Pugly

The Good, The Bad, & the Pugly

1994 Purple Explorer XLT 4wd

I decided to have a registry for my "Other" rig so I can post things done and have a reference for it.

Pretty much stock drive train.

4.0 OHV-A4ld-1354e.
D35 front 4:56 Yukon gears, Aussie Locker.
2nd gen disc 8.8 rear 4:56 gears, Spartan Locker.

Front C-Clip eliminator Mod.

Slight lift with 2" Skyjacker coils & rear F-150 hybrid leaf packs.

3" PA body lift
Helpful thread with pics for the front body mounts
Pics of front body lift mounts

Swapped to manual hubs.
Double U-joint XJ steering shaft.

33" x 12.5" x 15" Cooper Discoverer ATX3, mounted on 15"x10" AR Outlaw1 alum wheels - full size matching spare.

Shocks:
Front Rancho 9000xl
Rear Rancho 9000xl
Duff Stabilizer shock.

Sway bar quick disconnects front & rear.
Custom tube sliders w/kickouts

22" LED light bar.
18w amber fog Led pods.
55w rock lights--2 front--1 rear over diff.
8 LED pods for rocker lights.

Full brush guard.
2.5" Fender Flares.

TTB Diff guard & Skid plate.

Custom roof rack with 48" Extreme Hi-Lift jack.

Flipped Tow hitch & front hooks for tow points.

Cobra19 CB & rear hatch mounted firestick antenna.
Rear view HD camera.
JVC DVD/CD/MP3 Head unit with 7" HD Monitor.
Sony 6.5" front speakers.
Rockford Fosgate 5.25" component rear speakers.
8" JL Audio sub in 2001 enclosure with 500w amp mounted on enclosure.

Custom made center console with CB/Rear view color monitor/2-12v outlets/ in-out temp display. D cell Maglite mounted on cargo panel. Truck bed liner on cargo floor.
Custom Cargo storage box with topside spare tire mount.

'99 Eddie Bauer Front Leather buckets.
'94 Limited Rear leather split bench.

 

[FROADER]

Guess Goodyear is prioritizing and put their label above cooper for some styles. I know cooper has a factory in Arkansas, and one of our long term members here had worked there. Wonder if that place is still operating or not?

I’m pretty sure @jamest is the guy you’re thinking of.

I didn’t realize Goodyear bought them out. I also really like mine. Had them on the 2010 Explorer and have them on the van now.

Maybe check on Hankook Dynapro ATM tires? They have a very similar tread to the Discoverers. Had a set of those on my F-150 and they did great, too.

 

[gmanpaint]

Yes, it is Jamest I was referring. Been a while since I have heard from him.

Sams doesn't carry the Hankooks in the same size I need. The ATM is not as aggressive as I prefer. The MT is more like it, but nope on those too.

Boomin made me go look at the Coopers. Yup, stamped Made in the USA right on the side wall.

I seen a post just a few months ago from Cooper in AR on FB. They sell a bunch of New -Old stock for $20/ea once a year. Pretty sure they are right before the DOT is up, and just need to get rid of them. Wasn't in the market for tires then, so never looked deeper into it. I will in the future tho. I would wheel an unused older tire all day long, everyday.

 

[gmanpaint]

Well.... Sams club is a mixed bag of fruit it seems.

They said the new tires would be in by Thursday (yesterday), and would call when they arrived. The never called, and nobody would answer the phone in the tire dept. So I paid them a visit this morning. Yup, Tires was there, and in plain sight. The gal at the counter said, that the dept manager was out today, and was supposed to call me.

So..... She goes on to tell me that she can't answer my question, of when I should come back for the install. She asks me to call back tomorrow, as the manager "Should" be back.
Umm.... OK?

I ask what the problem is. She hesitantly informs me that none of the "Young" tire techs will touch such a "Big Tire", and she and the manager, will have to do the mount and balance themselves. Ummmmmmm...... Huh?

