1997 Ford Explorer

Sport Utility

4.0L 245Cu. In. V6 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

1FMDU32X3VUB78997

Clear

GAS

Wow… where do I start? Some cars–beaters mostly–are easy to sell on eBay. Write a quick description, add a few pictures, tell people about the check engine light. Done. But this vehicle isn’t just a car. This vehicle is an experience. Read on to see if you can handle it. Let’s start with this 1997 Ford Explorer’s pedigree: it cut its teeth at the Florida International Rally and Motorsport Park, where we (Grassroots Motorsports magazine) used it as the test truck for a story about towing a trailer safely. We put a .120 wall, 1 ¾” o.d. DOM steel tube roll cage (sans door bars) in the car, as well as an Ultra Shield race seat on sturdy sliders with an Ultra Shield harness (dated July 2004). All of the safety gear was installed by one of the best cage builders in the country, who spends most of his time working on Pirelli World Challenge cars. How much is the safety gear in this truck worth? Too much, that's the answer. The cage builder broke down laughing when we brought the truck in, and then he still didn't believe we were actually willing to spend that kind of money on an Explorer. We also installed a 2" receiver hitch, a trailer brake controller, and wired the truck for trailer lights. Why? Because this truck is so cool, you'll need a trailer just to carry all of your new friends around with you. You're welcome. Here’s a video of that towing story: GrassrootsMotorsports.com/Trailer Now that we’re done with the story, it’s time to sell this truck. We know what you’re thinking: what the heck am I going to do with this thing? Well, congratulations my friend, because your horizons are about to be expanded. Driving this vehicle is a lot like driving a Trophy Truck in the Baja 1000, in that both involve roll cages and unbearable heat (the A/C is broken). If you’ve ever wanted to partake in thrills like that, then you should, no–you must buy this Explorer. It runs and drives fine, save for some worn suspension parts and a check engine light. The transmission shifts well, and doesn’t seem to slip. To say this is a trophy truck might be a tad aspirational, but this would definitely be the most comfortable Crapcan race car that has ever existed. It’s not slow, either–its mighty 4.0 liter V6 will spin both bald tires through first gear! Weld in some door bars, and you’ll be ready to have the time of your life on the race track. You’ll make all the other teams jealous, what with your power windows (most of which work most of the time), power locks, carpet, sound deadening, and even cupholders! Jay Lamm, Chief Perpetrator of the 24 Hours of LeMons, has even given this specific Explorer a weight waiver, meaning it is legal to run at any LeMons event. If all this isn’t enough to convince you this is a race machine, consider this: a real, live stage rally driver has driven this exact Explorer! He had a Nordic accent and everything–we promise. He described it with a number of colorful words, but due to his accent we could only make out a few. We’re pretty sure we heard: “Not… bad… miserable… wow… sorry.” So yeah, there’s that. If this Explorer was your house, then that would be like Dale Earnhardt Jr. walking in and complimenting you on your wig collection. There are a few dents here and there, and the right front fender is misaligned fairly badly. The left rear quarter panel has been lovingly massaged by a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL. This normally costs extra, but we’ll throw it in for free. That’s the Grassroots Motorsports difference. Oh, also, the rear shocks are disconnected. The bolts to hook them back up may or may not be in the Explorer, so plan on finding some new hardware before you go racing. You should probably get a new battery hold-down, too. Then again, a loose battery will be the least of your worries on track–these do have a rollover problem, right? Aside from some light surface rust on the frame, this thing is rust-free. It should be, after all, since it’s from Florida. You do know what Florida is, right? As the home of rust-free Explorers, Flo Rida AND Pitbull, it’s one heck of a state. Also, it (specifically Holly Hill, Florida) is where this vehicle, no, this experience must be picked up within two weeks of the auction’s end date. We’ll help a shipping guy put it on his truck, but you’ll have to figure it out from there. Or, if you’re feeling brave, it would probably make the drive home. A $500 deposit is due via PayPal 48 hours after the auction’s end date. Think of it as a small price to pay for a one-of-a-kind artifact like this. If you have any questions about the vehicle, or if you just need someone to talk to, email us at Tom@GrassrootsMotorsports.com, or call (386) 239-0523. Inspections are welcome anytime Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, or give us a call/email and we can setup a meeting time before or after work. On Jun-03-14 at 08:46:17 PDT, seller added the following information: An update on the rear shocks: The bolts are on their way back to us, and will be on the car when it sells.On Jun-03-14 at 10:56:16 PDT, seller added the following information:This vehicle will be granted free entry to the Grassroots Motorsports $2014 Challenge.On Jun-03-14 at 12:03:57 PDT, seller added the following information: Just a clarification: Jay Lamm did not say the Explorer was ready to race right this second. He said that it will be legal once the normal LeMons rules are met: door bars, removing the airbag, pulling the carpet, etc. We don't want anybody to be confused.On Jun-03-14 at 13:13:50 PDT, seller added the following information: I found a code reader and pulled the code. It was code P0153, which is for "O2 Sensor Slow Response" I cleared the code and it didn't immediately come back, but I didn't drive the truck around.