RaistliN
Member
- Joined
- September 8, 2010
- Messages
- 42
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Little River Gloucester, New-Brunswick
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 XLT AWD V8
Hi everyone,
After reading on here for a few months, I decided to finally register and contribute to this awesome spot!
I own an Oxford White 2000 Explorer XLT AWD equipped with the 5.0L - and it's american - was originally in Florida!
A little background:
Yes, originally in Florida, the first 4 years of her life was being driven approx. 3000 miles a year by a lawyer firm. In late 2004, an old lady on vacation with her hubby fell in love with it, and purchased it from the firm, and drove it to New-Brunswick Canada where she spent her first winter with the beautiful salty roads. Yes, you guessed it, I am the third owner and probably the last. These explorers are hard to come by in the area, especially the V8 ones. I know of two in my area, 1 of them being mine.
What is currently happening?
Well, a lot. She currently showing some typical canadian wear and tear that 140k miles brings to a vehicle, including rust - not forgetting the fact that the old lady that sold me the X was now legally blind, so there was a few scratches and dings on her. Totally stock, I had to make a decision, part with it, or sink money into it. Of course, I wouldn't get rid of it, I LOVE it, SO:
- Currently not driving - on blocks, getting a fresh coat of paint. I am keeping it white, and I just spent the last long week-end lying under with a steel brush to brush off the frame and paint it with rust guard. Once the paintjob done, I will bring it to my father in law which happens to have a hoist, I will take the gaz tank and exaust system off, and finish the job there.
- Light bar ordered on eBay from snappylights that will be equipped with 4 Hellas 550s - I won't be installing it right away as the paint will be too fresh, but once I do, I will be taking lots of pics of the work I'll be doing, and post a nice detailled thread with pictures on how I did it - I saw someone on here doing it and pointing out at a fellow on fj cruiser - I'll be mimicing somewhat his work with my twist into it.
- 31 inch tires BFG AT KO mounted on 16inch polished aluminum rims with a 1inch offset - will give it that little gorilla look it needs
What's planned down the road?
- Of course, a two inch suspension lift. I read a lot on leveling kits, but not too fond of that, I rather to it the right way, I read that a leveling kit steals off the backdrop of the suspension, and I don't quite like that..
- A push/brush bar. I love the "Westin brushbars". A friend has one on her '00 X, but doesn't want to sell it, damnit! ^^
- HO Alternator, probably a 200 or 250. I'm not sure the stock alternator will be suficient for those long nights of idling/crawling in the snow and mud with 6 hella 550's on, stereo blaring, etc. - what do you think?
What's planned for the following couple years?
- Well, I don't like the AWD feature. I'd rather have a good old High/Low and OFF switch. Again, I read a lot about it, I know I need a few parts from a F150, Expedition, etc.. well I will definatelly be doing that, once I have enaugh money gathered. =-)
Well, I think I will stop for now, otherwise I'll have a few book chapters done!
I will post pics of before the work started, and how she currently looks being sanded down and what not - will keep you posted on stuff!
After reading on here for a few months, I decided to finally register and contribute to this awesome spot!
I own an Oxford White 2000 Explorer XLT AWD equipped with the 5.0L - and it's american - was originally in Florida!
A little background:
Yes, originally in Florida, the first 4 years of her life was being driven approx. 3000 miles a year by a lawyer firm. In late 2004, an old lady on vacation with her hubby fell in love with it, and purchased it from the firm, and drove it to New-Brunswick Canada where she spent her first winter with the beautiful salty roads. Yes, you guessed it, I am the third owner and probably the last. These explorers are hard to come by in the area, especially the V8 ones. I know of two in my area, 1 of them being mine.
What is currently happening?
Well, a lot. She currently showing some typical canadian wear and tear that 140k miles brings to a vehicle, including rust - not forgetting the fact that the old lady that sold me the X was now legally blind, so there was a few scratches and dings on her. Totally stock, I had to make a decision, part with it, or sink money into it. Of course, I wouldn't get rid of it, I LOVE it, SO:
- Currently not driving - on blocks, getting a fresh coat of paint. I am keeping it white, and I just spent the last long week-end lying under with a steel brush to brush off the frame and paint it with rust guard. Once the paintjob done, I will bring it to my father in law which happens to have a hoist, I will take the gaz tank and exaust system off, and finish the job there.
- Light bar ordered on eBay from snappylights that will be equipped with 4 Hellas 550s - I won't be installing it right away as the paint will be too fresh, but once I do, I will be taking lots of pics of the work I'll be doing, and post a nice detailled thread with pictures on how I did it - I saw someone on here doing it and pointing out at a fellow on fj cruiser - I'll be mimicing somewhat his work with my twist into it.
- 31 inch tires BFG AT KO mounted on 16inch polished aluminum rims with a 1inch offset - will give it that little gorilla look it needs
What's planned down the road?
- Of course, a two inch suspension lift. I read a lot on leveling kits, but not too fond of that, I rather to it the right way, I read that a leveling kit steals off the backdrop of the suspension, and I don't quite like that..
- A push/brush bar. I love the "Westin brushbars". A friend has one on her '00 X, but doesn't want to sell it, damnit! ^^
- HO Alternator, probably a 200 or 250. I'm not sure the stock alternator will be suficient for those long nights of idling/crawling in the snow and mud with 6 hella 550's on, stereo blaring, etc. - what do you think?
What's planned for the following couple years?
- Well, I don't like the AWD feature. I'd rather have a good old High/Low and OFF switch. Again, I read a lot about it, I know I need a few parts from a F150, Expedition, etc.. well I will definatelly be doing that, once I have enaugh money gathered. =-)
Well, I think I will stop for now, otherwise I'll have a few book chapters done!
I will post pics of before the work started, and how she currently looks being sanded down and what not - will keep you posted on stuff!
