Well, we had to make a decision last week so I guess that counts as "What have I done to my Explorer" recently.
Due to changes in driving and vehicle needs/requirements, we have decided that it's time to let the Explorer go. It will be put up for sale soon and I'm really hoping it goes to someone that will take care of it and keep it running for a long, long time.
It's not perfect, and it's not the prettiest Ex out there, but it runs very well and has been there when we needed it. Currently showing 11,500 miles on the odometer, but that means true mileage is 111,500 miles. The odometer has only rolled once. Not very many miles put on in the last 7 years (just over 35k).
IN THIS THREAD I have listed everything I have done during those years. I also have paperwork covering the maintenance items my FIL did on it between 2008 & 2013 (he put even less miles on during that time than I have - about 16k).
This is a California Explorer that has lived in San Diego, CA; Edinburg, TX; and San Antonio, TX - in that order. The interior is in really good shape considering it's going to be 28 yrs old. Not tears, rips, fading, stains, etc. on the seats or carpet. The dash has two places with small cracks: 1) on the storage shelf above the glove box, 2) upper left corner right behind the windshield (some state inspection goon did that removing the windshield inspection sticker years ago). The headliner just started coming loose at the sun visors a couple months ago. There are no tears, burn marks, stains, etc. otherwise in the headliner.
The paint is the worse part of the Explorer. The clear coat faded away years ago on the hood and the roof, so the metallic that is still there is damaged... but it's still there. There is an area on the rear lift gate that some clear coat has peeled off. The black surrounding the windows is turning gray, and the paint peeled off long ago on the wiper arms.
The windshield has a few small chips and one crack in the upper right corner on the passenger side. About 3 years ago I had a leak along the upper portion of the windshield glass and the only thing I was able to do to stop it (short of replacing the glass) was to seal up the top of the glass with "3M Window Weld". It hasn't leaked since, but it will be a little involved if the glass is ever replaced.
There is some evidence of hail damage on some of the side window trims. I never did find any damage on the metal of the body.
Anyway, there's a quick run-down of the Ex's life while in our care. If anyone is interested in buying, message me and let me know what questions you have. I was thinking of listing it for sale locally with an asking price of about $3k and start from there. Forum members will get a better deal for sure. Thanks for reading...
Ken