New 2 me 1999 Ex 4x4

[SkyJumper]

1999 Ex 4x4 build thread w/pics

Let me introduce myself, I am Bill a disabled Airborne Army Vet, I am not new to the forum world as I am a MOD on another site and Lifetime member on others. So reading and searching is the norm with me, so no need for a NOOB banner, HAHA.

Well, I just purchased a 99 Ex XLT 4x4, Gold or Tan? in color yesterday. I brought it home today. It is a cream puff of sorts as the interior is a 9.7 out of 10 and the exterior is a 9 out of 10, minus a few small scratches, 0 rust and 0 dents. The drive train is clean and dry, and all bushings and or seals are in exceptional condition, has 120k on the odometer. Only downfall as I see it is that it has the 4.6 instead of the 5.4. But too good of condition to pass up for the money spent. I just went on line and purchased about 2k worth of parts to add on next week, gotta wait on the brown truck, no fun. So here is the list of parts so far, all the red words are links to the parts,....

I went to AutoZone and got a full set of Camo seat covers with matching steering wheel cover and front and rear mats, and some vent visors. I just purchased a set of Tires, Rims, a 3/2 LIFT, and a Muffler, and Tips, also a K/N FIPK, I will get all this in the mail by Thanksgiving and have it on and up and running. I am hoping everything turns out the way I have envisioned it to look. I have built and modified many Bronco's and Explorers in the past and this is my first Expedition. So I will be posting pics of the truck tomorrow. And then pics of the build within the week as the parts come in. So it looks as if I am going to be very busy for next week or so.

I have been reading alot of threads on here and this is how I came up with this set-up I am going for.

 

[purevilpleasure]

Can't wait to see the before and afters. BTW I don't think the 4.6 is all that bad.

 

[SkyJumper]

Can't wait to see the before and afters. BTW I don't think the 4.6 is all that bad.

I do not think it is all that bad either but preference would of been the 5.4. I have the 4.6 in my Mark VIII, and my Mustang, but two different worlds of the 4.6 when it comes to performance. I just filled the tank all of $87.00 worth, and see what kind of mileage I will see. And after all the parts are on, then I expect a small decline in MPG with the added wt and larger tires without a gear setup to compensate. Time will tell and the gears will be my next venture.

 

[GAINMOB]

welcome to the forum...but we need PROOF!!!! lol...seriously...

 

[Lane24]

I would love to see some before after shots as well. We are such picture ****** on this site.

 

[SkyJumper]

Pictures after work today.

 

[Exp099]

Welcome to the forum.. Cool igot a twin lol igot one just like yours same color except mines 5.4l well we like to see some pics

 

[RedExpy]

I do not think it is all that bad either but preference would of been the 5.4. I have the 4.6 in my Mark VIII, and my Mustang, but two different worlds of the 4.6 when it comes to performance. I just filled the tank all of $87.00 worth, and see what kind of mileage I will see. And after all the parts are on, then I expect a small decline in MPG with the added wt and larger tires without a gear setup to compensate. Time will tell and the gears will be my next venture.

it's funny... I got a 4.6l and filled the tank with 26 gallons and yes..they do have a 26 Gallon tank!!! and I can't get the picture of the prrof to post but I got 410 miles out of the tank.. worked out to be 15.76mpg!!!!!!!! seems a little high but might have overfilled a bit or still had more gas left when I filled up... anyway... true it is a tad underpowered... but I am getting to like the motor!!! Congrats on the purchase!!!

 

[walnuts4x4]

welcome to the forum.... good list of mods you have planned... I used to have camo seat covers but some how they ended up in my fathers grand cherokee.... think my wife had something to do with that...lol

 

[2000UN93]

welcome aboard! Look forward to your pics.

 

[Canadian Expy]

Welcome ..can't wait to see it.

 

[SkyJumper]

good list of mods you have planned...

Well the only concerns I have without the parts in hand that was ordered is the clearance of the 305/70's with 16x10's, B/S is at 4". I hope not to do any trim or what not. Hopefully the E-Bay 3/2 lift kit I bought will be adequate to allow for that combo without any rubbing. Offroad will not be the reason of this vehicle, but will go ocassionally, because my wife and I camp a few times a year. So the full articulation issue is not a issue at all, unless I fall into the Abyss while on the road, HAHA. I did not see many threads on that tire combo on here, but the 305/70 is not as tall as some of you running the 295/75's, just wider. We will see shortly.

Summit Racing said the tires are on the brown truck already out of Ohio warehouse, and the rims are coming out of California warehouse by tonite. So it looks as if they all will be here by Monday. I hate waiting on the man in the brown truck. HIGH anticipation is the root of all evils.

 

[walnuts4x4]

for having to wait....lol

 

[SkyJumper]

Well here is the pics of the EX, the only blemish on the interior is the driver airbag has a couple of chips of the paint and the black is visible. Other than that, the interior is mint as new,.....

 

[rburch]

Welcome!

 

[Jay87LX]

Welcome and I am sure I speak for the others "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!!"
C'mon guys!. Although the tan doesn't seem to be initially the most favorable color I think it can be made to look good with the right addition, dark tint, wheels tires etc. The tan interior would kill me though..
I love mine as well, I love the power of the 5.4 but I have some definate rust issues to deal with but I traded off a super low price and low mileage.

Edit: I have the same 16" wheels and the look and stance of the truck definately benefits from larger tires. Check out a thread I made when I put the larger tires on, they were only 265's but did it well. For me just going to an LT tire from a passenger tire made a huge difference. IMO they put the passenger tires on to get away from the "truck" ride to appeal to the soccer mom grocery getters, It's a friggin truck!!!

I can't wait to see how it progresses

 

[SkyJumper]

Well today I did a thorough inspection of the engine bay. What did I find you ask, I found the heater core inlet and outlet hoses cut off and joined together. DAMN...

So, I went down to AutoZone and picked up a new heater core, and two new lines with the right fittings on them, and you guessed it, took the dash out, and replaced it all. Took all of 4.5 hrs to do the whole job.

Hope to never do that again for a long while.

And a positive note, the tires, intake, and muffler and tips and lift kit will be here tomorrow. The rims will not be here until Tuesday, DAMN IT.

 

[SkyJumper]

Well the man on the Brown Truck came through, I received everything except the rims. The rims will be here on Tuesday. So I will install the lift tomorrow, and the muffler and dual exhaust I have a appointment next Wednesday for that and I will get it realigned tomorrow or Monday.

Does anyone think I need longer shocks with this small lift?

 

[SkyJumper]

Well I got the lift installed today. Took me about 3.5 hrs to complete it. Looks pretty good, and I achieved 2" in the front and 2" in the rear. I could of gone more on the front, but I will need to get longer new shocks. I took it for a test drive, and I can say that I will be buying new shocks as it is a bit bouncey in the front due to the shocks almost maxed out. So that wil be next. The rims will be in on Tuesday, and Wednesday I get the dual exhaust installed. It is coming together pretty good and rapid.

Tell me what you think,

Before lift,


After

 

[SkyJumper]

Well I got the dual exhaust done today. I bought a ****** Aero Chamber single in dual out. And 2 Magnaflow 18" rolled tip SS tips. I have had 3 other vehicles with this combo and I love the sound of it. It does sound awesome now. Tomorrow I should receive the rims, and then I can get the tires and rims mounted. It is getting there.