MrQ's Red Flyer - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*MrQ* · 11-13-2008, 03:42 PM

1994 Ford Explorer XLT
3.73 LS 8.8 Rear
3.73 D35 TTB Front Axle
Tan Leather Interior
Power Seats/Windows/Locks
160,000 miles

I know some people are wondering, why "Red Flyer" for a name? It sure isn't for speed, since these trucks are about as aerodynamic as a breadbox. Nor is it for looks, as this truck isn't going to win any car shows any time soon. The reason this truck got is name is due to a story, an event that happened nearly 5 months after I purchased it...

You see, a friend of mine that lives up in Dallas has another Explorer, a third gen, and I have been wanting to see him for a while. So, I pack up my gear and head out on a warm January afternoon (don't ask, it's Houston) and 6 hours later I wind up at his house in my "new" truck. So what do two friends with big SUV's do for fun? They drive 'em.

And that's just what we did.

I used to live in the Dallas area and my friend and I visited all our old hangouts. One of them was this wide open field behind a housing development I used to live in. What's a guy gonna do? So, there we are doing skid stops and circles and kicking up some dust in the late afternoon. We soon discover this little drainage ditch that ran right through the field and that livened things up. After playing around for a little bit, it started to get dark and cold. But, I wanted one last go around with the ditch before we left...you know, to do something spectacular. I pulled my truck up about 200ft away from the ditch and got squared away. My older brother in the passenger seat gave me a "are you kidding me??" look, shook his head and started the countdown. 5...4...3...2...1...GO!! I hit the accelerator with everything I had and broke loose the tires. The ditch was coming up mighty fast and for a split second I thought ..."WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING??" To late for such thoughts as the truck dove over the edge of the ditch. I saw nothing, but the ground through the window and just as I though that I had totaled the truck, the front end pops up, my pedal still on full throttle. Then there was nothing.

THUMP...THUMP...THUMP. I hear my heart beating as everything seemed to slow down. I saw my Monster leave the cup holder in slow motion and my thoughts were centered around that great word of emotion... "WOOOOWEEEEE!!" Clenching onto the steering wheel, I held on for dear life as gravity took a firm hold on my flying SUV. I dreaded what was next...

BAM!!

The truck had landed; the moment was over. A bunny hop later and the truck rolled to a stop, undamaged. I heard my brother gasping and groaning next me. (Turns out he had landed on, uh...a very delicate spot on the way down) The radio then crackled to life and my friend shouted over the comm "THAT-WAS-AWESOME!!"

That same truck got me home 600 miles away without a hiccup. And it is for this memory and that event it was nicknamed..."The Red Flyer

SHOUT OUTS
My Parents: Who put up with me while I destroyed tools, got the house dirty, took over the whole garage and messed it up, clogged up the washer with greasy clothes, left parts and pieces in the backyard and wound up really causing them some frustration.
Hitchhikingmike: The best friend I have ever had. He has done so much for me that I can't repay...
Matt: My brother. He is the man that I bounce off ideas with. He is a real pain in the ass, but I sure couldn't have done most of these things without him.
Gmanpaint: Thanks for the support on the site! I really appreciate the effort you have made to help me.
Unclemike: A great and supportive fellow Texan.
Kris Guilbeaux: The guy whose "How-to" got me into this conversion mess.

black91EB
Explorer Forum
All the the other guys and gals on the site who have made so many awesome contributions to this Explorer community

Maintenance:

New Cone Filter
Oil Change every 4K (Regular)
New Spark Plugs and Wires
New Front pads, new caliper and rotor
New Water pump
New Water Pump to Heater Core hose
New Idler Pulley
New Belt
New Fan
Fixed Passenger Front, Passenger Rear, and Driver Rear Power Windows
New Head Unit
Fixed Both Rear Door Armrests
Adjusted and tightened steering play
Replaced tie rod ends
All 4 tires replaced
Replaced shocks
New O2 Sensor
New Starter

