Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

The new turd mobile. 2000 Mountaineer v8 awd.



The bad:

Was living it's prior life on a dusty road. Must tear out interior and deep clean.
Driver window off track "or something" and will not roll down. It tries but the rear part wants to stay up.

3 out of 4 door handles have issues. I have 4 new outer handles on order.
Cracked passenger side tail light housing. ( Ebay for some cool tail lights)

Compass-Thermometer thingy lit up and went out--idunno bout that yet

Door locks seem sticky, probably has to do with the handles.
It has a funky purple color trim with red metallic ( you'll have that every now and then)

The good
Gas tank was full
109k miles
I am the 2nd owner!!
Is from the local area, which means no salt!
The undercarriage is fairly clean
No dents to underside panels
Good rubber
Camber shims already installed
Looks like good service records, all recalls were completed.
Clean carfax believe it or not.

The "maybe" bad

The original owner, told the dealership it had a bad "heater core" however I have run it for several cycles, over an hour each idling in the driveay and see no leaks.
However, there was evidence of a windshield leak or the like,I saw condensation on the inside of the windows this AM. The moisture smell is that of water only-no anti freeze smell. I am thinking it could also be a cowl drain which is clogged???? but she did say the passenger carpet got wet.

I tried to get heat, however it is an auto climate control. Being 90 degrees outside, I doubt it would have given me heat.The heater core hoses were hot, and the coolant bypass valve does operate. AC blows Ice cold.

Maybe she meant to say "heater door"???

Anyway--here are the pics.



My intent is to drive this and use it as a tow rig for a light weight off road toy. Mods will be minimal. Edit: This plan did not work out so on to plan "b"

Current visual status

Progress pictures

Now, let's clean it up a little


Herculine'rd rocker panels. Rock sliders installed

BW 4406 True 4x4 Manual transfer case ( AKA Mouse entry point) installed 8-27-2012
Installed newer Tcase from a 2003 11-14-15

Saw a rainbow in Colorado so yeah, time for a picture

And here she is, on top of the highest pass road in North America. Careful tire placement a must!!!

2-2-2013

Changed "color scheme" of the Dick Cepek DC1 wheels. New Falken Wildpeak AT 31x1050x15

Then I decided Maroon washer on the wheels would look better

Update 6-6-2013

New bumpers, winch and Pro LED light . Front Bumper from RLC, Skid plate from RCI, rear bumper from Kert307

Rear anti sway disconnects

Update 9-2-2014
A cracked radiator at 70mph led to engine failure. Replaced with a freshened up a bit 80k mile engine starting on page 23

Found another rainbow in Kansas.

 

[Turdle]

Hi Jeni. Let me know when you are going to be around!

So, I was feeling lousy and wasn;t going to do anything today, wish I hadn't

THere was a flush T installed to the heater core outlet. So, I went and grabbed the hose, turned it on and screwed in the adapter with slits to relieve the pressure so you don't blow a gasket-
I disconnected the heater core bypass valve at the hose connection toward the heater core.

I unkinked the hose once it was attached and instantly had flow out of the bypass valve, and it shut off when the valve was manually depressed. But there was a problem. When I closed off the bypass, it should have built pressure to flow out the opened heater core "inlet" ---backflushing it. There was no flow. My core is clogged. I blew an internal gasket bout then.

Looks like I can't put off the interior dis assemble-deep clean after all.


grrrrrravelfudge.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

That sucks man. At least you know what's involved whether that's a good or bad thing I don't know.

 

[gmanpaint]

I have yet to buy a used vehicle with out having to replace something, or work on it in some form or fashion. Not that cushions the blow of having to do a PITA job such as a heater core, but it's always something or another with a used ride.

Try to do a write up on the heater core install if you think about it at the time.

 

[Turdle]

I procured a new heater core. Sparksafly'n is going to come up to give a hand and morale support. Anyone want to come help pull a dash?

 

[Happy Jack]

When? I kin bring ceeeegars an sippin whiskey and sit un smoke an drink. I'd even share a taste ur six.

I could hand ya tools but most likely it'd be quicker ta git um ur self. I don't do too bad runnin.........uh drivin ta the store fer parts. I have a cordless electric 90 degree drill with bits fer takin out screws.

 

[rizzjc]

You just have all the fun Jon. Can't wait to see what you do "while you're in there".

 

[Turdle]

Heater core is replaced!
Sparksafly'n and Joshua came to help, and without their help this would not have got finished. Thanks guys!

