New member.. Ex shopping

[HeavyFoot]

Hey all, thought I'd make the intro thread

My first vehicle was an 88 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4. Loved that truck.. put 150,000 hard miles on it before the A4LD literally exploded. It went BANG and no longer went forward... I cut my teeth on this truck as far as turning wrenches, I had it almost 4 years. 3 years after sending it to the shredder I regret that decision... hind sight is always 20/20 but I knew one day I'd probably have another RBV. At that time I went to the Chevy side with a full size Suburban. Loved that truck. I really learned a lot with it, but it was time to sell it this year as I didn't like how big it was and I rarely used it due to it's size.

And here I am today.. been looking at first gen Exploders. Figured that I already knew a few things about them so I was already well ahead. I started by looking for a Ranger or B2.. but I was specifically looking for a 1st or 2nd gen and everything around here is beat to hell or owned by crackheads. Seems like the first gen Ex on the other hand is common, inexpensive, and can be had in really nice shape. So here I am... hopefully I'll have one soon It will be a second vehicle for me.. my commuter is a Honda Fit.

Plans for the next year are:

Repair any issues right off the bat
Trans cooler
JD 4" lift
New body mounts
New Trans and Motor Mounts
Coverking seat covers
31x10.50 BFG KM2's on black steelies
Working AC
15% window tint all around
2 NMO mounts installed
2m HAM rig installed
CB Installed

I haven't even found a truck yet and I've figured all this out Truck won't be seeing any extreme trails, just old logging roads that are so destroyed you need a good high clearance 4x4 to get there Snow runs in the winter are also on the agenda.

Anyways, hopefully I'll have a long stay here Thanks for such an awesome resource on RBVs!

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum!

 

[HeavyFoot]

Welcome to the site

Thanks! I for see ordering some parts from your business.. didn't realize you guys were supporting vendors so that's even better

Welcome to this forum!

Thanks!

I may have found my vehicle... a 93 XLT 4x4 with 132k on it, all dealer maintained and spotless with a clean interior and exterior. Never used to tow with and no kids Going to go look tomorrow morning.

 

[HeavyFoot]

Picking it up tonight.. a 93 XLT for $1500. 132k original miles, dealer maintained, already has Warne hubs and it's SUPER clean. 4wd has been used twice and the under carriage is spotless with no rust or grease. The front axle even has shiney paint still!

 

[sport97]

Sounds like you found a good one. Pics when you get it back...oh, BTW, welcome!

 

[HeavyFoot]

I will definitely post pics! I'm excited. This truck has perfect paint and interior. It's unreal at it's age. Thanks for the welcome

 

[HeavyFoot]

Forgive the crappy cell phone pic!

Drives super nice, amazing how much quieter it is than my 2010 Fit.. just not as nimble. The road manners surprise me a bit.. I half expected it to ride smoother than the Ranger but I was pleasantly surprised it still feels like a truck on the road, little rough but firmly planted and not spongy like my dad's 98 Mounty.

Only glaring issue right now is the alignment, fuel gauge is intermittent, and a little surface rust in the body rails on the roof. No other paint damage and the rest of it's perfect, leads me to think it's something to do with the body line at that spot. Easily fixed, not even close to being even necessary to fix yet.

Plans are still a lift and 31's. Want the ground clearance for snow runs. For this winter though, the goal is simply drive it when it snows and take it into the mountains.. the Fit is the daily driver and will always be. I will be changing the oil to Mobil 1 and replacing the Fram orange canister of death the PO used. At least he changed the oil every 2500... also replacing the trans filter this week and going to try my hand at fluid replacement using the cooler lines. Next week I'll get it aligned. I might tackle packing the wheel bearings this week too... who knows when the last time it was even looked at was.

Overall.. very pleased. Amazing truck for $1500, especially compared to the clapped the hell out Rangers and Bronco II's I looked at for $2000-$2500.