is it worth it?

[stephen93Eddie]

I've been putting around the idea of putting some money into my explorer after selling my chevy offroad project because it was too wide for the trails I run.

question one is it worth it too put money into a automatic explorer? I've had no issues with it thus far besides being low 2 quarts after a trip down the interstate with the a/c on for an hour or so. but besides that has been good for the past 14k I've had it.

IS the TTb worth putting money into? I wouldn't say i run any crazy trails, not a whole lot of rocks. but there are a few more adventurous places I'd like to go.

Currently as it sits the explorer has 148k on it. gonna change the trans filter and throw some new fluid in. has 31s and 132x skyjacker springs and warrior 153 shackles. 3.73 gears and the factory limited slip in the rear.

I was pondering putting in some coil spacers and getting some custom leafs or making a ******* pack. Any tips with extending radius arms? and finally has anyone tried these drop brackets they look exactly like the tough country ones.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-1994-F...ash=item25ba2ed0da:g:MlYAAOSwax5YtL1n&vxp=mtr
My father in law insists the only way to make the explorer decent is a dana 30 swap from a jeep using long arms. but that sounds like something that will take a while with how busy everyone is and is probably not worth it, mostly because he believes the explorer burns through tires when i haven;t had any horrible tire wear. I only really wanna run 33's and i understand that would require me to get either 4.10s or 4.56 gears, I just don't see the point in a 30 swap.
I'm just looking for help deciding, I could always get a different rig too i guess.

 

[Rick]

You really need to search out your topics or at least take a look at our Offroad Projects forums: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?forums/offroad-projects.39/

The A4LD can be problematic. Many have swapped to the GM 700R4, There are parts available to mate it all to the 4.0.

The TTB can be made to perform very well in most every situation. The best lift is to cut and turn the traction beams rather than using lift brackets. Look up "cut and turn" and you should find some threads. If that's more fabrication then you want to do there are a few companies which still make lifts for the Explorers, but they've all got their issues.

I went with a solid axle since most of my wheeling is in the rocks.

Brian1 makes some parts for the Explorers. He may have long arms for sale by now. Check out his posts: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?members/brian1.1644/ If you don't see them just sent him a message.

Here is a link to the build of my truck. http://www.explorer4x4.com/tech.html I bought it new in '93 and started out with a 4" lift, and 33s. By the time I was done it was very capable offroad, but I eventually wanted the articulation of a solid axle for the rock crawling.

 

[stephen93Eddie]

You really need to search out your topics or at least take a look at our Offroad Projects forums: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?forums/offroad-projects.39/

The A4LD can be problematic. Many have swapped to the GM 700R4, There are parts available to mate it all to the 4.0.

The TTB can be made to perform very well in most every situation. The best lift is to cut and turn the traction beams rather than using lift brackets. Look up "cut and turn" and you should find some threads. If that's more fabrication then you want to do there are a few companies which still make lifts for the Explorers, but they've all got their issues.

I went with a solid axle since most of my wheeling is in the rocks.

Brian1 makes some parts for the Explorers. He may have long arms for sale by now. Check out his posts: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?members/brian1.1644/ If you don't see them just sent him a message.

Here is a link to the build of my truck. http://www.explorer4x4.com/tech.html I bought it new in '93 and started out with a 4" lift, and 33s. By the time I was done it was very capable offroad, but I eventually wanted the articulation of a solid axle for the rock crawling.

I've read through all those haha! I guess I'm just second guessin what can and can't be done and what's is and isn't worth it too me! But do they still sell the 700r4 kit? I cannot find it anywhere. I checked advanced adapters site. Maybe I'm somehow skimming over it.
Also anyone know if this place is legit? They have the 700r4 kit.
They also have a lot of other Explorer stuff
http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/

 

[Rhett]

My father in law insists the only way to make the explorer decent is a dana 30 swap from a jeep using long arms.

You tell your father in law that those J**p Dana30 are a weaker front end than the TTB that came on our 1st gens.

Then again they are narrow width solid axles and you can avoid the alignment issues of a lifted TTB, There's actually no issue with the TTB itself, as Rick said it can do well. It's just difficult finding a good alignment guy that knows what he's doing with the TTB. At least around my neck of the woods. And if you're running Skyjacker 132X (like I am) without drop brackets then you're right at the limit as far as getting camber halfway decent.

As for the A4LD / 700R4 I'd probably do as you're doing -- fiuid / filter change, maybe an inline filter, and aux tranny cooler if it doesn't have one already -- and then run it that way. If the A4LD breaks, then look into the 700R4 or a M5OD (manual) swap. I thought Advanced Adapters still made the conversion stuff, but I haven't checked in a while. I guess you could call them to double check.

As for A4LD parts / pan filters/ etc. I go to bulkpart.com
In-line filters made by Magnefine (or Chinese knock-offs available almost anywhere).

 

[safn1949]

I just looked and it appears that Advance Adapters no longer stocks the 700R4 kit.

 

[Spudhut]

When I had my shop, I was asked this question over and over... about Fords, Plymouths, Packards and Chevys....If you love the car - It's worth dumping that kind of money into it. Unfortunately, these trucks (Custom or Not) don't bring much 'bang for your dollar' when it comes time to sell it, especially if you pay someone to do the work.

Only an Explorer enthusiast would understand the method's to our madness and put a value to it.

Make it into what YOU want, not what everyone tells you to do. Our opinions on the vehicle mean nothing if your already second guessing it.

 

[safn1949]

Found a new kit, 700r4 to 4.0. New Page 4

I have sent an email to get pricing on the kit, I will post it when they get back to me.