Pully out the noob card !

[Ryan Bickford]

After searching for awhile im finding it hard to find link on 02+ Explorer/ Mountaineer builds ! ? Can i find some help ? I plan on buying an 03 Mountaineer for the wife to drive in the winter then i plan on taking it over at about March to start the expo build Its already white so i got the color of true expedition covered ! But any good links on whats known for issues or what good to build with ? I heard they only made that year motor 1 year ? SO many question so any and all info would be AWESOME ! ( BTW FIRST EXPO BUILD ) Goal is to take on med rated trails but not over do it ?

 

[bloodyWEST]

How did you arrive at a mountaineer? I don't think there is much aftermarket for those. Did your wife fall in love with it?

If you plan a mild build, I would look real hard at some other vehicles in the same price range. 99-03 jeep grand Cherokee. Late 90s 4runner ect. The WJ grand cherokees are pretty luxurious and with 2 straight axles they are very capable offroad.

Since the aftermarket is so limited, you will end up with less help resources online and more aggravation when trying to buy offroad accessories.

 

[huntoon]

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/forum.php

Dezert Rangers has a ton of info on... Rangers.... which is the same thing I think as a Mountaineer.

You should bash it around for a while, find out what you need too. Take it offroad and see where you are lacking... Bring a friend and an extra truck though!

 

[Ryan Bickford]

Well, Place where i got the super mini van had it out back with a blown motor and i offered very little pennys for it ! They are goign to get a motor for it tomorrow morning, The owner and i are going to get it ( 55000 miles ) I wont be able to build much of anything else due to i already have the Van payment so what little money i do have for a build i want to put into the Merc. I was hoping the support for the 02+ explorer would be the same ? I have alot of custom resources on my side as far as fab work goes. Owner of Pro Auto is an offroad junky and has had mini trucks featured at SEMA. So i am hoping everything could and would work on with the Merc. But if not :\ damn .. back to looking at pics of what i want to do lol

 

[bloodyWEST]

I think the pre2002 were very similar to the ranger. In 02 I think they got the independent rear suspension which will be more complicated to lift.

If you have good friends with fab skills, then that's a good start.

Also, compared with a mini can, I would be stoked on the mountaineer. Slap some decent all terrain tires on, grab a tow strap and an ice chest, the family, and go have some fun.

 

[Ryan Bickford]

 

[Ryan Bickford]

Thats about what i would want , Then third row seating out for storage and a rack with a tent on top .. Pretty much all i would need for what i want to do ! Couple key things to make it Genuine would be a snorkel ( cant find lol ) and the winch bumper... idk yet I know its getting the exo skeleton cause i will be letting her drive it haha

 

[4x4junkie]

www.explorer4x4.com

 

[Ryan Bickford]

Thats infact really nice !

 

[Ryan Bickford]

Well i got it today... Against better judgment. I figured why the hell not people didnt become pioneers for not trying , right ? I will start posting pics asap ! Still looking for good sites to get parts and tracking down a lift kit ! Any and all info on the 2002 Mountaineer AWD would be a help .. Lets give it a shot and create a Expo Monster !

 

[DoMiNiC1]

In the epic words from (Mad Max) "Speed cost money, how fast do you want to go?" In this case speed would be the off road capacity... Good luck!

 

[Ryan Bickford]

Keeping the Mountaineer as a family ride and ended up getting a 1998 Grand Cherokee this morning ... Has 200k miles 4.0 ! Like a boss ... Body is mint fire engine red ! Now to post pics and make a build thread!