Offroad Projects

For those of us who have D44 front axles, when do you replace the ball joints? I have a tiny amount of wiggle in the passenger lower joint that when I greased it up went away. Its been bugging me since I noticed it last month. They are AutoZone lifetime joints that I got when I did the swap due to time constraints, planning on upgrading later. Would you replace passenger side with same AZ joint under warranty? Replace all 4 with these https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=203292&cc=1120723&jsn=497? Or these https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=10318100&cc=1120723&jsn=500? Or, my favorite: Keep an eye on it until it shows more wear??

Well I started out last winter with a d30 swap and a soa in the rear with 33s and 4.10s got super hooked so this winter went to full width 8.8, f250 Dana 44 five lug conversion, 4.88 gears, Spartan locker front, welded rear, diy beadlocks, 35" km3's 1350/1354 doubler. Stretched the front wheelbase about 5" forward.full hydro steering, finished last night but still have some front fender trimming to do and some misc things to call her good!

SO I guess the time has came early for my 5.3L LS swap on The Black Pearl!! LET THE HATE BEGIN!!! I have a buddy that is a drag-racer but started working for a ****ty speed shop in the area and now he is burnt out from engines and all that; He is getting into guns and i have built a few ARs. We did some talking the other weekend and we figured that one of my ARs is worth about the same as his 400-450 horse Gen3 LM7 (706 heads, Gen4 internals. Titanium valve springs, retainers and guides) Currently the piston rings are gaped and it has a cam setup for spray but he just hadn't gotten around to get nitro setup in the car yet. This is in a late 80s Monte Carlo BTW. This are some pictures i loaded on my SAS build thread so i will post...

Hey Everyone!! I'm new to this forum as I just purchased a 1992 Ford Explorer as a prospect off road project!! I am pretty new to the car world so the more advice and simplified explanations the better. (I also LOVE tagged videos! As I am a very visual learner). After reading through many of your guys off road projects, I have been trying to figure out how best to go about modifying my Explorer. There are a few questions I had and they may seem a bit dumb but I really am just trying to learn as much as I can :) 1. What are your guys recommendations on tires? I've looked into Maxxis and M/T Baja Claw tires but haven't been able to even determine which tire size would be best. I am looking for something to give me the best ground...

Its that time of year again. What is the stuff you would add to your Explorer / Ranger / RBV if you could just go purchase whatever you wanted, and why? Here is my list for Santa: - New rear shocks; 1" shorter shocks would allow me to move them outward at the top helping with on-highway body roll, smoother ride. - Atlas Transfer Case; Better low range, stronger, no chain, and because its an Atlas. - 8.8 C-clip eliminator kit; Much stronger rear axle without any other suspension modifications, eliminates wheel adaptors (5x4.5 to 5x5.5). - Custom leaf packs from National Spring; Smoother ride, military wrap springs, etc. - 37" tires and 17" wheels; Increased ground clearance, 35's are so last decade. - GM 3800 supercharged V6 engine...

I have a disease where I can’t leave my truck alone and I always want to modify it.. it’s an expensive curse, but I’m a broke man. The long run plan for my 2005 Sport Trac is to do the 4x4 long travel suspension with a 5.0L swap prerunner. But until I can afford all that business, I do mods that will eventually need to be done but also I can afford to do. I know I’m sticking with a Ford 8.8 rear axle so I decided to truss it. I did research for a couple weeks on “to buy or to build”. I found a prerunner Sport Trac with a “boxed in” rear axle truss that I liked and can only be built. The options to purchase, I didn’t like. So my decision landed on buying a sheet of steel, some metal shears, (I already owned the grinder and welder), and...

