New to Me 17 Sport, Modification Thread

[Steve8316]

I am not sure about the cooler line...

Not the line - the air duct that I've read about some Explorers having to carry fresh air from a notch in the front bumper under the engine to the PTU.

Pardon Our Interruption...

I've read a little about it, but I haven't found good pics showing how it's installed, how the bumper is notched, or how it directs air onto the PTU.

 

[peterk9]

Not the line - the air duct that I've read about some Explorers having to carry fresh air from a notch in the front bumper under the engine to the PTU.

Pardon Our Interruption...

I've read a little about it, but I haven't found good pics showing how it's installed, how the bumper is notched, or how it directs air onto the PTU.

Lower grille cutout?

This is what it looks like directly.

www.explorerforum.com

Lower grille cutout?

I think I see a trend here but after reading the entire thread I still can't confirm... It seems that If you have no turbo and no towing pkg... no cutout. If you have towing but no turbo you have the cutout but no ductwork. If you have turbo,(with or without towing) you have the cutout with...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[Blown]

Peter nailed it down for ya.

Yep, it does have an air duct. It's tight back there with exhaust, turbo and would heat-up the area including the PTU. The duct on this Sport only has one rear attachment point and that one appears to have two.

 

[Steve8316]

The duct on this Sport only has one rear attachment point and that one appears to have two.

So can you see a molded PN on yours? The pics Peter linked are too close-up, and don't actually show the bumper cutout location, or the rear attachment, or mention what year the vehicle is. Can you add some pics of your '17's duct?

 

[peterk9]

The cutout is located at the lower right side of the front bumper fascia. I believe the picture was of my 2017 Platinum.

Lower grille cutout?

Lower Grille Cutout? My 2013 Explorer has the tow package and the cutout, but no ducting behind the cutout. Wondering if it should have ducting or if it is correct as is?

www.explorerforum.com

The link "New Lower Shield Cover" has the part number and model years.

Peter

 

[Steve8316]

The link "New Lower Shield Cover" has the part number and model years.

Do you mean the link that I posted? He said his isn't the same part, so I'd like to know what part he has. And that link is a chy-neez listing, so it's not necessarily accurate about anything.

 

[peterk9]

Do you mean the link that I posted? He said his isn't the same part, so I'd like to know what part he has. And that link is a chy-neez listing, so it's not necessarily accurate about anything.

Hi Steve. Sorry, yes the one you posted.
I ran the part number on the Levittown Ford site, and it showed that it fits the 2011-2015 Explorer. Without police interceptor, 3.5L turbo.

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-lower-shield-db5z9910494a

The strange thing is I also ran that same part number for a 2017-2018 Explorer and it did not come back with the usual "does not fit".
Perhaps the Interceptor does not have/require this item.

Peter

 

[Steve8316]

Perhaps the Interceptor does not have/require this item.

Mine certainly doesn't have it, which is why I'm interested in adding it. But I want to add the right part, which is why I'm interested in what Blown's '17 has.

 

[Blown]

I do not see a part number on it.

Fordpartsgiant.com shows a "DB5Z-9910494-A" or "2013-2019 Ford Explorer DB5Z9910494A" which will fit the twin turbo 3.5

Ford FB5Z-7810494-A shows as fitting the 3.5

They are different parts, shaped differently, and do each have three mounting points. I confirmed the shape of the part on my sport with the one they say fits.

Neither part shows as fitting the 3.7 or 2.3

I took a little time to cut the drivers side of the opening in the lower valence for this cooler duct to get a bit more air.

​

 

[Steve8316]

...
I confirmed the shape of the part on my sport with the one they say fits.
...
I took a little time to cut the drivers side of the opening in the lower valence for this cooler duct to get a bit more air.

I'd love to see pics of that.

 

[Blown]

The lower part drivers side of the valance had been mostly scraped-off when I bought it. I cut it up to the natural break and rounded a couple corners. If I replaced the valance it I think it might last with the lift on it now.