Completed Mods

Sony Xplod CD/MP3/USB head unit that is HD/SAT ready (12/08)
Spectre Cold Air Intake Mod (3/09)
5 Cent Throttle Cable Mod (4/09)
Explorer Forums License Plate Frames (4/09)
Overhead Console (5/09)
Limited Auto Dim Mirror (5/09)
4DMaglite Flashlight and Holder (6/09)
Goodyear Wrangler Radials 235/75/15 (8/09 - 4/10)
Driving Lights (9/09)
Explorer Forum Vinyls Courtesy of Blee (9/09)
Reese Class III Tow Hitch (9/09)
Garmin Nuvi 255w (12/09)
Swapped D35 TTB w/ Manual Lockouts(2/10)
Beefed-up 2" Autozone Shackles (5/10)
4x4 A4LD Transmission (5/10)
Borg Warner 1354 Manual Transfer Case (5/10)
2.5" Skyjacker Nitro Shocks (7/10)
Midland CB (8/10)

More Photo's

*Cozmik* · 11-13-2008, 03:58 PM

That is one nicely maintained 1st gen!! Good buy!!

*MrQ* · 11-14-2008, 06:57 PM

Thanks man. I hope to keep it that way.

*Hitchhikingmike* · 01-10-2009, 01:43 PM

Are you sure you have a 3.07" gearing in your back differential?!? I did not know Ford made gearings that high. Mine is a 3.55" and I even think I would be better off if I had a 3.75" instead, just for the more power and torque, even for stock tires and rims.

I though the highest gearing that came on explorer stock out of the factory was 3.37" or something like that.

3.07" just seems awful high, might want to double check that, but I might just be wrong....

*Hitchhikingmike* · 01-10-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQ

.

... thats a good pic, 1st gen in foreground and 3rd gen in the background.

Nice ex Dan!

*MrQ* · 01-18-2009, 03:51 PM

**Update**

I took this thing on a 600 mile trip to Dallas and back (I am from Houston). It performed excellently! The gas mileage on the highway was was tremendous! I was getting 25 MPG!!!! A little over 200 miles on half a tank.

This ex never failed, never died, never broke, nor even decided it wouldn't start in 20 degree weather!!

Way to go 1st Gens!!!

*MrQ* · 01-18-2009, 04:06 PM

Also some small horseplay, probably will never do this again. When my brother and I went up in the air, everything did, all the change, my open Monster, my keys, phone, the works. Now my interior smells like ginseng. However, that thing caught some major air.

This is the original footage. Once my Facebook profile comes up I'll grab the modified version and add it on.

Modified Video

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 01-18-2009, 04:07 PM

nice explorer u got there keep up good work

*Hitchhikingmike* · 01-18-2009, 04:16 PM

good work!

*shadowless127* · 01-21-2009, 08:26 PM

Sigh... I wish my wife's Red 93 X looked THAT nice; it looks like a piece of crap...

*MrQ* · 04-29-2009, 03:05 AM

New mods:

-Cold Air Intake system (custom using Spectre aftermarket MAF housing and cotton cone filter)

-5 cent throttle cable mod. (This took about ten minutes, probably would have taken five if I was a little smaller

) This has really improved performance. Just a slight touch and the needle soars to 1500 RPM.

- Explorer Forum License Plate Frames. I show them off proudly!

Fixes:

-Redid the brakes and wheel bearings. 75 bucks for something the Auto Shop would have done for $150. Thanks to Explorer Forums for all the help on my 911 forum post!

I feel more confident in my Ex everyday!!

*Joe Dirt* · 04-29-2009, 11:35 AM

Really nice Ex, MrQ! Be nice to that truck!

*Pboss* · 04-29-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitchhikingmike

Are you sure you have a 3.07" gearing in your back differential?!? I did not know Ford made gearings that high. Mine is a 3.55" and I even think I would be better off if I had a 3.75" instead, just for the more power and torque, even for stock tires and rims.

I though the highest gearing that came on explorer stock out of the factory was 3.37" or something like that.

3.07" just seems awful high, might want to double check that, but I might just be wrong....

Mine's got 3.27's in it, but I've never heard lower ...

*MrQ* · 04-29-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pboss

Mine's got 3.27's in it, but I've never heard lower ...

3.08 is the highest gear ratio Ford made for the first gen's. It's axle code 43. Believe me I checked twice.

Fortunately, the benefit for having such a high ratio makes for excellent gas mileage and higher end torque.

*Hitchhikingmike* · 04-29-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQ

New mods:

-Cold Air Intake system (custom using Spectre aftermarket MAF housing and cotton cone filter) Pics soon!!

