2002 Explorer XLT project

I sold my 2002 Red Saleen a couple of months ago on a Friday.
By Saturday, I was on the hunt for a daily driver.
Craigslist helped me find a 2002 Explorer XLT that was just down the street from Fastlane.

I bought the vehicle and had to do a little work to it, but overall it was a great project.
I say it "was" because I sold it last Friday.

Anyway, here's some of the progress pics and before/after photos.
I liked it so much, that I immediately purchased another Explorer (2004 Eddie Bauer) last Friday night in Apex. Mods pics/project coming soon.

Day that I purchased it -

1 week later -

Tinted front windows (20%) and windshield (50%) - Thanks Tinted Atmospheres!
New Black headlights and corners with 8000K HID upgrade.
Broke the FLEX buffer out and compounded/polished/sealed and waxed it.
Also removed silver pin stripe and side badges.

 

[TTSaleen]

Next up was some maintenance items.

New rotors and ceramic brake pads.
K+N air filter.
New spark plugs.
New transmission solenoid pack (newer design that helps solve shifting issues and OverDrive problems).
New transmission filter and fluid flush.
New wiper blades.

Also added a new Pioneer AVIC2500 double din radio with DVD, Bluetooth, hands-free calling, etc.
Added a backup camera as well.

 

[TTSaleen]

And the final mods.
Billet black upper and lower front grilles.
Installed Belltech lowering springs.
Removed roof rack.
Installed 20" Adrenaline wheels from Ford.
New Nitto 421 tires in size 255-50-20.
Tinted tails and 3rd brake light.

 

[TTSaleen]

Updated project pics!

Long story short - I sold this vehicle end of last year.
New owner crashed it into a electrical utility station and burned it to the ground.
Driver was fine, Xplorer not so much.

Here's the last pic of it with the replacement 04 I now own.

 

[tazygill]

nice and beautiful RiDe....!!!

 

[TTSaleen]

nice and beautiful RiDe....!!!

Thanks. It was beautiful before the last picture!
Now it's probably somebody's toaster oven! LOL!

Ryan

 

[Shamrocks MCNY]

Those look like the original rims on the burn out. Did you manage to keep them before you sold it?

 

[TTSaleen]

Those look like the original rims on the burn out. Did you manage to keep them before you sold it?

Yes I kept the wheels off the black XLT and put on the Eddie Bauer.
However the Eddie Bauer got wrecked and totaled out with the wheels.
Sadly they are gone.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Holy crap. You'd expect a wreckage like that with an eclipse or a supra but not an Explorer! I was going to compliment your ride but I guess I can't now...lol that's really a bummer. Nice current Explorer though.

 

[Mark L]

Wow it was beautiful all buffed out with the Rims ( i love those Adrenalin wheels ). its such a shame of its demise.

 

[megaace3]

Yes I kept the wheels off the black XLT and put on the Eddie Bauer.
However the Eddie Bauer got wrecked and totaled out with the wheels.
Sadly they are gone.

Yes I kept the wheels off the black XLT and put on the Eddie Bauer.
However the Eddie Bauer got wrecked and totaled out with the wheels.
Sadly they are gone.

Did you have any trouble with the wheel fitting I have a 02 explorer and recently bought 20 inch wheels from a 2012 wondering if I needed spacers

 

[TTSaleen]

Did you have any trouble with the wheel fitting I have a 02 explorer and recently bought 20 inch wheels from a 2012 wondering if I needed spacers

No they fit like a glove!

 

[megaace3]

What lug nuts did you use my factory lug nuts are open being that the center caps covered them but new wheels they are visible

 

[TTSaleen]

Here's my current 2003 Ford Explorer in the fleet.
My daughter drives it.

 

[megaace3]

Here's my current 2003 Ford Explorer in the fleet.
My daughter drives it.
View attachment 455740

Are those aftermarket lug nuts

 

[TTSaleen]

Are those aftermarket lug nuts

No they are factory lug nuts that came on this vehicle.