ld50 Explorer mods revisited

Thorbolter · February 18, 2003

Who needs to work when you can read a 9 page post like this. Very inspiring, only wish I was a bit more mechanical to do a lot of those mods myself., specifically a suspension lift so I can fit 33s on.

ld50 · February 18, 2003

Thanks guys,
Hey it is not that hard, I practically did it all alone except the gears and locker, Just gotta find a way to have acces to all the tools.

ld50 · February 19, 2003

FENDER FLARES

Okay I mentioned there was 4x4 traps being seen around where I live. Apparently it is more accurately a trap to catch large trucks, but they are pulling in lifted 4x4 vehicles as well.
I have been told that a "passenger vehicle" which is what I am classed as, cannot exceed a bumper hieght of 22 inches from ground to bottom of bumper. Well I`m 24 inches. I won`t try to lower them, but I thought at least I could make my truck look less like a violator, and hopefully avoid being measured.

[I am still finding out more about these laws, and I think If your bumper does exceed the height limit (some geek in an office has conjured up and fed to a room full old cronies who have okayed it) then it is grounds for an inspection order to be given, wherupon a test facility will test it as a "modified" rig. I don`t think it is ilegal to be higher, just that it will have to have a special inspection. I find so much different info that it is confusing.]

I cannot find a definite answer on how far my tires can stick out, it varies from 1&1/2 inches to nothing past the lip of the fender. "tiessen" from the board told me about some generic flares sold at Lordco, which is a local auto parts store.
I found these flares made by "Saddleman" which screw into the lips of your fenders. They cover my tires now, and don`t look that bad I guess. I would rather not have them at all but...
I got some mudflaps that were generic and put them on the rear, to further add to the look that everything is legal. LOL they really don`t do much, I`m afraid!

Rear:

ld50 · February 19, 2003

They are on there really tight, with like 14 screws in each one. I had two drills going for the install, one for drilling, and then while holding the flare in place I put the screws in a magnetic bit I have, and screwed them in. After, I went over them with a screwdriver and loosened some, and tightened others to make it look as smooth as possible.

Front:

ld50 · February 19, 2003

Here they are in action:

X-1 · February 19, 2003

Looking good, how about mass producing that antanna mount? I would love one of those.

carsonm · February 19, 2003

I agree looking good. I can't wait to get mine.... soon? I'll e-mail ya.

carsonm

ld50 · February 26, 2003

I can`t even get it together long enough to make one for Carson lately!
It actually takes me a couple hours with all the fitting and messing around, wouldn`t be enough payoff to spend that much time at work.

Next Episode:

Old Man Emu rear leaf springs!
Mine are no good after the Zimmerman mod, The Ranger leafs are bent laterally, as I have mentioned.

dbucfan · March 4, 2003

one of the best posts i have seen...ever...motivates me!!!
everything i wanna do and more!!!

StalkExplorer · March 7, 2003

oh no... I started reading your post to see what was involved in putting 31x10.5's on my 94 ltd... Now I need to get a 2" lift and some sleep... Awesome work, dude... Truly inspiring!!! Can't wait to mod my X for next winter... You know it gets pretty bad here...

ld50 · March 7, 2003

you`re new here, you can still break free before you become addicted!

Welcome to the single most greatest Explorer site on the net!

-"Winterpeg" (inside joke)

ld50 · March 25, 2003

OME-36 spring bushings

(thanks guys)

Well I have the springs but I made a mistake when I got the bushings to go with them. I just asked the 4x4 shop to get me a bushing set "for the springs".
So I ended up with a bushing set meant for a stock 93 Explorer spring.

What I had missed was the fact that these OME springs are actually designed to fit a 96 Ford Explorer!

The springs are of course interchangeable from a 96 to a 93, it is just that the eyes in the spring are larger up front, to accomadate a larger bushing.
The bushing at the rear of the truck is the same size. I don`t know when Ford went to a larger forward one, but I assume it was when they moved to the 2nd generation in `95.

I found that out by searching the site here and finding it talked about. Even though I read through those posts before It still didn`t click!

Anyway, It looks like I will actually have to get the forward bushings from Ford because I can`t seem to find an aftermarket poly for some reason. When I think about it, a rubber one up front may be better after all.

I hope to get the bushings and do the install this weekend.

ld50 · April 5, 2003

Okay, I got the Old man Emu springs on.

