[Section525]

Well, it finally happened. After a couple months of gathering parts and planning, I actually cut the IFS junk out and installed the axle.



Here's the specs. I bought this Explorer about 6 or 7 years ago as a 2wd. I then converted to awd, then to 4wd. So it's been through a lot in it's lifetime.



Here it is pretty much stock with 31" BFGs that were STUFFED. :-















So I pulled it in and began cutting/torching/hacking/twisting/and :censored:









Everything sort of mocked into place













As it sits now:













I used an 83 Wagonner D44, Rock Equipment Hi-steer knuckles, Sky Manuf hi-steer arms, Chevy TREs, still need a locker. The axle is moved forward about 4".



But, I am stuck now because A) the YJ leaves I used for mock-up suck and will not hold the Explorer up. So I ordered some stock Wagoneer spings. And B) The Toyota IFS box I have will not work, and the 79 Bronco 4x4 box I had is just too big. So I am looking for an FJ60 box if anyone knows where I can get one... :headbanger: I am hoping to have it wheelable by the end of June!





Let me know what you think! :cool2:

[Storm]

sweet project!

[Section525]

With the new waggy springs I am hoping to raise the front 1-2" to level it out. I anxious to get this thing on the road.. then back off the road.

I'll probably build some sliders this week while I wait for parts.

[Predator]

Lookin sweet :headbanger:

[Billy D.]

Nice job it looks real good have you looked at a chevy stearing box maybe it will be smaller than the ford.

[VirginiaJeep]

(w00t) thats gone a long way from a 2WD stocker.. really sweet! :headbanger:

[Section525]

The requirements are it has to mount outside the frame and be pitman forward. So my options (that I know of) are:

73-79 Ford 4x4
FJ60
or I guess some ScoutIIs??

It must be PS too! :P

Thanks for the compliments!

This post has been edited by Section525: 21 May 2006 - 08:08 PM

[sage's son]

Looking good :headbanger:

[Rockinelle]

I'm impressed. Coolest explorer I've ever seen How did you lif the rear? Looks like spring over.

[Section525]

Yup, just a spring over. I already had extended shackles and add-a-leafs in it from before. So now the rear is about 8" over stock height. B)

[fister13]

Nice lookin rigs I dig the tires they work great atleast for me....

[Section525]

Little update: :-



I got the JC Whitney Wagoneer springs on now. They hold up the weight of the Explorer much better than the YJ springs, but I don't see them lasting too long. I'll probably get some Alcan's or something in a season or two.



The FJ60 box is in and rockin'. :headbanger: The stock power steering lines threaded right in and I ended up using a steering shaft from an Aerostar to go from the wheel to the box. Worked awesome. Custom shock hoops are in along with shocks too!



So now it's just a matter of regearing the front and rear and installing the lockers, building a front driveshaft, and a tranny crossmember. Then it should be wheelable. B) So it's taken a lot longer to finish this thing than I thought it would. :finger:











Oh yeah, I built the rock sliders while I was waiting for a steering box! So those are new too.

[Predator]

Looks awesome :headbanger:

[XLT]

Looks great ,have you got any pics of the slider install or pics of them not installed?

[Predator]

Hey XLT, yours is next. :- Get ready

[Section525]

XLT, on Aug 23 2006, 09:20 PM, said:

Looks great ,have you got any pics of the slider install or pics of them not installed?

Here are a couple from the build process.











I may or may not add a center support to the sliders. A lot of people only run two and I have never seen it be a problem.







So XLT... when I bought all my steel for these things.. I purchased enough to make two sets. :- If you're interested. :P





It's 2" x 3" (1/4" wall).. and 2" x 2" (1/4" wall) with 1.5" posts.

[Section525]

Wanted to check for flex clearance issues so I went out 32E a few miles and found a rock pile. :P

[rwilley]

Looks good. If you come to Red Bluff some time we can lift it up with the forklift. :-

[toy4fun]

Section525, on Aug 27 2006, 08:53 PM, said:

Wanted to check for flex clearance issues so I went out 32E a few miles and found a rock pile. :P

That's what I'm talking about - way to work it!

[Section525]

Took it to the real ramp and Bent & Twisted today. It went quite a bit further. Now I can see that I need to extend the rear brakeline and my AAL are cause some nasty negative spring arc.











I'm really getting motivated to get this thing done now! :headbanger: