Kazer's 2002 Explorer (Vera)

Finally got around to starting my registry. ive done alot to the vehicle that i havent taken pictures of, so i'll try my best not to forget anything

Running Total for current and past modifications, including paint, sandpaper and the miles of electrical tape:

17x8.5 MB Chaos 5 rims + 245/65r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10's = $1000
20% tint = $160
First sound system, Power Acoustik 7" + 2 12" Kicker CVR's = $720
blacked headlights and corners = $130
bug guard = $50
added oem foglights = $150
hids = $65
fx4 decals = $70
aftermarket tails+led bulbs = $100
full interior swap(grey cloth to black leather+added third row) = $400
1.5bodylift = $80
second set of "winter only" rims(oem 1995 mustang cobra r 17x9s) = $80
f150 tow hooks, mounty gauge cluster, 2" hitch swap, led interior/puddle lamp conversions = $100
airbox mod, added factory homelink = $25
new strutteks in front = $150
various different paints used = $50
BTF spacers = $250
Moog K8008's = $70
More tint, 5% winshield strip and %5 sunroof tint = $45
Lifetime Firestone alignment = $150
Black Billet Grilles = $60
Shorty Antenna = $10
Flowmaster original 40 series = $100
New Headunit. JVC KW AVX640 = $430
New Subwoofer. Polk 8" + Custom box = $180
New Remote Start + Alarm. Python 991 = $480
Used Cooper Discoverer STT's = $200
Another mountaineer cluster = $40
Used set of 20x8.5" MB Bruzer rims = $375
Smoked LED Clearance Lights = $95
Used 275/60r20 Cooper Zeon LTZ's = $340
Failed OME Spring Idea = $220
UDP's = $150
Abandoned E-Fan Conversion = $90
Mustang GT Rims 17x8 = $100
315/70r17 BFG A/T KO = $100
Tire Mounting and Balancing = $100
Spartan Locker + Gear Oil and misc items = $391
MasterPro Upper Control Arms + Ball Joints = $130

Total = $7,436

Sold Aftermarket Taillights & Bulbs = $45
Sold Kicker Comp CVR 12s = $250
Sold MB Choas 5s & 285s = $500
Sold MB Bruzers & 275s = $500
Sold Mini Van Running Boards = $65
Sold 315/70r17 BFG A/T KO = $200
Sold '95 Mustang Cobra R 17x9s = $80

Total = $5,796


Stock:

63,300 miles
White with grey cladding
Minivan running boards
No fog lights
1 1/4" class IV reciever
Grey Cloth Interior (2 Rows)

Current Mods (It's a long and costly list):


Front end:

Ford Expedition tow hooks
Removed lower air dam
Added OEM fog lights
8k DDM tuning HID's in the headlights and fog lights
Black Painted headlight housings
Black painted corner lamps with clear reflector
AVS Bug guard II
Upper and Lower black billet grilles (thanks Nate Harris)
Black Rustoleum paint on front cross member and front lower control arms
Air box Mod with K&N drop in filter


Between the bumpers:

MB Chaos 5 17" rims, -6 offset
245/65/r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10's
Struttek front strut assemblies
BTF Fabrication 2.25" front lift spacer
1.5" Body lift (Thanks James, aka Ronin8002)
Blue LED's in puddle lamps
Complete interior swap (2004 Mountaineer Black leather) + Added Third Row
JVC KW-AVX640
Complete interior dome light swap (Blue LED's)
Added OEM Homelink buttons next to sunroof control
Brown wire mod
4 Gauge amp wiring
Sundown Audio SAE-100D Sub woofer amplifier
8" Polk Audio Sub woofer
Rockford Fosgate P1683 door speakers
Complete 20% tint all around + 6" 5% windshield strip + 5% sunroof tint
Ford F-250 OEM FX4 decals
BTF Fabrication 1.75" Rear lift spacer


Rear End:

Black Rustoleum painted exhaust pipe
Custom made 3" Aluminum Exhaust tip
Aftermarket Euro style tail lights
Red 24 LED tail light bulbs
12" x 12" Rock star Energy Logo
2" Class III Receiver swap


The day i brought her home:

HID's:

Multiple sets of rims (Stock, Summer, Winter):

Getting the new rims (-6 offset. no lifts at this point):

Sound Systems (new and old):

Interior Swap(Grey Cloth 2, rows. swapped to Black Leather, 3 rows:

took the mounty gauges as well

Miscellaneous Pictures:

BTF Lift:

Grilles:

Flag Mount for the Dunes!

Flowmaster:

And you thought your Ex was a money pit....?

 

[Kazer]

got some extra 1" tubing layin around. what do you guys think of this design?

