Howdy from OK

Howdy Y'all!

My name is Amber & I'm new here, but not new to my Sport Trac.
I have been in love with the Sport Trac since 2002 when I first laid my eyes on one, but I got mine in 2013 after searching for the better part of 18 months for the exact one I wanted.
I have a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited, V8, 4.6 Liter 4x4.
It is everything I had ever wanted and I am still in love with her over 10 years later!
Although, I'm not sure yet if I am just this stubborn or a glutton for punishment, most likely both, but I have probably invested more into her than the 30K I paid for her back then.
I bought her with only 34K miles and will cross 180K this month, but come to find out she was towed behind an RV all over North America for the first part of her life, lots of salt and sand led to lots of undercarriage and suspension corrosion and damage.
It is an Early Model 2007 so I have been given the wrong parts more often than the right ones, because nearly nothing is interchangeable between early and late model that year.

I have a few issues that I could use some advice with.
1.) I have had to replace the exhaust manifold 6 times because something on the passenger side of the engine is causing it to run so hot that it keeps cracking.
- Has anyone else seen this issue or have any suggestions to correct it.
2.) This past spring I installed a leveling kit, 3” Front & 2 1/2” Rear by Street Dirt Track SDT & 2" with Hubcentric Wheel Spacers 5x4.5 5x114.3 and larger tires 275/65R18, as well as replaced the entire suspension... every single piece... but I ran into major problems when trying to get it aligned properly. I took it to 5 different shops and 4 of them refused to touch it or even offer suggestions, and the 5th gave it a full workup and a printout that showed exactly where she was and where she needed to be and told me that in order to get it properly aligned I would need to install extended upper control arms and lifted steering knuckles/spindles.
I have searched so many sites and called so many companies and I can't find the parts I need. In the meantime, I have had to continue driving it, so many of the new suspension parts are already worn out.
- Can anyone point me in the direction to get the parts I need? My only other option is to take her back down and I really really don't want to do that.
I have included pictures from the night I brought her home and 10 years and a lift later.

If there is anyone that can help I would be eternally grateful!
~Amber Renee

1. It sounds coolant isn't circulating on which ever side the manifold is cracking. Maybe a high pressure flush will break up some sediment that's gathered up somewhere

2. If you can't find the the proper parts I would go back OEM and find out how high you can go with the existing setup
I will say I am not a fan of wheel hubs. That puts more strain across the entire front suspension. But, I am no expert
Good luck

If there was sediment in the cooling system, it wouldn’t just be on that side of the head. Radiator would be clogged and the rest of the system would have issues as well(ie overheating). If there is a “only that side” issue, it would be a clogged cat causing excess heat on that side.

She mentioned in another post that the manifold was welded on for a repair, which is almost certainly causing issues. Welding cast is VERY difficult, and normally causes that same problem. She also replaced them with aftermarket manifolds, which don’t have the greatest track record.

Welcome to the site. Great color.