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, finally got her back on the road and treated her to a brand new set of duratracs!! It's good to be back behind her wheel

 

[blueka]

Well, this old girl turned 20 years of age on Saturday, so I spent the day driving her around and redoing the wiring in the tail gate to get the plate lights to work.

She's looking good for a 20 year old truck, I've had her just over 11 years.

Si

 

[blueka]

Just had a week in Vegas and brought back a little souvenir.
Little before and after

Si

 

[blueka]

Decided to give the old girl a spruce up while I was away in Florida. The paint was a little tired in places and some rust had started to appear.
What started out as a touch up ended up being a full respray.

I'm really happy with the end results and hopefully in the new year I can get some bits and bobs sorted out to keep making her more unique.

Si

 

[toypaseo]

Looks a lot better all one color

nice parking... heh

 

[blueka]

The weekend just gone saw us on show at Ford Fair, the biggest European Ford show, at Silverstone circuit in the UK.
We managed to get 4 explorers together to represent the forum (less than 1000 explorers left in the UK)

Here are some pics

Si

 

[blueka]

Was on show at the Stars & Stripes show at the beginning of the month. Added a westin safari bar and gave her a polish & wax job. Also sprayed the grille insert silver

Si

 

[blueka]

Bad news!
For a few weeks prior to this video being taken, my oil pressure gauge has been doing a dance. I took it as there was dirt on the switch as it's due an oil change. Sadly, I was wrong. That's a spun bearing causing rod knock.

Good news!
I've found an inexpensive low mileage donor.
So after my upcoming trip to Orlando and Christmas, Big Sexy will be getting a transplant and a few upgrades too

Si

 

[blueka]

Bigger things are coming in the new year!!

Si

 

[blueka]

Well, some of you may not know this, but UK Explorers were sold for 1 year only with a Bosch single button fob alarm/immobiliser combo. It's effective but it's a nightmare if you want to add/remove a fob.
So today I dropped Big Sexy off at my local stealership, because Ford UK reckon that they should be able to sort it out (it's been in 3 times before to no avail), so we shall see.

Si

 

[blueka]

True to their word, Ford UK actually managed to get my immobiliser issues sorted out.

Today, I decided, seeing as everyone's on lockdown and the weather was nice, I'd have a go at installing the Aries nerf bars I brought back from Orlando last year.

Instructions were a little odd, I think they were badly translated from gibberish.
I finally managed to get one side on but when attempting the other side, one of the frame mounted retaining nuts decided to stop retaining and just start spinning. So I had to call it quits and get ready for work. Try again tomorrow.

Si

 

[blueka]

Well, finally got the bolt issue sorted out. Finished my step install then fitted my American style plates.

Si

 

[blueka]

Bigger things are coming

Si

 

[blueka]

Well, due to the kung flu, I've gained some extra time at home. So, I thought it was about time I got the bodylift on. Even bought a new impact for the task. After all the blood sweat and tears involved, I finally got it done. However, I broke a brake line. And the damn wheels don't fit without rubbing and I don't want to cut my bodywork up, so they're going up for sale

 

[blueka]

Yesterday I decided to see why my head unit wasn't working (I actually bought a spare incase my head unit was toast) turns out the plug had fell out the back .
Today I took the brackets for the safari bar to have 2" removed.
Then I refitted the bar

 

[blueka]

Managed to get my screens working
And then started work on putting the extended fuel hoses on... only to discover my filler neck was rotten

Si

 

[Rick]

That's just nasty!!

 

[blueka]

Factory fitted 23 year old crusty filler neck!

Si

 

[blueka]

So, due to the 33s rubbing really badly and not wanting to cut the fenders, I sold them and bought Cooper Discoverer STT Pro in 285/75/16.
I called for a Mobile tyre fitter and well, as you can see in the pics, he trashed my rim.
So I sent him on his way and got someone else to do the job the following day.
I was so pleased I decided to give her a wash

Si

 

[blueka]

Did some more updating. Changed up my tired side repeaters for some fancy new black ones.
And put some new speakers from an ST170 Focus (SVT) in the front doors too

Si