New to Me 17 Sport, Modification Thread

[Blown]

I just slowed down, parted out my old supercharged 2000, and purchased a 2017 Sport. The Sport only has 63,000 miles on it and is in very good condition. There are a few chinks in the paint which I touched-up and the interior looks and smells new. I hope not to be working on it as I have my rigs all my life and I am saving what is left of me for other fun things. Not that old but, back issues.

It came with aftermarket 20" "Touren" wheels and newish Continental 265/50's. First thing I did was muds flaps, then the higher aftermarket crossbars, then I put my old catch can on it, and found a visor to help keep the sun off the screen. I think I will tap the can for another vacuum line, pulling from the turbo's like the RX set-up. I'll add that here once completed. I got touch-up paint, mud flaps, Visor, and Crossbars through Amazon.

A few Pics:

 

[Blown]

Ooops, Also added Window Vent Visors.

 

[Blown]

Uhhhhg, I get a message from Admin, Peter to update my stuff as a requirement! No welcome to 5th Gen. Forum, just enjoy new ride and update your crap as REQUIRED. Done, don't need BS admin over nothing and have seen many of his post and made my decision already. Dude, cut some slack, lighten-up, and try to be conducive to additional post!

 

[RangerX]

Rick and Tom are the only admins, Peter USED TO BE the moderator of this section but is no longer. He is just a member.

 

[Rick]

Nice looking Sport. Do you plan on doing extensive mods to this one?

The only thing I've added to our ST in four years is a catchcan. Ford just really gets it right some times.

 

[Gerry1]

Install a pair of Redline/tuning Quicklift struts to hold the hood up. Your welcome.

 

[Blown]

Moving along, after saying sorry for my BS!

I have, since my original post above, added a lift kit, rims and tires. I get out on forest service/BLM roads for recreation and skiing. The Sport Rims already got a couple minor scuffs and she was a low rider for deeper snow. 20" rims do not leave enough sidewall to get off highway and protect the rims. I found an 18" rim that fit over the larger sport brakes and with a bit less offset to sit-out further to clear the front body mounts. Going from stock 255/50R20 to 265/65R18 gained 1.8" of sidewall.

At full droop the rear tires would make contact with the plastic piece bolted on the front bottom of the fender. I was able to unbolt them. I trimmed the plastic fenders down low at the front of the back fenders and rear of the front fenders where they bulge out to protect the body seam. I trimmed the body seams 1/4" down which were revealed as I cut back the plastic fenders. I trimmed the large washer on the front body mounts. I painted it all with body undercoat. At the front the biggest issue was the large washer on the front body mount bolts. The wheels are 18X8 30mm offset (which helped clear the front body mounts as well). It ended-up with 1/2" clearance between the tire and washer there when turning. The tires do not rub anywhere. I used the KSP lift kit for $200 on Amazon.

I was able to use ForScan to get closer to the 265/65R18 I am running with no codes but need to check it with GPS. I found a spreadsheet on the ForScan site, "Ford As Built Tire Calculator V4.0 which tells you where and what to enter in ForScan for a specific tire size or to correct from the speedo difference and actual good GPS speed measurement.

Ah pictures are worth...................:::

A couple minor things, I like Ford, but not the huge Blue emblems. I found American flag overlays on Ebay and slapped them on. I do not plan for any more modifications to this Explorer, though.............I like the CVS intercooler with a 3bar MAP, and a tune. I think that rather than spending more on this one, I can get an ST in a few years…….

I may grab some of those struts for the hood.

 

[Blown]

Well............Rationalizing here, I can't leave it alone. I didn't want to tear into nicer, newer rig and I am supposed to be slowing down. It just does not take much physical work to get a good bump in power out of these. It was much more work and cash to get this kind of power out of the ole Gen 2 Explorer. This will be easy and I got help.

I am not going to leave the 'power on the table' Ford left there to grab! I am pleased to see what can be had for the price and effort. I researched here and around the web and found what is working. I 'ran into' a great kit which is the most complete with items to allow you to get the most out of a tune.

First, I knew I wanted a better intercooler and found that from CVS. I asked for their referral for tuning and that led me to a kit from Unleashed Tuning. It includes all the parts needed that other kits do not. That inspired confidence being a tuner myself, installing and running superchargers. The kit includes: an SCT X4 Tuner, a custom tune, NGK 6510 Spark Plugs, Rat Stat Thermostat, 2.5 Bar Map Sensor, and most importantly a go fast Unleashed Tuning Sticker!

