first post 1998 Explorer XLT- and a couple of questions

[Onebadhabit]

Quick back story:

My primary is an f350, tuned 6.4L, but with the price of diesel combined with the price of oil changes I decided to start driving my mothers 98 explorer. Its been sitting and hasn't seen too much highway driving during its life (132,000 miles)/ Most of its life has been around town on horrible Savannah, Ga roads.

So when I started driving it (last week) I made a list of items to fix. Kinda kill two birds with one stone. It needed some work since she is hard on a car and I needed to save some $$$ on fuel.

Almost passed out when I saw dealer prices, then ebay prices so I decided to go "junking". For less than the price of 4 new shocks and sway bar supports (which I did buy new) I was able to get most of the needed parts. Here's the project list of completed items last weekend:

- Replaced hood support lifts- $8.00
- Replaced rear window support lifts $8.00
- Replaced drivers seat back support handle $6.00
- Replaced radio- same issue as old one, then I saw on this great website that everyone has that problem (backlight out) $20
- Replaced steering wheel cruise control buttons $8.00 w/ all wiring
- Replaced passenger side mirror $25.00
- Replaced shocks and sway bar supports- bought new from NAPA $147.00
- Replaced passenger side window button $6.00- it still does not work
- Replaced drivers side sun visor- $8.00


Here's a list of items I still need and any help finding is greatly appreciated:

- Passenger side window still does not work, it works from the drivers side and the lock is not on. Any thoughts?
- Center console cover- looks replaceable- has anyone just bought material from somewhere and done it themselves?
- Drivers side seat cushion and fabric




Thanks in advance,


Chris

 

[my98nnj]

The passenger window issue could be coming from the drivers side switch.
I had my seat repaired at a local upholster shop, he also did my center console.
eBay also has replacement console covers and there cheep too.

 

[masospaghetti]

There's several writeups online about the console covers, basically restapling a vinyl covering to the foam and plastic backing. This is assuming you have the full-length console, not the "short" one.

I had the same issue with the windows. My window lock switch wasn't making good contact internally. You can take it apart, it has some spring steel in there it relies on to make a connection and mine just needed to be bent a bit back into shape and cleaned out. Works fine now.

Regarding the seat foam - do you have the base model seats (manual front seats, no lumbar support)? If you do, buy a cushion from a salvage yard from the passenger side, and its an easy swap. If you have the higher end seats, they don't come apart very easily and it's probably best if you had an upholstery shop fix it. A local place here in Charlotte, NC quoted $100 to fix the foam bolster and ripped cover FYI.

 

[Onebadhabit]

Thanks guys. The seat is no problem. I replaced the leather in my f350 along with the foam. Had seat in pieces and it went back fine. Did splurge for the hog ring pliers that made it much easier. I haven't been able to get in touch with the shop I ordered and thier website doesn't list anything about explorer with fabric The console is the short one with cup holders in front, gonna check a few places tomorrow

 

[cnsheets]

- Center console cover- looks replaceable- has anyone just bought material from somewhere and done it themselves?

I pulled mine off myself and took it to a car apostrophe shop. For $35 they did it for me. Mine was the grey vinyl. They did a really good job, looks like new. I just had to take it home and put it back on. Heck of a lot cheaper than a new console cover from ford.