Karpiel73
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 10, 2009
- Messages
- 388
- Reaction score
- 11
- City, State
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '01 Explorer Sport
So I decided to bite the bullet and get the Ex. ready for this upcoming summer road trips. In no particular order I accomplished these mods:
1. Replace body mounts
2. Remove subwoofer & replace with storage compartment
3. Airlifter helper springs
4. F150 leaf springs custom mod
5. Trans temp. gauge w/ A pillar pod
6. Front end rebuild
7. Front end alignment
8. Accessory wire organization
9. Trailer LED marker lights
First one I tackled was the infamous rotted body mounts. I replaced 8/10 excluding the very front mounts. Mine were kinda bad and I used this thread for guidance: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213515
And the new rear bushings. This repair was completed at 11pm so no good pictures of the new bushings. NO more knocking noise though!
Next up was the subwoofer. Here's the thread I started for that: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355629 NOTE: the subwoofer assembly has been SOLD!
Now onto the transmission temperature gauge. I have a stock cooler so I wasn't too terribly worried about the transmission, but it couldn't hurt to add one. The filter was changed during this process too. Plus I would like to thank EVERYONE in this thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176798 and the other threads linked inside there. Here's my install:
<front-back>
<front-back>
^Glowshift gauge: http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/black-7-color-transmission-temperature-gauge.aspx
B&M transmission drain plug kit: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BM00/80250/N0616.oap?ck=Search_N0616_-1_-1&pt=N0616&ppt=C0377
Now onto the rear suspension. Got leaf springs off a '97 F150 minus the overload spring. My intentions were to cut down the leafs and add them to my leaf pack for lift, towing capacity, handling and to replace my 3" lift shackles for stock shackles. So that is just what I did. I only used 3 out of 4 of the leafs from the F150 however, which worked out perfectly as I actually gained 1.25" over the lift shackle height. It now has a 7 leaf pack, stock shackles, no gangster lean and the fenderwells sit at a cool 36.25". No ride quality was sacrificed, it doesn't squat nearly as bad when I get on it hard and the handling is AMAZING. So I am most pleased with this modification the most. The torsion bars were turned up so the front is at 35", so it has the perfect rake to her.
BEFORE
DURING: NOTE 4 jackstands are being utilized!
AFTER
To see the finished leaf packs continue working down to the Airlifter section!
1. Replace body mounts
2. Remove subwoofer & replace with storage compartment
3. Airlifter helper springs
4. F150 leaf springs custom mod
5. Trans temp. gauge w/ A pillar pod
6. Front end rebuild
7. Front end alignment
8. Accessory wire organization
9. Trailer LED marker lights
First one I tackled was the infamous rotted body mounts. I replaced 8/10 excluding the very front mounts. Mine were kinda bad and I used this thread for guidance: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213515
And the new rear bushings. This repair was completed at 11pm so no good pictures of the new bushings. NO more knocking noise though!
Next up was the subwoofer. Here's the thread I started for that: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355629 NOTE: the subwoofer assembly has been SOLD!
Now onto the transmission temperature gauge. I have a stock cooler so I wasn't too terribly worried about the transmission, but it couldn't hurt to add one. The filter was changed during this process too. Plus I would like to thank EVERYONE in this thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176798 and the other threads linked inside there. Here's my install:
<front-back>
<front-back>
^Glowshift gauge: http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/black-7-color-transmission-temperature-gauge.aspx
B&M transmission drain plug kit: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BM00/80250/N0616.oap?ck=Search_N0616_-1_-1&pt=N0616&ppt=C0377
Now onto the rear suspension. Got leaf springs off a '97 F150 minus the overload spring. My intentions were to cut down the leafs and add them to my leaf pack for lift, towing capacity, handling and to replace my 3" lift shackles for stock shackles. So that is just what I did. I only used 3 out of 4 of the leafs from the F150 however, which worked out perfectly as I actually gained 1.25" over the lift shackle height. It now has a 7 leaf pack, stock shackles, no gangster lean and the fenderwells sit at a cool 36.25". No ride quality was sacrificed, it doesn't squat nearly as bad when I get on it hard and the handling is AMAZING. So I am most pleased with this modification the most. The torsion bars were turned up so the front is at 35", so it has the perfect rake to her.
BEFORE
DURING: NOTE 4 jackstands are being utilized!
AFTER
To see the finished leaf packs continue working down to the Airlifter section!
) 
And now for 2 parting shots atop the stunning Snowshoe mountain, WV:
