TheRangerSteve

Sold the explorer tonight, that battery was just way too big. I'm going to upgrade but I'll just have to find another source for a battery, I'll also put on something better on the alternator front as well.

Went with my gut and changed out the Sending Unit this evening. Goodbye oil light. I'll drop the oil again after a few more miles with the seafoam in it. I have to say after my 97 explorer having something this simple to work on has been a joy. Compared to that thing this is so much more straightforward.

Changed the oil yesterday after work, boy it was bad. The PO must have not changed it in a while. I have been meaning to get it done but had found other stuff to take care of and it's been a little cold to do it myself till yesterday. The light is now off at starup and then will come on after about 10 minutes of driving. I'm thinking that the oil got past the point of no return and was too dirty to keep pressure. There might still be some gunk in there from the oil being so bad. I'm thinking that I need to run a seafoam treatment and change again to see what comes out.

Yesterday on my way back to work after seeing family my oil light came on halfway in. Stopped and checked. Had oil but was dirty. Added oil to top off and then watched it as I kept pushing home. Drove about 80 interstate miles. Oil light would be off after a stop but come on shortly after startup this morning. Changed oil and same thing happens. Feeling like this is not a pump issue at this point. Could this be the sending unit? Is there something else to check?

Yesterday on my way back to work after seeing family my oil light came on halfway in. Stopped and checked. Had oil but was dirty. Added oil to top off and then watched it as I kept pushing home. Drove about 80 interstate miles. Oil light would be off after a stop but come on shortly after startup this morning. Changed oil and same thing happens. Feeling like this is not a pump issue at this point. Could this be the sending unit? Is there something else to check?

Both the button on the exterior handle and the inside handle will move. The lock can be moved with the key or by pushing from inside. I can't tell what's going on inside the door though.

Went out to the 87 tonight and couldn't get the door open. From the outside or the inside. Anybody have tricks they've used on their vehicles if this had happened to them. I pulled and pushed on the door. Eventually gave it a hard shove closed hoping to get it to open afterwards. No dice so far. This was the first really cold night we have had and it has been pretty wet. Any chance there's just some moisture in there that a warmer time will clear up.

Accelerating I'm getting the battery light flicker. I'm betting it's time to replace the alternator. Is there an upgrade that works for the 2.5 that provides some more power? Nobody in town stocks the replacement so I'll have to order it anyway, why not upgrade a bit.

Out with the old box, more work on the truck today.

Been searching for springs online. Looking at the Moog CC782 springs on Amazon. They're variable rate springs listed as a direct replacement. Anyone have experience with these?

Bye Bye running boards. Put spacers in the coils to raise the front while I hunt ZJ coils. Need to adjust them though.

Thanks, with my 2WD that's still just a couple in lift, or is it more since I'm not running 4WD?

Looks good, When I do my suspension work I'll have to get these. Going the ZJ coils and GM shackle route. These seem like a great addition to that plan.

Anybody here run a bigger battery? Before I get rid of the old Explorer I was thinking of doing a battery swap. The Ex is rated at 850 CCA 1000 CA. I don't need the extra juice, but if I have it and it's free to do, why not....

Since mine is a 2WD do I need to find the shackles for a drop, or just regular ones?

Any chance you know the part number for those shackles? sounds like a good option instead of hunting the yard for a pair.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm going to start hunting for a set. I have the 2.5 so I'll expect a little more lift since I've got a lighter front end. Also going to grab GM shackles for the rear.

Did you get the Iso's too? or are you going to use the MJ ones?

Has anyone on the board here done the swap? I'm looking into doing it shortly and a search to find some information came up dry. What can you guys tell me if you've done it. When I grab the springs what else should I make sure to get? Will my shocks still work or should I get extended ones? Thanks guys.

First this happened: Then this.... Needs a few touch ups and to carry the black around the nose but I need another can for that. Looks good for six cans of spray paint and a little effort.

Wheels update. They're on and I'm a big fan of the look. Tonight I did some work on the rust. The small test patch in the pictures was just the beginning.

Got everything sorted out. Still need to get some good pictures but I'm happy with the change. Needs some more room up front for sure though. There's not any extra space in there. Now to hunt ZJ coils and shackles for the rear.

Super frustrated tonight, after hours beating on the driver rear wheel, it's still not coming free. I have the front wheels in place but the pesky drums aren't letting go of those baby tires.

That's in the works for sure. Taking care of body work and going black in the near future.

Picked up a 87 off Craigslist to replace my banged up Explorer. 2.5/4spd/2WD. Up first will be moving the wheel/tires over to the new ride, then I'm open to suggestions on where to go. I'm not sure exactly my final vision, but small lift, and some various upgrades will come soon.