Need Some Advice

[dennymac]

What would you do?...my son wrecked the explorer pretty much beyond repair....front damage from windshield forward is extensive.....i had just put in a new 4.0 litre engine (reman. long block) 300 miles ago..hadn't even changed the oil yet...tranny completely rebuilt last year...every hose, belt, plug wires, starter, water pump,radiator(now destroyed),calipers, rotors,pads, bearings, air compressor (converted to r-32), fan clutch, dryer...all brand new.....should i look for another explorer or maybe a ranger with a blown motor and swap everything, try to part this thing out and start over (don't know where to look for a good vehicle with a blown motor), or just sell as is and cut my losses and move on....any opinions, any ideas on where to find a sound vehicle with a bad motor for a good price, or any experiences that are similar with words of wisdom that you learned along the way would be greatly appreciated
.....thanks, dennis....houston area

 

[mdrut]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Take a good look at the front of the engine..Depending on where the impact took place(front or side) the front of the engine may have took a hard lick..
There could be damage to the crank, rods, flexplate, driveshaft, tailshaft..
Look it over well, before you make a decision. I know you probally don't want to hear this, BUT...
You would probally be better off starting over..
Good Luck.

 

[dennymac]

thanks for your opinion... i'm hoping the motor is still good because it cranks right up...i spliced the upper and lower radiator hoses together and the transmission lines together so i could do this....i guess it could have some hidden damage because i can't drive it more than just to move it around in the driveway...and that's tuff because of the front end being so messed up....the motor has a 12 month unlimited milage no questions asked warranty...so it's possible i could trade it for another if there's no outward visable damage....once again, thanks...i'm just trying to get an idea what experiences other people with similar circumstances have done....dennis

 

[jimbo74]

i totaled mine... look at this... however, after bypassing the tranny cooler and replacing the drive belt and puting in a new radiator i have over 4000 miles on it in this condition... i am rebuilding it... costing less than 3k with custom parts.....

the first pic is right after it was totalled and the second pic is what is looks like driving around for the past 4k miles.... it is currently my daily driver.and currently looks the same in the second pic as what is parked 20 feet away in the parking lot of work....

 

[mikeresin]

damn jim... well it still runs =) and if your redoing it and customizeingit then right on.
hehe maybe thats why yours is so loud... you have an exposed engine hehe

 

[leenjen]

you can usually find good deals on explorers at www.ebay.com

some first generation (91-94) explorers with high mileage engines sell for about $1000.

just do a search for : ford explorer
then click highest prices first, and scroll down till you are in the price range you want.

 

[65 Fury Convert]

That's legal???? I see that custom headlights and the tarp for a hood, very nice. Where is the plank of wood for the front bumper and the remote operated flashlights for turn signals (or do you do it the old fashioned way with your arm?)? Do you ever get pulled over?

 

[jimbo74]

the tarp only covered it when it didnt run..... the second pic posted above is what it looks like currently.... i have yet to be pulled over...got 4k on it since i wrecked it.....

 

[dennymac]

that's absolutely amazing...i can't believe that thing drives....you must not have damaged the bottom frame rails...mine are bent pretty bad...it wouldn't go straight down the road for anything....i'm going to see if i can post a picture....thanks, dennis

 

[Alec]

If the frame is bent and with all the other damage you describe, AND you really want to keep that engine, I would do as suggested and try to find an Explorer with high miles and swap in the engine and maybe entire drivetrain. This would preserve your investment in the engine while saving you some cash. I'm also in the Houston area if you need a little help with the wrenchwork.

Good luck!

 

[rockymntnhi]

JIM

you gonna do a perry's fiberglass front end ???