Just got another X after several year, few ?s

[offroadford4x4]

Hi yall. I never posted much but have been reading the forums for years ever since we got our first X, 93 EB, that we traded 3 or so years ago for an Escape. Anyhow just picked up a 94 XLT, runs good, but a lil rough around the edges. I plan to get the flares from a 2nd gen cause I like the look and there is a small rust hole in the left rear wheel well I plan to cover once I grind it all down and seal it to slow it's progress. I don't plan to mod this one much as it's just an extra vehicle for us and will be my primary snow fighter. So I may do a 1.5-2" lift and some 31s, and I'd like to find some EB leathers for inside since the factory cloth has seen better days and with nearly 250k miles on the ticker the oem cushions are shot. You can feel the seat frames on your butt when you sit in the seats. Otherwise like I said the 2nd gen flares, and this leads to my few questions,

will the 2nd gen running boards from say an EB also fit on the first gens? Like If I get both boards and all the flares from a single 2nd gen.

Will a 2nd gen rear bumper bolt up to a 1st gen frame? I like the looks much better.

Here's a few pics,

 

[jd4242]

dont think any of the 2nd gen will fit.could be wrong though

 

[Jason94sport]

Rear bumpers are the same up to 97. I had a 97 one on my 94. Bolted up fine. In 98 they switched the plate to the hatch, so the bumper may bolt up but there's no place for the plate.

 

[Anime]

2nd Gen flares should be a direct bolt on, with the screws even in the same place.

The running boards should also be a direct bolt-on, with the body bolt threads in the same locations. However, due to the rocker panel rust (which, going by the pics, yours has), the middle and/or rear mounts are sometimes either missing or severely compromised in terms of strength or load carrying.

A second gen bumper will fit on the frame since the width is the same and the mounts are the same, but it will not look right with the body since the second/third gens have a more curved tailgate. Also as mentioned they moved the license plate mounts to the tailgate, so you'd be without a plate mount, or have to rig something up.

What is it you like "better" about the second gen bumpers in terms of looks? You can get first gen bumpers in EB trim (chrome with tan top plastic piece), and they even come with a matching plastic piece for the bottom hitch part which makes them look almost the exact same as a second gen, just with the license plate still on the bumper.

Second gen EB seats should bolt in too.


If you wanted, you could probably track down someone who's parting out a first gen EB and get the tan trim pieces all around for it, and turn yours into a first/second gen hybrid EB. Might be pretty cool since you're not going to mod it too much.

 

[jd4242]

Wth i posted this question months ago if the flares and side skirts would fit a 1st gen and told they wouldnt!!i have past these up many times because of this.so i can use 2nd gen flares and side molding on my first gen???

 

[offroadford4x4]

Ya it's got some rocker rot. I don't know to what extent yet, but the pass side it's starting up into the dog leg. Not far, only about an in up above the plastic. Maybe I can find just rocker covers that will fit the flares, and skip the running boards.

To me the 2nd gen (like my fathers 96) just appears to be more rounded and tucks tighter to the body. I could be wrong though. Guess I'll find out when I see his next.

And I have thought about getting all the tan outside pieces and such, but that would only cost me more money. I know it sounds like I want to do a lot even though I said not, but in comparison to my F150 this thing would still be stock even if I did it all. My main goal is to make it look a little better, drive a lil better, and be a bit more comfortable. But I don't want to exceed what I paid for it, which wasn't much overall. If the yard I go to has everything I want there, I could walk out with it all prolly for under $250 max, maybe even under $200.

 

[Anime]

Wth i posted this question months ago if the flares and side skirts would fit a 1st gen and told they wouldnt!!i have past these up many times because of this.so i can use 2nd gen flares and side molding on my first gen???

You should use the search function more, or just google it. There are plenty of threads on putting second gen flares on a first. 3rd gen flares even fit when going from a 4 door to another 4 door. The main issue usually is people want to keep the 1st gen door trim (which is of course larger and in the way), or don't seek out the kind of flares they need (XLT, EB, Limited, etc.) and end up trying to modify it instead of getting the right kind from the start. Then there are people who want 4 door flares on a 2 door or vice versa.

2nd gen flares, and running boards, from a 4 door, will fit right on a 1st gen 4 door. And even if it's not a perfect body line match...it's nothing a heat gun can't fix. Or maybe some additional mounting screws.




The 2nd gen bumper isn't any more rounded, but the slighty more aerodynamic shape of the body might give that impression, espeically with the larger bulging bodywork they have, which makes the body look wider and the bumper narrower by comparison.

I wasn't suggesting you spend a lot of money to make it a EB, just gather stuff as you can for cheap or free.

 

[jd4242]

You should use the search function more, or just google it. There are plenty of threads on putting second gen flares on a first. 3rd gen flares even fit when going from a 4 door to another 4 door. The main issue usually is people want to keep the 1st gen door trim (which is of course larger and in the way), or don't seek out the kind of flares they need (XLT, EB, Limited, etc.) and end up trying to modify it instead of getting the right kind from the start. Then there are people who want 4 door flares on a 2 door or vice versa.

2nd gen flares, and running boards, from a 4 door, will fit right on a 1st gen 4 door. And even if it's not a perfect body line match...it's nothing a heat gun can't fix. Or maybe some additional mounting screws.




The 2nd gen bumper isn't any more rounded, but the slighty more aerodynamic shape of the body might give that impression, espeically with the larger bulging bodywork they have, which makes the body look wider and the bumper narrower by comparison.

I wasn't suggesting you spend a lot of money to make it a EB, just gather stuff as you can for cheap or free.

Thanks for the suggestion but i fully know how to use the search button,comments like that is what gives us bad names especially to a person that gives as much help as i do,no need for that!! !!it was brought up in one of my threads and i was told it wouldnt work so i went on that!! But thanks for clearing that up!!!

 

[offroadford4x4]

I wasn't suggesting you spend a lot of money to make it a EB, just gather stuff as you can for cheap or free.

I know, I understood what you were saying. I just thought there may have been a lil sarcasm in the "Might be pretty cool since you're not going to mod it too much. " comment. I only thought that because of the people at work and friends whom I mentioned my plans said it sure sounds like you plan to do a lot with it even though you say you won't. Lol But to me it's not a lot in comparison to my F150.


And thanks for all the input. But I checked out dads bumper last nite, and one that was at work today, and the early 2nd gens appear to have a bit more curve to them where the 1st gen seems pretty straight across. Plus the lower pad on the 2nd gens are wider, covers most of the bottom of the bumper side to side, not just the hitch plate.

 

[Anime]

Thanks for the suggestion but i fully know how to use the search button,comments like that is what gives us bad names especially to a person that gives as much help as i do,no need for that!! !!it was brought up in one of my threads and i was told it wouldnt work so i went on that!! But thanks for clearing that up!!!

Chill man, it was sarcasm. I am surprised with all the threads on it you didn't come across info that they would fit though.



That version of the 2nd gen bumper will work fine, the metal part is the same, just the top plastic piece has the different curve for the tailgate and the bottom piece is longer as you pointed out. You can either just swap it on direct, or use a first gen top plastic piece if you'd rather.

 

[offroadford4x4]

actually it's the bottom pad I like for some reason. but IIRC there are holes in the bottom edge for the clips which mine does not have. So If I come across one cheep, I may pick it up.

Thank you