-5 cent throttle cable mod. (This took about ten minutes, probably would have taken five if I was a little smaller

) This has really improved performance. Just a slight touch and the needle soars to 1500 RPM.

Fixes:

-Redid the brakes and wheel bearings. 75 bucks for something the Auto Shop would have done for $150. Thanks to Explorer Forums for all the help on my 911 forum post!

I feel more confident in my Ex everyday!!

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 04-29-2009, 12:44 PM

keep up good work with ur x

*MrQ* · 04-29-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sams01XplrSprt

keep up good work with ur x

I will...as long as the money flows

!!

**Dannyboy** · 04-29-2009, 02:10 PM

this is a nice clean truck and what makes it even better is that you hucked it pretty good.

I'm impressed. Stock form is hard to break stuff on a 2wd so keep on beating that thing.

*MrQ* · 04-29-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannyboy

this is a nice clean truck and what makes it even better is that you hucked it pretty good.

I'm impressed. Stock form is hard to break stuff on a 2wd so keep on beating that thing.

Thanks man. It felt like time slowed down while I was in the air. It seemed the truck would never land and once it did I kinda wish it hadn't

. My friend Mike (known as hitchhikingmike here) has another pic of the suspension travel this thing has stock.

**EDIT: Found one of the pics

*MrQ* · 04-30-2009, 03:23 PM

Picked up a tan overhead console off ebay for $70. This includes the sensor and all wiring plus mounting bracket. Hope to put it on this weekend

.

11-13-2008, 03:42 PM	#1
MrQ Just getting it running.. Sugar Land, Texas '94 XLT "Red Flyer" Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,162 Vehicle Specs	MrQ's Red Flyer 1994 Ford Explorer XLT 3.73 LS 8.8 Rear 3.73 D35 TTB Front Axle Tan Leather Interior Power Seats/Windows/Locks 160,000 miles I know some people are wondering, why "Red Flyer" for a name? It sure isn't for speed, since these trucks are about as aerodynamic as a breadbox. Nor is it for looks, as this truck isn't going to win any car shows any time soon. The reason this truck got is name is due to a story, an event that happened nearly 5 months after I purchased it... You see, a friend of mine that lives up in Dallas has another Explorer, a third gen, and I have been wanting to see him for a while. So, I pack up my gear and head out on a warm January afternoon (don't ask, it's Houston) and 6 hours later I wind up at his house in my "new" truck. So what do two friends with big SUV's do for fun? They drive 'em. And that's just what we did. I used to live in the Dallas area and my friend and I visited all our old hangouts. One of them was this wide open field behind a housing development I used to live in. What's a guy gonna do? So, there we are doing skid stops and circles and kicking up some dust in the late afternoon. We soon discover this little drainage ditch that ran right through the field and that livened things up. After playing around for a little bit, it started to get dark and cold. But, I wanted one last go around with the ditch before we left...you know, to do something spectacular. I pulled my truck up about 200ft away from the ditch and got squared away. My older brother in the passenger seat gave me a "are you kidding me??" look, shook his head and started the countdown. 5...4...3...2...1...GO!! I hit the accelerator with everything I had and broke loose the tires. The ditch was coming up mighty fast and for a split second I thought ..."WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING??" To late for such thoughts as the truck dove over the edge of the ditch. I saw nothing, but the ground through the window and just as I though that I had totaled the truck, the front end pops up, my pedal still on full throttle. Then there was nothing. THUMP...THUMP...THUMP. I hear my heart beating as everything seemed to slow down. I saw my Monster leave the cup holder in slow motion and my thoughts were centered around that great word of emotion... "WOOOOWEEEEE!!" Clenching onto the steering wheel, I held on for dear life as gravity took a firm hold on my flying SUV. I dreaded what was next... BAM!! The truck had landed; the moment was over. A bunny hop later and the truck rolled to a stop, undamaged. I heard my brother gasping and groaning next me. (Turns out he had landed on, uh...a very delicate spot on the way down) The radio then crackled to life and my friend shouted over the comm "THAT-WAS-AWESOME!!" That same truck got me home 600 miles away without a hiccup. And it is for this memory and that event it was nicknamed..."The Red Flyer SHOUT OUTS My Parents: Who put up with me while I destroyed tools, got the house dirty, took over the whole garage and messed it up, clogged up the washer with greasy clothes, left parts and pieces in the backyard and wound up really causing them some frustration. Hitchhikingmike: The best friend I have ever had. He has done so much for me that I can't repay... Matt: My brother. He is the man that I bounce off ideas with. He is a real pain in the ass, but I sure couldn't have done most of these things without him. Gmanpaint: Thanks for the support on the site! I really appreciate the effort you have made to help me. Unclemike: A great and supportive fellow Texan. Kris Guilbeaux: The guy whose "How-to" got me into this conversion mess. black91EB Explorer Forum All the the other guys and gals on the site who have made so many awesome contributions to this Explorer community Maintenance: New Cone Filter Oil Change every 4K (Regular) New Spark Plugs and Wires New Front pads, new caliper and rotor New Water pump New Water Pump to Heater Core hose New Idler Pulley New Belt New Fan Fixed Passenger Front, Passenger Rear, and Driver Rear Power Windows New Head Unit Fixed Both Rear Door Armrests Adjusted and tightened steering play Replaced tie rod ends All 4 tires replaced Replaced shocks New O2 Sensor New Starter Completed Mods Sony Xplod CD/MP3/USB head unit that is HD/SAT ready (12/08) Spectre Cold Air Intake Mod (3/09) 5 Cent Throttle Cable Mod (4/09) Explorer Forums License Plate Frames (4/09) Overhead Console (5/09) Limited Auto Dim Mirror (5/09) 4DMaglite Flashlight and Holder (6/09) Goodyear Wrangler Radials 235/75/15 (8/09 - 4/10) Driving Lights (9/09) Explorer Forum Vinyls Courtesy of Blee (9/09) Reese Class III Tow Hitch (9/09) Garmin Nuvi 255w (12/09) Swapped D35 TTB w/ Manual Lockouts(2/10) Beefed-up 2" Autozone Shackles (5/10) 4x4 A4LD Transmission (5/10) Borg Warner 1354 Manual Transfer Case (5/10) 2.5" Skyjacker Nitro Shocks (7/10) Midland CB (8/10) More Photo's __________________ -Dan *The Red Flyer '94 Explorer XLT 4x4* Dark Thunder '98 Ram 1500 5.2L V8 Last edited by MrQ; 08-18-2010 at 09:04 PM. Reason: Updated pics and redid page.

