Metta This is the link you would want for the Rough Country, specified for the 1998-2011 Ranger 4wd. I and every one else here promise that it will fit your 2nd-gen Ex. You MUST specify 4wd when ordering...

I did a thing. The one thing I will miss about the trash can flares was the inherent fender-well liners... Guess I'll play with them a bit and see what I can do, now that it's looking more proper again. Picked up my post-modification front hitch receiver the other day, will install when...

How true. Incidentally, I've never had any issue with my Explorer's A/C, but the Durango's has been both replaced and torn apart and rigged several times. I'm just saying, depending on why the previous owner of @zee1b 's Ex decided to rig it instead of replace it, the easy way of preventing any...

@410Fortune True and not true, depends on the shocks. On lighter vehicles such as the 2-doors, air/gas shocks designed for the 4-doors will actually make a small difference in height, like maybe 1/2 inch or so, in extreme cases. My Superlift Shadows are designed for the Ranger, and made a...

@zee1b Not an Explorer, but on my '03 Durango, and on the same-gen Dakota and Durango I rebuilt it from, the resistors' full-speed wire had melted and separated from the blower motor. I imagine people run their A/C's a lot harder in FL than most places, so be warned that if it needed to be...

@ThatOneGuy99 I'm gonna throw in my 2 cents, even though you're probably already set by this time. Cent 1: I have a spare set of 196k 4.10's front and rear waiting to go in somebody else's diffs, since I changed to 5.13's... Shoulda hit me up! xD Cent 2: Don't listen to the LS haters on ice. I...

@BTR Best way is to replace the leaf springs and torsion bars together with new, then adjust the t-bar height to level both sides and get an alignment. Due to the t-bar's rotational function, the camber changes as the suspension is raised and lowered. Because of this, if it leans to one side...

@Fix4Dirt Stop dreaming and start planning! Building up an offroader doesn't have to cost much more than regular maintenance, if you do what I did, and just upgrade when it's time to replace. Front end going out? Throw on a Rough Country or Superlift while you're under there. Replacing worn...

@Fix4Dirt Don't be jealous, do it yourself too! I have the SOHC too, and I have to say, of all my vehicles, it's my favorite for torque control, whether stock tires and gears or 33's on 4.10's or 33's on 5.13's, it just eats everything I give it. The Durango has a 5.9L and 30's on 3.55 gears...

Took her out for a run on some asphalt, gravel, dirt, sand, and mud this week with a pal. The torque control is very, very different. The shorter gears make it feel a lot steadier in all conditions off road, just as I expected, and it crawls its way out of just about any thing, thanks to...

@DemonMudder Not a Chevy guy myself, either, but man, they look sweet and those 350s roar like none other. Too bad, about Deathrow, but knowing the demand, and for such a low price, somebody will take her! C1500 is 2WD and K1500 is 4WD, if I recall correctly, right? Either way it's going to...

@Fix4Dirt Perhaps I should have expressed this more clearly; to me, already having a self-contained OBD-II scanner that reads all the codes all 3 of my vehicles have ever had, spending more money on another thing that can do what I can already do, plus reprogram the speedometer reading, would be...

@DemonMudder Agreed, and thanks - there's a body shop in town that has me covered, just need to save up some cash after that axle work! When I'm not lazy, I'll put the flares back on and get some proper pics. @Fix4Dirt I was just going to have the local Ford dealer reprogram it; for one use in...

@410Fortune I was just going to reprogram the PCM; I don't know if anybody else had this issue with regearing, but my 4-Hi and 4-Lo light on the cluster flashes ever since the change. It all still works exactly as it should; engages, disengages, low engages and disengages fine. The manual says...

It has been done. 9 days and $1500 later, I've got the Vulture back at the house. It's truly beautiful work, nothing amiss, small vibration in the driveline but will likely fade away after breaking in the new gears. The speedometer seems a touch inaccurate, but no worse than it was before...

@J_C Good advice, did that once too. Both of those things. (Felt like a dummy.)

Mine's a 2nd gen, but I had all this going on, fuel, fire, air, proper mixture, good starter, the coil pack was my problem. I know you're not ignorant, but evidently playing with the fuses and battery can reset engine codes or prevent them from setting, if you knock the wrong things loose when...

Do as the others said, open and close all doors and particularly the rear hatch. If the vehicle has ever been in any accidents, particularly a rear-end collision, double check the rear hatch and window latches. My rear hatch has been crooked since I got the truck, and any thing other than a...

@DemonMudder I've been waiting for something to break so I have an excuse to do this! I'm looking forward to it too, not that the 4.10s can't handle the tires like a champ, just that I loved the tractor-like torque it delivered on small wheels. This junk is about to get real! Got to read up...

Well, my dudes, the time has come for the project to enter its next phase. The rear main seal has been leaking slowly for some time, the bearings are on the way out, and with this little guy we found at the garage to day, it's time to... ...rebuild the whole rear end. This is going to be a...

@Sandman92 Sweet looking machine! It is a shame to cut up the nice lines, so I don't blame you there. Also, no trimming means less risk for rust. If you're just going to run 33's without wide stancing it like mine, the 4" Superlift is probably the BEST way to go (not the cheapest). Beat the...

@blakshukvw I stand corrected, you are quite right, the axles and diff's will always have the same clearance (IFS exists, so your experiences may vary somewhat) regardless of lift, unless you go for bigger tires, but @Sandman92 said he wants 33's already. Still excellent to clarify that detail...

@blakshukvw I'd concern yourself more with backspacing than offset, although you can calculate both using either. Stock Ex's on the 7-wides had 3.75" of backspacing, which equals +0.25" offset. I ran that on 1.5" spacers at stock height with only a tiny scrub at right full lock in reverse...

@blakshukvw Preach it, man. I can't advise against body lifts enough. And besides, we all know body lifts don't actually give you more clearance, because all your suspension and drivetrain crunchy bits are still down there, getting thrashed on the rocks any way. @Sandman92, cheap is always...

Put this bumper on a bracket and see what happens. That bent the frame rails, so don't pretend a bracket could be strong enough to prevent it.

@Sandman92 You're on the right track with the Moog parts up front, those are some gnarly hunks of metal. I'm pretty sure I put airtime on my front end yesterday, and Moog everything with a Superlift can take a severe thrashing for sure. Ask anyone on here, Moog is the way to go. I'm running...

@donalds Yes, @4pointslow is the specific one I was thinking of, I've seen his green Sport on the YT before I joined EF. Couldn't remember his name, thanks! @DemonMudder I used to dig holes, when I ran stock tires. I'll never say it wasn't fun...

@DemonMudder Well said, well said. I've considered a winch too, but there are... alternatives, and hand winches are always a thing. Not to hijack, but there's a story about those hideous home-made flares... I've got the proper ones to put on now, but too lazy to bother doing that when these...