The custom tune includes datalogging. That will allow the tuner to get it right-on based upon the actual parts working together in real time. The spark plugs are changed to a cooler plug and the gapped for more boost. This is to prevent predetonation as more heat will be produced. The lower temp thermostat is to help keep everything and the air charge a bit cooler for better performance/more boost. The 2.5 bar sensor gives more range to tune within and will read to higher boost levels. The sticker needs no further explanation. The intercooler is not included in the kit. It is an option. It will help performance directly with a cooler intake air charge and it will allow for repeated performance without heating-up. They sell the CVS IC as an option to their tuning kit.

I can't believe the power gains and can't wait to feel it! I got a little project and will post-up as I go. I do appreciate any experience here with this, things to look-out for? Any questions about it?

 

[Blown]

Time on my hands....................I removed the very cool, auto storing, third row seat yesterday. The seat would rarely be used, I want the storage space and there is no need hauling the extra weight around.

I got me a project to build it out for storage and perhaps a full size spare. I am going to weigh the seat, curious how much poundage was removed.

Edit:

back after getting a weight, ................... 95lbs for the powered, third row seat. That is almost 100lbs removed that was mostly behind the rear axle., but who would want to remove that swing weight?

There are no easily found interceptor/police model crossmembers/seat crossmembers that I have found. I got a quote of $400 shipped.................................I was thinking to save the third row.........................Don't think anyone wants it, so I cut it in half to pull the center cross support. It will be the start of a new custom crossmember...................................

Yep, uuuuuuuhhhhhhhunnn, modifications, Mods. make it better off pavement, in snow, and make it go faster if yah mash the skinny pedal!

Modified to be better than stock for me, by me, with easily found and not so expensive items/parts.

 

[Blown]

Here it is, ha, a temporary cross member. It's almost like a front shock tower but for the rear. I sleeved the piece I cut out of the third row seats.........................When It warms-up I will make a custom unit that will allow a full size spare to be tucked underneath and also support a hinged, spare tire/cargo area cover.

 

[Blown]

Toys for my rig, OBJ, Old Blue Jeans................................................Tuner, plugz (LTR71X-11 6510), thermostat, 2.5bar MAP sensor:

The CVS intercooler is being delivered today! I may be waiting a bit for it to warm-up before I install it though.

 

[Blown]

I got out to the garage to complete the first steps. I attached the tuner to read and get the Vehicle Strategy. That was requested and emailed back to Unleashed Tuning. I will get a canned tune back to be able to install and work with the 2.5 Bar MAP sensor. That way it will run correctly.

I had to post a couple of pics of the IC and later perhaps a comparison with the stock unit:

So far so good! The items came nicely packaged and were delivered in a timely fashion. There has been good communication and a warning to be heeded: Also always return the vehicle back to stock prior to warranty work. If you do not and the PCM strategy or Part number changes you will need to contact SCT and they can unlock the device for a fee.

 

[Blown]

Wow, I got my tune back already................better get the all the parts installed to support it, then install it. I see much warmer temps on Friday.

 

[Blown]

OK, so this is me "slowed down", ha.......................

Wow, this has been the easiest and best bang for the buck performance work I have done,/gotten help with! I got the tuner, updated it via Wifi, downloaded the custom tune, and loaded it. The instructions were simple to follow.

The plugs, thermostat and 2.5Bar MAP sensor were easy, a little labor. I have not installed the intercooler. It appears to be more time consuming than difficult and I think I can get an extra hand to help.. I am going to count on the cold temps and keeping my foot out of it till I get it installed. I need a warmer afternoon to be able to work on it,. We should be back to normal this week and 40 degrees would work. I can't work on it with the garage door closed, little garage. I wont be driving it much till I get the IC installed.

I am very impressed with the tune, but have not got on it more than about half throttle. Shifting is firmer and it pulls better.

 

[Blown]

Intercooler installed.

I have been searching, but have not found a comparable Explorer with Dyno results.......................Anyone seen one?????

