AFE Momentum Intake Installation

 Lethal Performance has awesome marketing, they post stuff - I buy it!  Got a great deal on the AFE MOMENTUM GT COLD AIR INTAKE SYSTEM W/ PRO 5R MEDIA (2020-2022 EXPLORER ST) - 50-70076R  

The installation is pretty straightforward, took about 1.5 hours, overall very happy with it!

also checked the oil catch can, got a little bit after 5k miles - another great mod!

all installed and rockin!

Upgraded LED lighting for the rear

 One thing I'm huge on is visibility when you have tinted windows.  Upgraded LEDs can make a HUGE difference, not only in driver visibility but also to be seen better by other drivers.  The rear lights on the Explorer ST are good, but like most OEM parts can be upgraded.  I reached out to one of the Facebook groups and found this setup from Houston Speed Freaks  Upgraded turn signal bulbs, backup lights and license plate lights.  All are about 2-3X brighter - which is amazing!

pop off this square tab, and the taillight pulls out from the outside

you can use a socket to loosen the screw

simple swap of the old bulbs for the LEDs

the backup light is an extended part, just tuck the wires inside the housing

oem license plate bulb

new LED bulb, less power, less heat, and 2x as bright!

Upgraded to the Steeda strut tower brace and J&L Oil Catch Can

 Minor upgrade IMHO, but looks pretty cool!  I paid the extra $25 to have the Steeda Blue powdercoat, and the swap took about 30 minutes. https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-5734-explorer-strut-tower-brace

While I was under the hood, I also did the J&L Oil Catch can to keep that oil bypass out of the intake, great cost and worth the trouble - especially with twin turbo vehicles.

 

OEM Strut tower brace, just a stamped piece of aluminum

simple removal - just a ratchet and 4 bolts

comparison of the OEM (top) and Steeda (bottom)

you can see the Steeda brace with extra hardware, nice flash of color!

The J&L Oil Catch can took about 15 minutes to install!

Really slick LED light strip for the Explorer ST

 We found this mod on Facebook on the Explorer ST group, I can't take full credit for it - but figured for ~$40 it was worth trying out.  First you have to get the parts to setup.

• 12V Add-a-Circuit Adapter and Fuse Kit (make sure your kit has the Micro-2 size)
• SilverHolder Car Hood Light Strip White 70 Inches Exterior Car LED Strip Lights

 
Great! Now that you have the parts, the setup is pretty simple.  First, test the strip to ensure it's working, you can do a quick connect to the battery for this, red to positive and black to negative.   Not only can you see it working, but also tell which side is projecting the light.   
Pop the hood and clean the top of both headlights and the grill section top.  You don't want to use any harsh chemicals, just a good cleaning will do to ensure the tape will stick well.  This is also a good time to see where the hood seal lays when the hood is closed, you'll want to follow this line with the new LED strip.  I used painters tape to setup the strip and hold in place, it will want to wriggle around a bit since it comes curled up in the box.  
Once you're satisfied with the layout, peel off the bottom red tape strip and start adhering to the car.  You'll notice in my pictures that the 70" strip is perfect as it will tuck a few inches back on both sides of the hood under the fender.  I placed some black 3M electrical tape to hide the red at the edges of the hood.

Next up was to do the wiring.  I cut the black cable and stripped about 1/2" off and used one of the driver side fender bolts as a ground, worked great and one less cable to run.  The red wire I placed under the driver fender and ran back to the fuse panel which is hiding under two protective covers.  The top cover is pretty simple, push two tabs and it comes up and off.  The fuse box has 3 tabs, one toward the center of the vehicle and two (front and rear) closest to the driver fender.  
I measured and cut just behind the fuse that comes with the kit.  Since this is going into the fuse panel, you won't need the inline fuse.   Use a fuse puller, or a thin set of wiring pliers and remove Fuse #21 - this fuse goes to the headlights and will automatically turn on (and off) when the vehicle starts (or stops).  

