Hello from Florida

[ol skool]

Hi,

I've been lurking for a while - this site has great info! But I am going to need to start asking questions (read: am ready to do mods), so I figured it is time to introduce myself.

I've got a 1st Gen Explorer (4dr, 2wd) with a 93 Aerostar V6 engine in it. My login name (ol skool) refers to hot-rodding, but I can't take credit for the mod in my X, since it was already done when I got it. I bought the X out of necessity - I needed a running vehicle that was cheap. That was 3 years ago. I like to take care of whatever vehicle I use (cheaper in the long run, I believe), and have taken good care of this one mechanically, but not cosmetically, and now I want to change that.

I've got lots of ideas I have accumulated over the years (I used to draw cars growing up, and can still sketch), but zero/zip/nada hands-on experience. My ideas for the explorer involve lowering it (about 3"), and giving it a simple and classy hot rod / surf-mobile look.

From this site (and how I found it) I have already learned about Drop I-beams for lowering the front, and either blocks or lowering leaf springs for doing the rear (and then upgrades to the shocks). My challenge will be finding a reputable shop to do the work right, and my first posts will be about that. I will be willing to drive to another town. I already tried one of the more reputable 4x4 places in my area (Tampa Bay), but, of course, they said "we don't go that way". I understand - they would risk the anti-advertising of lowered vehicles parked out front!, but it's too bad, since they are known for good work.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who contributes to this site - I hope I can as well, even if just with pictures when done.

ol skool

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! We have an Aerostar section, and a thread about using Aerostar parts in Explorers.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[ol skool]

Thank you for the welcomes.

I didn't know there was an Aerostar section! I've got some questions on my set-up, so I will definitely check that out.

Small clarification - maybe not really zero/zip hands-on experience. I have done some things myself with cars and trucks, but not as much as I would like to be able to do: oil & filter changes, stereo installs, seat belt replacement. The biggest things I've done are help pull an 86 Jaguar rear-end out of a junkyard with another car nut, and had a car chopped up for parts (when the city told me it didn't like my project sitting with no tag in my car port anymore...), including load and unload the engine with my mechanic and some friends (the engine is in storage on a furniture dolly, where I plugged up all the holes I could find and turn the crank clockwise about weekly). I just wish I had the facility and know-how to do the more costly things: suspension mods, transmission swaps, engine mods, and then successfully drive the results of my labor! Hmmm, now that I look at this, I should give myself a little more credit!

Here is the list of Explorer mods I am considering:

Drop front and rear - include some rake.
Hot Rod style wheels, proportioned to look right (probably 17"-20")
(classic daisy 5 spokes all around
or 12 spokes repro fronts or solid fronts)
Bench front seat (I know the X ones look a bit funky)
Strip carpet from rear and seat backs,
paint bare metal,
add wood strips
(ala classic hot rod truck beds)
Take roof rack transverse bars off (done)
Re-do lateral roof rack bars (to match interior) or delete
Candy Apple red paint top (truck is currently faded red and silver)
Gloss black "strip" encompassing windows.
Dark bottom (from lower side trim down) not sure of color yet
Matched dark color bumpers or custom tubes
Non-chrome grille and headlight/park light trim
Front skid plate
Hood scoop

Still sorting some things, but those are some of the ideas. Thanks, again, for the welcomes.

ol skool

 

[Dopler174]

Welcome to Explorer Forum! Do you have the 3ltr in your Expo?

 

[ol skool]

Dopler174,

The Aerostar engine is from a '93 Aerostar, and from memory, it says it is a 4 Ltr.

As an aside (on this intro forum), there are two problems I see with it right now: 1) engine cooling fan does not seem to match up to the radiator cowling like it should. I plan to address that with some kind of wrap-around spacer for the cowling. 2) that long, rubber, oil fill tube on top of the Aerostar engine has nowhere to go, so it is just folded down on top of the engine.

ol skool