As I said, I ended up using poly bushing in the rearward side, and Stock ford bushings for the forward side. The forward bushing were ordered to fit a 96 Explorer.
I had to press them in myself, and I used a big vice and two big wrenches to assist. I wish I had a pic of that proccess, but I don`t.
The outside of the Ford bushings are not as wide as the inside is, near the metal sleeve, so I used the box end of one wrench that was big enough to push on the bushing without hitting the middle sleeved part. The other wrench`s box end was used to keep the other side of the sleeve from hitting the vice when it was pressed in.

The polys come in two pieces, and I used a mallet to bang them into place, and then used the mallet to bang the sleeves into the bushings.

Anyway, here`s some pics:

ld50 · April 5, 2003

ld50 · April 5, 2003

Gettin them on, no need to explain the process again

ld50 · April 6, 2003

Big difference over my modded up stock ones. They compress easier, but in a graduated way, which is part of the design if you look at them closely. They aren`t as stiff, and don`t snap back when you hit bumps at higher speeds, which keeps you from going sideways. I went for a little run today, and I am happy with them, although they were expensive!

X-1 · April 6, 2003

Jim,
That last pic is too awesome, must be nice to have such acool playground.

carsonm · April 6, 2003

Originally posted by X-1
Jim,
That last pic is too awesome, must be nice to have such acool playground.

Ah beautiful BC wouldn't live anywhere else.

Glad to see you got out today James, did you go alone? I'll go next time for sure.

carson

ld50 · April 6, 2003

That last pic is too awesome, must be nice to have such acool playground.

I can be at that playground in about 45 minutes! Half hour later I can get a pick like that

-Did go alone Carson,with the family. I actually fully explored that trail with the big ditch and the steep hill that I got up that time but didn`t check out. It actually has a great view of Stave from there and definitely will be less crowded. Here`s a pic from up there. Had virgin snow everywhere even to the main lookout!

ld50 · April 6, 2003

Well, I have reached a level that I think I will maintain for a while before doing anymore mods! There is stuff that I would really like to do, but maintenance is all I`m worried about right now. The biggest thing is my tranny seems to be acting up lately, not wanting to downshift into second without grinding like a *******, and going into reverse is almost a guaranteed grind. A couple times I heard a growl coming from down there at take off, which might mean my clutch is on the way out. I will definitely replace the clutch with something better when I do!

[edit] - I bled the clutch and am happy to say that my tranny is behaving much better, with only an occasional feeling of something catching when going to reverse-

I got broken into the other day and they buggered up my lock and stole my sub. I got the best alarm I could, basically pimped myself to the alarm installer and became his biotch. It was a good idea anyway, because of all the money I have put in it already.

If I look back, all I really think was NOT a good idea was the Zimmerman mod. Sometimes I wish I had went with 4.56 gears instead of my 4.10s but then I get on the freeway and like it. (but it is close!)

I`ll try to keep away from the mods anyway!

All costs in CDN funds !

Truck = $8500.00

Plasma white hid headlights = $39.96
Mini driving lights = $65.00
Filter adapter = $68.41**
K&N filter = $50.00
Window visors = $45.00
Cheap CB = $75.00
Antenna = $50.00
Tow hooks = $40.00
2" susp lift with shocks = $464.00 **
31x10.5 BFG T/A K/Os = $835.00
New lower ball jts. and alignment = $ 604.00
Fire extinguisher = $ 40.00
4.10 gears, locker, U-joints = $2635.37
2" body lift kit = $148.45
Shifter extension = $58.21
2" x 20' tow strap = $40.50
War1780 skid plates - $115.00 **
War153 shackles - $99.95 **
1.5" Wheel spacers - $504.87 **
Custom exhaust - $320.00
Dual battery parts approx. $85.00
2nd battery= $100.00
33x10.5 BFG MUD T/A KM (4)
minus sale of old tires (350$) = $578.84
Antenna kit 4' Firestick = $80.03
Lower shock mounts WAR161 = $51.55
Saddleman generic fender flares = $50.00
OME-36 leaf springs and poly = $900.00 **
Ford `96 bushings for front of leafs = $100.00

(** includes shipping)

Total "EX"penses = $16744.14

ld50 Explorer mods revisited

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Oh, the money you`ll blow

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Elite Explorer

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