Howdy I'm in Phoenix, new to the forum and new to AZ off-roading. I picked up a '01 EB 5.4 4x4 last month for cheap. I'm using it for camping in remote areas and some moderate off-road trails in central AZ. I plan to lift mine after wearing out the current tires, just to expand the areas I can get into. Mine is stock height, wheels and tires, still have the running boards on it, only scrape I've had was going up Schnebly Hill Road near Sedona, on a rock step, the trailer hitch ran aground as the rear wheels approached the step.
I would be interested to know your trans oil temps driving around in the summertime heat. Mine mostly ranges from 197 to 206, hwy and city driving. Hit 227 once in stop and go traffic slowdown on the big uphill grade on I-17 North towards Prescott. The reading is from internal trans temp sensor. Next project is remote trans cooler with it's own fan, hoping to keep it 200 degrees or lower. May also convert the cruise control on/ off switch, on the steering wheel, to torque converter clutch manual switch.
In a previous post you talked about upper and lower ball joints. I recently installed Mevotech Supreme upper control arm assemblies, and Mevotech Terrain Tough lower ball joints, all ordered from RockAuto. The job was super easy, and well worth it. The lowers were pretty much shot, rattling like crazy anytime off road.
Also thinking about putting a set of electric pusher fans on the a/c condenser. Just replaced the entire cooling system, clutch, belt, tensioner, pulleys and it runs about 199 deg ect on the hottest days with 180 deg thermostat. A/C works well but slightly less in city stop and go traffic. Looking for that ice cold a/c in traffic on those summertime scorcher days.