Hello from MN

[coreyk78]

Hi everyone, just wanted to introduce myself, I've been a longtime ford enthusiast, I was even a tech at a Ford dealership for 3 years doing heavy line work (engine, trans. swaps etc.) and I have owned 4 5.0 mustangs.
I recently got my Dad's old explorer as a nearly free hand-me down as a second vehicle that my wife is driving to work now that we sold her old 94 chevy extended cab.

Our explorer is a 97 5.0 with 273,000 miles, still on the original engine thats never even had the intake or valve covers off, and amazingly to me, the original AOD. For some reason the transfer case died at 150k, and its on the 3rd salvage yard front drive shaft. I used to maintain it for my dad when I lived closer to him, but when I bought a house an hour away from my parents he let some of the maintenance slide since he knew he was getting a replacement explorer soon.

I found this forum and decided it would be a good place to come and look for ideas for improvements to this old truck while I whip it back into shape. First thing on my list is replacing the front ball joints and fixing the sagging rear end on this thing.

 

[Explorer#2]

welcome to the forum, what are your other plans for the X

 

[coreyk78]

Well, I have a set of warrior extended leaf spring shackles on order right now, and I may replace or do an add a leaf on the rear springs, along with cranking up the front torsion bars so we can hopefully get some 31" tires on it without any rubbing. My wife doesn't like how low it sits stock.

Then its fixing some of the other things my dad let go, like broken rear inside door handles, and slow power windows. And also the broken drivers seat, my dad is kind of a big guy, and the bottom of the seat frame tore right off the bracket from years of his abuse haha!

Once all the safety and maintenance type stuff is taken care of, I might see if this old engine can still make a little more power, who knows

 

[95Xsport]

Good to see another MN guy Thats quite the mileage for a '97! You should post some pics

 

[coreyk78]

Hey wow! Youre from Farmington? thats where I grew up, my parents still live there.

 

[95Xsport]

Wow, what a small world! What part of Farmington?

 

[coreyk78]

I lived on the north side of town, off HWY 3, kind of towards Rosemount.