Geo_08
Member
- Joined
- February 11, 2018
- Messages
- 30
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- St. Louis
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1999 Explorer Eddie Bauer
I thought I would start out with a first post about the new project in my driveway and continue from there. I picked this up from a lady who wanted to donate it, and didn't want to deal with the hassle of repairing the brake line and getting it to pass inspections.
This thing only has 1bout 154,000 miles on it, in the last year it has been driven less than 2,000. Most of the work comes from neglect more than anything.
Here is the list of things I have already done:
-Replace rear hard brake line- It was busted above the transfer case, this was a quick fix other than bending the line in single digit weather
-Re-cover armrest- As you can see the previous owner had a killer duct tape job. I purchased this kit, and it was all pretty straight forward. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B5KYS9I/ref=twister_B074G3SR75?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
-Change the oil- Previous owner had no idea when she last changed the oil, I pulled the Carfax and saw it was about 5k ago. I put penzoil full synthetic and a Wix filter in.
- Begun the cleaning process- this thing is filty, it looks like 200 sodas have exploded in it. The passenger seat has a newspaper tattoo. I cleaned up the divers seat, and dash just enough so I could drive it without a hazmat suit on.
List of near future projects:
- Fix burnt out overhead display, dead radio display, and intermittent computer dispay: The first too seem to be directly related to failing sodder points on the board, I need to pull these out and look at them. I may end up replacing the radio as the "4" button has a weird crunch to it, like it has broken the return spring. The status computer's display works intermittently. At times it looks like the countdown timer from predator, other times is missing words here and there. It works about 50% of the time, I need to research this, but I assume it is related to a bad connection. Any thoughts?
-Fix rear view mirror- The rear view mirror is super wobbly, and has a few wiring harnesses unplugged form it, It drives me bonkers. If the harnesses all hook up correctly I need to see if there is a way to firm up the pivot
-Match the tires- The previous owner just replaced one tire when she had a flat. 3 corners have cooper discovery ht. The new tires is completely different as a Cordovan Wild Trac LTR Max. I like the LTR max considering this is going to be a work truck working on mix surfaces. The problem is no tire shop around here can get that tire. (This tire has less than 1,000 miles on it). So, have to figure out if it is worth ordering online (as tire mounting is something out of my tool and experience zone) and getting sent over to a shop, or buying 4 new and putting the LTR max on the spare. Keeping in mind I am trying to keep this as a budget work truck. I would pay more for 4 new tires than I paid for the car. In the mean time I may see if I can find somebody who has a similar cooper discovery with approximately the same tread depth.
-Figure out the binding when warm- This may be related to the one odd tire, but it only does it when warm so I think it may be the viscous coupler. The truck binds line a 4wd turning tightly when it is locked into 4H. I am going to try and change the TC fluid first, as it is a cheap thing to do.
-Replace rear wiper- This current rear wiper is held together by duct tape and it flops everywhere, this will be a junkyard run likely
-Replace front bumper cover and grill- The elderly woman who drove this had a knack for rolling fender benders. She had two of them, as a result the grille isn't in the best shape, and the bumper has seen better days. I don't know if I will buy new and try to paint to match or junk yard this one.
-Replace fog lighting- When I figure out the bumper I will be putting fog lights back in. I don't know if I will stick to stock or put in aftermarket, hopefully still using the OEM controls.
-Deep clean- This thing needs a full carpet shampooing and good leather cleaning.
-Rust treatment- The rear passenger door sill has a small rust spot, and along the roof rack there are a few, plus a few rusty chips on the hood. I need to hit these with the polymer rust stopper. Then paint
-Lug wrench- it is missing
Future projects
-New stereo- This is a maybe. I need the truck to look stock as to discourage theft. I work in less than savory areas at times (environmental cleanups never seem to take place in nice neighborhoods). So all speakers, and the sub definitely have to fit in the stock locations. They currently all mostly work, but the sound isn't great. I also want to rip out the CD changer, need to see if that will have an impact on the rest of the stereo first. If it doesn't I may run an aux line from the stock changer inputs. That is all in the theory stage.
