Carlovers Desert Beater Build

Well im starting to source parts and gather up some good stuff. I figured id start a thread just to show everyone that the ideas are. Should be a pretty fun setup when done. Everything will be being built by Brandon at BTF Fab.

The rear will be a 4 link with a panhard bar and cantilever coilovers. Shooting for around 20" of rear travel. Full size van 9", and should be around 3.5" wider per side than stock

Front will be a BTF front setup more than likely with a fully fabbed spindle with d44 hubs and uniball upper and lowers. Should pull around 16-17" of travel. Will be around 5" wider a side than stock.

It will be a fairly slow build due to finances. It will be built in stages obviously and should take around 12-16 months to be fully complete.

 

[carlover]

got most of the at the offroad swap meet last year.

 

[lira14]

few update pics

full droop...

how much for little ol' me? $$$

 

[Brandon96]

All custom dude..

Tho I'm thinkin if you shell out enough, someone or some shop will do it all over again.

 

[carlover]

My buddy is the builder, but he can build this or any other setup youd like. This setup would run you about $4500 to $5000 for fab work. But unless you want to totally cut everything apart like i had to id say there are simpler things to do.

 

[bats]

HOLY GIANT ARMS BATMAN! That's a ton of work for just a 'beater.'

 

[carlover]

haha yeah, the thread title doesnt fit the build anymore. its kinda turned into a decent race truck build as of now.

 

[lira14]

descent my a$$...DUDE THAT THING IS BAD!
and by bad i mean good
and by good i mean #1 explorer in this forum(at least as a off-road version)

 

[carlover]

There are alot of really nice off road expos on this forum. I wouldnt say mine is #1, maybe for the desert/high speed stuff, but overall no. i appreciate the compliments though, its been a long, hard and expensive road to get it here.

 

[mounty71]

So 2 1/2 weeks until truckhaven, how's it looking? Haven't seen any updates here or on DR in a little while.

 

[lira14]

yea man...wusup with it
she lookin any better
or u still got her in surgery?

by the way im waiting up on a long travel for my explorer...cuz i got one for my tacoma
nothin special like this though...execpt the width of the kit 5.5''

 

[carlover]

nothing really as of now. work will start back up on it soon. The weather, and holidays have put a damper on working on it.

 

[carlover]

some updates

bump pic

droop

Decided to keep the hatch and rear glass.

rear cargo area

 

[mounty71]

So awesome!! So 5 days until its first trip out?

 

[carlover]

i dont think this coming weekend is gonna happen. i have a few more small things i need and im out of money till payday. its all the little nickel and dime stuff for final assembly thats killing me right now.

 

[carlover]

Finally, it looks as if this thing will be done enough to take out sometime last next week. Gonna do a quick test run in the desert next weekend, its been a long time coming....

 

[Keeper0311]

Would this test run be at Truckhaven?

 

[grant00]

thats awesome I can't wait to see this thing finished

 

[carlover]

no truckhaven, we just couldnt get it finished in time. the following weekend is the plan.

 

[Keeper0311]

Well hope you get some badass pictures of this thing.

 

[carlover]

Well it made its 1st trip in over a year. Worked very well with a total guess on shock valving. Had fun for a few hours, and then the trans gave out haha. Ill post up some pics and a video or two later today.