The air duct was not centered in the cut-out. I think it was close enough to the drivers side of the cooling duct inlet that it restricted flow into the duct. I cut-out about an additional 2" towards the drivers side

We kind of tore through the IC installation and I did not get pictures, but there are installation vids online. I thought about, but did not paint the IC black. The CVS coating is better than I could do and I didn't want to add any further coats of paint that could add insulation. I am happy it sits far enough back and is not real noticeable:

I hope I am too busy in the mountains over the next month or two that I don't get back to working on this for a while. I'll get back to it and build-out the cargo area in the Spring.

 

[Blown]

NEW OEM 2013-2019 Ford Explorer Flex Rear Cross Member Chassis Stiffening Brace. Ebay's got it covered for $387.70..........................................

I used 1-1/4" angle iron, 1" black pipe, a short piece of 1-1/2" black pipe and the old seat main tube with mounting brackets in tact. My Cross Brace:

 

[donalds]

Looks legit I dig it

 

[Steve8316]

My Cross Brace:

What is it supposed to do?

 

[peterk9]

The cross-brace helps strengthen the body since the third-row seat, which did the same, was removed. In other words, it helps to maintain the integrity of the vehicle's body structure/

Removing 3rd Row Seats & Installing Cross Brace

There is another user on here that beat me to removing the 3rd row seats and in his comments gave me some ideas of what I needed to do. I just finished the job of removing the third row as well as the 3rd row seat belts and it really was not as bad as I thought it would be. Why Ford insists...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[Blown]

Thx I have ordered another wheel and tire. This is a pic of an old wheel and tire with jack underneath. I can get a hold down bolt through the rim to the original hold down spot and the with the strap you see, that will secure it. My air compressor, tow strap, jump box, tarp, sleeping bag etc etc will fit under the cargo deck I will make along with the spare. For now I will get that stuff put in a box and secured.

 

[Steve8316]

The cross-brace helps strengthen the body...it helps to maintain the integrity of the vehicle's body structure

I'm gonna test that theory...

 

[Blown]

Great weather and no mountain time. I took some time today to build-in supports for the rear cargo deck. I used some 3/4", grey, carpeted, wood, panels. I had saved the material from the custom bed on my old 2001 Explorer. I cut two supports to sit on the little, shelf along the side of the lower, rear, cargo floor, edge. I made a box to support the front. The box and front cover piece will be mounted down to the cross brace I made. I picked-up a 4X4 sheet of 3/4" plywood to make the two piece cargo area/spare tire cover. The rear cover will sit in place and be removeable or I will be able to prop it up against the edge of the front piece. I'll put black carpet on the plywood and wrap it around the edges. I have the original cargo mat and will use it. It might almost be useful as a pattern to cut the plywood.

 

[Blown]

The Cargo Deck/Spare Tire Cover is done.

The deck is two pieces. I screwed down the fore piece to the box I made as seen in the earlier pics. I used a large cardboard box to make a template for the rear cover. I did pretty good cause I was able to adjust the cardboard to fit before I traced it to make my cuts on the plywood. I used the cardboard to protect the garage floor from adhesive overspray. I used two cans of spray adhesive and two 36X72" rolls of inexpensive, black, polyester, carpet from the local, parts stores. Ha the glue cost more than the carpet, but the spray cans make it much easier.......................

I will put the cargo matt back in after the glue cures out more. I'll get a bit more time with it tomorrow. I will likely add another tie down strap to the spare and I want to see what else fits below with the spare and jack. I also will trim-out the left rear where I ended-up with a hole..............................

 

[Blown]

Thx Donalds!

I couldn't pass-up working in the good weather we've had and with this project complete, I am ready for Spring in the Outdoors!

I got a bit more performance, lift/clearance, stronger wheels, traction/all terrains, a full size spare, and stowage for a little compressor, tow strap, toe hook, jack, blocks, tarp, water, gloves rags, tire plug kit etc etc. I failed to get a pic of the stuff that fit around the spare tire before I buttoned it up, some other time...........................................................I have to add that the spare tire barely fits and would be too wide if any wider to fit below the cargo deck. The cargo deck height could be raised, but I wanted it even with the seats when the seat backs are folded.

A little stowage behind the rear seats:

Rear with Cargo matt in place.