Newbie with question about possible purchase

[wallaby13]

My names John. I've had a few cars through the years:

96 Volvo 850R
95 Volvo 850 T5-R - heavily modified, motor swap, trans swap, coilovers, porsche 993TT brakes....
2002 Miata LS - a poll jumped infront of this one

Current: 2006 VW Jetta TDI.

I have a Mechanical Engineering degree, and I payed for the degree by working at tire shops doing basic maintenance. I've done all the work on my own cars, from motor and transmission swaps.

Anyways I have a friend with a 99 4DR Explorer 5 spd that he's looking to get rid off. Right now it's not starting, and it will also need a windshield and e brake cable. I haven't had time to see the truck and see if the starter is even spinning, but I want to know if this would be a good deal for $600?

What I like about it is the 5spd, haven't seen too many 4drs with 5spd. My plans would be the PA 8338 body lift, and a 2" suspension lift with 33" tires, manual locking hubs and probably 4.11 diffs. I want to turn this truck into a nice little camping rig that I can throw 2 canoes on top of.

I don't plan to put many miles on the truck. I have TDI that gets me 50mpg for my daily.

Does anyone have any tips on things to check for no start condition? I was first going to check that the starter is indeed turning, and that the belts are moving with the starter. Then move to fuel and spark. Do these use COP or distributor?


A picture of the 95 T5-R right before being sold

 

[wallaby13]

A working Jeep Cherokee would make a better camping vehicle.
That is my opinion. $600 is pretty cheap.

There's so many jeeps around. I like unique....hence dropping $$$ into a Volvo sedan.

 

[Rick]

I suggest doing a search for "no start 2nd gen" using the Google search bar near the top of every page. It only searches our site. I recommend that because there are a lot of possibilities, and by looking through the thread titles, you might latch on to what's causing your issue.

Yes $600 is a good price if the rest of the rig is in good shape. Engines and parts are plentiful and not too expensive. We have used parts dealers here on the forum.

Here is a link to one of my favorite 2nd gens. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=15264

Torsion twist, shackles, and big tires... Check out the trails he's done...

I had to remove Mr XJ from our forum. I don't see the need to have someone here who is only here to knock down Explorers.

In Arizona XJs are considered disposable 4x4s. If you wheel them hard, their unibody design will crack to pieces.

 

[wallaby13]

Thanks! I actually found some of the stickied threads after I posted with a detailed check lost of what to look for.

I was looking into another purchase which fell through (1975 Volvo 242 49k miles) so ill probably scoop up my buddies explorer. With any luck ill be sober enough this weekend to check her out and make some diagnosis.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[wallaby13]

Okay, well my buddy bought a 2013 Fusion Hybrid, so the explorer is mine. Would someone mind going through my budget?

PA 3883 - summit racing
Add a leaf EXP 13120 - Summit
Warrior 153 -autoplicity.com
OME N16/N17 - where to buy these? my local 4x4 has them listed at $120 a piece, but I've seen members here claiming ~ $65 a piece.

one other thing, has any vendor started to make the steering shaft extension required for the PA 3883? google didn't provide any hits

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Begin with pulling codes to see why it won't start.