 

[sport97]

I think it would look great if you made the spacing away from the bumper right, and curve the left and right parts back in respect with the shape of the bumper(if that makes sense).

 

[Kazer]

I think it would look great if you made the spacing away from the bumper right, and curve the left and right parts back in respect with the shape of the bumper(if that makes sense).

i probably wouldnt be able to cuvre it but i could try to angle the sides that extend out to the foglights inward a tad bit

 

[Kazer]

installed clearance lights

 

[Kazer]

well i decided not to buy brand new rims, so instead i picked some up for $375 for four 20x8.5" +18 off set MB Bruzers with 275/45r20 General Grabber UHP's. The 275/60s will be put on in the spring. The clear coat on these rims is shot, so i'll have to get them blasted and painted, or powder coated (despite how many threads i've read saying PCing will over age the rims..) Considering the price, i'm contemplating buying 275/60s andd running these rims through the winter.

i really need to invest in a DSLR, this crappy 8MP kodak just isnt cutting it anymore

 

[Triton8273]

Just a thought on the 285 storage issue.

What about tearing down the rear headliner and seeing if there is anywhere to bolt custom made brackets and make some kind of carrier to hold the tire under the roof. I do realize that a 285 will prob be big enough that you wont have great visibility to see out the rear window, but them again i've never tried to hand a tire back there so who knows lol

 

[Kazer]

My 285/70r17s on after market rims were very heavy, I'm not sure that kind of weight could hang from the roof. A user on here "stockcarracer" has proved that a 285/75r16 on a stock rim will fit in the spare location but for aftermarket rims I think the best way to secure them is to mount them upright in the rear cargo bay to one side or the other, similar to a jeep?

 

[Triton8273]

Yes, that definitely would be the easiest way. I wouldn't be able to do that considering my newest project lol

 

[Kazer]

Awe man, what now? Lol

 

[Triton8273]

I'll email you pics.

Some people know what I've planned but have not shown the build to anyone until it's done.

 

[Kazer]

hmm, well I reset my trip counter last time I filled up. Im almost down to a half tank on the gas gauge and I've only drove 97.3 conservative city miles. I'm pretty sure that kind of mpg is below normal. what could I do to improve gas milage? Clean IAC valve? new plugs and wires? clean maf? Clean egr valve or pcv valve?

 

[Ronin8002]

Did the area you live in just switch to winter blend gas?

 

[Kazer]

I have no idea. But my trucks at 88k and never had a tune up. Plus this has been ongoing pretty much since I sold my 285s. What is winter blend?

 

[Ronin8002]

I have no idea. But my trucks at 88k and never had a tune up. Plus this has been ongoing pretty much since I sold my 285s. What is winter blend?

Winter blend gasoline has more of certain additives that make cold starts easier in the winter. But it does have a little less energy per volume than summer blend gas so your fuel economy goes down a little when using it. I figured if you saw a sudden decrease in your gas mileage recently your local stations may have started using winter blend.

Since you have not had a tuneup yet I'd say plugs and fuel filter are definitely a good place to start.

 

[NHarris]

I have no idea. But my trucks at 88k and never had a tune up.

Nice mileage. Same as my Explorer. Remember they are adding up to 10% ethanol into gasoline. If they get their way there will be up to 20% ethanol in fuel. That ethanol has little energy in it. I would recommend you change out your O2 sensors, plugs, fuel filter, and wires. O2 sensors will really kill your fuel mileage. I also beleive winter blend has alchohal in it to help keep it from freezing.

Merry Christmas and keep on Exploring.

 

[Kazer]

well i was ready to order plugs, wires and a fuel filter.... but i've been watching my rpms a lot more closely since christmas. i drive a half hour to work and all of the roads are 45 mph speed limit. anywho, at 45-47 mph my rpms are right on 2k. my torque converter used to lock up and my rpms dropped down to just above 1k. ive been watching for the past days and i never saw my rpms drop when on a striaght, level road at a constant speed around 46 mph. Could my torque converter be acting up/not engaging causing my horrendous gas milage?

 

[NHarris]

Take your truck to the dealership and have them check your fluid. Low transmission fluid could possibly cause this.
Why I say take it to a dealer is there actually is a special method of checking these "sealed" units. You must have a thermal scanner and get the transmission to 180 degrees (no hotter or colder) and have it in neutral or drive, I forget which. If you don't do that you will get a false reading.

 

[Kazer]

i'll look into that nate, thank you. for the time being, i put bigger tires on my truck and my torque converter loves me again lol


Updated Pictures. 275x60r20 (33.03x11.06) Cooper Zeon LTZ

 

[sport97]

Looks great, as usual. Good choice of rims and tires.

 

[BigRondo]

Outstanding!!