Foxracin's 1991 Exploder

Real Name: Trevor
Year : 1991
Model: Explorer
State: North Carolina
City: Mount Holly



Just picked up this Exploder last week. Its not in the best of shape but overall its decent. The motor runs great and the body has very few dents and dings.

When I got it the trans was out like every other a4ld. I am a 5 speed guy myself and was planning to convert to 5 speed anyway.

First thing and did is check the fluid in the trans. Nice and red, full, and doesnt smell burnt. Pulled one of the lines at the radiator and fired it up and no fliud. Nothing at all. Pulled the pressure plug in the side of the trans and fired it up to make sure the lines were not stopped up somewhere and still nothing so I knew something wasnt right with the pump.

Got it home and put it on some jack stands and started tearing out the trans.

Got the trans out and pulled the torque converter out and found some scaring on the snout. Thats not supposed to be like that. lol

Pulled the bellhousing off then the pump from the bellhousing and theres the problem. One of the pump gears cracked and spread the teeth apart and locked up and spun on the torque converter.

Oh well time to throw it in the scrap pile. Dont want to spend the money on it again not even know if the rest of the trans is good and for it to just break again. I figured I could swap in a 5 speed for not much more then fixing the a4ld.

Figured I would mess with the inside a little while I try to find a trans.

Put in a Sony headunit. Ran new speaker wires and used the internal amp after 2 stock amps were not right. Soldered all the connections and ran new speaker wire and its good as new.

Put it in a Midland CB I had laying around.

Overall shot of the interior.

Then I figured I would ride over the the Pull-A-Part to see if I could run across anything. Sure enough ran across a 1992 5 speed Exploder. But somebody already robbed the trans and starter. Figured I would go ahead and get what I could off it. Got the computer, Manual trans wiring harness, pedals, and Master cylinder(when they got the trans they cut the line so it wasnt useable). Still had the flywheel, clutch/pressure plate still on it too but I didnt have the money for it right then.

So I came home and started swapping out some stuff.

Manual trans wiring harness.

Swapped computers and moved it to behind the glove compartment to get it a little higher.

Swapped the pedals. I left the pedal assembly in and just changed out the brake pedal and put the clutch pedal on. It was aggravating but definitely beats pulling the dash out to change the entire assembly.

Went back the next day to Pull-A-Part to get the clutch and flywheel and all that good stuff crawled under it and somebody done took the clutch and pressure plate. So I missed out on that. Went ahead and pulled the flywheel off though. It looked fairly new.

Pile of junk parts I have pulled off so far. lol It keeps getting bigger.

Thats where I am at so far. Need to scrounge up some money to get me a trans and a few other pieces and I should be set.

For now I will probably just do a body lift and coil spacers and shackles for now with some 33's or 34's after I get it on the road.

Then save up for the d44 SAS down the road.

Ill keep this thread updated as I get some more work done.

 

[Foxracin]

Well took the explorer out wheeling for the last time with it current setup yesterday. Not too much damage. Just typical stuff. Another window, more body damage, and another axles. Broke the short inner passenger side this time. A buddy of mine went along in his Sammi he just got the the first time. It will be unstoppable with some gears and lockers.

Was trying to go up a slick ass hill in 2wd and about made it to the top on the second try and it started sliding back down and got little bit off to the side and slide right back into a tree. Busted out the rear window and bent up the hatch a little.

Here is a few pics.

Little bit high centered here.

Hooked the winch up to a tree and started winching it off and damn near pulled the tree down on top of the explorer. Let off and it stood back up so moved on back to the next bigger tree and winched it off.

Video my buddy got in a little mud hole. Watch the front tires the second time I hit it and you can see them come off the ground a little bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sv1BjhNkCM

Going to start tearing it apart this coming weekend so stay tuned.

 

[MrQ]

Damn man you are wheelin the sh*% out of that thing.

 

[Foxracin]

Thats what I built it for. lol

 

[Xeek]

my muffler is louder on your truck lol. must be cause youve broken it in more/better engine.
i havent put yours on mine yet, i liked driving with just cats, i think ill make it permanent when my engines done tho

 

[Foxracin]

You had a tail pipe on it didnt you? I just got a turn down/dump on it right after the muffler which probably make a little difference. Also I have no cat.

 

[Xeek]

that would be why, didnt have a turndown until the glasspack, and i have functioning cats.

i want to get my crap all done too, so i can finally go out to mud/trails

 

[Foxracin]

Got some work done last night. No more body lift, no more slider, and no more suspension. Stay tuned for more later tonight. About to head back down and start working again.

35's with no body lift or slider.

Hows this for suspension travel. lol

Beams are all bent up and cracked.

Pivot bushings? What pivot bushings?

How I left it for then night.

 

[wood1]

 

[gmanpaint]

Right on!

Been waiting patiently for this stage of the build! Woot!

 

[Xeek]

best d35 suspension travel ever! might want some limiting straps unless you like rolling on walls with the body flat. lol
your passenger side mirror is broken btw

 

[LBarr2002]

I'd be up for another Uwharrie get together, but my schedule is already pretty packed.

I can't wait to see your SAS done, and how much harder you're going to beat on it . What axles are you using?

That's a good looking Sami. Is it a convertible or tin top that someone cut off?

 

[Doomie17]

what are you doing with the gears and lockers from the 8.8 and d35

 

[MrQ]

what are you doing with the gears and lockers from the 8.8 and d35

It will all be for sale. Lift, lockers, wheels, and gears.

You might want to check the whole thread next time before asking a question that has already been answered. The OP would probably like to keep HIS thread on track.

On another note. :drool: I would like to have that kind of droop on my truck.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

sweeeeet. im lookin forward to seeing this beast this month

 

[Foxracin]

your passenger side mirror is broken btw

Both are broken. lol I like tight trails.

 

[Foxracin]

I'd be up for another Uwharrie get together, but my schedule is already pretty packed.

I can't wait to see your SAS done, and how much harder you're going to beat on it . What axles are you using?

That's a good looking Sami. Is it a convertible or tin top that someone cut off?

We definitely need to meet up again at Uwharrie this time. Had a blast last year.

Only have stock axles now. Good set of chromo axles are definitely in my future though.

Pretty sure the sami was a convertible cause it has a soft top. Not real sure to be honest with you. Its a 91 or 92 with the FI motor. Thats the one were going to put the D44's under.

 

[Foxracin]

Didnt get as much done as I had hope to yesterday. Had to run get my wheels changed out and a couple other things. Going to try to get it as a roller today. Only thing left to drill hole for are the radius arm mounts.

Ran into some issue with the driver shock tower. It wants to occupy the same space as the clutch master cylinder. Has to notch the top corner out. Going to go back and plate the notch and gusset the inner corner.

Lowered it down to get a idea of how it will be.

No 8.8

9" Hanging(pinion angle not set)

About to head back down in a little bit and get back to work.

 

[red.EDDIE.4x4]

Monster

 

[the_aszman]

looks good so far , can't wait to see it standing on it's own

 

[4x4troy]

sweet build so far....giving me ideas for mine.