Ford Explorer Sport Trac Ford Ranger Mazda Navajo Mercury Mountaineer Message Board
Ford Explorer Sport Trac Ford Ranger Mazda Navajo Mercury Mountaineer Message Board - For Enthusiasts by Enthusiasts


Ford Explorer Generation Guide

2013 Ford Explorer Forums Elite Membership Chat Room My Posts Reviews Explorer Photo Gallery
Go Back   Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"® > Ford Explorer Ranger Repair - Troubleshooting - Modifications & Detailing Forums > 1995 - 2001 Explorer Ranger Mountaineer 2nd Generation > Modified 1995-2001 Explorers

Notices

Modified 1995-2001 Explorers Questions related to modified 1995-2001 Explorer, Mountaineer, Ranger and 2002+ Sports (2dr). Aftermarket accessories and modifications. Bullbar, running boards, floor mats, cargo mat, DVD headrest, wheels, tires, stereo upgrade, headlights, mud flaps, torsion twist, lift kits, engine swap, transmission swap.

Bronco tire mount to 97xlt conversion?

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 04-27-2010, 03:03 PM   #1
BlkSquad
Stantonville, TN
'97 XLT 4wd '98 Sport 4wd
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)
US Bronco tire mount to 97xlt conversion?

Ok, so I'm pretty new to the scene and I've got a couple questions but the main one is this. I seen a late 80's to early 90's bronco with the rear bumper wheel mount and thought it looked close and was wondering if it could convert to fit on the back of my 97 xlt 4wd. Any ideas? I couldn't get a measure cuz I didn't have my tape with me but like I said it looked to be close.

Also on the WAR shackles, do you swap the shackle on the front of the leaf springs too? It doesn't look like mine has any shackles on the front at all, just a bracket bolted to the frame. Thx n advanced guys.
BlkSquad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 03:33 PM   #2
sport97
Elite Procrastinator
connellsville pa
 
sport97's Avatar
1997 sport SOHC 4.0
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,324

Vehicle Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlkSquad View Post
Ok, so I'm pretty new to the scene and I've got a couple questions but the main one is this. I seen a late 80's to early 90's bronco with the rear bumper wheel mount and thought it looked close and was wondering if it could convert to fit on the back of my 97 xlt 4wd. Any ideas? I couldn't get a measure cuz I didn't have my tape with me but like I said it looked to be close.

Also on the WAR shackles, do you swap the shackle on the front of the leaf springs too? It doesn't look like mine has any shackles on the front at all, just a bracket bolted to the frame. Thx n advanced guys.
No clue on the tire mount but that would be pretty cool. As for the shackles its just the shackle, not the front mount.




__________________
CB radio w/ dual whips, Front skidplate,
4 door leaf/aal/shackles/TT, 265/75/16 at's


My ex
-Vince
sport97 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 04:25 PM   #3
trj360
1999 XLT SOHC
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,179

Vehicle Specs

The frame mount should stay where it is unless you have crazy lift plans for the front....I have seen elsewhere online where someone has extended the frame mount to get another inch or so of lift and it just looks strange. Although I can't comment on the performance. Edit: This was on a YJ wrangler

As for the Bronco spare mount, I don't know for sure either, but I would imagine that the Bronco had some sort of weight supporting brace wherever the carrier bolted, which the Explorer most likely does not have.




__________________
99 XLT
87 Jeep YJ
<---New feature - Fill out your vehicle specs!

Last edited by trj360; 04-27-2010 at 04:36 PM.
trj360 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 04:34 PM   #4
BlkSquad
Stantonville, TN
'97 XLT 4wd '98 Sport 4wd
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)
Yeah the x def doesn't have it and would call for some fabrication, but I can do that I was just wondering if anybody else had the same idea or a bronco with the tire mount so they could measure it for me so I could compare. From what I seen it looks close and would definitely look better than the completely fabbed ones IMO
BlkSquad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 04:45 PM   #5
trj360
1999 XLT SOHC
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,179

Vehicle Specs

You talking about the full size bronco or the Bronco II? A few members here have IIs




__________________
99 XLT
87 Jeep YJ
<---New feature - Fill out your vehicle specs!
trj360 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 05:03 PM   #6
Glen4X4
Elite Explorer
McClure, Pa.
 
