Consoles, Rims, and Explorers, Oh My! (or "My Trip to the Salvage Yard")

[Flounder]

Well, I hit up the salvage yard today (DeNaples - near Scranton, PA - it's a bring your own tools, take your own pieces, pay inside type of operation - however, they also have a warehouse with big things - engines, exterior bodies, light lenses... anything worthwhile pretty much). All I can say is I'm going back Thursday! I picked up cupholders from a '99 (they cleaned up to just like new) since I was sick of the current Explorer's holders not being able to fit two coffee cups due to their design (how they're designed like an "8" or so). Installed them pretty easily, but "nubs" at the top that fit into the high console are smaller so the fit is tight and a pain to get both in. Put a little BlackMagic on them and the change tray and everything matches nicely.

Oh yes, with that, I paid $5 for the cup holder piece which I think was a deal. The guy goes "You can actually use this?" and I replied "Well, I don't think it'll work but I figure for a few bucks I'll give it a try." He goes, "Oh, good luck... $5 seems fair." Heh, if I told him it definitely would work I figure I would have paid $10-$20 for it.

Now, to my topic. MANY Explorers there have the deer print rims, like my Explorer. I was thinking picking 2 or 3 of the best ones and replace the ones I've scraped, etc. on my car. However, I was also going to use one for the spare. However, I don't want to put the rim underneath because it'll take the brunt of road debris and salt in the winter. Are there any covers available to protect rims? If not, I am planning on buying a Safari Rack and strapping it to it. However, this isn't too safe - crime wise. Is there a way to secure the tire to the rack so it doesn't get stolen? I thought about running a wire cable through the rim and the rack with a lock on the looped ends but I'm open to your suggestions.

Jewelbagger: I looked for the trim around the Radio and Heat Controls from a 01 Sport or Sport Trac but the interiors of these had already been well-cleaned out by other people like me I guess.

On a similar note, I went to one "You-Pick-It" salvage yard before DeNaples and before I entered, I asked the guy if he had many 98+ Explorers for the consoles. He told me that he gets people all the time looking for consoles from Explorers. He was positive all of his Explorers lacked the console and pieces... are our Ranger cousins taking our high series consoles for their use??

As I said, I'm going back up Thursday so if anyone has anything simple to keep an eye for, I'd be happy to. Just reply to this thread.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Adam,
How about looking for the main light switch from a 99+ model. The one that will allow you to turn the interior lights OFF with the doors open. It has a detent on both sides of the roll switch. One way the interior lights come on and the other way turns the interior light off with the door open. I know that the 99's have this switch, but don't know if the 98's have it. I know that 95-97 don't have this option.

 

[Flounder]

Will do. Ray, is this an easy install or would it require further wiring? This would be a nice feature for not draining the battery when tailgating at Penn State games...

 

[Ray Lobato]

Adam, it would just be a matter of replacing the old switch with the new one. the connections should be the same.

 

[ok89]

I can do that in my 98 Ray. (That is to say if you mean turn the dimmer all the way down so the lights don't turn on when the doors are open)

 

[taxx]

Tire on Roof -

Yes it is safe. If you go this route look at the options for the rack you purchase. Most have the ability to lock it up there.

 

[Flounder]

What are some good racks? I've been specifically looking at Surco.

 

[taxx]

Several peaople have surco and I know there was a conversation about this before. Search roof racks or safari rack. I only know the detail about Yakima racks. It is a good basket, but it looks totaly different than the surco and I think the surco is much cheaper. Whatever you do make sure you ditch the factory rails and get a rack that mounts to the roof or where the factory rails go. Too many stories of those factory rails breaking and the rack coming off. You could ruin a nice paint job, a great rack and a vehicle behind you.... (just a thought)

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by AdamCKach
Oh yes, with that, I paid $5 for the cup holder piece which I think was a deal. The guy goes "You can actually use this?" and I replied "Well, I don't think it'll work but I figure for a few bucks I'll give it a try." He goes, "Oh, good luck... $5 seems fair." Heh, if I told him it definitely would work I figure I would have paid $10-$20 for it. Gotta be sly with salvage yards!

