2000 Ford Explorer Custom Paint with Lots of Pictures

[Maverick265]

Nope, after really thinking about it I dont want another car payment. Plus I dont really want a 4th car.

 

[Maverick265]

So I'm trying to figure out what the heck the problem is here. Any help would be awesome.

So I haven't drove the truck in awhile and went to start and start it. Wouldn't start. Charged up the battery and all was well. I went to drive it next day and it wouldn't start at all. It does a half-assed attempted to turn over but didnt start. I let it over night and charged the battery. It had trouble starting up the next day but it did when I gave it little gas. Once it started engine was idling at about 2,000 RPMs. Once I put it in gear it stalls out right away. The check engine light isn't on but the 4x4 light is flashing. Any ideas?

 

[Maverick265]

Finnaly got her running again. Still needs Spark plugs, battery, and alternator though.

 

[Toucan]

What is the best solution to clean that black stuff of the wheels caused by the dam dogs pissing on it?

 

[Maverick265]

Just ordered some more dynamat. This project is going 100 times slower than expect!

 

[Maverick265]

Another set back. Needs a suspension overhaul. Quote from local repair shop $2400.

 

[Dweeberman]

Seems steep in my opinion. What all would they be doing? I would figure you should be able to do the work (if you know how that is) if it's just new leaf's and turning the TT down. Shocks are easy to install. I may be completely blind about what they will be doing though Love the paint job though!

 

[Maverick265]

I can do some basic things like brake pads, rotors, exhaust, and I'm pretty good at doing other minor stuff. Here is the quote.

Remove and Replace RR Leaf Spring Assembly Spring Shackle and U-bolts - $1899
Remove and Replace Thermosat Assembly - $447.99
Remove and Replace Front shocks - $260
Remove and replace rear shocks - $260
Rear Stabilizer shock - 260.78.

They have some other minor things on the quote as well.

Total - $4,002.76 more than I paid for the car.

I might attempt to do the work my-self I dont know. A new suspension would be nice cause it rides like crap.

 

[Dweeberman]

If I were you (if you haven't already) price out the parts they quoted. Look for leaf springs, the shackles and ubolts, shocks...all of it. i am sure the price would be 1/4 of that and the work itself does not take long. I know my truck is lifted, but it took me 40 minutes to do one rear shock because i had never replaced one before and the other side took less than 5 minutes. When i did a lift on my k5 (new leafs on the front end..) it took me 2 hours on one side to figure everything out (I had bad ubolts so I was working with those the longest) and 20 minutes on the next. Plus i got the satisfaction of doing it myself and it worked (which is nice lol).

I say buy the parts they are telling you they would put on (or other brands..) and spend a weekend if you can or 2-3 days and you will have it all done yourself for WAY less than that. I may be wrong, but I have done the lifts on my last 2 trucks and it saved me over $3k from the quotes i was given (obviously labor is the main price)

Also, I don’t know the price difference on shocks for lowered to lifted trucks...but i bought 4 shocks (2 front ranchos and 2 monroes for the rear) and paid under $200 for all 4 shipped to my door. They are easy to install...just takes one side to figure it out and the other becomes a breeze

Again, i have no idea about lowering vehicles so it could be a completely new ball game, but i will suggest doing it yourself or with some buddies.

 

[Dweeberman]

But then again, they may guarantee their work so there is the upside of them doing it. Something goes wrong, it is on their dime.

 

[Maverick265]

Yeah I am going price out my own parts and try to tackle this project my-self. I can get some from some friends and family if need be. Its my second car it just mostly sits in the garage so I will be able to take my time on it. I don't think I am going to lower because there isn't much wheel clearance anyway right now. It actually might be fun to do.

 

[Maverick265]

Looks like its around $600 for the parts to fix. Could you review some of these parts and let me know what you think?

SHOCKS
http://www.jcwhitney.com/belltech-s...088451.jcwx?filterid=c15554d16937y2000g55u0j1

Leaf Springs
http://www.jcwhitney.com/john-r-spr...039117.jcwx?filterid=c11307d16937y2000g55u0j1

Spring Shackle
http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-spring-shackle-kit/p2026306.jcwx?filterid=d16937y2000g55j1

U-Bolts
http://www.jcwhitney.com/djm-suspen...cwx?skuId=1138966&filterid=d16937y2000g55u0j1

U- Bolt Retainer Plate
http://www.jcwhitney.com/warrior-products-u-bolt-plate/p3073730.jcwx?filterid=d16937y2000g55u0j1

 

[Dweeberman]

Looks like its around $600 for the parts to fix. Could you review some of these parts and let me know what you think?

SHOCKS
http://www.jcwhitney.com/belltech-s...088451.jcwx?filterid=c15554d16937y2000g55u0j1

Leaf Springs
http://www.jcwhitney.com/john-r-spr...039117.jcwx?filterid=c11307d16937y2000g55u0j1

Spring Shackle
http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-spring-shackle-kit/p2026306.jcwx?filterid=d16937y2000g55j1

U-Bolts
http://www.jcwhitney.com/djm-suspen...cwx?skuId=1138966&filterid=d16937y2000g55u0j1

U- Bolt Retainer Plate
http://www.jcwhitney.com/warrior-products-u-bolt-plate/p3073730.jcwx?filterid=d16937y2000g55u0j1

The shocks look to be real nice! The leafs, they should work just fine (since you are not lowering). Now, the shackles...will those fit the leaf springs?? Also, will they fit onto the frame of the ex? I don't know if they would work..but then again they very well might. The ubolt plate and u bolts will be good as well. My biggest concern is the jeep leaf springs working with the chevy shackles on a ford explorer frame. Don't know if they are that universal

 

[Maverick265]

Thanks for your help! Ill probaly get the leaf springs and shocks online ad get the other parts from the local shop so I can take them back easily if need be. According to the website those would fit.

 

[Dweeberman]

That would be ideal Heck if the measurements work, then you may be good! I remember seeing someone having chevy shackles..but I am under the impression our leafs were a different size so they changed the leaf to match. If the shackles work, make sure the the leaf perches on the ex are the same size (sounds like you have already )

And anytime man! I am glad i could help! If/when you get the parts, pictures and either write ups or more progress updates would be awesome! Love seeing things come together!

 

[Maverick265]

So I was working on the Explorer sound proofing it today and a bolt fell out of the roof leaving this lving hole.

I got a few estimates on it which was about $400 to fix because of the custom colors ect. Anyway I was thinking of just getting an satellite radio antenna and sealing it up with silicon so it doesn't leak. Would this work?

 

[GRNMACHINE]

How did the suspension go? And what is the missing bolt from??

 

[Maverick265]

LOL still workingon the suspension. Trying to figure out if I want to do an air ride or not. THe bolt was from the roof rack im thinking.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

10/4 I was assuming it wouldnt be a bolt from your luggage rack. Figured they sealed all those holes with that incredible paint job. I finally replaced upper control arms, tie rods, and sway bar bushings this weekend. Alignment yesterday. Upper control arms were pretty sloppy/loose.

 

[Maverick265]

Pffffff. That shop didnt do anything they didnt half to. No wonder they are out of business. I do finally almost have it dynamatted though. Its been slow since I got a daily driver.