Yay, no more Yahoo picture links!

*BenS* · 10-30-2003, 11:42 AM

I have finally payed to become Elite and here is a little information about myself and my Explorer. Scroll to bottom for pics if you don't want to read.

Me:

I live in south-eastern PA. I am a network administrator for a major financial institution in PA. I have been working with computers and networks for many years now and enjoy the work. My interests include wheeling my X, snowboarding, and mtn. biking. I'm 33, married, and have four daughters.

My Explorer:

My explorer is a 1997 Sport. It has the 4.0L OHV engine and a 5 speed manual tranny. The axles have a 4.10 gear ratio. Of course it's a 4x4 (only a nut would own a 2wd X in the northeast). Here is a list of mods I have done to it:

Lift - 2" suspension front via TT and spring over axle rear (SOA) with Warrior Shackles. 3" body lift from Performance Accessories.

Custom front bumper - I fabricated a custom front bumper out of quarter inch plate. It has a Smittybilt XRC8 winch mounted on it.

Old Tires - LT285 75R16 Dunlop Mudrovers, 35x12.5 R15 Procomp Mud Terrains, 35x12.5 R15 BF Goodrich MT's.

New Tires - 36x12.5 R15 Super Swamper Radial TSL's mounted on 15X8 Cragar Soft 8's.

Tow hooks - I installed tow hooks at the end of each rear frame rail.

Lockers - I installed a Detroit EZ Locker in the rear axle and a Powertrax Lockright in the front axle.

Solid Differential Cover - I installed a Solid differential cover. It is very stout and made out of cast iron.

Exhaust/Air - To let my Explorer breathe better I cut off the majority of the air box so that my conical filter is completely exposed. To improve exhaust flow I installed a Borla cat-back system.

Misc - I ditched the sway bars. Cut a lot of the rear portion of the front fenders.

Future Stuff - In the near future I will begin work on a rear bumper.

Current Setup:

Phase 1

Phase 2

dmasini · 11-05-2003, 02:22 PM

She's a beautiful truck! Very aggresive looking. Congrats on becoming Elite! On of these days I'm hoping for the 3" body lift myself...

Doug · 11-05-2003, 03:29 PM

Nice truck, but who's that goofy bastard in that last pic?

PicoG4 · 11-05-2003, 04:15 PM

Hey my roomate is from up in morgan town. Im down in WestChester. Iver got a two inch suspension and a 3 inch bodylift on the way. You know anygood spots to go wheelin around here? There all disapearing real fast.

*BenS* · 11-05-2003, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PicoG4
You know anygood spots to go wheelin around here? There all disapearing real fast.

There's wheeling spots around here? Where?! :P Seriously, you should check out the Mahwah thread. A bunch of us are going wheeling this weekend:

Mahwah Run

*BenS* · 11-05-2003, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug
Nice truck, but who's that goofy bastard in that last pic?

Speaking of goofy bastards...

*Premier* · 11-05-2003, 07:51 PM

Rofl

I like the truck

Doug · 11-05-2003, 11:26 PM

My truck's bigger... heh heh heh

:p

*Spas* · 11-05-2003, 11:32 PM

Lmao @ Ben

It's an awesome Explorer and Ben's not at all afraid to use it, either- no matter what trail he's on

Cool pics!

*Hokie* · 11-05-2003, 11:54 PM

Lookin' good!

*Premier* · 07-20-2004, 04:07 PM

Got updated pics w/ 35's?

*BenS* · 07-28-2004, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Premier

Got updated pics w/ 35's?

Here's one. I need to go out and take some good pictures.

Doug · 07-28-2004, 07:43 PM

Lookin good ben, looks like you got most of the damage fixed from rockaway. :p have you had a chance to try the new tires out offroad yet?

*Premier* · 07-28-2004, 08:06 PM

Do you guys get serious rub or what? I may need to upgrade... But then I would need to re-gear..
What gear ratios are you guys running?

*BenS* · 07-29-2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Lookin good ben, looks like you got most of the damage fixed from rockaway. have you had a chance to try the new tires out offroad yet?

I haven't had it offroad yet though I'm considering the next Paragon monthly ride. I'm also still figuring out what else to trim to get rid of some minor rubbing. Overall the tires stuff pretty well.

