I titled this post "third times the charm" because the explorer sport is my third vehicle i'll be buying/modifying. I have been into the car scene for longer than I have been driving. my first car was an 09 mazdaspeed3. catless DP blew turbo seals and made white smoke everywhere; went to garrett 3076 pushed 23 lbs, blew the motor, fully built the motor and months later decided to trade in. found out that at the time the new explorer was built on a taurus frame and wanted one powered by the 3.5 gtdi, which wasn't a thing at the time although the SHO was. traded fully built mazda for 4dr tacoma: installed lift kit, winch on the front inside stock bumper, offroad lights in the grill, CB radio etc etc. wife decided she wanted 3rd row seats and you know what they make now that they didn't 5 years ago? my 3.5 gtdi explorer. 2016 in bronze fire metallic.
being around Detroit with rough winters and kids first things i did were all weather floormats- husky liners.
reading posts about ecoboost longevity i got an oil catch can and airaid intake. as a write this i have either on the way or waiting to be installed 170 t-stat, catted PPE downpipes denso ITV22s. and hella sharp tones(the round horns the subaru guys put in their grille). i will shortly be ordering the SCT X4 and borla catback. livernois is right up the road from me but i have yet to check them out. the xsport is a daily so i don't want to get too crazy with it but shes my [other] baby and this is my hobby so i also want to make her purr.