ld50 Explorer mods revisited

[powpow]

Wow! What a definitive thread on modding an Explorer!!!

 

[ld50]

Thanks guys! This is an in-depth thread isn`t it?

Now for an update on things..

I went to the explorerforum run to Moab this year, needless to say, it was awesome!

Before I went, I changed out my front coil springs with aftermarket replacements. The front end was starting to sag a little so replacing the springs brought it back in line with the alignment.
When I was in Moab I had a couple problems, my passenger side coil popped out on me! I got it back in and kept my anti-sway bar hooked up for the rest of the trip. (special thanks to Jefe for helping me on the trail) I will have to make some J-clips to keep them in there now. i`ll post a pic of those when I fab them up.

Also, my passenger side front outside U-joint was killed when I was there. I replaced it it, and actually saw that the u-joint was bound to fail sooner or later anyway, it was wearing away for quite a while!

Lately, I`ve started getting this wierd noise from the back end that I `m hoping is maybe the rear U-joint on the driveshaft, I`m replacing the two of them today, so we`ll see..

Gotta pay if ya want to play.

 

[ld50]

Well, the noise from the back turned out to be my muffler banging the frame just enough. it had slipped over a bit on the rubber mounting doo-hickeys.

I made my J-clips up, just using some flat bar metal that I procured. I put the bar in a vise with a socket that was as thick as my coil spring, then bent the metal with a hammer till it curved over the socket, careful not to have too much curve so I could get it in the coild ofr mounting. This is the best way, you don`t want to heat the metal up to bend it lest you weaken it.

Then I put it in place and drilled a hole through the clip and the upper coil seat. after that I trimmed the excess off, painted them, and bolted them on.

This reminded me of my choice to ignore the need to raise my differential breather line on the front diff. I heard the warnings, and sure enough, got water in there. I knew people`s coils had been known to pop out, but didn`t think it would happen to me. Bottom line is if you wheel with your sway bar unattached, you need these clips!

 

[carsonm]

Look's great, did you make mine too at the same time Hopefully they won't start rubbing and making noise like my springs.

 

[ld50]

Got the metal for ya, it only takes a couple minutes to make them.

 

[Crankcase]

I'll do some cluttering hehe....

What do you mean by you had a SOCKET the size of the coil?

 

[ld50]

LOL, you saw that eh? Your question isn`t clutter crank,

"How`s your Mom doing?" would be clutter.
Too much dialogue is hell with the table of contents don`t ya know!
A little is cool of course.

By socket as big as the coil, I meant the same diameter as a section of coil.
Here it is in illustrated, diagramatic detail. (In full color)

 

[Crankcase]

AHHH! Now it makes sense....

And yes...I was in the right place at the right time to see your flirting ...LMFAO!

 

[ld50]

~update~

Well, been putting a hell of a lot of abuse into the station wagon this year.
The latest problems are:

-Overheating
She overheated a few weeks ago out on the road. A couple days later my heater core developed a leak, possibly as a result of the problem, I don`t know.
I bought a fan clutch, but of course I need that special wrench to get the bugger off and can`t seem to rent one, which is a bummer.

When the heater core blew, it drained coolant out of the A/C drain.
I took a short length of copper pipe and basically took off the hoses and re-directed the flow back into the return hose. I left the heater core in till I get a new one. Any way, the leak stopped, but it still wants to overheat. I`ll see how the new fan clutch works before I get too worried, everything else like the rad and thermostat were replaced bfore my Moab trip.

Another aggravation is my clutch shudder which comes and goes at take off. I always had it and replacing the clutch and getting the flywheel machined didn`t fix the problem. I suspect it is a problem with the flywheel, but of course if I shell out for one and it doesn`t go away, I won`t be happy.

Other than that, I still like the new front locker, it`s quite a blast to drag myself around with two lockers!

 

[glfredrick]

I bought a fan clutch, but of course I need that special wrench to get the bugger off and can`t seem to rent one, which is a bummer.

Don't forget, those things have reverse threads...

I usually get mine off by using a channel lock pliers and sometimes with a long punch (hit against one of the points on the big nut in the direction to remove). That usually works.

