where have you guys been the last 6 years?

[Oneeye]

Wow I'm so glad I found this place. Ive been looking for somewhere like this for years. Ive got a '00 Explorer Sport 2wd Manual. pretty rare huh? I bought it new and put 120k on it and its now time to start fixing things on it before they break. I did new brakes (first time) at 105k and just did the shocks and serpentine belt last month. I have had only great results with this truck and it deserves the best. I've browsed the section on these explorers, and have found manygreat ideas on putting the best aftermarket additions to it. So here is where I start asking simple questions.

What do you guys think I should do first.

Plugs and Wires
Flexfan
New Headlites
intake
exhaust
front boots need repacked? I believe.

Oneeye

 

[dreamr]

120 K I would do a full tune up and then start modding.

So Start here
Plugs and wires (motorcraft preferred)
Air filter (drill your box and add a K&N panel or upgrade to open air)
Clean the MAF
Run some seafoam through the intake
Change the fuel filter
flush coolant
flush brake fluid
flush engine
flush transmission
Flush Power Steering
flush rear differential (note use all synthetics for the above)
Ball joints (all 4)
Sway bar bushings and endlinks
Check the tierods (if one is bad at that mileage I would replace all 4)
Control arm and leaf spring bushings would be a good idea

After all this fun you're truck will feel nice and new

Then we'll get you started on building

As too the boot? I assume you mean CV's. If the boot is leaking or cracked replace it, and personally I would replace the joint with it.

Mods you mentioned were an intake, which I recommend pretty much any of the aftermarket parts, it just depends on what look you like. They all do the same general thing for about the same gains (minimal).

A flex fan is not much of a benefit. Rather go to an electric.

Exhaust. A catback will help flow, and sound. Beside you're mufflers are likely toast as may be your cats. Only bump the pipe size by 1/4" to 1/2" to maintain good backpressure. Mufflers are a matter of sound preference.

Please note I say all this as it is where I would start with any new to me vehicle with that mileage regardless of it's history. You may have done many of these things as a part of maintenance, if so skip em. If you need directions for any of the items or more information any of the terms I used above will guide you with the help of the search feature.

Welcome to the site

 

[Oneeye]

Thanks a lot dreamr

I have kept up on the fluids regularly and use BG stuff on them all so I believe I can give them a thumbs up. so Ill get to work on the Tie rods and bushings this week.
All I need is some direction and I'll get it goin'.

Holy **** I just started pricing this stuff and Again I don't know where to start doing that HeHe.

I'm sure its all listed here in the site so I'll start digging around here when I get home from work. I've been reading about the Electric fans in here and I think I'll go with the black magic 180. Loud Is GOOD!!!!!!!!! I'll be moving back to Shenandoah county as soon as I sell my house here in PG County.

 

[dreamr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ball...hZ019QQitemZ8072114701QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[Oneeye]

damn that ended quickly. \
I found all four ball joints for 180$ LOCALLY and I am going to find the best price on all the bushings (energysuspension 40$) tie rods and sway bars (EE xspec rear 179$) , then do it all at once. that EE sway bar is looking good to me, since Im taking my life in my hands on every potholed bridge on 295 by picking a line and trying to keep the truck pointed forwards. Is it true what they say about only needing the rear bar for the '00.?
I'm hoping to get everything on that lIst done for less than a grand. My brotherinlaw will provide the labor for a few cold ones.

 

[dreamr]

In the early 2nd gen explorers the front sway bar was the same diameter but hollow. Starting in 98 I believe that bar was made solid.

The rear bar is a very worthwhile investment on the street! With 5" of lift and 33's I was getting a bit tippy in corners. After the bar it felt better than stock. The downside though is I have next to no travel offroad with it connected.

As to the link, yeah it was already a dead link, I just did not have time. If you search that sellers products there is another one, or will be in a day or two. Jtsmith on here pointed it out, and I went and checked through there products. Keep an eye out as that kit will save you hundreds.

 

[dreamr]

For ball joints I recommend Moog.
The uppers are a one piece unit with the control arm. Expensive to replace. If you go moog it is a two piece, so next time it will just be the upper ball.

 

[dreamr]

Sorry for the three posts in a row, but here is an active sell for that kit.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ball...ItemQQcategoryZ33580QQihZ019QQitemZ8058357543