Joe Dirt's 2000 Ex-El-Tee "Deuce"

Welcome to the registry for Wedgie 2.0, who has been affectionately named "Deuce"

From Shad's info to save keystrokes:

Here is the run down:

2000 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0L - AWD
Deep Wedgewood Blue
Gray Leather
Yada, yada, yada...

Highlights:

• Transmission rebuilt at 160,000 miles, and filled with synthetic
• Lifted 2" in front with torsion keys
• Lifted 3" in back with Add-a-Leaf and Warrior Shackles
• New Superlift shocks at 166,000 miles
• 31" x 10.5" tires
• As much rust as some southern trucks- she's clean...

Interesting fact- it was an XLT fitted with air-ride shocks from the factory. System was disabled with the kit and shocks were put on to avoid costly repair.



Next to Wedgie:

Today 1/28/11 was the first car wash.

And yes, it needs to be cleaned...

Um... This is going to be my biggest challenge to date.

But it's going to be fine. It's an incredible place to start- the steering wheel isn't even gummy or rolled. I'm very pleased with the canvas...

Anyway, after the car wash, I snapped some pics for starting point reference.
So, here are our obligatory before pictures...

Door seams always oiled

Hatch looks brand new as well!

Nothing on the rocker seams ...but a paint chip

Rockers nice. No rust even at the back- just grime and ice. I think the mudflaps really helped...

 

[1AJeremyD]

^^^ HAHAH thats awesome. You should definitely try it! see what you can come up with. maybe make it look like a hamburger in the cargo mat. Now that would get some attention lol

 

[Joe Dirt]

Ok, so I figured I was going to document my repairing the rockers once I pulled off the rocker trim.

NOT!

Pretty good for an Ohio/Michigan truck...

Now to find some running boards...

 

[lynchy wa]

Jeez mate, they'd be good on a Aridzona truck!

 

[Joe Dirt]

It's a freak. A couple surface spots up front on the driver's front that you can see, fill the rocker with oil again, and call 'er good. I've never oiled door seams before, but after seeing this thing at 200k+ running around Ohio and Michigan daily- I'm sold. I'll oil all of the cars and trucks now.

 

[bcbid]

Joe: What kind of oil? Anything special? Being a Michigander, cars need all the help they can et.

 

[Joe Dirt]

PO used a plain old regular gear lube, I'll probably use the same. It was wiped on all of the seams on the doors and hatch, and some thinner stock that would seep inside the seams of the doors. My doors and hatch look as good as the rockers. I'm completely impressed and sold.

 

[bcbid]

Yes it does look good....

 

[lynchy wa]

Hey Brian!!! Good to see you again mate!!!

 

[vroomzoomboom]

wow, i cant believe those rockers look like that. once again, i am jealous........hella kewl!

 

[rickybobby]

I want your rockers joe, i cant seem to find mine anymore lol

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Yeah, mine didnt even look that good, and I havent driven the Ex during the winter in many many years. Canadians and Mini-Sotans been oiling their doors etc for years, may need to get on the band wagon EH... now lets play Beer Hunter EH

 

[Joe Dirt]

Ok, so today at lunch (since I am not allowed to eat anymore) I POR'd the rockers, seams, and the bottom seam of the rear doors as preventative maintenance.

I was going to do the hatch, but, well, it looks too good right now.

So here are the rocker seams painted (I also painted the underside)

I also painted the face of the rocker under the trim just for ***** and giggles. I'll just prime and paint that seam. Can't have too much protection!

The door:

Here is the other side...

...and the rear rocker again to prevent

...and the door

Overall, I'm extremely pleased at the condition- thanks go to Shad for oiling everything up all those years , it worked amazingly well!

I'll be spraying through the trim mounting holes before reassembling as well.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

:bsnicker:

*singing* "i see a dirty spot, i see a dirty spot!"

 

[Joe Dirt]

There are dirty spots all over. Unfortunately, I can't clean anything, I gave YOU all of my microfibers! lulz!

 

[vroomzoomboom]

I gave YOU all of my microfibers! lulz!

and q tips!

 

[corkey]

WOW Tim , check that out, my Explorer is almost as clean as Joe's !!
and it is even the same color, ,

Oh Yeah, Joe, i also oil my doors as well, , and clean in by the hinges too,

 

[Joe Dirt]

Oh Yeah, Joe, i also oil my doors as well, , and clean in by the hinges too,

Jeez Pete- a little obsessive, no? It's just a truck, and who cares if it's dirty?























:shifty_ey

 

[corkey]

not obsessive at all, it shows pride in ownership, and looks way better clean,

 

[vroomzoomboom]

and he too has some of your microfibers!

 

[corkey]

why , yes, yes i do,

thanks Tim ,