PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

@6 gearT444E
@98tacoma27
@ABA180
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@Just_A_Guy
@RustyGreen
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@steelcity2
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@wilcam47

It's time to bring up the issue of autism spectrum disorders, sensory issues, and mask mandates once again; I have calmed down a lot with regards to my views on masking, but my friend Anna still has her sensory issues. Anna doesn't drive, and she was going to go to lunch with her grandparents. Her grandparents told her that she had to wear a mask in their car, despite not expecting her to wear one at the restaurant table. The restaurant was a short distance from her parents' house, so she opted to ride her electric scooter rather than mask up.

I've mentioned this before. My friend Doug, who is Jewish and like me has Aspergers, is presently boycotting his longtime synagogue because they are mandating masks for everyone regardless of vaccination status.

Doug's issue is more that he just doesn't feel like wearing a mask anymore, whereas Anna has legit sensory issues and can have a panic attack if she has to wear a mask for an extended period of time; I am directly between Anna and Doug with regards to why I don't wear masks anymore.

 

People with autism, at least the three of us (Anna, Doug, and myself) don't like being controlled. We like structure, but we don't like changes in our routines. This pandemic has really fucked with our minds, and we are emotionally done with it all.

 

Masks are F'kn stupid.

 

@6 gearT444E
@98tacoma27
@ABA180
@BkerChuck
@ColoradoTJ
@Squatting Pigeon
@steelcity2
@TnShooter
@wilcam47

A friend of mine has a 2003 Ford
Explorer XLT with the 4.0L V6, on which both head gaskets are blown and the cylinders heads are warped. As soon you start the engine, this thing starts pissing coolant from both cylinder heads and filling the whole neighborhood with white exhaust.

My friend's parents purchased the Explorer as a first car for his older brother back in like 2015. The Explorer had like 100K miles on it when my friend's parents bought it, and the original engine had been replaced with one from a totaled Explorer. My friend's brother did not take care of the Explorer, which is why the engine is so fucked up.

My friend has a sentimental attachment to this shitbox, and to fair, it is in decent condition with the exception of some incredibly minor rust. The A/C even works! The current odometer reading is 157K and change. I am not a huge fan of 2002-2005 Explorers, but I think this rig is worth saving for someone with the mechanical know-how...

My friend wanted to rebuild the engine, but I've convinced him that if he wants to keep the damn thing, replacing the engine is the better option; I caught my blown head gasket before it became a major issue, but this engine seems past the point of redemption from an economic standpoint.

 

If you want to wear a mask then wear a mask; I don't give a shit. Just don't make me wear one!

 

I’ll be the dissenter here. While I do agree that you should be able to decide whether or not to wear a mask at this point, I do still believe we should respect those who choose to wear one.

But wearing one in a car then eating in a restaurant without one is just stupid.

 

Turbocharged LS V8 is the only answer.

 

How about keeping it Ford? My buddy is a huge Ford guy...

He is considering swapping in a 4.6L from another Explorer, which I feel would be much easier since V8 Explorers were actually a thing from 1995 to 2010.

 

Idk. I don’t know much about Ford’s. The idea of swapping a massive LS into anything just sounds fun lol

 

That is my attitude about masks and vaccines, it should be up to each individual.

 

It would be much more simple and less expensive to grab another 4.0 from the junkyard.

 

Also, the 3rd Gen Explorer was available with a 5-speed handshaker for one year only (2002, the first year of production); I'm trying to convince him to manual swap it, though he can't drive stick and wants to keep it automatic...

 

My mechanic Pete has trusted sources where he gets warrantied junkyard motors from, and he thinks he can do an engine swap for around five grand. I would really hate to see this Explorer go to the junkyard, because it has a clean title and has never been wrecked.

 

I did a quick junkyard search for an Explorer 4.0 and see them priced anywhere from around $700 to $2200. Your friend could easily get one for around $1500 and swap it in his driveway over the weekend.

 

No doubt. Its really not bad job with a lift.

 

Pete does engine replacements older, high-mileage, well-maintained vehicles all the time because people don't feel like dropping fifty grand on a new vehicle. There was a mint 2003-2004ish Volvo XC70 with 300K miles getting a new engine at Pete's a couple weeks ago...

 

Check out this Shitsubishi that I saw in the AutoZone parking lot today...

 

I saw an AWD Suzuki with a blown engine last week, thought about snagging it as used engines were quite inexpensive at around $600.

 

Have you actually done an engine swap before?

 

That woulda been sweet.