New Explorer owner. Intro and a question or two

[tsantsa]

Hi everyone!

First time Explorer purchaser here! Me and the lady bought a 2000 XLT AWD v8 (ug, gas) today. It has 136k miles on it, new tires, brakes and ball joints. If price talk is allowed I would love to ask if I paid a fair deal, but I'll reserve that for later.

I have never owned a big truck before save for a Honda Element, but then, that's not really big now is it? lol I plan on this thing lasting for a long time and the truck does have a couple of issues that I knew about before purchasing. Mind you, I have never really done much work to vehicles before, but since I will be purchasing used vehicles for the foreseeable future I decided I need to learn some things...

The paint is a bit worn and a couple of scratches here and there but not too deep. There is one rust spot on top in front of the moon roof about the size of a quarter. What would be the best method of cleaning this up and recoating/repairing the damage (short of new paint job...dunno how much that would cost honestly).

The drivers seat has a tear in the leather (faux leather?) and the console armrest has a big gash in it. Can those be repaired or replaced inexpensively? Or am I talking a new seat altogether? The console part, I imagine I can go to the junkyard and get one or find online...

The car seems a bit floaty on the road, is this a normal feel for a 2000 Explorer or am I looking at fixing suspension down the line? It's not bad, just a bit...floaty.

And the big one is that the passenger exterior door handle is broken...The key also will not unlock it from the outside. I assume some linkage broke to the handle, but why would the key not unlock it?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to the game!

 

[mr2fix2it]

The key is the easy one! Use WD40 in the hole and play with the key it takes time but they come loose its from lack of use. The console cover you can get on ebay The seat is another story try to find a good used one covers are not cheap.The rust you have to clean the area and coat it with something paint or primer .

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hi everyone!

First time Explorer purchaser here! Me and the lady bought a 2000 XLT AWD v8 (ug, gas) today. It has 136k miles on it, new tires, brakes and ball joints. If price talk is allowed I would love to ask if I paid a fair deal, but I'll reserve that for later.

I have never owned a big truck before save for a Honda Element, but then, that's not really big now is it? lol I plan on this thing lasting for a long time and the truck does have a couple of issues that I knew about before purchasing. Mind you, I have never really done much work to vehicles before, but since I will be purchasing used vehicles for the foreseeable future I decided I need to learn some things...

The paint is a bit worn and a couple of scratches here and there but not too deep. There is one rust spot on top in front of the moon roof about the size of a quarter. What would be the best method of cleaning this up and recoating/repairing the damage (short of new paint job...dunno how much that would cost honestly).

For the rust, you can clean it up with some sandpaper/fiberglass pen, use something like POR-15 or rust treatment to seal it up, then prime and paint with a can of duplicolor to match. Your color code will be on the door jamb. Not a terribly perfect result unless you take your time, but it's the top of the truck, not too visible anyway.

New paint- probably $1,000 minimum for a decent job. Not worth the cost to fix that spot though.

The drivers seat has a tear in the leather (faux leather?) and the console armrest has a big gash in it. Can those be repaired or replaced inexpensively? Or am I talking a new seat altogether? The console part, I imagine I can go to the junkyard and get one or find online...

The seats are not easily fixed unless you can get the cover off and take it to someone that can re-sew it for you. Most likely the stitching degraded and broke up.

The armrest pads are a very common problem. Try this forum vendor and recover it yourself. Much less expensive than take-off's on eBay. CLICK ME

The car seems a bit floaty on the road, is this a normal feel for a 2000 Explorer or am I looking at fixing suspension down the line? It's not bad, just a bit...floaty.

I'd suggest some Monroe Reflex shocks. Nice balance of stability and comfort. On (rockauto.com they go for about $38 per shock) I'd also make sure the sway bar end links ($35) and swaybar body mount bushings as well. ($30)

And the big one is that the passenger exterior door handle is broken...The key also will not unlock it from the outside. I assume some linkage broke to the handle, but why would the key not unlock it?

Door handle replacement (very similar to the driver's side) CLICK ME

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to the game!

Welcome to the forum! :wavey:

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! The only way to get rid of rust is to sand it, apply primer, and paint. It will keep spreading if it's not taken care of.

 

[tsantsa]

Thanks for the help! I'll chase down the links and try to uncover some info also.