The Livernois comparable tune suggests a gain of 65HP and 75ftlbs. I don't know if that is at the crank or wheels. That tune does not include the better CVS intercooler I am running. CVS claims a 35 degree cooler air charge over the stock IC. A 10 degree cooler air charge is about 1 octane. That gain in cooling, I am guessing, conservatively, with more timing/fuel/air could be another 20HP and 25ftlbs of torque.

You can feel the power gain easily by 'the seat of your pants' or 'butt dyno'!

The Torque steer is noticeable upon launch in regular AWD. The traction control kicked-in, which slows it down, but it caught second, and chirped the front right!

I have not tried a full launch yet by power breaking it. Sport & Sand Mode seems to be the way to go full-on as that puts a 50/50 split front/rear.

We live at 5,800', natural aspiration really sucks badly here and can be a disadvantage. We are behind the eight ball with a loss of 3% power for every 1,000' gained (in a Naturally Aspirated engine). Lower Air Density does also mean lower boost but the tune has compensated for it. I can't wait to get it out on the highway, mountain passes!

 

[PlatinumOwner]

Intercooler installed.

I have been searching, but have not found a comparable Explorer with Dyno results.......................Anyone seen one?????

The Livernois comparable tune suggests a gain of 65HP and 75ftlbs. I don't know if that is at the crank or wheels. That tune does not include the better CVS intercooler I am running. CVS claims a 35 degree cooler air charge over the stock IC. A 10 degree cooler air charge is about 1 octane. That gain in cooling, I am guessing, conservatively, with more timing/fuel/air could be another 20HP and 25ftlbs of torque.

You can feel the power gain easily by 'the seat of your pants' or 'butt dyno'!

The Torque steer is noticeable upon launch in regular AWD. The traction control kicked-in, which slows it down, but it caught second, and chirped the front right!

I have not tried a full launch yet by power breaking it. Sport & Sand Mode seems to be the way to go full-on as that puts a 50/50 split front/rear.

We live at 5,800', natural aspiration really sucks badly here and can be a disadvantage. We are behind the eight ball with a loss of 3% power for every 1,000' gained (in a Naturally Aspirated engine). Lower Air Density does also mean lower boost but the tune has compensated for it. I can't wait to get it out on the highway, mountain passes!

Just make sure you change the PTU fluid often. Launches are extremely hard on it and it's already under severe conditions being that it's behind the cat and above the exhaust, and only has a small amount of fluid in it.

 

[Blown]

Yes, I researched what could go wrong with these. I bought a vacuum pump to change the PTU fluid and rear differential . I changed them both when I bought it.

The Sport has a water cooled PTU which has got to help. The fluid I changed was in great shape and probably had already been done.

I also dropped what I could out of the tranny twice. The fluid in it looked ugly, so I will probably do it again soon. I will do a flush and fill of the cooling system in the spring.

I still need to add some blinks to the blinkers and Fogs with high beams utilizing Forscan.

I have a design for the rear cross brace and a build-out designed for the cargo/spare tire area. This is a rough drawing. I will build the cross brace as close as possible too and while fitting a 32" spare:

 

[Blown]

I pulled-in next to an Explorer Timberline the other day...................................Same size tires, but with lift, my Sport sits an inch or two higher, with the rear up extra as there is no spare tire, jack, or seat in the back.

 

[Steve8316]

...with lift, my Sport sits an inch or two higher...

What lift? Was an alignment or any other mod required with the lift? Have you noticed much change in handling or tire wear? Does yours have the PTU cooler duct under the front bumper?

 

[Blown]

The lift is made by KSP Performance. It is less expensive and is made well. It ended-up with .25 positive camber left and right. That shouldn't result in tire wear. Positive camber is built into the spacers as the spacer bolts are offset. I set the toe myself for the front and rear. Caster should not have changed much and I don't think you can adjust it. It might be getting close to the first tire rotation, but that is how new the lift is. I'll have to report back on any tire issues. It handles great and there is no difference in ride quality. I am sure the higher center of gravity has affected cornering at higher speed I have not noticed anything in my driving. The sport already has thick. stout anti roll bars and higher springs rates to keep it firmly planted on the road.

I am not sure about the cooler line under the radiator, but I certainly noticed it coming out of the PTU where the drain plug would be. I purchased an inexpensive vacuum pump to remove/change the gear oil out the fill hole.