This is where your fuse tap kit comes into play.  Use the 10A fuse that you just pulled and place it in the slot closes to the pins.  Then use a 5A fuse that came with my kit and plug it into the top slot.  This way you protect your headlights as usual, and add a 5A circuit for your LED strip (which will use much less than 5A).  Next, strip off the ends of the wire from the tap and from the LED red wire.  I used Solder Seal Wire Connectors-Marine Grade Heat Shrink Wire Connectors since they're easy to use with a heatgun, offer a good soldered connection and they're waterproof for extra protection.  

I actually flipped the fuse around to direct the wire closer to the fender side of the box but it's a pretty simple setup and works great!  Next up, check your hood clearance.  In my case, the hood wouldn't close with both the LED strip and the protective rubber under the hood so I pulled the rubber from the hood.  Some have adjusted their hood height adjusters but I didn't want the hood higher than the fenders.

So far it's been good, will check over time to see if the LED strip is good enough to block water, etc from the engine bay.

Last part, test!  Close the hood and start it up!

Time to black it out, add protection, and some patriotism!

 My wife wanted dark, so we did 5% all around - have a local shop that does an amazing job!  Reach out to Chris at Royal Tint, we've been going to him for 6+ years now and have had awesome results.  Not the best pic, but you can see the new 5% all around (just a strip on the windshield).  Also added the Weathertech Ford Explorer Side Window Deflectors - they let fresh air in but no water, these go all the way down in front behind the mirror as opposed to the Ford ones that leak water just above the mirrors.

I also wanted to protect other parts of the car, so I ordered the WeatherTech No-Drill Mudflaps for Ford Explorer Front & Rear Set, and the Rongtaod Fit 2020-2023 Ford Explorer Trunk Mat

The mudflaps (more like solid flaps) are relatively easy to install.  I used an 8mm socket and a screwdriver - the rears are VERY easy, and well mounted.  The fronts only require turning the wheels side to side to get more clearance.  

The rear trunk protection was a 'hope' that it matches the quality of more expensive parts, and I have to say it's a good setup!  The nice part of this cover is that you can split the back seats and have just one side down.  Not all protectors are like this so it's great flexibility!  Also, the Envelope Style Trunk Mesh Cargo Net has been nice to wrangle loose items in the back!  

Lastly, I love the distressed flag look.  I found these vinyl window rear quarter window covers from BOGAR TECH DESIGNS - Precut Distressed American Flag Rear Side Quarter Window Decals Compatible with Ford Explorer 2020-2022, Matte Black  Installed very easily, and great quality!

A few cosmetics to start

Making a vehicle unique is something that a lot of enthusiasts like to do.  We're in that camp, and want to do things (little to big) that make our Explorer 'ours'.    First up, my wife is LEO, and I love her dedication and hard work.  The 'thin blue line' is somewhat controversial in some eyes, but everyone has opinions and ours is that the TBL stands for the LEOs of the world doing one of the hardest jobs anyone could endure.  Not only is it physically taxing, it takes a mental toll as well.  This Heavy American Flag Metal Trailer Hitch Cover for 2" inch Receivers cover was perfect!  The blue really stands out and love the blackout look :)

Next up were these Hecotrax for Ford Explorer 2023 2022 2021 2020 Aluminum Performance Pedals Set Non-Slip Accelerator and Brake Pedals Cover No Drill Brake Gas Accelerator Accessories (ST) we found on Amazon, they're a subtle touch when you get in the vehicle and nice and grippy too!  You simply remove the stock brake pad, and using a flat screwdriver you mold this one around the steel pedal.  The accelerator pedal just slides overtop the plastic pedal that is stock.  Overall, very nice parts! 

 

Let the modifications begin!

The Explorer ST is a great car right from the factory, there's always an opportunity to improve.  Some things can be pre-ordered, but our ST came off the lot.  Here the list of items that we're modifying, look for a blog post per modification for more details.