97 Sport build number 2

[WormsExplorer]

I just bought a 97 Sport with the SOHC motor in her. She has 197,000 miles on her. Will be building her this time. Think she was the XLT model as she has the 6 disc CD changer in the Center Consol. Also has the Sub in the back. I will be bringing her home today. Was not able to drive off the lot as the dealer would not let me do that for liability issues. She is in pretty good shape I think. Interior need a little help but that it totally fine with me. Here are pics of her.

 

[EB4X]

Cool....looks like a sport version of my Sploder....same color / wheels / E.B. sport wheel flares.
Not a big deal, petty cosmetic tip, but Naval Jelly will instantly remove the common rust "drips" off your rear hatch window from the rusting mounting bolts. I sanded and primed my bolt heads and then popped on these universal pipe end caps....it's like they were made for this....so instead of just painting them only to have them peel a year later from rust underneath..

 

[donalds]

Cool
looking forward to the build
Hopefully with lots of pictures

 

[WormsExplorer]

Cool....looks like a sport version of my Sploder....same color / wheels / E.B. sport wheel flares.
Not a big deal, petty cosmetic tip, but Naval Jelly will instantly remove the common rust "drips" off your rear hatch window from the rusting mounting bolts. I sanded and primed my bolt heads and then popped on these universal pipe end caps....it's like they were made for this....so instead of just painting them only to have them peel a year later from rust underneath..

View attachment 330777

That is an Awesome Idea thank you

 

[WormsExplorer]

Nothing really to report just now. I did tear the front seats out of her and this weekend I am planning to go to the JY to get different seats and center consul. I will also be looking for either a 1354m or 1354e. Prefer the 1354m but got to see what is available there in the JY. Want to get rid of the 4405 that is in her now. I will also be getting her some oil and oil filter, transmission fluid change and new plugs and wires. Replaced air filter and battery already. Also found about a $1 in change after getting the seats and center consul out. I will also be replacing the radio. Yes a huge list but she will be done some day LOL. I will be getting her lifted and getting 285/75r16's mounted on her. She will be fun to drive soon. Hoping to be done with her in about 2 weeks or so. We will see.

 

[joney]

I just bought a 97 Sport with the SOHC motor in her. She has 197,000 miles on her. Will be building her this time. Think she was the XLT model as she has the 6 disc CD changer in the Center Consol. Also has the Sub in the back. I will be bringing her home today. Was not able to drive off the lot as the dealer would not let me do that for liability issues. She is in pretty good shape I think. Interior need a little help but that it totally fine with me. Here are pics of her. View attachment 330750

View attachment 330751

View attachment 330752

Looks nice, with the exception the front bumper looks much like mine...Are you going to straighten it, or replace it?

 

[WormsExplorer]

Looks nice, with the exception the front bumper looks much like mine...Are you going to straighten it, or replace it?

Yes I am planning to fix it to be straight again. The Plastic will be coming off for sure.

 

[joney]

Yes I am planning to fix it to be straight again. The Plastic will be coming off for sure.

Please let us know how you straighten it!

 

[WormsExplorer]

So got a total Score at the Junk yard Saturday. Was able to get some really nice seats from a 98 Explorer, new Center Console from a 2nd Gen (can't remember the year), a 1354e and drive line all for about $200 total. Seats are in beautiful condition. Here are my Old seat.

Yeah I did not get the before picture. Was to excited about the new seats I got. Here is the seats and center Console installed with CB mounted.

Yes I have to get radio mounted back in but it is being built slow and kind of steady LOL.

The 1354e I will be putting in just like my old 97 I had. Will have the 4x4 lights blink once in a while but meh its all good. I can deal with that. Was also able to get the Add a leaf added and get the new rear brake pads and rotors installed. Will be getting the front end done Sunday including the new keys, Shocks, Rotors and Pads. I really like how things are coming together with her.

 

[EB4X]

SCORE..........! Yeah...those seats are nice....keep going at it.... I'm addressing issues on my Explorer currently that were on back burner... door actuators... good spare setup etc...
** Did you re-use the plastic side covers (most likely) --that cover up seat adjustment mechanisms....and / or did you get the ones that these replacement seats had with them....I ask because some guy on forum here was going bonkers trying to find those (missing one) for his sport.

 

[WormsExplorer]

SCORE..........! Yeah...those seats are nice....keep going at it.... I'm addressing issues on my Explorer currently that were on back burner... door actuators... good spare setup etc...
** Did you re-use the plastic side covers (most likely) --that cover up seat adjustment mechanisms....and / or did you get the ones that these replacement seats had with them....I ask because some guy on forum here was going bonkers trying to find those (missing one) for his sport.

No I did not put them back. I seen them a lot in the junk yard I was at.

 

[WormsExplorer]

So Not much more has been Done. The rear add a leaf is done but need new lower shock bolts to put in the new Shocks. The Passenger front key has been put in and brake pads and disk. I have also put in the new Hood shocks on and yes a Cone Air Filter. Right now debating with my self on what to do for a front Bumper. Want it Cheap. Thinking of not having one not quit sure just yet or planning to fix mine and get rid of plastic that is on it. Also not sure about the fender flares on if I want to keep them on or take them off. I will keep you all informed as time go on. Here are a couple pictures.

Please ignore stuff on the top of truck. Also you can see my e1354 on the floor under her. Someday she will be done and I will be out on the trails.

 

[EB4X]

COOL color and wheels....

 

[WormsExplorer]

COOL color and wheels....View attachment 331915

You are a little bit longer then I am LOL. Looks really nice though. I need to get more cap covers for the wheels though. The Junk Yard is calling my name again LOL

 

[EB4X]

You are a little bit longer then I am LOL. Looks really nice though. I need to get more cap covers for the wheels though. The Junk Yard is calling my name again LOL

I was pulling a Toyota out of the mud and it stretched a bit and grew two door handles ...
I have a couple spare caps but if I ship them to you one of mine will pop off or get stolen a week later.....

 

[WormsExplorer]

I was pulling a Toyota out of the mud and it stretched a bit and grew two door handles ...
I have a couple spare caps but if I ship them to you one of mine will pop off or get stolen a week later.....

LOL That is the total truth. Its all good. I have like 8 rims all a like. So 3 of them are going to be on my trailer and the other 5 will be for my Ex. Some day I am hoping to get a Ranger Bed and put it on my Trailer. I am thinking of getting new ones from Amazon. The only thing is they will not have the Ford emblem on it.

 

[WormsExplorer]

I just got some new shoes ordered for her. Got the speaker wire ran this weekend hoping to get radio installed. Will be ordering some Shackles to get more lift out of the rear.

Here are the tires I got.

Yes they are cheap tires but my Ex is not a daily Driver. I will driver her over weekends and on trails. I watched a bunch of You Tub videos and yes they are cheap but what all peeps said was they do not last long at all. With me driving her maybe 100 miles a weekend 20,000 miles will last a while for me. They should be on my Ex next weekend. Can not wait.

 

[Blown]

Those are some gnarly tires! I like'em.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Those are some gnarly tires! I like'em.

Yeah I like how they look. And let me tell you I have been Looking and reading a lot about them. I wanted 5 of them cause I have 5 matching rims. I am not going to be driving my Ex a lot mainly weekends so These should be great. A lot of the reviews told me that the most they got out of their tires was 20,000 miles some said 30,000 miles. I just cannot wait to get them on to see how it will look.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Got my tires in my car now this weekend to get them mounted on my Explorer. Cannot wait to see how these will turn out.

The Size is 285/75R16.