She then asks me to bring all the wheels/tires in loose, so they can spend a day doing them. Ummmmm.... What?
Explains that they can't take up a bay all day with the rig, as they can only do them, here & there, when they have a chance.

I'm like.... Wait a minute here. Your asking me to put the rig on jackstands, then figure a way to bring the tires there one day, then wait for God knows how long, then figure out how to pick them up another day, AND have the rig on Jackstands, leaving me w/o a work rig for who knows how long? REALLY? I'm not having any of that. Nope. Nah Gah Do it.

They have to do the install to get the Road hazzard warranty, otherwise I would have just taken them home with me right there & then. I will talk to the Manager at some point, tomorrow? Monday? Wednesday? Who knows.

Can someone explain to me, What happened to this countries working ethics? It isn't just this Sams, this kind of crap happens all over lately. It boggles my brain!

 

[BKennedy]

I got nothing, Dude. A tire is a tire. I worked at Discount Tire in the early 80's in the busiest store in California. Everyone there knew how to mount pretty much any tire and the bigger the tire the easier it was to mount. Truck tires are easy because they have large sidewalls. Sometimes, you can push them onto the wheels without using the machine, and if you had to use the machine you hardly ever needed a helper bar.

The low profile tires on expensive wheels was my specialty because the manager didn't trust anybody else. I liked doing them because I could take my time and no one pushed me.

 

[gmanpaint]

I told her that I am 3 times as old, as everyone of their techs, and I can swap, and torque all of them in 20 mins, with a floor jack.
Told her I could learn that tire machine of theirs in a few minutes (have used one before), and could do this job myself in an hour, if they let me. Her eyes bugged out of her face.

Update:
It's now Saturday Morning, and I spoke to the Dept manager.
He informed me the real issue is they did away with the traditional Post lifts, and now have the small scissor type lifts. These will not go high enough to lift this lifted rig.
I am meeting them next week, and I will remove 1 tire at a time, in the parking lot using my floor jack, as they don't even have one that is big enough.
This entire ordeal is just silly. Why sell bigger truck tires in the first place, offer a road hazard warranty, charge for mount and balance for each tire, if you can't install them?


Update #2:
It's now Tuesday morning. Just got back from Sams Club.
The good- These Wranglers look good, ride good, and are much more quite than expected.

The Bad- They only ordered and installed 4 tires. I am using one of the coopers for a spare until the 5th tire arrives/installed.
2 tires took 2.0 oz to balance, 1 took 4.75 oz, and 1 took 6.0 oz. Both of those higher oz tires are on the rear.

The in between- They charged me $60 for the new road hazard, but let me keep the coopers. Since I can sell the coopers, and recoup that $$, so not a big deal to me.
They are supposed to call when the 5th tire arrives, but I learned already not to hold my breath on that, and I will call them in a few days. If that tire balances better, I will swap out one of the rear's with it.

Yes, I removed and installed each tire myself in the parking lot. Bolt wasn't as big as I thought. It's only a 10mm. Hit it just right to get it to puncture between the treads. 1" either direction and it wouldn't have. Just dumb luck is all. I will plug n patch it for a spare.

BTW.... They have nice Group 65 AGM's for $149 on the rack. Told me in Dec they will be $20 off (on sale) for the entire month.

 

[gmanpaint]

Star Date 09/28/2021:
Mission: Another new set of tires on an old ass truck accomplished.
Details are above in the last post updates.

Next up, a new Muffler!

 

[BKennedy]

It eventually worked itself out. I am not a fan of the new version of customer service.

We used blocks of wood on scissor lifts to get a little more height. They should know how to use a floor jack, that's just stupid.

 

[gmanpaint]

Agreed. Wasn't fun in 92* baking sunlight for 2 hours (waiting on them to mount/balance 1 tire at a time) on a blacktop parking lot, changing 4 tires myself, over something as crazy simple as a flat tire 2 weeks ago.
I still have to go back for the last tire, because they can't count past 4 either. I understand why old men are considered grumpy. Things are not how they used to be for me.

