BackBone's '97 Mercury Mountaineer | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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BackBone's '97 Mercury Mountaineer

Hello fellow forum members. My name is Keith (BackBone) and here is a little about myself. I am a former mechanic turned electrician. I am a returning trombone player - hence the handle... :D

I have a black 97 Mercury Mountaineer that I picked up about 4 years ago. It had 166K on the clock and a bad trans when I got it. It has 244K on it now. Funny thing is this whole time I had no interest in fixing up the Mounty. I actually was thinking of getting something different. Then I thought, 'why get rid of this truck. It has done me well these four years!' So I began looking deeper into this site and now have the bug to go wheelin! I don't want to do any insane stuff... just be able to see the countryside, do some fishing and maybe get to places where I can watch others break their junk!

What has broken or gone bad:

Transmission -- Fixed!
Fuel pump -- Fixed!
Upper Ball joints
Lower Ball joints -- 2/24/13 Fixed!
Water Pump -- Fixed! (now with broken bolt :mad: )
Altenator -- Fixed!
Battery -- Fixed!
Front window motor (both)
Rear glass shocks
Radio Antenna stuck up (destroyed in automated carwash :eek: )
Lost one center cap - REPLACED!
Crack in windsheild
Front Drive shaft (cv style) -- (1/15/14) Fixed! I rebuilt the cv cardone myself!
4 freeze plugs leaking -- (2013) Gunk non-clogging stop leak worked (300 + miles so far)
Radiator leaking -- Gunk non-clogging stop leak worked (300 + miles so far)
No A/C -- Fixed!
Timing Chain cover coolant leak -(6/13) Fixed!
Front hubs - fixed!

I've done all the work myself and could not have done it without this site. I do plan to go elite in my membership.

I'll post pics asap!

Mods...
TT, Autozone Shackles, 255/70R15 AT's[toast!], was 32x11.50x15! - NOW: 33x12.5x15 Nankang Mudstar's :D, 4406, tow hooks, winchplate

Plans...
If it works out:
4406 swap -- It worked out! DONE!!!!:D:D:D
Rebuild LSD rear with extra clutch
Locker for front after 4406
3"BL
Tow hooks -- DONE!!:D
Upper CA's
Swaybar endlinks --DONE!! :D
CB
Front and rear diff service (rear diff service done!)
Front and rear shocks
winch plate install as base for bumper -- DONE!:D
 



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..Glad to see all these items getting fixed...Good job...:biggthump
 






Some pics... finally!:

Stock - over 200K!! Dec 20012
img20140318_191330.jpg




Yeah... the nerf bars came off and TT/Shackels on:
img20140318_190936.jpg




255/70/15's - used because my orginals were toast!:
img20140318_185120.jpg
 






Super beef: Jan 2014 Testing out a suburban tow hook. Will work without a bumper but I like the bumper so I may have to go with aftermarket hooks that I can access with the bumper on. These are super beef though!
IMG_20140119_120054.jpg


IMG_20140119_120107.jpg




I'd have to move them forward more I think for strap clearance:
IMG_20140119_120140.jpg
 






Will 32's fit with only TT and shackles - no body lift??? Mar 2014:



Front:
IMG_20140317_114413.jpg


IMG_20140317_114455.jpg


Rear:
IMG_20140317_114435.jpg



More shots:
IMG_20140317_114401.jpg


IMG_20140317_114341.jpg


IMG_20140317_114519.jpg


Nerf bars back on so shorties can get in:

Bad pic
IMG_20140317_180421.jpg



IMG_20140317_180434.jpg


The answer is YES!! And I did not have to trim and have the nerfbars on with NO RUBBING AT ALL!!! I just used the stock rims.:D:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 






Looking good! I have pretty much the same setup just on a 2003 Sport.
 






Looking good! I have pretty much the same setup just on a 2003 Sport.

Thanks. It's stalled right now because those 32's are 10 years old and cracking and I dont want to keep tire side down. Saving for new tires. I may actually go with 33's since I am sure they will clear.:D
 












Thanks. It's stalled right now because those 32's are 10 years old and cracking and I dont want to keep tire side down. Saving for new tires. I may actually go with 33's since I am sure they will clear.:D

My 32's scrub right now on the left side...guess I need to do more trimming.
 


















After a bit of driving on the 33's i am sure I will need a body lift as there is rubbing when going fast over some bumps. Debating 2" vs. 3".:scratch:
 












I'd like to know how you get the tow hooks on while keeping your bumper. I just picked up some off of an Expedition
 






I'd like to know how you get the tow hooks on while keeping your bumper. I just picked up some off of an Expedition

Those Suburban hooks wont work without butchering the bumper. But I bought some hooks that should work. I will post some pics of the install when I get it done.
 





















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