Newbie here--Owner of 3 Explorers--5.0 issues

[GroupExploder]

Did you take the e-clip and arm off of the cylinders when you removed them? They should come out as an assembly.

Yes and no. It took going to the junk yard today to realize there is an E clip, and how each part fits. I have no idea how in hell I am going to get the lock, the electrical connection for the door locks, AND AND AND AND that pinky thing plus the E clip connected. I'll have to talk to my kid who is an MD. He knows someone who does micro-surgery.

 

[CDW6212R]

I've assembled those many door parts of these Explorers several times, the last in 2006. So I'm fuzzy about each detail, but trust me, the e-clip doesn't need to come off. The key cylinders come out easily with the other parts removed, the electrical and rod etc, after that large e-clip holding the cylinder to the door is off.

I have scrapped many Fords and Lincolns, from about 1998 to 2002, with a friend, his cars(several) and my two. You learn a lot about how a car is assembled by taking them apart(completely). We scrapped the body shells, and saved every other component. Putting one together is much harder, but seeing how things can come apart, it has helped me a lot over the years since then.

Good luck with your adopted son, I hope things work out as they should. Regards,

 

[Spudhut]

There is a large "C" type spring clip that holds the door cylinders in place and the pink clip just 'snaps' on the latch rods. Use a pair of pliers to pull the "C" clip from the door skin....The latch rods can be kinda tricky to attach sometimes but not difficult. Once the cylinder is out, the small "C" clip on the backside of the cylinder can be removed with ease. There is an electrical connector on the cylinder as well, this fills the gap behind the arm to interface with....(not sure). The same applies with the keyed hatch lock as well.

The most 'difficult' piece to remove would be the latch assembly with all the rods connected, but if you dont have to take it out...a huge plus!

 

[GroupExploder]

The most 'difficult' piece to remove would be the latch assembly with all the rods connected, but if you dont have to take it out...a huge plus![/QUOTE]

After falling flat on my back behind my boat, got my feet tangled up in crap stored there, I decided to make a Pick A Part run. I knew I would be sore and my knee all bloody, so lets go work off some pain.

I learned a couple of things. A 96 alternator will not fit on a 99. But I did buy some radios. Nothing for the Eddie Bauer yet, but I did get one out of a 02 Aviator v-8.

It looks like it will fit in the XLT. It looks like the plugs in the back are the same. For $14.99 how could I not take a chance?

I also learned, swapping an alternator on the 4.0 is not all that hard. I did buy at Harbor Freight a long 2/3's breaker bar. It can assure you it is much easier than the old Jeep XJ's, Grand Cherokees with that 4.0 IL6.

I did see a 97 exploder that someone has carefully cut a nice hole in the door below the door lock It was easy to get the lock out complete with the electrical connector and the pink clip. Next week PaP has class 5 hitches on sale. I need two. $39.99 no core.

 

[CDW6212R]

There are two alternators in the 2nd gen Explorers. The 4.0 OHV still uses the same 3G model, swaps back to 1991. The other two engines(302 and 4.0 SOHC) both use the same 4G alternator. The 3G and 4G look similar, one bolt is located differently, and the connections are slightly different. Get a high optioned model, those should all be 140amp units.

 

[GroupExploder]

O'Riely rebuild that is 130amp. Went right on. Mounting was correct. I'm still impressed how easy the serpentine belt was to release, re-attach.
And the GOOD NEWS IS--

1. It's charging at 14.0 running at 13.7
2. Delta Airlines just emailed me that I won two more Explorers. 99 XLT V-6 versions. (OHHH GOODIE).

 

[koda2000]

O'Riely rebuild that is 130amp. Went right on. Mounting was correct. I'm still impressed how easy the serpentine belt was to release, re-attach.
And the GOOD NEWS IS--

1. It's charging at 14.0 running at 13.7
2. Delta Airlines just emailed me that I won two more Explorers. 99 XLT V-6 versions. (OHHH GOODIE).

If you don't mind me asking, what did you give for the Explorers? Were they all the same price?

 

[Mbrooks420]

You are aware of the SOHC v6 motor being a ticking time bomb, aren’t you?

 

[koda2000]

Get rid of any SOHC's V6's ASAP. Don't even put much effort into fixing/cleaning them up.

 

[CDW6212R]

Get rid of any SOHC's V6's ASAP. Don't even put much effort into fixing/cleaning them up.

Ditto, give them a good check up, and then let them go.

I'm actually hoping to find one, later this year, a RHD SOHC 4.0 that I hope is cheap(blown up). I'll spend months converting it to V8/AWD, and swap in AC and an import RHD dash. My project list is not shrinking yet.

 

[GroupExploder]

After a few weeks of working on another vehicle, I got back to the V-8 Eddie Bauer. 2 hours I had the door lock in, with the electrical connection AND--**LAUGHING***actually had the pink clip connected correctly at the door activator.

Then came the fun part, Getting that window track back in correctly. One bolt, one would think this would be a snap. HA! That is if you insert the bolt in the right hole on the door panel. THEN getting the upper part to fit corrrectly. FINALLY the window goes up and down with any hangups.

OK, front suspension rebuilt, the door panel on, the security code working on the door panel.

Next step is getting the rear door open from inside. And the door handle on the passenger side.

Its almost as much fun as the old jeep XJ Cherokee!