Quote:

Do you guys get serious rub or what? I may need to upgrade... But then I would need to re-gear.. What gear ratios are you guys running?

No serious rubbing, but I did trim a lot including sheet metal. You definately need to upgrade, I have a lot of clearance now with 35's. I'm currently running a 4.10 gear ratio but I'd like to go to 4.88's.

*Premier* · 07-29-2004, 04:24 PM

Yea, im on 33's with 4.10's. Probably wont upgrade for a while.

*Lefy* · 08-18-2004, 10:38 PM

two words = bad ass

sick ben
looks awesome

UKExploder · 05-06-2007, 04:37 PM

You guys & your "short sports", gotta drive a 1st gen. 'full sized' to know u r drivin' a Explorer...........

*Spas* · 05-07-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKExploder

You guys & your "short sports", gotta drive a 1st gen. 'full sized' to know u r drivin' a Explorer...........

Yeah, and then you have to do a 400 point turn to get around a tight spot on a tree-lined trail. No thanks!

*BenS* · 10-17-2009, 08:09 PM

Hey all, I got some new (to me) 35" BFG Mud terrains. Ready to wheel again!

10-30-2003, 11:42 AM	#1
BenS Golden Monkey Addict Mohnton, PA 1997 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 536 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	BenS - 1997 Sport 4X4 I have finally payed to become Elite and here is a little information about myself and my Explorer. Scroll to bottom for pics if you don't want to read. Me: I live in south-eastern PA. I am a network administrator for a major financial institution in PA. I have been working with computers and networks for many years now and enjoy the work. My interests include wheeling my X, snowboarding, and mtn. biking. I'm 33, married, and have four daughters. My Explorer: My explorer is a 1997 Sport. It has the 4.0L OHV engine and a 5 speed manual tranny. The axles have a 4.10 gear ratio. Of course it's a 4x4 (only a nut would own a 2wd X in the northeast). Here is a list of mods I have done to it: Lift - 2" suspension front via TT and spring over axle rear (SOA) with Warrior Shackles. 3" body lift from Performance Accessories. Custom front bumper - I fabricated a custom front bumper out of quarter inch plate. It has a Smittybilt XRC8 winch mounted on it. Old Tires - LT285 75R16 Dunlop Mudrovers, 35x12.5 R15 Procomp Mud Terrains, 35x12.5 R15 BF Goodrich MT's. New Tires - 36x12.5 R15 Super Swamper Radial TSL's mounted on 15X8 Cragar Soft 8's. Tow hooks - I installed tow hooks at the end of each rear frame rail. Lockers - I installed a Detroit EZ Locker in the rear axle and a Powertrax Lockright in the front axle. Solid Differential Cover - I installed a Solid differential cover. It is very stout and made out of cast iron. Exhaust/Air - To let my Explorer breathe better I cut off the majority of the air box so that my conical filter is completely exposed. To improve exhaust flow I installed a Borla cat-back system. Misc - I ditched the sway bars. Cut a lot of the rear portion of the front fenders. Future Stuff - In the near future I will begin work on a rear bumper. Current Setup: Phase 1 Phase 2 __________________ Lifted, Locked, 36's. Last edited by BenS; 11-13-2010 at 05:32 PM.

11-05-2003, 02:22 PM	#2
dmasini Wannabe Elite Explorer Raleigh, NC 2001 XLT Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,033 Vehicle Specs	She's a beautiful truck! Very aggresive looking. Congrats on becoming Elite! On of these days I'm hoping for the 3" body lift myself... __________________ Dave Elite Registry 2008 "Mocha" Nissan Pathfinder LE, 5.6L V8 4X4

11-05-2003, 03:29 PM	#3
Doug I'm Awesome! Home is where the Army tells me. Right now it's Manorville, NY Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 5,756 Vehicle Specs	Nice truck, but who's that goofy bastard in that last pic? __________________ 97 Explorer Life's hard. Wear a helmet.