11-13-2008, 03:58 PM	#2
Cozmik Elite Explorer Kitchener, Ontario 2005 Eddie Bauer V8 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,078 Vehicle Specs	That is one nicely maintained 1st gen!! Good buy!! __________________ Sean 05 Eddie Bauer V8 : K&N, Magnaflow, SCT SF3...more to come.

11-14-2008, 06:57 PM	#3
MrQ Just getting it running.. Sugar Land, Texas '94 XLT "Red Flyer" Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,162 Vehicle Specs	Thanks man. I hope to keep it that way. __________________ -Dan *The Red Flyer '94 Explorer XLT 4x4* Dark Thunder '98 Ram 1500 5.2L V8

01-18-2009, 03:51 PM	#6
MrQ Just getting it running.. Sugar Land, Texas '94 XLT "Red Flyer" Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,162 Vehicle Specs	Update I took this thing on a 600 mile trip to Dallas and back (I am from Houston). It performed excellently! The gas mileage on the highway was was tremendous! I was getting 25 MPG!!!! A little over 200 miles on half a tank. This ex never failed, never died, never broke, nor even decided it wouldn't start in 20 degree weather!! Way to go 1st Gens!!! __________________ -Dan *The Red Flyer '94 Explorer XLT 4x4* Dark Thunder '98 Ram 1500 5.2L V8

01-18-2009, 04:06 PM	#7
MrQ Just getting it running.. Sugar Land, Texas '94 XLT "Red Flyer" Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,162 Vehicle Specs	Also some small horseplay, probably will never do this again. When my brother and I went up in the air, everything did, all the change, my open Monster, my keys, phone, the works. Now my interior smells like ginseng. However, that thing caught some major air. This is the original footage. Once my Facebook profile comes up I'll grab the modified version and add it on. Modified Video __________________ -Dan *The Red Flyer '94 Explorer XLT 4x4* Dark Thunder '98 Ram 1500 5.2L V8 Last edited by MrQ; 01-18-2009 at 04:24 PM.