Glen4X4's Avatar
96,97
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,438

Vehicle Specs

Welcome To The Forum, The shackles get placed on the rear of the frame and leaf spring and I'm not 100% aware of the carrier being converted but sure someone has thought about it but also remember the hatches of the BII and Full size have a latch bolted to it to hold the carrier in place.




__________________
96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's
03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4
Glen4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 05:45 PM   #7
BlkSquad
Stantonville, TN
'97 XLT 4wd '98 Sport 4wd
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)
I only got a quick glance but I'm almost positive it was a fullsize bronco, and I know about the latch that would attach it to the bumper. I'm just wondering about the specs on the mount and whether or not it'd b big enough for the rear of my xlt. Even if someone could just give me some basic measurements of the mount it'd help me decide if I'm gonna try the conversion and if I do I'll b sure to take plenty of pix and write a how to because I'm gonna put some 33's on it and want to show the spare off on the back hatch thx again guys
BlkSquad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 05:59 PM   #8
sport97
Elite Procrastinator
connellsville pa
 
sport97's Avatar
1997 sport SOHC 4.0
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,324

Vehicle Specs

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/bro...ics-56k-21763/

That is an an install of a bronco 2 tire carrier on a j**p. You can see he had to notch out his plastic bumper to get to solid metal to mount. You wouldn't have that issue because your bumper is metal, and you wouldn't need to relocate your plate either. Other than some drilling it does not seem like he needed any fab work to get it to fit, and I imagine it may work even better on an explorer.




__________________
CB radio w/ dual whips, Front skidplate,
4 door leaf/aal/shackles/TT, 265/75/16 at's


My ex
-Vince
sport97 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 06:44 PM   #9
97sprt4x4
Jerz
06 Mazda3 GT
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 896

Vehicle Specs

a few members have tried the bronco and bronco II tire carrier, the only one i can remmeber of the top of my head was SurealNJ and he ran it for a while and with a 31/33 on it would have pulled through.

You can check his registry if you want his exact words. i'm assuming that it's a little to much for the sheet metal on our bodies.

Justin




__________________
97 Sport -- "Sue"

ZAPV 19 - 97 sport 4x4

Mug Shot! - Other Pics
97sprt4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 07:41 PM   #10
BlkSquad
Stantonville, TN
'97 XLT 4wd '98 Sport 4wd
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)
Alright! Thx for the link, I think in gonna try goin with the fullsize bronco tire mount instead tho cuz I think it'll center up better, but then again with a 33" on it the tire will probably block my rearview quite a bit and I'll need to see outta the back. And I'll be sure to use some reinforcement steel so it doesn't pull through but I'll be welding it on to the frame so idt I'll have much trouble with that. Again, big thx guys! anybody got a better idea for cheap too?
BlkSquad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 07:47 PM   #11
BlkSquad
Stantonville, TN
'97 XLT 4wd '98 Sport 4wd
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)
Alright! Thx for the link, I think in gonna try goin with the fullsize bronco tire mount instead tho cuz I think it'll center up better, but then again with a 33" on it the tire will probably block my rearview quite a bit and I'll need to see outta the back. And I'll be sure to use some reinforcement steel so it doesn't pull through but I'll be welding it on to the frame so idt I'll have much trouble with that. Again, big thx guys! anybody got a better idea for cheap too?
BlkSquad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 08:40 PM   #12
Glen4X4
Elite Explorer
McClure, Pa.
 
Glen4X4's Avatar
96,97
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,438

Vehicle Specs

I was going to say it may help by reinforcing the body too. But on Speed channel the one day I seen a hitch tire carrier so that you can have the tire on the back with using the hitch and supposedly doesn't keep your hitch from being used. you may want to look that up but not sure of price of it.




__________________
96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's
03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4
Glen4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 09:11 PM   #13
Electrohacker
Clinton Twp, MI
'96 XLT V8 4WD
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,258

Vehicle Specs

I'm finding hitch tire carriers, but they all lock the hitch and wouldnt work well with a lift gate as they are hard to move out of the way




__________________
it's funny that everyone's embarrassed to drive a station wagon, but drop a truck chassis under it and call it a SUV and suddenly everyone wants one...

my truck's build up (in progress)
Electrohacker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 09:13 PM   #14
Glen4X4
Elite Explorer
McClure, Pa.
 
Glen4X4's Avatar
96,97
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,438

Vehicle Specs

No, the ones I seen were made more for hatch back trucks that they drop down so you can access your hatch.




__________________
96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's
03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4
Glen4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 09:28 PM   #15
Electrohacker
Clinton Twp, MI
'96 XLT V8 4WD
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,258

Vehicle Specs

http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TireGate/HitchGate.htm

BINGO

Kinda pricey




__________________
it's funny that everyone's embarrassed to drive a station wagon, but drop a truck chassis under it and call it a SUV and suddenly everyone wants one...

my truck's build up (in progress)
Electrohacker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 09:32 PM   #16
SuRrEaLNJ
hail to the king, baby!
out of my mind...
 
SuRrEaLNJ's Avatar
MUNK 07 Focus 97 XL1200C
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,867

Vehicle Specs

i ran a modified Full Size Bronco carier for a while with a 31 on it. you would have to reinfoce the body more then i did. even with the sandwiched plates i put in there was a bit of deflection and i did tweak the body a little.

on the back of the truck


close up



hers a shot of the seam between floor and the fender between the r/r wheel well and d-pillar where you can see the pull


i will admidt to beang REALLY rough on it, nuged over obsticals by it, bumped from behind, letin it slam shut while the trucks movin. if i didnt beat it so bad it probably would have lasted. i actually didnt take it off due to the stress, or any problem from carying the 31, but the 35 would be way to much for it, so ill put that on a bumper mounted carier eventually




__________________

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spas View Post
You are all lunatics, and Jay is your king!
BEN REALLY REALLY LOVES PINK
SuRrEaLNJ loves Hannah Montana
SuRrEaLNJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 09:57 PM   #17
Glen4X4
Elite Explorer
McClure, Pa.
 
Glen4X4's Avatar
96,97
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,438

Vehicle Specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Electrohacker View Post
Better version of what I seen but dnt think I'd want to pay that much.




__________________
96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's
03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4
Glen4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 10:20 PM   #18
Electrohacker
Clinton Twp, MI
'96 XLT V8 4WD
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,258

Vehicle Specs

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-S...n=T%2FGUHG1010

more expensive

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4251

cheaper but obviously purpose made



http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/h...mounts-614457/
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/h...r-done-570883/

here's a how to on building a tilt model




__________________
it's funny that everyone's embarrassed to drive a station wagon, but drop a truck chassis under it and call it a SUV and suddenly everyone wants one...

my truck's build up (in progress)
Electrohacker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2010, 06:32 AM   #19
BlkSquad
Stantonville, TN
'97 XLT 4wd '98 Sport 4wd
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 114

Vehicle Specs

(Original Poster)
Surreal, that looks nice. Yeah I'll be sure to reinforce it more because I'm prob not gonna be too easy on it. Maybe not just some steel to bolt into on the inside of the well and wall but a full steel brace on the inside? Let me know if you think there was enough space for something like that. I was thinking that I'd make a thin steel mount on the outside and a little heavier on the inside but if I like it I'm thinkin I'll weld it too for a little extra support.

Electro, thx for the links I'll check those out and see what I think.

Thx guys, this is def the best forum due to the quick helpful responses.
BlkSquad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2010, 09:40 AM   #20
Glen4X4
Elite Explorer
McClure, Pa.
 
Glen4X4's Avatar
96,97
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,438

Vehicle Specs

I was kind of thinking what you were blksquad but then I wonder if having steel on the inside and having tire weight on it would try pulling the body still and then have a dent on the outside where its trying to pull through. But I maybe over thinking it too.




__________________
96 Explorer XLT TT/Shackles 33's 4.88's
03 Silverado 1500 LS 4X4
Glen4X4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Suggest this thread to friends:


Tags
97 explorer, shackles, tire mount, xlt


Join the "Elite Explorers" Today!



Search Explorer Forum


Top of Page

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:15 AM.



US Flag
We Support Our Troops!

Explore the site!


Copyright 2013 - 1996 Rick Horwitz Photography



This site is not endorsed or affiliated

with the Ford Motor Company in any way.



All tips on this site are for use at your own risk and discretion.

Modifying the suspension on any vehicle will cause changes to its handling characteristics.



Vendor Tools vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.