Again, been a long time with no updates.

Been busy with life, and also my bus (See link in signature)


So, Wednesday's and Sunday's are half price days at one of the junkyards by me... I have been waiting for good candidates for doors for a while because the prices are cheap to begin with. So...

$40 for each door - $80 total

Still need at least the Driver's side front door... then paint for everything... among a few other little things.


I also had some time to start cutting all the pillars to prepare to install the new top.... They are not perfect, but I can fix that with a grinder. The goal was to get it close... I can always take more off... it's harder to add a little back on.


Also, included pics of the vinyl floor from a 01 sport trac that will be going in instead of the moldy carpet that I pulled out. I'd rather have the vinyl, darker in color and looks better IMO.

My goal is to have this done within the next 2 months if not sooner.


Pics:

 

Yes again, it has been a while. At this point I hope the 5.0 will be nice to me and actually start when I finally get the dash back in later this week.

OK, so some background on why it has taken so long and why I am now rushing to get this drivable again... Recently I have been working on my bus. Finally got the clutch replaced, engine back installed, and everything connected again and even took it to a local car show in September. Happened to make the front page of the local newspaper with it too.

Now, why I am trying to rush to get this finished?? well... on my 95 ranger, the transmission just went out again... (2 weeks ago) for the 3rd time!!! It might have 1 trip left in it... and that will probably be to the Junk Yard... I have had it rebuilt twice already... and is probably not worth getting rebuilt again and inst worth it in my opinion. So for the past 2 weeks my wife and I have been sharing rides with each other and just making our schedules work.



OK, so finally onto the Explorer. I have gotten the top trimmed to match, got it all tack welded in place and actually got the front A-pillars completed and painted with color matched paint along with a windshield installed (that happened this past Friday). Also picked up a new driver's side door :)


Anyway, on to pics:















Also was finally able to take down the stand I built for the new top:










A-Pillar basically ready for paint (I think I did additional touchup before hand... but you get the idea)






First Primer, then PAINT!!! YAY!!





Windshield!!!!





New Door!





And somewhat fixed the dent on the top of my existing passenger door (Will revisit this later, just needed to fix the initial dent otherwise it would hit the metal and not the weather stripping):






Enjoy!

 

Awesome work.

 

Thanks man!

Hopefully I can get the remaining pillars finished tonight. All initial welding is done and I even got a lot of grinding completed... just have a few areas to touch up.

The welder I was using isn't all that good and literally has its bad days and good days. some of the welds I did this Sunday night didn't get good penetration - the welder started to get hot near the end, so those are the ones I have to touch up... not bad, just not what I wanted.

If I ever do this again, I'm buying and using a Miller!!! But the current welder I am using I am borrowing from a friend works... just is really rough...


I'll update as soon as I make more progress.

 

Trying to knock it out!!

It is back together for the most part now....

however, my intermittent starting problem I had before tearing it all apart... is now a permanent no start. Fuel pump went bad. Replacing that tonight. I know it is not PATS, the Inertia switch or a relay as I have already tried and tested all those and they passed with flying colors.

Anyway, all welding and grinding is FINALLY done!! I have gotten paint on it (Will repaint later). Got the new vinyl floor in, dash back in, steering wheel, and the driver's seat. Also, as of last night, all doors are also on!!!

Still have some adjustments to do, but its sooooo close to being drivable.


What is left?
- Fuel Pump Replace
- Rear side quarter window installation
- install Bumper
- Remainder of interior



On to pics: