Serious Questions for Serious Explorations

[jay521]

not sure if this is the right section, but here we go anyways


First off i have a 93 explorer xlt manual transmission and i have no idea where to start off.

1. My AC/Heater stopped working a few months ago. When the AC turns on, it will blow warm air and when the heater is on it slowly heats up (15 minute drive, before it was instant) but doesn't get as warm as it did before. I don't hear any clicking noises. What can i do to fix this and how much am i looking at?

2. I really want to lift my truck and put some new tires and maybe rims on the X. Problem is, i have no idea where to start. Thats why i have you guys =).
So, any recommended kits, or tires?

3. I have a super bad headliner, and there is a leak above the windshield. I don't want to re-do the headliner myself because i heard some stories about the headliner not lasting too long. But before i pay for some1 to put in a new headliner, what should i do to close that leak?

4. My arm rest is getting really loose! how can i tighten it up?

5. My seatbelts don't roll back up after being used and i have the tendency to slam the door on my belts =( how can i get them to roll up nice and smooth?


i know these are simple questions but i would like the experts help. haha
thanks in advance fellas!

 

[Roadrunner777]

These are all pretty much worth their own thread. Anyway...

1. Slow heat, no air conditioning. I'm working on a somewhat similar problem. My heat and air are just not there and then after about 10 minutes, the hot gets really hot and the ac gets really cold. I'm just impressed with the power of the ac once it gets going. Is there a door in the air handling that is slow? I'm looking for it myself. For you, no AC means first stop is to see if compressor is cycling or not. I'd make a thread for this because of the troubleshooting you have coming up.

2. You have already read up on the modified section, I guess. That's where the lift and tire stuff goes.

3. Headliner, tear out the old fabric and try to track the leak from the inside. You may have to pay a windshield guy to reseal the windshield. It's not rust if it is as clean as it looks from the outside (but rust is coming if you don't fix this soon).

4. Armrest, not sure, they are prone to breakage. The fix is a new bracket, buy it here.

5. You can look at the retractor and the path for the belt, see if it is hanging up on anything. New belt with the mechanism is $70 at LMC truck. You can probably find cheaper used, but it may be worn out too. EDIT: LMC truck is no longer doing an Explorer catalog. Not sure what's up with that.

That's a nice looking truck. Almost a shame to take it out and get it dirty!



Almost.

 

[jay521]

thanks for your response! i appreciate it! i'll make a detail thread about the AC in a minute. Also, I'm still indecisive on lifting the truck or just putting some big rims on it. whats the pros and cons from a lift and big rims? anyways. as for the arm rest. $75? i think i'll just get use to it or figure out a way to tighten the bolt inside or something.

im going to get the headliner soon, i'm not in a huge rush because i dont see as much rain coming in as bad as it will be after summer. so that can wait a little bit.

again thanks for your help!
any other reply's would help me out some more =)
keep em coming! thanks again

 

[Tbars4]

..Most all of the answers you are looking for can easily be found by using the "Search" feature on the bottom of the menu bar on every page..

 

[Roadrunner777]

Armrest is $42... check the link. The seatbelts were the $75 item and I'm not even sure if LMC is a good source at this point. You can probably fix the seatbelts if you clean out the retractor and make sure it's not catching on anything.

All the lift and wheel stuff is on the modified forum, next door over.

Check out this thread.

And, as Tbars4 says (and he has like a million posts, so I listen to him, myself...) the answers are already here. Search is not terrible. Frankly, it sometimes works for me to sit back and read a few threads for entertainment value in my spare time. I trip over good stuff that way.

And, there will be more responses. It must be nice out there... I'm stuck at work, and it's going to snow tonight.

 

[beauboy]

I'll X2 what Roadrunner says. I've had every one of your listed problems, except for the A/C / Heat issue.

You're best bet is to buy replacement parts. LMC trucks and Ford are the best places to go, unless you know of a good "you-pull-it" yard.

The headliner - got mine replaced for $125! Guy did a fantastic job and it looks brand new.

Armrest - Explorers (1st gen) came with a plastic bracket that breaks when you put weight on it. The replacement (from Ford) is steel and lasts forever.

Seat belts - I've tried rewinding them once they get old. What a waste of time! Best bet is to buy replacements from LMC Trucks.

Just my two cents.

 

[mr cribb]

In reference to LMC doing the explorer catalog... it's not linked with the ranger anymore, but there is a separate explorer catalog from 91-06.... I've already requested mine.