I left the new heater core disconnected, bypassed with the flushing T. I dumped another bottle of flush in because I think I rushed the last one, just want to be sure I don;t clog up the new heater core. I will flush it out tomorrow, but for right now I'm pooped.

As for a write-up, well, this one is just too tough to be taking pictures along the way. No write up this time around. The haynes manual has it pretty well covered though.

 

[Turdle]

Well, today Sparksafly'n, Joshua and I went for a ride about 200 miles away to chase a dream which turned out to be full of rust holes. Pulled a 14 foot 2 axle trailer there on a lie. I was told there was only a couple visible paint flaws.

So, we turned around and came back home. We saw some Ozark country and Puff drove just fine under the burden of the trailer.

Heater works now by golly!

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Shari wants a Lincoln Aviator!!!!

 

[Happy Jack]

Too bad Jon. I've done some asking around but nothing so far. Glad the heater is working great now. I'll let you know if I here of anything.

 

[wifin]

Hey man I'm happy to find someone who actually has the same vehicle as me. I'm running the same Mounty except with the grey interior. Never seen one with the tan interior though. Underside looks real good and I need to go under and probably sand and repaint mine. I'll will defiantly be bouncing through this thread as I am trying to look for modifications as well

 

[sparksafly'n]

Well, today Sparksafly'n, Joshua and I went for a ride about 200 miles away to chase a dream which turned out to be full of rust holes. Pulled a 14 foot 2 axle trailer there on a lie. I was told there was only a couple visible paint flaws.

So, we turned around and came back home. We saw some Ozark country and Puff drove just fine under the burden of the trailer.

Heater works now by golly!

Hey it was a good day! And a good test for puff!! Which she past with fly'n colors. This truck is a very lucky find at just the right time!! Don't happen to me very ofton,but it couldn't have happened to a nicer fella!!:

 

[yellowford]

Well, today Sparksafly'n, Joshua and I went for a ride about 200 miles away to chase a dream which turned out to be full of rust holes. Pulled a 14 foot 2 axle trailer there on a lie. I was told there was only a couple visible paint flaws.

So, we turned around and came back home. We saw some Ozark country and Puff drove just fine under the burden of the trailer.

Heater works now by golly!

Just curios what kind of wheeling rig are you looking for, I'll keep my eyes peeled, well as long as its a ford.

Edit: nevermind just saw your new thread on the new wheeler.

 

[Turdle]

Puff has been cruising along averaging over 18 mpg. I think we will not mess with it at all. Sheri will use this to commute every 3rd week when it is her turn to drive in her carpool. This thing might get 5-6k miles per year put on it.

I have another truck to mess up now. Gonna save 2 of 'em


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331095

 

[Turdle]

Used the " how to fix overhead console display" thread successfully today.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187953

 

[rizzjc]

Puff has been cruising along averaging over 18 mpg. I think we will not mess with it at all. Sheri will use this to commute every 3rd week when it is her turn to drive in her carpool. This thing might get 5-6k miles per year put on it.

I have another truck to mess up now. Gonna save 2 of 'em


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331095

18 mpg??!! I've got a stinkin' brand new engine and can't figure out why I'm not getting over 13!

 

[Joe Dirt]

18 mpg??!! I've got a stinkin' brand new engine and can't figure out why I'm not getting over 13!

Keep your freakin' foot out of it!

 

[rizzjc]

Keep your freakin' foot out of it!

I've even been babying it with my new TMH's!

 

[Turdle]

18 mpg??!! I've got a stinkin' brand new engine and can't figure out why I'm not getting over 13!

I'm sure we all have read those " can't get my fuel filter off" threads.

Well, I had one on this thing. I was finally able to get it off by using the size tool higher than I thought was needed. What dumped out of the old filter looked like mud.

Since replacing it the average has dropped to 17.6 MPG.

My "city" driving consists of driving in this small one traffic light town. Most miles are racked up driving paved county roads to the neighboring towns, usually less than 65 MPH.

The trip computer is a handy device. I notice if I reset it while cruising 63 mph it will settle in on around 19.3 MPG, however if I bump the speed up to 69 mph the average will go no higher than 17.5 . Speed has everything to do with fuel economy. Joe, you guys drive 80 mph on the interstate, I think this kills your economy.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Jon- you should run some tests on the highway using your instant- run, like, from 55-80 at 1mph increments and chart the results- might be interesting reading...