What mod's to do first?

[SAbcouwer]

I have a stock '99 Explorer XLT with V6. It's my first Explorer (my first Ford, for that matter). I'm really happy with it. I use it on the street to get to work and in the sand, gravel and snow on weekends (New Mexico is a great place for off road! Lots of desert, dirt roads and mountain trails.) I want to get rid of my Firestones, get slightly bigger and better tires and improve off-road performance. I asked a local truck accessories and modifications shop about lifting my '99 and was told it "could not be done." So I went looking on the Web and found this great site. What would anyone suggest that I do? I don't want radical, just better. Any suggestions for mod's other than tires and suspension?

 

[soupbone]

Hello and welcome to the board.

First thing i started with was a KKM air filter. Was a easy install. Then i got rid of the firestones and got 31" BFG ATs & American Racing wheels. The guys at the Oakland 4 wheels parts (who treated me like crap) said it woundnt fit either. But i got them balanced and installed elsewhere.
You can find a local muffler shop and get a cat back exhaust for cheap too. I got a flowmaster 50 series muffler and 2.25" pipe for $200 even. My next mod will probably be a superchip ECU mod. As far as a lift is concerened check out the sema 2000 info. The superlift sport trac 4" lifts will work on your explorer too. Should be out in jan or feb 2001. Or you could do the torsion bar twist and get new leafs for the back to raise it 2" right now.

 

[blk mk8]

NOS put a 100 shot and you will be happy about your 450 dollars you spent.

 

[SAbcouwer]

Thanks Soupbone. That's exactly the kind of advice I was needing.

Originally posted by soupbone
Hello and welcome to the board.

First thing i started with was a KKM air filter. Was a easy install. Then i got rid of the firestones and got 31" BFG ATs & American Racing wheels. The guys at the Oakland 4 wheels parts (who treated me like crap) said it woundnt fit either. But i got them balanced and installed elsewhere.
You can find a local muffler shop and get a cat back exhaust for cheap too. I got a flowmaster 50 series muffler and 2.25" pipe for $200 even. My next mod will probably be a superchip ECU mod. As far as a lift is concerened check out the sema 2000 info. The superlift sport trac 4" lifts will work on your explorer too. Should be out in jan or feb 2001. Or you could do the torsion bar twist and get new leafs for the back to raise it 2" right now.