2 door help finding parts

[fosgate]

Hey guys, I'm new to the explorer. I bought a 98 2door v6 SOHC in sweet shape to keep the miles off my 05 F-150 lariat for work. I drove it so much that I decided to sell my 05 pickup because I wasn't driving it anymore. Now I'd like to dress up my exploder a bit. The endcaps on the factory grey painted running boards are rusting at the connecting point of the bar. I found that the stock boards run $199 each for graphite finish and $288 each for Platinum finish!! I might wind up sandblasting and repainting. Does anyone know of any aftermarket manufacturers that make a good quality tube for the 2dr models. Everything I find is for the 4 door.

Also I'd like to throw a grillguard (lot's of pheasants and deer here), roof rack, and also a bit more wider aggressive tire on it. Anyone know how big of a 1 or 2inch lift will require reallignment of the driveshaft to prevent the transfer case from leaking at the yolk?

 

[celly]

Those stepbars are notorious for rust. I had it happen to my '00 just after my warranty ran out. The dealer was able to get me a discounted price because I was so close to warranty. I'm short and really like the stepbars to get things on and off the roof racks when used (skis/bikes). I also like the look with the bars. Many people just do away with them. I've never seen anyhing in the aftermarket.

Sorry, can't help with the other stuff. Welcome to the site. A superb Explorer resource. Consider doing some performance mods (exhaust/intake/programming). I'm always partial to peformance mods before appearance mods.

 

[gijoecam]

Ditto. I've never seen anything aftermarket to replace them, but then again, I've never looked either. Mine are all rusty too.... I'm going to sand-blast them, then line-x them. They should be good for a while then.

-Joe

 

[fosgate]

That's a good idea! I think they rust from the inside out. I was thinking sandblasting and repainting, but I guess a guy could have the LineX material color matched a bit and spray it inside and out and then reassemble.