 

[gmanpaint]

1 month later, and we have below freezing temps. What happened to Fall lasting for a few months? Summer to Winter, Winter to Summer. Bah!!

Got the oil changed. That's all it needed! LOL

Happy Halloween all!!

 

[Dono]

Happy Halloween Gman! Or should I say 'Happy Winter'?
Up here, no snow yet. It was a warm fall here, but were back to seasonal temps now.

Lots of little goblins last night going from house to house. I loved it. Last year was eerie with no kids on the street collecting candy.
Felt pretty good to reach some form of normalcy.

I'm still struggling with parts supply issues. Shipping is brutal when I can get something. With the border being closed (Yup, still closed to day trips as that test that needs to be done before crossing is $400.00).

Love seeing the wheeling pics. The views are spectacular.

 

[gmanpaint]

@Dono Glad to hear some form of normality is happening up there. Not a single trick or treater here. People are still running scared in the big cities. Out in the countryside, in Rural America, where people aren't all ate up with media scare tactics, is a different story. They enjoyed the holiday with friends and family, and went door to door.

Funny how the northern border is shut, but the southern border is wide open for all them migrants, and coyote smugglers. Our Gov knows your not desperate like they are, and can't be bribed to vote a certain way. Really a sad situation right now. Go Brandon!!

So I Jinked myself last night by posting all this truck needed was an oil change. Water pump just blew on the way home from work. Just in time for the cold snap to hit. Just cancelled my weekend trip. Dang it Pugly!!

 

[Rick]

@Dono Glad to hear some form of normality is happening up there. Not a single trick or treater here.

Our record is still unbroken. We haven't had a trick or treater since we moved here 17 years ago

Sorry to hear about your WP

 

[Dono]

Sorry about the water pump. I don't know anyone that maintains their vehicles as well as you do.
Life's pretty normal day to day, other than wearing a mask when inside a store. Mask usage at work isn't mandatory but we wear them when walking around just out of respect to others. I'm absolutely disenchanted with the political systems in both Canada and the US. I firmly believe that if you take someone's incentive to work away, they wont wont work very hard. The pendulum seems to be swinging more and more towards a pure socialist society. Hopefully it settles back to something I can stomach.

Anyway, lets keep our hobby going and find enjoyment out of things we can control.

 

[gmanpaint]

You know I'm upset when I talk Politics in my thread. I never ever do that, but I'm at my boiling point.

If your NOT friends with me on Social media, you wouldn't know where I stand on Politics. I have kept that away from everywhere else, until now. This is one comment, in one post, in my thread, so it's not like I am about to broadcast this for all to see on purpose. Just you lucky folk that have been following this little thread. Your not all going to agree with me, and I'm okay with that, just like I have been okay with that, my entire life. I do not slam a door in your face because you & I don't agree on a topic. I won't give an ultimatum, and force you to choose me or the topic. Instead, I will change the subject, and let it go, knowing your stance. Let's go get a burger, and talk trucks man!

So yeah...This unconstitutional take over currently happening, by those exploiting the virus to their political gain, is effecting everything in life... like severely.
From work, home, & recreation. Parts, materials sourcing, fuel, food, social life, you name it, are all in the crapper. You can't always keep it out of conversation these days, as currently, every crappy thing happening right now, all boils down to bad politics. Shut it all down, make life miserable, then offer a Miricle solution, and watch them ask how high to jump at your command.
I am not afraid to shake a strangers hand. I refuse to be shamed by others, that think they know whats best for me & my family. Getting in line like lambs to slaughter, just because others are doing it, is not in my DNA. I'm not avoiding others, they should avoid me, if they are too scared. It's not about respect, it's about the freedom of choice. I am not afraid to voice my freedoms either. I don't have many left, and I'm not giving away what's left without a fight. Now you know.


OK, Nuff of that.

