'97 xlt accessories what would you buy to improve the utility of this truck?

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

It's a rainy weekend here so I thought it would be a good idea to see what I could put into this truck after I am done with the major maintenance on it.

I already want to replace the headlights, front bumper and both fenders. as teh lights are hazed and the bumper/fenders are damaged. I would also like to replace the colored parts of the interior with something other than the green it has. it needs tires and the wheels have corroded spots from previous wheel weights. and are caked badly with brake material or something.. Oh And I've added some pics to the album, I managed to clean some of her up but most of the effort went to the interior on the pass side carpeting spring will allow me to remove the carpet and soak it in some cleaner and then actually make it look better.

TLR What would do to improve this expy I have. I would love to see pics of your mods as well.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Depending on your free $, there is a lot you can do IMHO. A little bit at a time as to not be overwhelmed, esp. if you rely on this vehichle as a daily driver.

Browse pics here: http://www.expeditionforum.com/members/43969-albums199.html

PanHandler.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I need that center console..

EDIT: I do rely on it as a daily and as far as the mods go. I'm not really going into performance (other than gaining lost power or simple stuff like gotts mod) I am going to start with the maintenance and then get the cosmetics sorted out.

 

[tonydiv]

With any project, I think it's important to have a vision of what you'd like the final product to look like, based on how you actually plan to use the vehicle.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

well, She is my daily driver right now and being 2WD she won't be going off road (well, not past the limits 2WD puts to offroading) I will eventually take her out of state on a trip or two when I get vacation time this year. I guess I don't have much of a vision other than making it look like she just rolled off the factory floor.

 

[KWT2000]

it really depends on your budget and what you want the vehicle to be when you're all done

 

[ydopen]

Look into chemical guys. I use there detail products

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[IMINYOURCHAIR]

Well, I'd like to be able to make long trips without issue so I need to know what likes to give issue when long distance trips happen. I'd like to put a better audio system in. basically I want to make her better for driving long trips. mpg boosts are helpful but I don't expect any miracles. I want a better interior as well even if i end up replacing seats.. as far as budget goes..I don't really have much to spend right now but ideas are the beginning of knowing how much I should save to accomplish whatever goals I form from the ideas I get here.

A couple mods I've already seen and am considering are the intake mod aka gotts mod, and the clutch fan removal/replacement with electric fans.

One idea I had from a past car was to find a way to drive the ac compressor and feed power to the battery to run the ac fans and comp overnight without the engine running for if I ever go on a long enough trip that I need to stop for the night or if I go on a hiking trip out of state I can have a bed in the back and sleep there instead of a hotel or tent.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

Look into chemical guys. I use there detail products

I don't know if you have seen how bad the carpet is stained. I wouldn't mind the color if I could get it back to the right color.

 

[ydopen]

Mine has 220k miles I have ran it recently from Mississippi to Houston TX. 8 hrs. From Mississippi to Chicago 12 hours and from Mississippi to Disney World in Orlando Florida 12 hours.

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[IMINYOURCHAIR]

276k here. No issues driving yet but the longest I ran in one go was 175 miles stopping and starting the engine between trips to and from a storage building. once I get the front end and tires sorted I will fill er up and take a ride somewhere for the day and see how she does on the highway. so far I cant seem to get a vehicle that doesn't vibrate at 60, 70, or 80mph. (not that I'll be doing that in this tank but hey the smoother the better.)

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Like we said, a plan/vision. Small little projects that your wallet allows, little wins per se', then the big stuff.

As far as vibration at highway speeds...that can be a multitude of things, from the simplest of properly balanced tire/wheels.

And yes, not know for their impressive mpg, I use cruise everywhere I go and try to not hammer the throttle. I think my overall mpg since purchase is approx 14.3.

PanHandler.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I think what he is asking at least somewhat is what needs attention after many miles like that. If you don't know what all has been replaced in the past, then I would just replace things again to be safe unless you can tell for sure they are not factory. Ball joints and tie rods up front are a big one. Look to see if they have grease zerks, if they don't they should be replaced with ones that do have them. Even if they were replaced the first time they wore out (about 180k), you have enough miles where they might be looking to wear out again depending what brand was used.

Rear control arms are another one. My factories had holes about the size of a quarter rusted through when I replaced mine. u-joints on the driveshafts can cause vibrations. You shouldn't have any play in the shafts if you wiggle them with your hands. Wheel hubs are a good one as well. Cheap and easy. Check the boots on the CV axles. Any type of hole in the boot means there is probably dirt inside that will eventually compromise the axle.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I haven't looked over the drive shaft but it's not giving that type of vibration. the other vibration is from the worn tires which will be sorted soon I hope. holidays have my finances stretched thinner than usual. I didn't see any rust when I looked it over when I bought her and being in Alabama it's a rare thing to get as we have no salt on our roads. (I ran the vin and she's been in Alabama her entire life.) the front hubs and bearings have been replaced and it is a 2WD so no drive axles (thank god, those damned things have leaked on every car I've ever had. )

as far as mpg goes I got about 16 average somehow...i've filled her up twice and reset the mileage and then ran the numbers and that's what it came up to. it's likely it's from the smaller tires but I can't see where a 245-75-16 would differ too much from a 255-70-16..

But before I can get tires, I need to get some of the front end replaced. I went to a tire shop and tried to get a set of used tires for till taxes come in and also get an alignment, I got neither except for a list of parts I need that came out to 450 for parts and 350 for labor. if it gets warmer this week I will raise the front end up and pull teh wheels off and have a better look myself.