Foxracin's 1991 Exploder | Page 21 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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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.
explorer2.jpg

explorer.jpg


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
broketrans3.jpg


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.
broketrans.jpg

broketrans2.jpg


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.
explorer7.jpg


Put it in a Midland CB I had laying around.
explorer6.jpg


Overall shot of the interior.
explorer4.jpg


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.
explorer9.jpg


Swapped computers and moved it to behind the glove compartment to get it a little higher.
explorer5.jpg


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.
explorer8.jpg


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.
explorer10.jpg


Pile of junk parts I have pulled off so far. lol It keeps getting bigger.
explorer3.jpg


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.
 



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Since I am such a noob, what's the deal with the crossmember? Was there something there before, and what function does it serve?
 



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it's there to support the tcase.
 






Since I am such a noob, what's the deal with the crossmember? Was there something there before, and what function does it serve?

It holds the transmission and transfer cases up and in place. I had to redo it cause the stock crossmember was in the way of the front driveshaft so I had to go up and over it to clear it.
 






It holds the transmission and transfer cases up and in place. I had to redo it cause the stock crossmember was in the way of the front driveshaft so I had to go up and over it to clear it.

I see. It looks good! ;)
 






Hey Foxracin you should change your vehicle specs that is under you name:D
I think its a little out of date.....lol....

Seriously you did a awesome job on your explorer and I wish I had the time and your good luck getting parts for good deals to get my done.........some day many moons from now I'll get my explorer to look like yours:thumbsup:
 






Got my shifter knobs for the doubler today so pulled the shifters out and cut them down and threaded the ends for the knobs.

IMAG0322.jpg

IMAG0323.jpg


Got a trip planned to Mountain City, TN next weekend to test it out finally. Going to try to get some new rock sliders put on this weekend.
 






The shifters look too good for that muddy floor! ha
 






$HIT DUDE! NICE work!!

I like the double transfer case.:thumbsup:
 
























nuts. I can't wait to see this thing move on the trails!
 






Awsome!!!

Just graised through the thread friggin sweet and to see the total transformation in just 45 minutes is absolutely amazing

From this
explorer2.jpg

And this
broketrans.jpg


To :notworthy
IMAG0270.jpg

And :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
IMAG0292.jpg


That is one sexy ***** right their!!!

When do you think the action shots and vids will happen? I cant wait to see this beast in action Thank you for posting your progerss so we can all see this amazing build

Nate
 
























dude your a beast... i got respect for you haha
 






damn if i didnt have to work this weekend i would head over to MTN City to wheel with you.:(
 









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Pictures vids?? i cant take the suspense
 






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