planing to order in more parts for the explorer

[Tedybear]

Suggestion Time!!

Okay, I will be placing an order for a few needed parts. I'll be using Rock Auto of course.

Had the truck kick up a code for O2 sensor Right bank. The left one was replaced prior to my purchase (new appearance) and the right one appears to be factory. Sense the truck has well over 230k on it, Not even going to argue and just replace it for basic maintenance at this point.

Suggestions on brand? Money is always tight I never know about going to cheap, or expensive.. We have NTK for about $15 bucks, all the way up to AC Delco for $41.00. Better then the local cost of $50 bucks for a basic Bosch of course. It's tripping the code for Lean/not switching. If this was an OBD II system I would pull up a graph and look at the wave form, but its OBD I.. And I'm not going to break out a scope (I do have one actually, it weighs about 60lbs...and would be a full on PITA to drag outside)

Of course I'm going to cheap out on the AC accum/Receiver dryer. $17 for a 4-seasons one is about 1/2 the local price.

That brings me to the last item. The rocker panels on this explorer are not there. Rotted out. Even the dog legs bottoms are rotted out.

I tried to order in Sherman products off my ebay source, but got hosed. (claimed they had in stock, a week later no ship and then said "Opps")

Rock Auto shows a reasonable cost "Slip On" rocker panel. They also show normal rocker panels...for a 4 door (and one Sherman one for a two door Explorer as of last night....) Now I have the 2 door Sport, and it's hard to find body parts.

Suggestions on Rocker Panels would be welcome. I can NOT WELD!! As I have a cardiac implant. I'm planning on using body shop quality bonding agent and backing it up with the old school pop rivets. It won't look pretty, but it will be sturdy....

Slip On rocker panels look do-able, but the price and quality I've found on ebay and rock auto seem to be all over the map. I wish I could afford the ones off the pick and pull explorer that has no rust (the one I snagged the rear gate off from, I looked under it. Mint!) They wanted over $300 for the parts and labor to remove the parts.

So Rocker Panel ideas....Anyone have some good ideas? Slip on, Slap on...Bolt on... Sneeze on? The area where the plastic body trim was attached is where the rot nailed it. It's restricted to that general area. Rest of the truck is in good shape, with expected rust on the frame (not to bad, Crusty to be sure...but still solid)

S-

 

[enjr44]

What is the code?

An O2 code may not be a o2 sensor. It just maybe the sensor doing its job saying the computer cannot adjust the fuel mix to the desired 14/1 ratio for that bank.

 

[Andy D]

Plz post follow up

 

[Tedybear]

If memory serves, and it's to flippen HOT for me to do under hood work. I think it was 172 and/or 174. Fairly sure it was right bank "Lean".

The left hand side O2 sensor was replaced, it's got pretty much newer insulation and wasn't routed that great. I think the right sensor is factory. Which means it's from 1995, and over 230,000 miles on it. Not sure how long an O2 sensor can last, but 20 years and all those miles?

I'll replace it just for the sake of maintenance. The code only appeared a couple of times, and the last time was while I was driving the truck home after about a 30 mile trip.

The truck is driving fairly good, still has a sticky clutch (grrr....) at times. But it's time to get the O2 sensor addressed, and the rocker panels replaced.

Likely I'll go with the slip on rocker panels, and see what I can cobble and reinforce that area. Where ever those plastic trim pieces where? Rotted out.

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[Cars+PCs=Awesome]

I'm still sporting my 02 sensors from 1994. I replaced my catalytic converter, and should have replaced my sensors...cuz if they are bad, they can destroy my converter....but I mean hey. I may be doing a cat delete after inspection anyways.

Check engine lights are not the end if the world...and for older cars, it just reminds you it's old.
My CEL turns on after I use my cruise control for more than 2 min. Probably a vacuum issue, but it's not needed.

Try not to loose your mind over it haha.

I know I am[emoji50]


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[Tedybear]

Actually I'm going to use the O2 sensor replacement as an excuse to check the front converter. She's a bit sluggish. I have one of those endoscope camera's that can sneak into the pipe and have a look at the front converter bed to see how bad-or how good the honeycomb of fun looks.

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[Cars+PCs=Awesome]

Actually I'm going to use the O2 sensor replacement as an excuse to check the front converter. She's a bit sluggish. I have one of those endoscope camera's that can sneak into the pipe and have a look at the front converter bed to see how bad-or how good the honeycomb of fun looks.

S-

Lol that's pretty convenient. I saw when I installed a brand new muffler (flowmaster 40 series Delta) that my honeycombs were blocked by foreign objects. Has to be from when we sealed it, and due to the fact that an 02 is bad xD but what the hell, it sounds great, and is responsive
So I ain't even mad.

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[Tedybear]

Lol that's pretty convenient. I saw when I installed a brand new muffler (flowmaster 40 series Delta) that my honeycombs were blocked by foreign objects. Has to be from when we sealed it, and due to the fact that an 02 is bad xD but what the hell, it sounds great, and is responsive
So I ain't even mad.

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I'm still trying to figure out the rocker panel thing. Any search on "rocker panels" seem to kick up posts regarding valve train issues. (rocker arms).

A few youtubers got back to me and said considering the rockers are not even there (that badly rotted out) to just weld on the slip on rockers and call it a day. I can't weld, but am planning on doing the body panel adhesive and rivets. Probably will bolt or rivet on a chunk of reinforcement under the sills to help shore things up. I'm frustrated at the difference between the 2 door and 4 door rocker panels. The 4 door full replacements have the lower door outlines and go a tad higher for better construction. Just a beefier design. The 2 door rocker panels? Look like someone stamped steel out and said "There...." Going to need to get creative.

S-

 

[Cars+PCs=Awesome]

I'm still trying to figure out the rocker panel thing. Any search on "rocker panels" seem to kick up posts regarding valve train issues. (rocker arms).

A few youtubers got back to me and said considering the rockers are not even there (that badly rotted out) to just weld on the slip on rockers and call it a day. I can't weld, but am planning on doing the body panel adhesive and rivets. Probably will bolt or rivet on a chunk of reinforcement under the sills to help shore things up. I'm frustrated at the difference between the 2 door and 4 door rocker panels. The 4 door full replacements have the lower door outlines and go a tad higher for better construction. Just a beefier design. The 2 door rocker panels? Look like someone stamped steel out and said "There...." Going to need to get creative.

S-

If you can't find what you looking fir, build it yourself lol. I like it. Get some sheet metal, and a ball peen hammer, and go crazy lol.

Or go to a metal shop with the sheet and tell them what you want. Either way haha


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[Cars+PCs=Awesome]

Oh, and rockauto has a bunch of rocker panels. I'm sure they have them for your explorer.

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[Mightyfordranger]

Well where are you from if your in Ohio I'll come out and weld for you or I'll try and brj g my buddy who is a welder buy trade not sure about your rockers but I do have a few panels on my truck that are riviets and some kind of crazy automotive adhesive previous owner did and they hold up fine