What Have You Done To Your Explorer ST Today

[BrooseDaMoose]

Wheel model and tire size? I've been looking at Bronze 20x10 for my dark gray, with fat Extreme Contact tires.

Edit, I see your sig. Which wheel model? Basically, what I want lol.

They are Velgen VF5’s in gunmetal gray.


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[BrooseDaMoose]

How does it look from the rear? Interested to see your over-the-top stripes and how that exhaust looks. Very clean/nice looking vehicle, especially the wheels!!

Not the best pic but gives you the idea. We had some light snow last night. I’ll get a better shot once it warms up and melts.


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[Cruising68]

Not the best pic but gives you the idea. We had some light snow last night. I’ll get a better shot once it warms up and melts.


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I think i like that!


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[BrooseDaMoose]

I think i like that!


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Yeah, me too! They are just vinyl for now but I want to have them painted on. The paint around them is going to fade and it will look silly if, or when, the vinyl comes off. There’s already a few spots. The vinyl doesn’t like it if you don’t rinse off the soap right away when washing the car.


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[nyuk98GT]

Diggin' those stripes on the Silver Spruce Metallic, BruceDaMoose - very nice. Sweet looking wheels, too, and a nice stance. You are a man of impeccable taste.

 

[Cdubya]

BDM, not sure about those muffler tips sticking that far out! ...To each his own I guess.

 

[DSGR]

Detail baby, it’s all about the detail!

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Your Explorer looks great. I love the color and those rims it off perfectly!

 

[DSGR]

I have not the opportunity to post our 2026 Space White Explorer ST. The outside is strictly stock. I have competed some installations under the hood, though. This is how it went; it's a long read.
After reviewing a few sites, information presented in the forum, and from my own experience with my Dodge Challenger 392, I knew a catch can and an air inlet tube would be good ideas. I decided to use the UPR Plug N Play™ Dual Valve Oil Catch Can with ECSS, the FenFab 2020+ Ford Explorer ST cold air inlet tube, and the FenFab 2020+ Ford Explorer ST ECM Cover and backing plate.

First, the catch can, IMHO, is not truly plug-n-play. Those orange one-time quick connects are a pain. I used the alternate method described in the UPR instructions where they say to remove the outer black part of the quick-connect, then remove the orange part. Once that was done, then I had to go to Lowe’s and get a heat gun to heat the air tube ends to remove those orange quick-connects and insert the UPR supplied quick connects. My wife’s hairdryer wasn’t hot enough. That part wasn’t too bad. The next thing with the UPR catch can was that they shortened the hoses from the ones I’ve seen on several videos for the 2020+ Explorers. When the tube on the driver side was installed with the new UPR supplied quick-connects, it wouldn’t fit as it did from the factory, because the T-fitting down by the turbo was too tall to allow reinstallation as it was from the factory. I had to run that tube outside between the engine and the left strut tower. I noticed in a UPR installation video, they did the same thing with their Explorer in the UPR shop. It would’ve been nice if UPR had explained this. The UPR supplied quick connects seem to be made of a softer plastic than the OE Ford quick connects. I’m wondering how well the UPR supplied quick connects will hold up long-term. Lastly, after I had attached the catch can to the radiator support on the driver’s side, I wasn’t able to get the screws tight enough to keep the catch from twisting around. I went through my load of spare fasteners and found two stainless steel fine thread screws with hex heads with a lock washer and flat washer. I went to Lowe’s and got some extra ¼” stainless steel lock washers to use on the screw where the catch can attaches to the underside of the radiator support and for the other end as well. It was more secure once these were tightened up.

As for the FenFab items, they seemed to be well made. However, the air tube was a about 1/8” to ¼” of an inch too long at the throttle body end. There were no instructions. It’s obvious it wouldn’t fit but one way, but someone who is less mechanically inclined might have a less than easier experience. It was the same with the ECM cover and backing plate. On my 2026 Explorer ST, where the air tube attaches at the radiator support, it has white grease all the way around the inlet. You’ll need to clean this area very well before you attach the supplied adapter. If not, when you tighten the clamp, it’ll slide off.

I’m happy, overall, with the results. I’m not making any attempt to bash UPR or FenFab, but I wanted to describe my entire experience with these items for those who are new to these installations and who might not have much auto mechanical experience. There’s nothing worse than a rude surprise when you get in the middle of an installation that you’ve been looking forward to completing, and then you find that it’s not going to go as smoothly as it seemed in the instructions or certain manufacturer videos. Thanks for looking and reading.