-New hood paint- The hood has failing clear coat, it needs to be painted, When I do this I will replace the lifts.
This thing only has 1bout 154,000 miles on it, in the last year it has been driven less than 2,000. Most of the work comes from neglect more than anything.
Here is the list of things I have already done:
-Replace rear hard brake line- It was busted above the transfer case, this was a quick fix other than bending the line in single digit weather
-Re-cover armrest- As you can see the previous owner had a killer duct tape job. I purchased this kit, and it was all pretty straight forward. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B5KYS9I/ref=twister_B074G3SR75?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
-Change the oil- Previous owner had no idea when she last changed the oil, I pulled the Carfax and saw it was about 5k ago. I put penzoil full synthetic and a Wix filter in.
- Begun the cleaning process- this thing is filty, it looks like 200 sodas have exploded in it. The passenger seat has a newspaper tattoo. I cleaned up the divers seat, and dash just enough so I could drive it without a hazmat suit on.
List of near future projects:
- Fix burnt out overhead display, dead radio display, and intermittent computer dispay: The first too seem to be directly related to failing sodder points on the board, I need to pull these out and look at them. I may end up replacing the radio as the "4" button has a weird crunch to it, like it has broken the return spring. The status computer's display works intermittently. At times it looks like the countdown timer from predator, other times is missing words here and there. It works about 50% of the time, I need to research this, but I assume it is related to a bad connection. Any thoughts?
-Fix rear view mirror- The rear view mirror is super wobbly, and has a few wiring harnesses unplugged form it, It drives me bonkers. If the harnesses all hook up correctly I need to see if there is a way to firm up the pivot
-Match the tires- The previous owner just replaced one tire when she had a flat. 3 corners have cooper discovery ht. The new tires is completely different as a Cordovan Wild Trac LTR Max. I like the LTR max considering this is going to be a work truck working on mix surfaces. The problem is no tire shop around here can get that tire. (This tire has less than 1,000 miles on it). So, have to figure out if it is worth ordering online (as tire mounting is something out of my tool and experience zone) and getting sent over to a shop, or buying 4 new and putting the LTR max on the spare. Keeping in mind I am trying to keep this as a budget work truck. I would pay more for 4 new tires than I paid for the car. In the mean time I may see if I can find somebody who has a similar cooper discovery with approximately the same tread depth.
-Figure out the binding when warm- This may be related to the one odd tire, but it only does it when warm so I think it may be the viscous coupler. The truck binds line a 4wd turning tightly when it is locked into 4H. I am going to try and change the TC fluid first, as it is a cheap thing to do.
-Replace rear wiper- This current rear wiper is held together by duct tape and it flops everywhere, this will be a junkyard run likely
-Replace front bumper cover and grill- The elderly woman who drove this had a knack for rolling fender benders. She had two of them, as a result the grille isn't in the best shape, and the bumper has seen better days. I don't know if I will buy new and try to paint to match or junk yard this one.
-Replace fog lighting- When I figure out the bumper I will be putting fog lights back in. I don't know if I will stick to stock or put in aftermarket, hopefully still using the OEM controls.
-Deep clean- This thing needs a full carpet shampooing and good leather cleaning.
-Rust treatment- The rear passenger door sill has a small rust spot, and along the roof rack there are a few, plus a few rusty chips on the hood. I need to hit these with the polymer rust stopper. Then paint
-Lug wrench- it is missing
Future projects
-New stereo- This is a maybe. I need the truck to look stock as to discourage theft. I work in less than savory areas at times (environmental cleanups never seem to take place in nice neighborhoods). So all speakers, and the sub definitely have to fit in the stock locations. They currently all mostly work, but the sound isn't great. I also want to rip out the CD changer, need to see if that will have an impact on the rest of the stereo first. If it doesn't I may run an aux line from the stock changer inputs. That is all in the theory stage.
-New hood paint- The hood has failing clear coat, it needs to be painted, When I do this I will replace the lifts.