11-05-2003, 04:15 PM	#4
PicoG4 Wannabe Elite Explorer West chester, Pa Avon, NC 94 Explorer Sport sold ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 240 Vehicle Specs	Hey my roomate is from up in morgan town. Im down in WestChester. Iver got a two inch suspension and a 3 inch bodylift on the way. You know anygood spots to go wheelin around here? There all disapearing real fast. __________________ 94 Explorer Sport I'll miss it, but to ease the pain I bought a BMW 325xi

11-05-2003, 07:51 PM	#7
Premier Panzerfaust™ Utah 96 sport Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,924 Vehicle Specs	Rofl I like the truck __________________ Rollover Posse Registry CV Death Toll: 4 33x12.50 ProComp Mud Terrains on 15x8.5 Centerline Rims 6" Suspension, Locked Front/Rear, 1354 Manual T-case ARB Snorkel, and Custom Pinstriping

11-05-2003, 11:26 PM	#8
Doug I'm Awesome! Home is where the Army tells me. Right now it's Manorville, NY Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 5,756 Vehicle Specs	My truck's bigger... heh heh heh :p __________________ 97 Explorer Life's hard. Wear a helmet.

11-05-2003, 11:32 PM	#9
Spas It's all Jack's fault Freakland, Pa 5 Sploder herd Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 5,668 Vehicle Specs	Lmao @ Ben It's an awesome Explorer and Ben's not at all afraid to use it, either- no matter what trail he's on Cool pics! __________________ My machines: Blackjack, Morgan and Bullet. (Plus Frankenstein, Blackjack's b!tch ). Come hang with the cool kids this June!

11-05-2003, 11:54 PM	#10
Hokie Hokius Maximus Denver, CO '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,634 Vehicle Specs	Lookin' good! __________________ Brett I get payed to sell and play with Cummins engines My old '98 MTNR - 5.0 V8 4x4 My old '99 Sport

07-20-2004, 04:07 PM	#11
Premier Panzerfaust™ Utah 96 sport Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,924 Vehicle Specs	Got updated pics w/ 35's? __________________ Rollover Posse Registry CV Death Toll: 4 33x12.50 ProComp Mud Terrains on 15x8.5 Centerline Rims 6" Suspension, Locked Front/Rear, 1354 Manual T-case ARB Snorkel, and Custom Pinstriping

07-28-2004, 07:43 PM	#13
Doug I'm Awesome! Home is where the Army tells me. Right now it's Manorville, NY Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 5,756 Vehicle Specs	Lookin good ben, looks like you got most of the damage fixed from rockaway. :p have you had a chance to try the new tires out offroad yet? __________________ 97 Explorer Life's hard. Wear a helmet.

07-28-2004, 08:06 PM	#14
Premier Panzerfaust™ Utah 96 sport Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,924 Vehicle Specs	Do you guys get serious rub or what? I may need to upgrade... But then I would need to re-gear.. What gear ratios are you guys running? __________________ Rollover Posse Registry CV Death Toll: 4 33x12.50 ProComp Mud Terrains on 15x8.5 Centerline Rims 6" Suspension, Locked Front/Rear, 1354 Manual T-case ARB Snorkel, and Custom Pinstriping

07-29-2004, 04:24 PM	#16
Premier Panzerfaust™ Utah 96 sport Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,924 Vehicle Specs	Yea, im on 33's with 4.10's. Probably wont upgrade for a while. __________________ Rollover Posse Registry CV Death Toll: 4 33x12.50 ProComp Mud Terrains on 15x8.5 Centerline Rims 6" Suspension, Locked Front/Rear, 1354 Manual T-case ARB Snorkel, and Custom Pinstriping

08-18-2004, 10:38 PM	#17
Lefy Elite Explorer Westchester, NY 98 Sport 4x4 4.0 SOHC Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 749 Vehicle Specs	two words = bad ass sick ben looks awesome __________________ Aussie Aussie Aussie Ohy Ohy Ohy My Rig

05-06-2007, 04:37 PM	#18
UKExploder Wannabe Elite Explorer near Liverpool,in the Wirral {England} 1994 Limited, US spec. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 863 Vehicle Specs	You guys & your "short sports", gotta drive a 1st gen. 'full sized' to know u r drivin' a Explorer........... __________________ 1994 Limited 4x4,(full sized)US spec., 4.0L, automatic, dual side exit exhaust w/glasspacks Life is what you make it, so make it good for yourself.

10-17-2009, 08:09 PM	#20
BenS Golden Monkey Addict Mohnton, PA 1997 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 536 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hey all, I got some new (to me) 35" BFG Mud terrains. Ready to wheel again! __________________ Lifted, Locked, 36's.