 

[ld50]

That`s wierd though, I got a service guide from the local Ford shop that said it was a left handed nut, so to loosen it I would go clockwise. But on my fan shroud it says "right hand thread on fanclutch", which is the normal way right? I looked at the new fan clutch itself and the threads there tell me that it would have to screw on clockwise, so standing in front of the truck I would spin it counter clockwise to loosen it. I was quite confused, but the Ford guy told me they put the wrench on pointing straight up, and they give it a hard whack from drivers side to passenger side. Anyway my problem is not having a wrench that fits in there!
I also noticed that alot of older vehicles actually give you enough room to fit a standard wrench in there, someone`s trying to sell wrenches I guess.

 

[glfredrick]

I've never seen a Ford fan that was not reverse threads.

It us usually lefty-loosey - righty-tighty - and it would be backwards for the fan - let me know if I am wrong!

 

[ld50]

Well GL, it in fact loosened off in a counter-clockwise fashion. I managed to borrow a wrench that would fit, put it on, gave it a quick hit with a hammer (standing in front and striking from driver`s to pass. side) and it loosened for me, then came the rest of the way by hand. Glad to get the job done anyhow! Now I gotta see about the heater core.

>edit<

Heater core in, everything seems in order now!

 

[ld50]

Ching Ching!

$$

All costs in CDN funds !

Truck = $8500.00

Plasma white hid headlights = $39.96
Mini driving lights = $65.00
Filter adapter = $68.41**
K&N filter = $50.00
Window visors = $45.00
Cheap CB = $75.00
Antenna = $50.00
Tow hooks = $40.00
2" susp lift with shocks = $464.00 **
31x10.5 BFG T/A K/Os = $835.00
New lower ball jts. and alignment = $ 604.00
Fire extinguisher = $ 40.00
4.10 gears, locker, U-joints = $2635.37
2" body lift kit = $148.45
Shifter extension = $58.21
2" x 20' tow strap = $40.50
War1780 skid plates - $115.00 **
War153 shackles - $99.95 **
1.5" Wheel spacers - $504.87 **
Custom exhaust - $320.00
Dual battery parts approx. $85.00
2nd battery= $100.00
33x10.5 BFG MUD T/A KM (4)
minus sale of old tires (350$) = $578.84
Antenna kit 4' Firestick = $80.03
Lower shock mounts WAR161 = $51.55
Saddleman generic fender flares = $50.00
OME-36 leaf springs and poly = $900.00 **
Ford `96 bushings for front of leafs = $100.00
Used front Detroit "lunchbox" locker $232.20


(** includes shipping)

Total "EX"penses =$16976.34 CDN
__________________

(Oh the money you`ll blow)

 

[crazyfoolreal]

that is insane man, I love your truck and wish I had some intuition to try this on mine. I got the 31 bfg all terain t/a and thats about it for now. Im lookin at a ranger lift which is comprised of a 2" spacer and 2 new leaf springs, also lookin at some rough country nitro shocks. After that Ill do the 2" PA body lift and see how I sit. Does this sound good? If not I would love some input.

 

[bates]

How much does this lift cost? F-150 spacers are cheaper than just about any other out there, and WAR-153 shackles with add a leafs would be way cheaper than new springs in my mind. Springs are usually big cash, considering. But a two inch lift plus a two inch body lift would definately look good, modded trucks always look better (in my mind, but I am a little weird according to some). You are in the states so your prices would be cheaper than LD's. Just another option, but but you prolly noticed thats what he did.

 

[crazyfoolreal]

well the kit is 80 shipped. Where can i get the f150 spacers, or shackles?

 

[bates]

If that would work, forget what I said and just give me the link for this lift! Thats a smokin' deal if it'll work!

300th post for this thread! yee haw!

 

[ld50]

You can get the F-150 spacers from any Ford dealer. The War shackles can be got from virtually any off-road shop, especially if they specialize in Jeeps.
Good luck!

 

[Minivek]

spacers

What size f150 spacers do you guys use with the warrior war153 shackles? The 2 inch one? Thanks