Have Pride in YOUR Explorer!

[Black Magic]

This is a message I just posted in another thread and it kinda inspired me to post it in it's own tread...


How many times have I heard on this board. "Real Trucks are Built not Bought!"

I believe in that. I love putting the wrench time in to my ride.

Even if I had an SVT X I would still have to make it mine and customize it. Now in that lies the problem. I hate to see a Saleen X altered! Makes my heart hurt. It is like altering a 1969 Mustnag from stock after all these years in some old mans gurage. Beleve me I love the Saleen XP8's & XP6's too.

However, I was able to take a stock 4x4 Sport and turn it into an EXPLORER STREET! One that people all the time at shows and car cruses and places like that say "Wow, an Explorer Street!? I've never seen an Explorer Street!" He11 I have even had one guy ask me "How did you get your hands on a Concept Vehicle!?!" That one flattered me the most!

But I say make your ride any way YOU see fit. If you want to have an SVT X, Go for it! Or if you want a Moab Edition X, that is awesome too. Who says that the auto manufactures' have to have all the fun! We can make our own models!

Some one the other day mentioned that they took off their Saleen Decals since at shows Saleen was getting all the credit for the wrench time. And that was BS since he did all the work and creativity to create his Explorer the way he wanted it. After reading that I sold my Saleen Decal kit on ebay. I did get over 200 for it, so that was nice. But it made me realize that we need to be proud or our own X's and not give credit where there is none to be deserved.

I have said it before and I will say it again. This is the best Site on the Net! Everyone needs to support each other. Constructive Critisism is always welcome and appericated. However, Flaming is just not needed! Not here anyway, go hang out at J33P board if you want to be an azz!

Thanks for reading and post your thoughts on the subject!

 

[Rick]

I've never been able to leave anything stock. To me you buy the car or truck stock and it's like a clean slate. You have to turn that clean slate into a masterpiece for whatever it's intended use is off-road, street, strip, etc. Whatever it is you build, one thing binds us together, we're all automotive enthusiasts and enjoy expensive four wheeled toys. :exporange :smoke:

 

[Mike_H]

Amen Brother

I do not have the time/money to turn my X into a trail eating machine. Does that mean that I care less about my truck then those that have built their truck up? No it doesn’t. I think that all of us on this site are true enthusiasts when it comes to the explorer. There are 16,303 explorer freaks on this site, that is only a small fraction of all the explorer’s on the road. Especially since ford sold 150k in the first year. I do understand the felling of having a clean slate to work with. I have never “customized” a car or truck. In the past in my pre-parenthood days when I had more money I would spend my time/money supping up my motorcycles, you got to love all the twisty mountain roads in the sierra’s. Now that I don’t have the resources to do anything major to my truck I concentrate my efforts on my r/c cars. The last project is an Hpi RS4 SuperNitroRally. I have put a lot of thought and work into that little car. This car can kick some butt on a dirt track and with about ten minutes of work, tire and suspension changes, can go to kicking some butt on a oval or paved road course. Don’t get me wrong; someday I hope that my Explorer can grow up to become a trail eating fool. Until that day comes I am still going to love my truck. If your ever out on a trail in Arizona or Northern Cali and you wonder who that fool is attempting a hard rated trail in a stock first gen Explorer just wave as you pass, because it is me, a fellow explorer freak. Later guys, and keep on building some badass street/off road X’s and make us all proud!

 

[Redrig]

i agree i was proud to drive around in my x its clean shiny, with a sound system one of the nicest ones around my town but after finding this site it will go to a different level it wont be anything new to you guys but the people around here here are either gonna love it or think im freakin insane so its kind of making it my own thanks to everyone here who helped me do it

 

[hrbib21]

I haven't done much of anything to my X but, you know what? I pay for it and it's mine. I love it whether it's suped up or not. I love it whether or not I ever do another mod to it. Why? Because it's mine.

 

[Mike_H]

Originally posted by hrbib21
I haven't done much of anything to my X but, you know what? I pay for it and it's mine. I love it whether it's suped up or not. I love it whether or not I ever do another mod to it. Why? Because it's mine.

ahhhhhhhhhh I am starting to feel more and more at home.

 

[hrbib21]

Originally posted by hpi_rs4_snr
ahhhhhhhhhh I am starting to feel more and more at home.

Of course you should. You own an X like the rest of us and this is the best forum for X's on the internet. Period. Hey, maybe you'll get the "mod bug" before too long. There a lot of mods that you can do for under $100.00 like an air intake, clear corners, etc.

I see it the same as tattoos: when I got my first one I said "I'm only getting one." and now, 4 tats later, I want more.

 

[memcup]

Regarding tattoos, "I'm Only Getting One" SHOULD be a tattoo!