Hi everyone! First time posting on ExplorerForums. I have a 2000 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0 with a BorgWarner 4406 4WD Transfer Case conversion. (4WD works very well by the way ). I have a stock front axle and I do a good amount of off-roading. Now should I build up that stock axle to make it suitable for off-roading or should I convert it to a solid front axle? I was thinking of a Dana44 or maybe something else if anyone has any suggestions? And if solid front axle is there any guides? Thanks

Because of some future rear suspension modifications I'm planning out, I'm looking into this as a possible solution. I know some people have used the Bronco 2 tank, some the E-150 tank, and I'm sure some other tanks have been used as well. I haven't found all the info I'm looking for, and I have a few thoughts/concerns, so here goes. Anyone in California done it on a street-driven Explorer, and have you had good or bad experiences with smog checks? Any issues using a tank from an OBD1 vehicle in my OBD2 vehicle? It's very important to me to be able to do a regular smog check without worry. Mechanically I would use all stock smog equipment, but visually there's the potential for failure. I know some people have done it with a...

new member geting ready to start a new project . ben driving old project for a couple years now and decided on doing another one this time with a mountaineer . already have axles suspention lift and tires trying to figure out what transfer case to use that will bolt up with little to no fab , i dont have a garage only a driveway. plan on going full width with stock 79 bronco hp dana 44 and matching 9" with 33s with little to no lift . picture is old project already finished 4+ years ago using this site old project is a 95 f150 4.9 with hp dana 44 and 9" with custome built flat bed truck works great have everything to build another one with the mountaineer .will have to take some pictures of new one

I just wanted to post a journal of my upgrades to my new 98 Explorer XLT 4x4 OHV as I upgraded it to be a cheap but functional trail rig on the weekends. It was bone stock when I got it and had just over 160k miles. Ive purchased Rancho RS5000 front shocks, Monroe Sensa Trac rear adjuactable struts, Warrior 153 Shackles, Torsion Twist, 31x10.50xR15 Achilles Desert Hawk XMT's, 15x8 American Racing Black Steel Wheels, and a roof rack. Painted the Grill, Removed the running boards and mudflaps, and Ive also done the plugs and wires and most fluids.

Some of you may know, and some may have suspected, but I'm starting a new project and it starts with a truck you all will recognize. I picked up R.J.'s Navajo today. She is a little tired and was facing being parted out, but now will start a new chapter, a very different chapter. I give you Plan B. (dead links) So let's start off as to why "Plan B"? Well, it has multiple meanings. It starts off as I really wanted a early Bronco. I first learned to drive on Zukmans '71 Bronco he had years ago. But myself owning a early Bronco was not going to happen. There just way to ridiculous priced these days.:eek: So this is My Plan B. JP is not going anywhere, I really just wanted to to do another build and JP is...well, JP!. It works, but it...

Overlanding, Expedition vehicle, Adventure rig, Family wheeler.. call it what you want, but I need some ideas for the next build. So decipher my ramblings below and add your suggestions/ideas/thoughts/examples/pics/etc.. My 1993 Sport is officially entering 'no longer able to attempt at being street legal' phase so the planning of a road friendly adventure vehicle is beginning. I will most likely be retaining my D44, Duff arms, 8.8 and 37s for the new build and although I have some ideas for a platform in mind I would like to get some of your thoughts/ideas. I have a 1997 V8 Explorer which gives me a great drivetrain, comfort, room for the family or the ability to sleep in the rig. I have been eyeing up ext. cab Rangers as well as I...

Hi, I have a 96 4.0 explorer XLT Currently it sits stock on 31 inch tires. I'm making it into my budget monster. I like the engine not the transmission though. So here's the question, I want to make around 125hp at the wheel and 187 Tora. What are the best mods at decent prices? I'm trying to do at least 300-400hp/Tora cause it's going to be the 4x4 rally/ drift car that can go camping too. I already am planning install a slap gear shifter and relocating the brake. Name some performance mods (:

I have a 2005 explorer I just replaced the belt on. The bottom pulley looks like it is wobbling. What is it called and what I'd the right way to replace it? The picture is from the bottom side of the truck.