1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[donalds]

I'm using that stereo from Amazon
Been great very surprised by the sound

 

[SuperGordo]

I'm using that stereo from Amazon
Been great very surprised by the sound

I picked up a media only unit from Autozone made by Dual. $120 on the shelf. I got it for $80. Has bluetooth. Which for a 23 year old kid is perfect. Sounds nice. My youngest son donated a set of upgraded speakers to the project. Nothing crazy but nice enough for the project.

 

[SuperGordo]

Well tonight my daughter is taking the car home..not sure how I feel about this... however it was the purpose from the start...

 

[CDW6212R]

I hope she will love it, and takes it easy on it for a while.

My prior black 98 was some young ladies first car, and a garage took out the front drive shaft when two tires were replaced and it made the AWD growl etc.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Well tonight my daughter is taking the car home..not sure how I feel about this... however it was the purpose from the start...

You did an amazing job bro that's one sick ass explorer I'm sure it will be great for years to come

 

[SuperGordo]

I hope she will love it, and takes it easy on it for a while.

My prior black 98 was some young ladies first car, and a garage took out the front drive shaft when two tires were replaced and it made the AWD growl etc.

Well thankfully she is a practical and thoughtful driver. She's been driving a 1998 Lincoln Mark 8 since 2016. She taken pretty good care of it overall. Now the fresh EX is in better shape than when she started with the mark 8. She should do alright.

 

[SuperGordo]

You did an amazing job bro that's one sick ass explorer I'm sure it will be great for years to come

Thanks my man! I'll go through a trans service and diff service soon. After that it should be pretty good for anything for a long time.

 

[EB4X]

Now we will all quietly sit back and wait for your announcement of an Explorer of your own / project #2 !

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Thanks my man! I'll go through a trans service and diff service soon. After that it should be pretty good for anything for a long time.

Definitely bro do those services and take the rear diff sensor out and clean it because of the metal on the magnet of the sensor also make sure to remove the fill plug first just in case you can't get it out also Valvoline mercon v is usually 6 quarts for 20 on amazon I use it in my 5r55e and it's amazing also there's an airbag sensor under the front seats that get lose/dirty and cause airbag light to flash

 

[SuperGordo]

Definitely bro do those services and take the rear diff sensor out and clean it because of the metal on the magnet of the sensor also make sure to remove the fill plug first just in case you can't get it out also Valvoline mercon v is usually 6 quarts for 20 on amazon I use it in my 5r55e and it's amazing also there's an airbag sensor under the front seats that get lose/dirty and cause airbag light to flash

I'll service the trans and do a Jmod soon. Currently the trans is pretty solid. Just can't justify keeping the EX from her for any longer to put off what I can do in one day when we are ready. When I do the diff I'm just going to do wheel bearings and seals all at the same time. And a trip for a fresh exhaust system and cats including a fun muffler. After that there won't be anything looming. Just regular upkeep.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

I'll service the trans and do a Jmod soon. Currently the trans is pretty solid. Just can't justify keeping the EX from her for any longer to put off what I can do in one day when we are ready. When I do the diff I'm just going to do wheel bearings and seals all at the same time. And a trip for a fresh exhaust system and cats including a fun muffler. After that there won't be anything looming. Just regular upkeep.

I bet it will sound mean

 

[SuperGordo]

The rear view mirror is a minor problem, it's held on by pressure and not by any set screw. I've had issues with all three of mine, my 99 I chose to put in a 91-94 windshield so I could use my 1993 mirror(has a set screw).

You have to push the mirror downward toward the bottom of the glass, carefully. It clips in, but pressure pushing it in and down tightens it. I have to adjust my mirror twice each day I work with it, to drive from the right seat, and then to go home, from the left seat. So mine gets loose somewhat often. I often use two hands when I can to carefully push it down evenly, I haven't made a mirror come off yet, so so far I haven't overdone it.

I pulled the mirror. The issue with this one is that the metal clip that's fastened to the mirror shoe is basically worn out. It wobbles all by itself. I need to source out a different rearview in better shape.

 

[SuperGordo]

I bet it will sound mean

For a nice 5.0, I think it will too! Gonna be a few weeks before that happens. Once it does I'll post some sound clips.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

I'll service the trans and do a Jmod soon. Currently the trans is pretty solid. Just can't justify keeping the EX from her for any longer to put off what I can do in one day when we are ready. When I do the diff I'm just going to do wheel bearings and seals all at the same time. And a trip for a fresh exhaust system and cats including a fun muffler. After that there won't be anything looming. Just regular upkeep.

I would remove the muffler and run it dual exhaust it'll sound real mean. Now buy yourself an explorer and restore it for yourself maybe one with a 4.0 SOHC if you need any help finding parts let me know I'll be glad to help you out

 

[SuperGordo]

I would remove the muffler and run it dual exhaust it'll sound real mean. Now buy yourself an explorer and restore it for yourself maybe one with a 4.0 SOHC if you need any help finding parts let me know I'll be glad to help you out

Well Since my daughter will be driving with her little son in the car, a muffler is a must. Just not the stock one. I had a 2000 explorer previously with the 4.0. I'd love another one, but I have to say I'm a 5.0 guy at this point.

 

[SuperGordo]

Now we will all quietly sit back and wait for your announcement of an Explorer of your own / project #2 !

I'll be looking for another deal somewhere on another one... ,my eyes are open...

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Well Since my daughter will be driving with her little son in the car, a muffler is a must. Just not the stock one. I had a 2000 explorer previously with the 4.0. I'd love another one, but I have to say I'm a 5.0 guy at this point.

Yeah the 5.0 is way better also in that case a muffler is a must maybe put a flap in haha

 

[SuperGordo]

So here is a quirk. When you turn on the headlights or it's dark out and the headlights are on, the radio says "no signal" and it doesn't operate. Also the heater controls have no lights. Not sure if all the bulbs are out, or if something else is going on.

Far as the radio goes I used one of those install harnesses that connects to the factory connector. So I guess I'll have to double check that.

 

[donalds]

As far as the bulbs being out
Just change them out
Mine were out to

The radio is check the wiring
Maybe the antenna has pulled out
Don't use the dimmer wire

 

[SuperGordo]

As far as the bulbs being out
Just change them out
Mine were out to

The radio is check the wiring
Maybe the antenna has pulled out
Don't use the dimmer wire

My daughter reported on the way home if she fiddled with the dimmer switch on the dash that the radio came on. Then if she hit a bump it would go in and out. So i guess its related to the dimmer switch. Maybe disconnecting the dimmer wire from the radio is a good idea.