Blueka's Elite Registry

Blueka's "Betty" Registry

I thought it was about time I put one up..

I've got a '97 4.0 SOHC UK spec Explorer..

I bought it in Dec 2005 and the next day all the timing slipped and wrecked one side of the engine!

It was off the road for 6 months while I saved up and found someone who knew how to fix it.

This is how it looked when I got it back:-

After driving it for a while I decided that I didn't like all the chrome on it so got some '99 spec bumpers for it.

I also changed to a slightly newer grille with a darker centre, thought it looked better than the old one.

I then decided I was bored of the rear end and did the '99 rear end swap.. although I managed to bend the rear hatch and it don't sit straight..

I'd also managed to source some leather seats with seperate headrests so that I could install some screens in them for the passengers in the back seats.

I then found an all black front grille and some tear drop alloys to replace the chrome 3 spokes..

Si

 

[blueka]

Well.... 2 years later... where are we?
Well... finally found a shop willing to do my chains, so my Explorer went in a week or so ago...

Almost done

Si

 

[donalds]

Yeeyeee

 

[vroomzoomboom]

it surprises me that there are no SOHC out that way to just swap in.

 

[blueka]

Most explorers got scrapped. Less than 400 left

Si

 

[blueka]

Well, finally got her back beginning October. After the initial run, the timing jumped and the engine had to get pulled again, all the valves were bent. So, using the head off the old engine,it was fixed again and reinstalled.
Now I've got to install the lift kit and get some new tyres. Also need a few other bits and pieces

Si

 

[Rick]

Glad to see her back in your hands and on the road again.

 

[Rick]

What was the verdict as to why it went bad after the shop initially did the work?

 

[blueka]

He claims that the tensioner was wrong. I think he put it in the wrong place, but no proof, so paid the bill n got my truck back

Si

 

[blueka]

Well, now that Christmas is out of the way, I've finally got around to installing new spot lights on the front. They're from rigid. I've had them about 3yrs or so.

And I can also finally start installing the lift

Si

 

[blueka]

Started the tear down to install the RC 5" lift

TikTok - Make Your Day

Si

 

[blueka]

got all the front torn down, school boy error, didn't check all the boxes properly and it turns out there's 2 bags of fittings/ hardware missing. I've contacted rough country and hopefully they can get them out to me asap.
So I'm currently stuck.

Si

 

[CDW6212R]

Just hanging out there, it's ready for surgery.

How many miles are on the engine, the oil pump? I did all my big stuff when I bought my 99, the oil pump too. Check for any leaks and clean things well, now that it's all open and easy to work on.

 

[blueka]

Just hanging out there, it's ready for surgery.

How many miles are on the engine, the oil pump? I did all my big stuff when I bought my 99, the oil pump too. Check for any leaks and clean things well, now that it's all open and easy to work on.

Engine was a good used 88k miles. So I had all new chains n stuff, water pump etc. Didn't bother with the oil pump.

Si

 

[CDW6212R]

That's a good engine, just a baby.

Mine had 75,450 when I got it, now it's at 152k and needing the trans rebuilt.

 

[blueka]

Whole vehicle is at 125k

Si

 

[blueka]

As I'm waiting for parts, my poor explorer sits like this

Si

 

[blueka]

Turns out they did send the parts. Anyhoo. Managed to get the new, re-geared front diff in, although I did wreck one of the bolts and retaining nuts

Si

 

[blueka]

Did a little more after work tonight, got the front diff in and all bolted up tight, then installed the bottom arm relocation brackets front and rear

Si

 

[blueka]

Torsion bar relocation brackets are in after slight modification. My Explorer uses a different style of damper, so I had to cut the RC bracket to fit.

Si

 

[blueka]

Finally made a bit of progress today. It took all day but managed to get the old factory bushings out of the lower arms and get new polyurethane ones installed. Then I fought with it some more and got the arms back on

Si