I have a story about that!

One of my mom's friends went to a junkyard, and he found a piece of equipment for his factory, which should've cost about $300. He took it to pay, and the cashier looked at him and said, "What the hell is that?" and my mom's friend said, "I don't know, but it looks like you could put beer in it" and he got it for about $45

 

[Ray Lobato]

Originally posted by ok89
I can do that in my 98 Ray. (That is to say if you mean turn the dimmer all the way down so the lights don't turn on when the doors are open)

Yes, that's exactly what I mean.

 

[Robb]

Hey Adam,
If you find an X with about a 5" susp. lift, could you go ahead and disassemble that piece by piece, buy it for $50, and ship it to me for about $10?

J/K

But if you can, that would be great!

J/k

Seriously, if you have that oppurtunity, do it.

J/K

But......



Robb

 

[Flounder]

There was a 91-94 XLT there with a moderate lift... I'd estimate 2 or 3 inches... it was in the repairables, not the "rip me apart" area though

 

[JDraper]

Hey Adam,
How 'bout the same cupholder you got??? Think you can find another? I have the high console out of a 95 in my 01, and it has the same "8" shaped cupholder. Also I need the bottom and front plates out of the console storage bin. The front plate is the one that has a screw in the center of it, and it covers the back of the kleenex holder.

 

[Harry5150]

Adam, could you look for a rear brake line flex hose for me? It's the one that goes from the frame to the rear axle hard line at the driver's side. it's about 10-12 inches long.

 

[espnfreak]

Adam I really appreciate you looking for me. I also need any 95+ rear defroster switch. My light burnt out and I'm in need of another one. If you could check for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LStoudenmire]

Adam, Mine is a simple request. Can you check for a several of the front grille oval emblems(4")? If you can get 2 or 3, I'll pay 5 bucks a piece plus of course the shipping. Thanks. 'preciate it.

 

[Flounder]

Alright folks, there's a message for each of you in this one

Jeff: I'm a little confused with the plates but will take apart my colsole tonight and see what I can figure out. I'm assuming the front plate is the vertical one that goes from the change tray/Klennex holder down to the floor... The bottom plate I am still confused on, but if you explain, I'd be happy to grab one. As for the cup holder, I'm positive there was one other. However, the "nubs" that hook it to the high sonsole were broken off (why I didn't take it...). I know there were a few Explorers awaiting entrance to the yard, so I guess after the panels and engine parts that can be taken are stripped, hopefully the interior pieces will be there.

Harry: I'll try my best on this one, but the Explorers there have been pretty well demolished in accidents and I'm not sure I'll be able to get underneath. Some are sitting on their axles, some on rims, and if you're lucky, some on tires. I'll give it a look, though. Do you know what tools are needed to take it off? And furthermore, do I need to look on a 91-94 or a 95-01? Any specific dates for this one?

espn: There were many defroster switches but I'm going to be working on blind faith that their bulbs still work. I *could* take the light bulbs from them instead (I'll get as many as I can... I'll tell the guy I'll give him $.25 for each heh) and send you all of them till you get one thay works. Furthermore, since all switches are the same and lit by the same type of bulb, so you'd have a few spares in case... Let me know.

LStoud: What year Explorers? And how hard is it to take them off - any special tools or anything? I know there were a few new Explorers that were utterly destroyed from head-ons but somehow the grilles survived (and so did the emblems). Again, let me know.

That about covers you all

 

[Harry5150]

Adam, thanks for looking. I need one for a 95-97. As long as the connections and the total length is intact it's cool. If the hose is mangled a bit it's ok. I just need the original for a brake shop to make me a longer stainless steel one.

 

[LStoudenmire]

Adam, I know that the 4" emblem were on the 91-94's. Not sure what size is on the newones. But I do know that the rear emblems on the newer modesl are 4.5" not the 4".

On the emblems, there should be two nuts that screw to the back of the emblem behind the grille. Should only take an adjustable wrench or pliers to take off. Thanks alot!

 

[Flounder]

Last Call For Alcohol

Any last requests before I head up there?