MrQ's Red Flyer

[reapereviltwin]

And yes, I did use grade 8. That thing isn't coming apart any time soon.

LOL!!! Yes, Gregg is serious about grade 8 bolts on stress points

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

 

[MrQ]

Well, I am still searching and looking for that part, but it seems that the local JY's are ditching first gen explorers like they are the plague. Also, NONE of them would part out the transfer case when I found a couple.

In the meantime, I have got some basic maintenance on Red I need to do. It needs a new driver side rotor (old one is warped and shaking the truck around like an earthquake on a hard stop) and those stupid PITA, piece o' crap, radius arm bushings . Also a good interior and exterior cleaning are in order. I'll see what I can do tomorrow about that.

 

[MrQ]

Sucks when you busted up your leg at work. Yeah I had a really bad fall carrying tomatoes in the cooler Saturday. (Produce Clerk) Wound up tearing ligaments in my knee and my ankle. So, progress on the explorer has dropped to a standstill.

In the meantime, since I won't pay $60 for a simple tc shifter arm, I am going to make my own. I worked on the general idea in Paint. Hopefully it makes sense to someone other than me.

 

[MrQ]

Its time to replace the plugs in the truck again. I am trying to do it every 6 months. It may sound stupid, but I want that engine running right.

I also need to let off the gas going around corners. That rear end is breaking loose a lot more often than usual. I guess that's the trade off for no sway bar. It's kinda freaking me out.

 

[reapereviltwin]

Its time to replace the plugs in the truck again. I am trying to do it every 6 months. It may sound stupid, but I want that engine running right.

I also need to let off the gas going around corners. That rear end is breaking loose a lot more often than usual. I guess that's the trade off for no sway bar. It's kinda freaking me out.

Your rig Dan, if you want to replace the plugs every 6 months, then go for it!!
The removal of the sway bar got my pucker factor a couple of times, but it makes it nice for climbing over obstacles. But since the Dr. Jack has never been a DD, it really isn't a issue with me. ( I've just now went over 700 miles on the rig since I got it) Can't wait to see the Red Flyer in the flesh!

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

better take it extra easy with those left turns then. Your schematic makes sense.

 

[MrQ]

I am stilling having a hesitant switch from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd. I have to let off the pedal just a tad to get it to shift. Also each of those gears engage with a hard clunk. Its kind of disconcerting. I had to replace the modulator to vacuum hose tube with another piece of hose. Tonight I added some zipties to either end just in case it was leaking. I guess the governor is my next stop. *sigh*

 

[MrQ]

Worked on the truck Sunday. Finally put it back in some semblance of order. Found a penny in the seat belt retractor which hasn't worked since the accident. Wonder how it got there? I then moved on to the wiring. What a mess. It was a rat's nest plus a birds nest. So a-splicing and cutting I went. Once I got all the wires hooked up correctly, I then tackled putting them into some of the plastic wire loom I had laying around. Tightened it up with some zip ties and electrical tape and presto! I did blow out my instrument panel. Fortunately, I had an extra 15 amp fuse. Now my compass, electrochromatic mirror, and temp gauge work. I then tackled cleaning all the dirt, gunky, carpet pieces, headliner pieces, wire trimmings, and other odd assortments off the floor. Scrubbed the floor mats and Armorall-ed the interior. The truck now looks great on the inside.

 

[MrQ]

Took the truck on a 40 mile trip today. It was a beautiful day so no A/C and the windows were down. I was on the highway doing anywhere between 55-65 MPH. On the way up, I got caught in a headwind and made a little better than 12 mpg. On the way back, I made upwards of 20 MPG! I now have the transmission shifting right. Whew! Now onto the rough idle. A set of plugs should fix that.

I also finally replaced the cruise control amplifier I picked up a while ago. I now have cruise. That's gonna make that long trip in November much more relaxing.

 

[reapereviltwin]

Just read your post on that ugly closed thread. FREAKING A!!!!!!!!

 

[Keeper0311]

Glad you could keep the Ex man. I came near having to part with mine, and I fought tooth and nail to get her running again.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Wow Dan- glad to see she's staying!

Hey- mad props for sticking it out!

Glad you shook the Dodge addiction. You've certainly come a long way since these days:

 

[black91EB]

ok, so I'm confused. Is the explorer still for sale, or did you sell the dodge, or what? I missed something.....

 

[Joe Dirt]

The Explorer is no longer for sale, but Dan still loves Dodge more than I love cheeseburgers. And I LOVE cheeseburgers.

I mean, unless Dan says he doesn't love Dodge- Dan?

 

[MrQ]

The Dodge is a great vehicle and I still like it, but my Explorer can kick its ass! The Explorer is smaller, easier to maneuver, and is just way more fun to drive. Besides I have torn out its suspension, transmission, cooling system, electronics and put it back in working order as a 4x4. Can't say the same for the Dodge (yet!) Thanks for the support guys. I just love this site!!

blackEB - Red is here to stay.

Hey Joe, were you spying on me?:shifty_ey

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hey Joe, were you spying on me?:shifty_ey

I'm everywhere...

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

 

[MrQ]

Heading to the beach tomorrow and gonna see how the 4x4 works. Going to have to shift the xfercase with a wrench, but hell, its still gonna be fun. I may have some vids Sunday if anybody wants to see them. Catch ya'll later!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Will the truck be airborne in said vids? If so, hell yeah...