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Hello SMD! I wanted to share my latest project with you. It is a 2000 Ford Explorer XLS Auto. AWD, with the 4.0L OHV engine. I bought this a couple of months ago, as a project for my girl, Jess. She had been driving a ZX2 for the last 5 years, and since she is now prego with her 4th kid (my 2nd) I feel as though she needed an SUV. So, I was going to just buy her one traditionally (payments) until I found this one. It is a major restoration, as the "X" as I call it, had been parked for the last 3 years. The guy that owned it bought it new in 2000, and drove it daily until 2008, when the transmission acted up for the second time. He had previously already had it rebuilt, and several other things were going wrong with it, so he just parked it. After three years go by, he finally decides to let it go. I seen it for sale the first day, and ended up getting a deal I couldn't pass up! Here are some pics from the day I bought it, still setting in the same spot I had found it in.

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Then I brought it home, where I could work on it.

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And my little helper is ready to go!

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So the first thing I had to do was change the battery and fuel pump. Battery was super easy, but the fuel pump gave me more trouble.

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And when I went to clean the gas tank, huh... Let's just say there was no cleaning the tank.

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So I got to looking, and I found a good deal on a brand new tank, pump, and sending unit. So I bought them all!

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But first, some paint and bed linner, so this one don't end up like the last one!

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Can't stand rust, so I also refurbished the strap and bracket

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Old vs new!

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But before I put the new tank in, I had some other rust I needed to take care of. The way I did it was first I sanded and ground the frame with a wire brush. Then, I clean with wax and grease remover. Then spray with rust reformer, then spray with paint. Worked out well!

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Got my other helper to help get the tank back in

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At that point, I was able to start it for the first time. The engine sounded really good, but I noticed right away that it needed some general maintenance. So I ordered up a sh*t load of new parts, and started tearing all the crap off that needed replaced. I also decided to have an all out war with the rust. Most of it was just surface rust, and I just hate the way it looks. So onward we go!


Kickin' Cruiser

Seller Feedback


Stage 3
Dash, Door Panels,
4th Order wall 4 - 15's
on a DC 5.0K 2 DC 5.0K's


Solo X 15 (v.2) Sub Build

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So up next is the brakes. Pretty much all 4 wheels needed replaced. So I stripped off all the old rusty parts, ordered all new ones, and got started cleaning out the rust and refurbishing the stuff to be re-used.

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Broken stabilizer link, ordered a new kit

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Brakes were totally seized - ordered all new pads, rotors, calipers, and hardware!

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What a mess!

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Also had to order new shoes and hardware for the parking brake... and I thought I wouldn't have to mess with any drum setup... yeah right!

The vent box for the gas tank... may have a tiny bit of rust...

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So while I was pullin' parts, I decided that the tow hitch needs to go. At least for now.

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Restored the front sway bar

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I also painted the shocks as soon as they came in

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And the parts finally started coming in

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Now to paint the new calipers

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So here is how those front wheel wells are coming along

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And that is where I am at the moment. I am starting on the back today, gotta sand and paint the rear-end, and rear suspension. Then it's the fun of disassembling the park brakes and pulling the axles from the case. I got new wheel seals and a new cover, so I want to make the back look as good as the front. I should finish that all up this week, then it's on to the engine and transmission. Which by the way, I really don't think is bad. It has a bad front seal, I think if I change that, along with the fluid and filter, it will be fine. We shall see. Anyway, thanks for looking, more to come soon!!!


Kickin' Cruiser

Seller Feedback


Stage 3
Dash, Door Panels,
4th Order wall 4 - 15's
on a DC 5.0K 2 DC 5.0K's


Solo X 15 (v.2) Sub Build

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Cool. Any plans for this one? I read something about this on your other thread no pt updates for a while

Thanks man. Yeah, this one will be getting a system as well. Probably a simple setup, maybe 2 - 12's or something like that. But my girl, Jess, will be doing the audio build on this one, I'll just be helping her. She is really excited about it!


Kickin' Cruiser

Seller Feedback


Stage 3
Dash, Door Panels,
4th Order wall 4 - 15's
on a DC 5.0K 2 DC 5.0K's


Solo X 15 (v.2) Sub Build

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Cool. Any plans for this one? I read something about this on your other thread no pt updates for a while

Thanks man. Yeah, this one will be getting a system as well. Probably a simple setup, maybe 2 - 12's or something like that. But my girl, Jess, will be doing the audio build on this one, I'll just be helping her. She is really excited about it!

Congrats on the new baby coming. I'm guessing she's a couple months for her to do the work which that's I think it's awesome

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nice man, i like what you did in the tire well, i wanna get to doing something to mine like that, just too lazy :P

What the f**k is an appropriate signature supposed to look like?

2013 Kia Forte Koup

Pioneer AVH-X4600BT

iDMax 12

DD M1c @ 2 ohms

Rockford Prime 200.2

Pioneer 6.75" Comp Set

XS S3400, D2700

Project DB Battery Terminals

Axxess ASWC

Stinger HPM Everywhereeee

90 Sq. Ft. of Stinger Roadkill

Stock Alt

Stuff To Come

Sundown X-12

New Amp

New Comps

4 Channel Amp

My Current Build: http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/167462-13-kia-forte-koup-dd-setup/

My Old Build: http://www.stevemead..._+2000 +mustang

Avatar Courtesy of SnowDrifter

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Congrats on the new baby coming. I'm guessing she's a couple months for her to do the work which that's I think it's awesome

Thanks man! Well, she's actually due in about 2 - 3 more weeks, so she should be ready to go in a few months, which is when it will be ready for her!

nice man, i like what you did in the tire well, i wanna get to doing something to mine like that, just too lazy :P

I feel ya there. it is a lot of work for little benefit. But damn I can't stand rust!

Good stuff man.

wow, lots of nice work man!

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!

Hopefully it will turn out nice!


Kickin' Cruiser

Seller Feedback


Stage 3
Dash, Door Panels,
4th Order wall 4 - 15's
on a DC 5.0K 2 DC 5.0K's


Solo X 15 (v.2) Sub Build

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Great job and what other plans you have besides the system of course :)

Vehicle
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche(Co-Co)

DNX9980HD
6 Team Fi 15's(King Edition)
3 DC 9k's
8 Nendo PWX 8's
4 Custom Steg 4" Super Tweeters
1 DC Audio 175.4
1 DC Audio 90.4
Rockford 360.3
3 DC Power 370xp Alts(Externally regulated)
21 D1600's
2 D4800's
All SMD RCA's
AudioTechnix Deadner
Viper Alarm

My YouTube- http://www.youtube.c...NG?feature=mhee
Link to buildlog- http://www.stevemead...4-15s-2-dc-9ks/
Link to UBL- http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/165059-ublkings-avalanchecoco-new-build-starting8-king-edition-15-team-fis-in-a-wallyes-a-wall/

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