5spdman's slow and cheap XLT build

[5spdman]

Agreed...reinforce the body. The way I did it was by fully welding some junction box covers (thick, cheap, available at any hardware store) to the body, which strengthened it a bit and had a better thickness to put the bolts through. The body still flexes a little, but my carrier flexes more than the body, so I think I'm good...

 

[madbutcher]

Nice to see the spacer in place

 

[5spdman]

Didn't do much last night...got the wiring harness for towing put in checked all my bulbs and straightened out my little negative camber issue.

That bolt used to be the opposite way: toward the bottom of the bracket. Loosened up the nut on the other side, turned the bolt, tightened the nut back up and if anything I now have a slight positive camber, but it's a lot better than the amount of negative camber that there was before.

And since I was now working on the front of the XLT, you al remember that teaser pic from before?

New fog lights! Think I might like them better on a homemade bumper, but if I ever take them out, the bumper trim piece would cover the opening that was made...either way, they're nice and bright!

 

[EMBRACETHEHATE89]

Those are sweet! I just would hate to cut holes in this limited bumper.

 

[5spdman]

I was a little leery on cutting the holes too...if I want to take it back to the stock look though, quick trip to the JY for an uncut trim piece and it's back to normal. Major draw back to the flush mounts, even though they look good, is that you can't direct the beam pattern...not sure how I feel about that yet.

I think it's gonna grow on me though...just can't wait to get that 40" on when I get back to Ohio lol!

 

[5spdman]

Went out tonight and put a little more work in tonight, but didn't grab any pics though.

Got the blown Pyle Blue Label speakers out of the front doors and replaced them with a pair of Pioneers I had laying around, put the roll pan back on, and rummaged through all the tools in the shop to separate the schools tools from mine. Wanted to FINALLY get the doors worked on so that both rear doors function inside and out, but that darn ADHD kept me from getting to that.

Not sure why I'm still awake either...it's either the few hour nap I took after church, knowing that I have a ton of work to do at the school, knowing I still have work to do on the truck, or just excitement for Moab.....

 

[Graf]

Hello all, I am new to this site and found this awesome thread. Very motivating for me. I have a 94 ranger 4.0 that seriously needs suspension attention. So it is great to read about all your work and ambition.
Graf

 

[5spdman]

Hello all, I am new to this site and found this awesome thread. Very motivating for me. I have a 94 ranger 4.0 that seriously needs suspension attention. So it is great to read about all your work and ambition.
Graf

You'll be sure to find plenty of info on here! Welcome to the forum!

Well, I got back last night from a weekend in Moab with a few other EF members, and it was a blast! We didn't do as many trails as we planned each morning, but with trail repairs and one rollover, we had to improvise. Got out earlier this afternoon to start cleaning out the truck, look for trail damage and repair anything needing attention.

First, I found this...

Either I have a mouse living in the truck, or one getting in there somehow whenever I have food in there....

Looked around for some trail damage...there was some slight scraping on the front and rear diff, and the hitch receiver was hit twice, but I assumed that would happen and it wasn't bad at all...the worst was the rear "bumper" was dropped onto, which in turn came up hitting the body under the tail light and the rear hatch.

Totally fixable, but I think I'll leave it...you almost have to look for it, and it hasn't affected anything.

Also got a manual t-case from the guys at Bandit Customs!

Thank you Kris and Russel for that! UNFORTUNATELY, although I planned on installing it almost as soon as I moved home, it may take longer than that....it finally dawned on me as I was driving home from Moab last night, that my battery cut-off switch sits in the trans-tunnel and is more than likely going to be in the way of the levers and all that...guess we'll have to wait and see...

Overall, the trip was solid, the truck performed much better than I thought it would with no lockers, and open front, LS rear and only 3.73 gearing with 33's. We'll see what this year has in store before next years Moab run!

 

[mr cribb]

I reeeeeeaaaaaallllllly want that elusive double shifter boot/ ring.

As long as the battery cut off switch isn't on the drivers side, you will be fine.

 

[5spdman]

As long as the battery cut off switch isn't on the drivers side, you will be fine.

It is...... :/

 

[5spdman]

I could maybe move the switch forward on the tunnel, but then I run the risk of kicking it while driving...once that switch is flipped, it kills everything including the engine. Don't want that to happen while driving down the highway...

Forgot to mention...over the weekend, I fist thought everyone was ignoring me on the CB whenever I'd say something. Day 2 led me to think maybe something was wrong with my CB, but I was hearing everyone just fine, so I figured they just had nothing to say after I spoke. Day 3 led me to look into this while parked next to another rig and it was discovered that although I could hear everyone, the mic on mine was not working.

Luckily, I had another Uniden mic out here with me. The mic was from an old Marine CB, and wasn't even the same color, but I was sure it worked. After hooking it to the CB and getting a funny squeal from the mic itself when trying to talk, complete disassembly showed me that both mics were wired differently, but completely the same apart from that. I simply un-soldered both mics from the wiring, switched and soldered them, and then with testing (using a handheld CB) discovered that it now works!

 

[easymc]

Great build thread , will be keeping up with it.

 

[5spdman]

Great build thread , will be keeping up with it.

Thanks Robert! I'm actually really searching and hoping I can find a cheap Sport model to mock-up, restore and build up before the next Moab trip...we'll see how that goes, if I can get the money and time, and if I can talk the girl into it!

 

[5spdman]

On another note, I sold my car today, so it looks like its just me and the XLT now!

Trying to find a small trailer to rent (to get my stuff home and still allow space in the truck for the dog) is proving difficult. According to UHaul, I can't rent their smallest (or any) trailer because I'd be hauling it with an Explorer....what a joke!!

Hetrz might have one...thinking of taking the schools Dodge in to pick up the trailer too.........

 

[SuperKirby]

I looked into renting from UHaul awhile back when I had a 99 Ex. I alluded to using something else to pick up the trailer and still pulling it with my Ex. I was informed that the vehicle you use to pick up the trailer is linked to the trailer in their system. If they find out you use anything other than that vehicle, it's a violation of their contract and subject to heavy fines. The guy working there was pretty uh, open, with his opinion of Explorers. Ever since I made it a point to avoid UHaul altogether. I've had real good luck with Budget.

 

[5spdman]

Hmm...well, the one part was more of a joke, as I wasn't seriously thinking of doing the tow rig swap. I just looked into Budget, and all I found were the trucks and some tow dollies. I was going to go with a tow dolly, but I don't have the second car anymore, and I don't have all THAT much stuff, so a small 4x8 trailer would be more than sufficient....

So far, it looks like Hertz is the place...

 

[Rick]

Have you tried Penske rental?

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Also got a manual t-case from the guys at Bandit Customs!

Thank you Kris and Russel for that!

No problem at all! I hope it treats you well bud, as your rig now has come official Bandit parts in it now! Love the truck!!!

 

[5spdman]

Have you tried Penske rental?

I did Rick, but all I could find with them as far as trailers go was a car carrier, which is more than I need. I'd go with them for a tow dolly, but again, don't have the car anymore, so I don't need that...unless anyone has a 1992-ish 2dr, manual trans, hatchback Ford Escort they want to get off their hands!

No problem at all! I hope it treats you well bud, as your rig now has come official Bandit parts in it now! Love the truck!!!

Already thinking I'm gonna take out my whole battery cut-off system just so I can fit it in...it may also just wait to be put in the Sport (whenever I find one)...haven't made up my mind just yet...

 

[EMBRACETHEHATE89]

Another twin stick explorer!