In too deep?

[Jay2001]

The whole suspension is trashed according to the mechanic. the more imidiate things are the lower control arms and body mounts... question is will she pull through its got 160k and previous owner treated it like sh$t in preventative maintaince deparment. i have a little something from the motorcycle accident that almost killed me and instead of buying a new bike i was thinking of restoring the explorer. shes 2wd and i want to get lockers, the way she handles mud was pretty sad. all in all how deep will i be if i replace the suspension? will it be cheaper to lift it or get a stock kit? As well as control arms and body mounts? Am i under 2-3k i dont want to dump my savings and not be satisfied with the end result. Since ive had her last 3 months ive already invested at very least 2k in a/c, fluid flushes and tune up not to mention the sound system push bar led foglights and few other cosmetic upgrades am i in to deep? Blue book says 3k at resale at very best but if i do this i will run her till the end of time if you know what i mean. Thanks for your input sincerly jay.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

I'd cut bait and walk away. Find one that's already 4x4 and in nicer condition. I restored my 96 and dumped 6 grand into it over the past 2 years and I've done all the work myself. It's still having issues. It's not worth it. Mine only had 143k on it when I bought it and It now has 151k. I wish I scrapped it.

 

[jimmyznutz]

Not to mention the timing guide issues with the 4.0. Would probably be best to find a v8 add to invest in for your offroad adventures. It's a much more dependable platform and will last quite some time with the proper maintenance.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

The v8 is nice but the awd isn't the best off road. Id plan on a 4406 swap if you go the v8 route. I personally love my awd v8, but I don't really off road ever.

 

[CDW6212R]

Buying parts from other trucks at JY's is the only feasible answer, besides starting with another truck. Decide if the SOHC V6 is worth the every few years high maintenance costs.

I got my "new" 98 with 158k miles, and I'm deep into discovering how poor the maintenance was. I got it kind of cheap, but my goal was zero(ZERO(99%)) rust, and I did get that thankfully. The front diff, was empty, I thought the grinding was a hub, so new hubs and most parts swapped from my Mercury(the spare), and I'll have it running better soon. The AWD was not empty, but the fluid was black(never changed).

It takes a lot of time, and labor and money, to bring a vehicle back from the brink of death, due to lack of care. Take it slow and patiently, or else sell it and don't look back. Regards,

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Buying parts from other trucks at JY's is the only feasible answer, besides starting with another truck. Decide if the SOHC V6 is worth the every few years high maintenance costs.

I got my "new" 98 with 158k miles, and I'm deep into discovering how poor the maintenance was. I got it kind of cheap, but my goal was zero(ZERO(99%)) rust, and I did get that thankfully. The front diff, was empty, I thought the grinding was a hub, so new hubs and most parts swapped from my Mercury(the spare), and I'll have it running better soon. The AWD was not empty, but the fluid was black(never changed).

It takes a lot of time, and labor and money, to bring a vehicle back from the brink of death, due to lack of care. Take it slow and patiently, or else sell it and don't look back. Regards,

^ This.

To put this into perspective, I paid 500 bucks for my 96. Now up to 6 grand total investment and it still isn't perfect, and it is rusted. The complete lack of maintenance just kills the vehicle and makes it not worth recovering. I thought mine was in better shape than it was and I continue to uncover more every day. My engine was shot at 143k. Most v8s live twice that.

 

[koda2000]

^ This.

To put this into perspective, I paid 500 bucks for my 96. Now up to 6 grand total investment and it still isn't perfect, and it is rusted. The complete lack of maintenance just kills the vehicle and makes it not worth recovering. I thought mine was in better shape than it was and I continue to uncover more every day. My engine was shot at 143k. Most v8s live twice that.

I totally agree. I bought my '01 ST about a year ago, as a sight-unseen, non-runner, for $1000 and with approx $1700 worth of mostly used parts, a new windshield and 4 new tires I'm now into it for around $2700 total. Market valve is currently $3500-$4500 in my area. I did all the labor myself. It required more repairs than I was hoping for, but all-in-all it's turned out well and I'm not upside-down. It's not perfect either, but what 15 year old vehicle is?

 

[LoquetusofBorg]

I think it is all up to you and how you feel about your rig, do you love it enough to keep it and make it yours for the duration? or do you prefer something else? There is no such thing as the perfect rig, we all find neat thing to put on our daily drivers from winches to suspension and other parts. My rig I paid 800, (traded for a dodge I had), ran great for 4 years. In that 4 years I was slowly buying parts for it and did most the work myself with a few exceptions. It pains me to tell you how much I have in my rig to this date and I am not done! A little over thirteen thousand. It is not worth that at all, but neither is any other rig I have looked at with all the options. I am going to keep it, like most others here will tell you go with the v8, it gets better fuel economy and is far more reliable, although I have a lot of miles on mine before the timing issues, I do expect to get another 212 thousand out of it because I regularly maintain my rig. What ever you decide just stick to it and don't look back, because you will put money into anything you drive and there is no cut off point for the 4x4 enthusiast at least not that I have seen. My humble opinion.
Robert

 

[Jay2001]

Soo i went to a fun little place in florida called lazy springs and she kinda turned my expectations up. Tore up some good dirt. didnt have no remorse went through the 4×4 only rock trail/climbs and hills bit still dont trust her on the mud what would be the biggest engine i could fit in her bay also, if i went that route would lockers still be essential im considering maybe putting off the lockers...funniest part of the whole trip was seeing 2 of our explorers in the middle of the "mudd death pitt" completly crushed by trucks maybe they really are trash but one mans trash is anothers treasure. I could say without a doubt i probably have the nicest explorer in my area nobody loves these things but us :/ ...

 

[MAS Tequila]

Jay be careful about what you say.

What's the bet about having the nicest one in the area?

I'm just up the road in Boca and may take you up on that one.

What's a little fun gonna hurt.

But seriously, I'm glad you love it, they're a great inexpensive (until you start modding) vehicle.

MT

 

[Jay2001]

Jay be careful about what you say.

What's the bet about having the nicest one in the area?

I'm just up the road in Boca and may take you up on that one.

What's a little fun gonna hurt.

But seriously, I'm glad you love it, they're a great inexpensive (until you start modding) vehicle.

MT

Always up for a challenge but maybe i can take coral springs and you own boca haha...

 

[MAS Tequila]

Always up for a challenge but maybe i can take coral springs and you own boca haha...

I'll tell you what.

Since I've had this one for 3+ years I'll give you some time to catch up.

I've done the 4406 swap, lift, and a bunch of others.

And mine is an original Florida vehicle with less than 100,000 on the odometer.

When I have the time to clean her up she looks pretty good.

MT

 

[Jay2001]

Just wait on my settlement i bet that might help catch me up.. Then actually join the membership so i can show the gang some pictures.. do you offroad? Would you be willing to go out wheeling?

 

[MAS Tequila]

Just wait on my settlement i bet that might help catch me up.. Then actually join the membership so i can show the gang some pictures.. do you offroad? Would you be willing to go out wheeling?

In the not too distant future, yes.

I have to have a double cardan drive shaft made for the front before I can do much.

MT