01-10-2009, 01:43 PM	#4
Hitchhikingmike Improving my fuel mileage Dallas, Texas '02 XLS Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,160 Vehicle Specs	Are you sure you have a 3.07" gearing in your back differential?!? I did not know Ford made gearings that high. Mine is a 3.55" and I even think I would be better off if I had a 3.75" instead, just for the more power and torque, even for stock tires and rims. I though the highest gearing that came on explorer stock out of the factory was 3.37" or something like that. 3.07" just seems awful high, might want to double check that, but I might just be wrong....

01-18-2009, 04:07 PM	#8
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport 4x2 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 12,976 Vehicle Specs	nice explorer u got there keep up good work __________________ 2001 Explorer Sport 4.0, Single in Dual Out 40 Series Flowmasters, Yellow Fogs, High Flow K&N Air Filter, Removed Silencer, Lowered Windshields and More mods coming soon 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5 S, stock but mods coming soon

01-18-2009, 04:16 PM	#9
Hitchhikingmike Improving my fuel mileage Dallas, Texas '02 XLS Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,160 Vehicle Specs	good work!

01-21-2009, 08:26 PM	#10
shadowless127 Elite Explorer Long Island, NY '97 Mountaineer AWD 5.0 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,473 Vehicle Specs	Sigh... I wish my wife's Red 93 X looked THAT nice; it looks like a piece of crap... __________________ 2003 Mountaineer AWD V8 Luxury - RIP 1998 Mountaineer AWD V8 - Sold 1997 Mountaineer AWD V8 1993 Explorer XLT 4x4 - Sold

04-29-2009, 03:05 AM	#11
MrQ Just getting it running.. Sugar Land, Texas '94 XLT "Red Flyer" Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,162 Vehicle Specs	New mods: -Cold Air Intake system (custom using Spectre aftermarket MAF housing and cotton cone filter) -5 cent throttle cable mod. (This took about ten minutes, probably would have taken five if I was a little smaller ) This has really improved performance. Just a slight touch and the needle soars to 1500 RPM. - Explorer Forum License Plate Frames. I show them off proudly! Fixes: -Redid the brakes and wheel bearings. 75 bucks for something the Auto Shop would have done for $150. Thanks to Explorer Forums for all the help on my 911 forum post! I feel more confident in my Ex everyday!! __________________ -Dan *The Red Flyer '94 Explorer XLT 4x4* Dark Thunder '98 Ram 1500 5.2L V8 Last edited by MrQ; 09-03-2009 at 05:31 PM.

04-29-2009, 11:35 AM	#12
Joe Dirt Is this real life? Grand Rapids, MI '97 V8 XLT Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 5,397 Vehicle Specs	Really nice Ex, MrQ! Be nice to that truck! __________________ 1997 Explorer XLT... "Shamrock" The above post is the opinion of a user and should not be considered a fact, nor does the above poster claim it to be one. In fact, you really shouldn't believe anything you read on the internet. Ever. And definitely don't take anything on the internet seriously. It's just not a good idea. Everything on the internet is a wrong. Unless I post it. Then it's probably right.

04-29-2009, 12:44 PM	#16
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport 4x2 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 12,976 Vehicle Specs	keep up good work with ur x __________________ 2001 Explorer Sport 4.0, Single in Dual Out 40 Series Flowmasters, Yellow Fogs, High Flow K&N Air Filter, Removed Silencer, Lowered Windshields and More mods coming soon 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5 S, stock but mods coming soon

04-29-2009, 02:10 PM	#18
Dannyboy Other Make & Models Mod 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W 91 4 do' Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,267 Vehicle Specs	this is a nice clean truck and what makes it even better is that you hucked it pretty good. I'm impressed. Stock form is hard to break stuff on a 2wd so keep on beating that thing. Attached Images __________________ In chatrooms I'm a 14 year old girl 91 long travel 4x4 '06 Superduty PSD 94 Limited The Diva

04-30-2009, 03:23 PM	#20
MrQ Just getting it running.. Sugar Land, Texas '94 XLT "Red Flyer" Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,162 Vehicle Specs	Picked up a tan overhead console off ebay for $70. This includes the sensor and all wiring plus mounting bracket. Hope to put it on this weekend . __________________ -Dan *The Red Flyer '94 Explorer XLT 4x4* Dark Thunder '98 Ram 1500 5.2L V8 Last edited by MrQ; 04-30-2009 at 03:43 PM.