I'm shopping for a new water pump, and came across this Water Temp Controlled style. Never heard of it. Supposed to act like a 2nd T-stat inside it. Why would you want a 2nd T-stat? Not going to risk it, and save $20 by not trying it. Just thought to mention it, in case anybody reading this has used one on an Explorer. LOL

 

[Dono]

Link to the water pump?

And, I think most people would agree with you on the political front.
I agree, we need to keep politics out of our hobbys, but its tough when its directly affecting our hobbys. That's all I haver to say also. LOL My apologies for getting you going.

 

[gmanpaint]

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/murray-temperature-control/engine-cooling/water-pump/d916446a6bad/murray-temperature-control-water-pump-new/mtc0/cp4060/v/a/5256/automotive-suv-1994-ford-explorer?q=Water+Pump&pos=1

I didn't know what the difference was in these, so I asked @KurtECV . He found a breakdown on Google, and sent it to me. It basically works just like a T-stat does with a viscouis coupler that regulates coolant flow. Less when cold, and more when Hot. I figure just one more thing to break, and decided against it. Normal T-stat has worked since the invention of the bread knife. Why rock the boat?

 

[gmanpaint]

So I jinxed myself again. I need to stop talking before something else happens! lol

Chose the premium pump AZ had, as it was the only one that offered a Lifetime warranty.
So in my typical fashion, 1 thing always leads to more. AZ had the lower hose, but not the upper. They also only had a 198* T-stat. I wanted a 185*

Oreilly's had the upper hose, but no Spring clamps.

Oreilly's, Napa, and Advanced auto only had 198* & 160* to choose from, and one of them said that 198* was stock. Well, I have a hard time believing that, and always thought it was in the range 185* or 190*. Nobody had the spring clamps, and said any clamps are hard to find right now, as the re-stock is sitting on a "waiting cargo ship" in the Ocean. Once again.... Politics has........ never mind. :sigh:

Took almost 4 hours to gather the parts, as I had to wait for the upper hose to be delivered to my store, from their hub. Today wrench time is a no go. Dark thirty is upon me already.

Anybody have any tips they want to share about taking this water pump off? Tap & turn the bolts, move this or that, leave this or that alone, etc...?

 

[CDW6212R]

The OEM hose clamps are the best IMO, those strong heavy steel kind last longer and don't leak. My latest 98 has had all of the clamps replaced with typical worm clamps. I had a hose leak last weak, with all new hoses with the WP I did three months ago, one of the clamps wasn't quite tight enough. I tightened them more than I'd like to, they crush the new hoses a lot to achieve a tightness which should hold for a long time. I obviously didn't have the one top hose clamp tight enough. I've never had a hose leak at the end with the new OEM clamps on them. I like new parts as much as anyone, and the worm clamps I have on this one look shiny and new, but I wish it had the old dull OEM steel ones.

Stock thermostats should all be about 195-198* rated, I don't think Ford ever made anything lower than that. I also prefer the 180* model, though this I have now in the same 98, it's running a good bit colder than that, and I know it's a 180* unit. Those are fragile parts, new ones often don't work as designed, temp and all. I understand why some people test new ones in a pot of boiling water etc, checking that water temperature is interesting I'm sure.

 

[gmanpaint]

Yeppers. I want to replace the worm clamps with the spring clamps, but can't find them locally.

I'm not really sure what sizes to order if I find them online either. Like 1/8" smaller in Diameter than the hose itself? 1/4"? Same size as the Hose? Doesn't the hose enlarge after fitting onto the tubes? Gah!!

 

[CDW6212R]

I believe most of the hose sizes will be the same for most years. Check your 302 truck also, I'm fairly sure the 4.0 used the identical hoses sizes and clamps as the 302's did. Check around for used trucks to get those from. I have one or two spare clamps from a couple of oil coolers I collected. This reminds me to hunt for more spare clamps near future, so I can put them on my 73 Ranchero later.