2022 Explorer ST 401a AWD

bigcat1185 · Mar 27, 2022

Picked up our Agate Black ST on 03/22/22 after waiting exactly five months from the date we put in the order.

~Under The Hood
~3.0 Ecoboost
~10 Speed Transmission
~Intelligent 4WD
~20,000 Miles

~Exterior
~PPF
~Paint Matched Bumper Plugs

~Interior
~Twin Panel Moonroof
~ Ceramic Window Tint
*15% on all Windows*
*50% on Windshield*
~OCD Plug Anti-Glare Screen Protector

~Equipment/Electronics
~Equipment Group 401A
~Premium Technology Package
~ST High Package
~Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+
~Massaging Seats

~Suspension
~ID Speed Rear Differential Brace

~Wheels and Tires
~ST Street Pack
~21” Aluminum ST Wheels (Black)
~275/45/21
~Gorilla Black Lug Nuts

~Lighting
*stock*

~Accessories

bigcat1185 · Mar 27, 2022

Pictures sent from my salesman as soon as it rolled off the truck at the dealership.

bigcat1185 · Mar 27, 2022

Took delivery!

bigcat1185 · Mar 27, 2022

Paint correction and exterior detail completed on 03/27/22, got it looking like black glass.

GearHead_1 · Mar 27, 2022

Looks very nice. Always interested in equipment, product, and procedure.

sambopr · Mar 28, 2022

Congrats Twin !

bigcat1185 · Mar 29, 2022

GearHead_1 said:

I had a mobile detail company come out. They did a decent job. It's not showroom quality, but the price was right and they really shined it up nice.

MattJ716 · Mar 29, 2022

This makes me want to delete my side rails.. but I do use them like 2-3 times a year haha!

bigcat1185 · Mar 29, 2022

MattJ716 said:

We won’t be throwing anything on the roof. I have a truck if needed, and the cargo area in the ST is quite roomy!

bigcat1185 · Mar 29, 2022

sambopr said:

Which should I do first? Black Ford badges, or black lug nuts?

MattJ716 · Mar 29, 2022

bigcat1185 said:

escape is the other ride until our bronco shows up.. the explorer is the christmas tree getter every year and misc. stuff randomly... maybe ill figure out another way because it looks so clean without!

MattJ716 · Mar 29, 2022

bigcat1185 said:

I have a set of black mcgard lug nuts that dont fit my new rims if you're interested.

bigcat1185 · Mar 29, 2022

MattJ716 said:

Are they new or used? Do they match the OEM black on the ST wheels?

GearHead_1 · Mar 29, 2022

bigcat1185 said:

Yes.

Seriously though, I think you'd appreciate both. Having said that, if you are considering installing the full Black Ovals (I would recommend this option) as opposed to decals here are a couple of things to consider.

If money is a concern, the lug nuts are likely cheaper (depending on the manufacturer), and obviously the easier option. McGard and Gorilla are both options worthy of consideration. There is much written on this forum regarding lug nut choices from cheap black ones to expensive Titanium ones. Do your homework.

The full front oval replacement requires the front grill/facia to be removed unless you choose to use the cheat and drill the OE blue one-off (nothing wrong with this choice). You'll want a friend to help while you drill/swap badges should you choose to pull the grill. The tape-on option is easier. It wasn't ever really a consideration for me but lots of badges are taped on and survive just fine. It will take you 90 minutes to a couple of hours to install the front should you choose to install it as OE. The back oval will take perhaps 20-30 minutes and is not too bad.

One last consideration on replacing the ovals. Should think that an intercooler upgrade is in your future you can replace the badges with just a few extra minutes of work at that time.

In the end, the silver lug nuts simply look out of place with black wheels (stock or aftermarket) and are probably the best visual impact bang for the buck. You can also get what most consider to be a better lug nut design with a solid rather than capped lug nut.

Then, of course, come next paycheck get the badges.

MattJ716 · Mar 29, 2022

bigcat1185 said:

brand new.. ordered them from whoosh motorsports only to find out i needed slightly "thinner" ones so some cheap napa lugs are on mine currently. I opened one pack up but never even threaded them in.

bigcat1185 · Mar 29, 2022

GearHead_1 said:

Yes.

Seriously though, I think you'd appreciate both. Having said that, if you are considering installing the full Black Ovals (I would recommend this option) as opposed to decals here are a couple of things to consider.

If money is a concern, the lug nuts are likely cheaper (depending on the manufacturer), and obviously the easier option. McGard and Gorilla are both options worthy of consideration. There is much written on this forum regarding lug nut choices from cheap black ones to expensive Titanium ones. Do your homework.

The full front oval replacement requires the front grill/facia to be removed unless you choose to use the cheat and drill the OE blue one-off (nothing wrong with this choice). You'll want a friend to help while you drill/swap badges should you choose to pull the grill. The tape-on option is easier. It wasn't ever really a consideration for me but lots of badges are taped on and survive just fine. It will take you 90 minutes to a couple of hours to install the front should you choose to install it as OE. The back oval will take perhaps 20-30 minutes and is not too bad.

One last consideration on replacing the ovals. Should think that an intercooler upgrade is in your future you can replace the badges with just a few extra minutes of work at that time.

In the end, the silver lug nuts simply look out of place with black wheels (stock or aftermarket) and are probably the best visual impact bang for the buck. You can also get what most consider to be a better lug nut design with a solid rather than capped lug nut.

Then, of course, come next paycheck get the badges.

Good info. Yes, I plan to replace the entire emblems, I was looking at them on emblem-city. com. Waiting until the Intercooler upgrade is a great idea.
As far as lug nuts, I was eying the aluminum Vossen lug nuts. I’m still thinking on it tho.

GearHead_1 · Mar 29, 2022

I bought mine on Emblem City too. They were very efficient. Vossen makes a great product but I personally wouldn't go with aluminum lug nuts. Unless you're looking to save every ounce of weight I don't see a real benefit. Don't get me wrong, they're plenty strong enough but because you're using dissimilar metals there is a chance of corrosion and galling on a daily driver that sees any weather. That said, my opinion alone shouldn't sway you. There is much to be read on that topic.

sambopr · Mar 29, 2022

bigcat1185 said:

I did both, had to wait a few weeks for the badges but worth the wait.

bigcat1185 · Apr 1, 2022

Got the ST back with fresh window tint and PPF. Pictures soon!

bigcat1185 · Apr 3, 2022

One of the things I had to do to prep for the detail and PPF was to remove the front license plate mount. As you can see, it left behind some lovely holes drilled by Ford. I guess some paint matched bumper plugs are in my future.

I also had to remove the EXPLORER lettering on the hood so they could apply the PPF. Do people leave those off? Or reapply them on top of the PPF? I’m leaning towards just leaving them off.

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