 

[Mike_H]

Someday the mods will come, if the darn thing would stop breaking. The previous owner must of been lazy with the maint. on it or something. I have been rebuilding/repairing the important stuff in the last year. Engine tranny rebuild at the same time. New hubs, alt, heater core, entire cooling system, tires and a few other things. Before I do anything major to it I need to make sure it is sound and safe. If it is not good enough to drop my daughter off at school or take her to the zoo it is not good enough to mod it out. Thats funny what you said about the tattoes. I am the only person I know that stoped at 1. My ex wife on the other hand, she got the bug bad.

 

[PUR PONY]

Some one the other day mentioned that they took off their Saleen Decals since at shows Saleen was getting all the credit for the wrench time. And that was BS since he did all the work and creativity to create his Explorer the way he wanted it.

that sounds familiar. I agree with you 100% Black Magic. There is no way i can drive a stock vehicle.. i just need to mod it and make it my own! Its the best feeling the world when you build something yourself and make it your own!

 

[Bobby Locs]

I take the very upmost pride in my X, I've put so much time into it that it has turned into the most expensive hobbie that I have ever had and I love it.... The complaments that you get from complete stangers and friends for the work you have done to your car or truck is one of the best Feelings you can get (if thats something you real care about), I enjoy every time I park my X or just sitting at a light and I get complaments ....

 

[DaHeinah]

I love my X!!! I wouldn't trade it for anything...except maybe a newer one with all the same mods . Seriously, I love my truck even though it's only slightly modified (really not too much) and I don't think I'd have it any other way. It's also so nice to come home after a tough day of work/school/etc and read the ideas of this creative group. prior to joining this site, I hadn't really invested too much into my X, now it's becoming a little more distinguished. Thanks to all of you guys for giving me so much help and so many suggestions!!!!
Greg

 

[taxx]

I too cannot keep ANYTHING stock. Even if it is just little mods. I relly enjoyed all the Mini Cooper advertisements I saw around, cause that is one thing they pushed in there advertising was custimization even if that was just scratches. I love a vehicle that stands out, even if I am the only one that likes it.

 

[410Fortune]

I am with Rick. I could never leave well enough alone. It doesnt have anything to do with money, well I mean it takes $$$ to wash a car so everything needs a little money. but everything on my truck has come from scrounging through junk yards, sure there are some high dollar parts on there too, but most of it is just good old fashioned wrench turning.........

Now I have two projects (well lord knows I actually have thousands, but two major projects).........I bought a boat, so its time for custom stereo install, lights, fish finder, window tint, weld up a wake board tower, hop up the engine alittle, customize the seating and graphics, that sort of stuff.........just cant leave well enough alone..

Like one guy said over at offroadrangers.com, What are you waiting for? It;s the year 2000, MOD YOUR TRUCK! STOCK SUCKS!!!!

 

[DroppedKamelion]

wait till mynes done and i unvel the first ever TXX (Texas Explorer)

 

[DarkFox1]

nice speech black magic hehe

I agree with rick somewhat, I can never leave something stock. .but my idea of whats stock and his apparently are 2 totally different things lol, I imagine most of you would probablly consider mine stock.

I get a lot of flack from people about guards on a street vehicle, and how I'm stupid for having a 2wd suv and whatnot.. but you have a point.. I find my vehicle personally very attractive and am proud of what I did to it, I like to park in a parking lot so I can see it all the way from the door from usually a 3/4 rear angle (it just always turns out that way) despite my constant complaints of drivability issues, I love my truck.

and despite a lot of people saying "oh those offroaders are just stupid rednecks" or "stupid ricers modifying hondas" I think deep down everyone has some sort of.. well.. kinship to people who all mod cars, I forget what the quote was now. so I can't finish with some awe inspiring topic, but it went somthing like... honda or chevy, so long as its not stock, its cool

ok so it sounded alot better coming from the horses mouth but I've forgotten it already lol

 

[JDraper]

Stock?? What's a stock vehicle??? Never owned one in my life. As soon as I get a vehicle, it gets modified. When a vehicle comes from the factory, it's an unfinished project. It's up to each of us to finish it the way we see fit.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by DarkFox1
I find my vehicle personally very attractive and am proud of what I did to it,

Isn't that all that matters?

 

[X-1]

Originally posted by JDraper
Stock?? What's a stock vehicle??? Never owned one in my life. As soon as I get a vehicle, it gets modified. When a vehicle comes from the factory, it's an unfinished project. It's up to each of us to finish it the way we see fit.

My thoughts exactly, someday I will be the only 80 year old riding in a jacked up 4 wheel drive, haha

 

[hrbib21]

Originally posted by aldive
Isn't that all that matters?

Funny, I said the same thing when I read that, Aldive.