Rust and shock suggestions

[leadinurface]

I have a 94 ford explorer with 170,000 miles purrs like a kitten I just got it about 4 months ago. The 2 problems that are begging for my attention are the rust that is eating away at the panel under the passenger rear door, the poor neglected shocks, and the 4x4 which will not engage (the lights on the dash will not light). Also do you think that 31-10.5/15 wrangler duratracs would be a good choice i can get them for 120 a piece.

I would like some suggestions on how to repair the rust damage and what shocks you would suggest either out of personal experience or word of mouth

To do list
New shocks
3 in body lift
new tires
fix 4x4
super 40 flowmasters
fix rust (hopefully)


Thanks
Alex

 

[safn1949]

I have the same vehicle,get rid of the running boards,they are catching all the crap and causing the rust.If you can do body work great,if not it's an expensive fix.The price of paint is ridiculous so if you can get a good deal on just the body work I would coat it with something else.Cost me $1100 to fix one side.

 

[leadinurface]

thanks
ill get to it eventually but the running board idea is good ill probably get a bar step up instead.

 

[KobeJ05]

are those tires 245 70 15's? they actually look good we have the same car except i got grey leather interior

 

[safn1949]

thanks
ill get to it eventually but the running board idea is good ill probably get a bar step up instead.

Be prepared for the amount of damage those running boards are hiding,it will be extensive.

mine before I fixed it.

 

[leadinurface]

It never even occurred to me that the running boards would cause problems but it makes sense.
I think ill take the running boards off tomorrow and access the damage.
other than that and the suspension the trucks in great shape

The tires were put on by the previous owners who bought to truck new
they are the stock size they're smaller than 235 75r 15s the size might be the same as yours and the pic just makes them look beefier than they really are
I sat a wrangler duratrac of that size next to them and It was quite a bit bigger

Im brand new on this site and Ive always loved the explorers especially the first gen since my dad got a 92 Eddie Bower edition a couple years ago so
after going on this site a couple times i decided to join

 

[KobeJ05]

they look like they fill in the wheel well better than my 235 75 15's. this is what i got on them now i bought them new in 07

 

[nitro71]

I'd just fill the voids up with spray foam and paint over it. You can spend a bunch of money fixing it. More than the Explorer is worth. Shocks will make a huge ride/safety difference. I'd do those first.

 

[nitro71]

How's the tread on the tires? I'd run em till they are shot myself and put the money into tuning up the Explorer. Change all fluids. Fix any check engine lights. New plugs. new wires. New air filter. Get those shocks fixed. Fix anything else that needs fixing. I'm saying put your money into making it safe and reliable then get better tires.

 

[safn1949]

I'd just fill the voids up with spray foam and paint over it. You can spend a bunch of money fixing it. More than the Explorer is worth. Shocks will make a huge ride/safety difference. I'd do those first.

To be honest I don't think I would spend the money to fix it again,I make good money and just went ahead and had it done.But I have to say I regretted spending that much in the end.The paint is so expensive,you would be amazed at what a quart of good automotive paint costs.

mine fixed.Where are you able to get 31/10.50/15 wrangler duratracs for $120? They are $170 each here and I want a set.

 

[leadinurface]

How's the tread on the tires? I'd run em till they are shot myself and put the money into tuning up the Explorer. Change all fluids. Fix any check engine lights. New plugs. new wires. New air filter. Get those shocks fixed. Fix anything else that needs fixing. I'm saying put your money into making it safe and reliable then get better tires.

Honestly all the fluids have been changed in the last 1000 miles no leaks
the check engine light is not on. The previous owners had the car rewired when the sound system was put in and all the wires are wear free.
the shocks def need help and that is my next project

this is where im looking at the tires mine have like 3 mm of tread left and have worn very unevenly so they affect the ride the pic really made them look better than they are

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...?pc=31917&typ=Truck/SUV&tmn=Wrangler+DuraTrac

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/cart/showCart.do

and what do you think about the shocks i can get those for 50 dollars a piece and I'm fairly certain that i can install them myself with all the tutorials that are on this site

I do think new plugs would be a good idea. i don't know the last time they were changed though my truck does start good even in cold weather

 

[nitro71]

You could pull a plug and inspect it. If it looks alright put it back in and keep driving. If it looks melted some then time to replace. I do plugs and wires at the same time. Have you had the front end aligned? Uneven wear sounds like a front end issue. In my neck of the woods Firestone does lifetime alignments. Awesome for us wrenchers. You can definetly do the shocks depending on your tools. The rears on mine were rusted on. Had to snap the bolts off with a 1/2" breaker bar. At that price point you should be able to find some monotube shocks. Better than normal shocks. Think Bilstein.

 

[leadinurface]

I just had it aligned though the previous owners apparently hadn't done it in a while
but yea i paid like an extra 20 when i had it done and goodyear gave me lifetime alignments and rotations

 

[safn1949]

Dude,those are 235/75/15's not 31's.

 

[leadinurface]

apparently i have a mental handicap
I dont know why i got them confused. I guess you were right on about the price sorry about that. thanks for the input
just for the record 235s are a little smaller than 31s

 

[rhauf]

i'd probably run you're existing tires until they're fully warn out, for the soul reason of because i am cheap. but when it comes time for new tires, 31x10.5's are what i'm running, and i think they're an ideal size. any bigger rubs. a little smaller (such as the 235/75/15's) would work well too.

for the rust, i have the exact same rust in my '91. that's the only place it rusted, but it's pretty bad. my plan is to cut out that whole section of body (the part under the doors) and fab up sliders out of 2x2 square tubing that fit into that cavity where i remove the rusted steel from, then paint it (along with the rest of the truck) white so it blends in. i'll post up pics when i do it (should be sometime this summer after i get it running).

 

[deamon3]

The easiest way to fix the rust is just get some bondo and some mesh repair panels. You just stick the mesh repair panels where the sheet metal would have been and bondo on top of them. then sand and tag with spray paint.

 

[safn1949]

I recently painted the lower panels with POR 15 front and back,I will post some photos later today.This stopped the surface rust that was just starting to pop and I am having a set of rock sliders made that look like this.

I also took the spare tire down and painted the sheet metal that was rusty under the truck.It's all surface rust and the POR 15 will stop that,only took me 10 days to get the paint off my hands.

 

[leadinurface]

I know im retarded but what are rock sliders do they go under the truck so that rocks hit those and not the drive train when it bottoms out

 

[safn1949]

I know im retarded but what are rock sliders do they go under the truck so that rocks hit those and not the drive train when it bottoms out

Here is a set on a sport,they are a little different but they protect to rocker panel.

Here is the damage before.

and after with POR 15 over it.

This now my offroad truck instead of my daily driver,the panels were coated with POR 15 because when it cures,it is there to stay.