Prerunner/weekend toy Explorer

I have a thread up in modified 95-01 Explorers, but since mine is mainly off-road I figured it would be more suitable to have a thread in here.

What I am working with

97 2wd Explorer 4 door with 5.0L V-8

Front suspension: 14" Wheel travel

Modified LCA to accept a 1" uniball as the outer pivot then boxed in accordingly. Custom UCA with 7/8" heim as outter pivot and 3/4" heim on frame pivots. Fabtech lift spindle tapped out for the heim and drilled knuckle for a 7/8" on the outter tie rod as well. Fox twin tube bypass shocks as well as a 2.0 body air shock per side assist the stock torsions with spring rate. Fox hydraulic bump stop off of the UCA

Rear suspension: 18" wheel travel

62" race leaf springs by Deaver with custom 12" long shackles. 18x2.5 triple bypasses by Fox though the wheel wells.

Other:

Baker 8" front fenders with FIberwerx 8 " fiber glass rear panels. Front and rear bumpers with a 2" rollcage threaded throughout still in the making. Fullsize axle out back with 4.56 gears and a L/S. 35x12.50 BFG Baja TAs and some Pro comp rims to hit the ground running.

 

[FROADER]

That thing sounds gooood...

 

[danwaters]

Not bad for a little Explorer. When I get the 5.13s in this axle before the 4 link swap I should be able to go fast than 73mph in the sand cause that's as fast as I can currently go, haha.

 

[danwaters]

Went to Glamis New Years. Only update is a Rigid 30 LED light bar on the bumper. Soon to come 4 link after the season.

And a short clip

 

[obie]

That is just outstanding! Top notch fab work, great bodywork, looks awesome seeing it run the dunes. I really love your set up

 

[danwaters]

That is just outstanding! Top notch fab work, great bodywork, looks awesome seeing it run the dunes. I really love your set up

Thank you sir!

 

[FROADER]

Second to last pic is sweet.

The 5 spotties breaking through the dust on that night run just looks awesome.

 

[danwaters]

Second to last pic is sweet.

The 5 spotties breaking through the dust on that night run just looks awesome.

Yeah, pics turned out good. That bowl is the biggest bowl weve seen in glamis and its a blast. I wish the gopro would do better at night cause with the LED bar and my 5 hids on the roof I can see like day time.

 

[NWOff-Roader]

*****en pics and video!

 

[danwaters]

After Easter we're tearing her down again. This time 4 link. Got on order Desert Specialties 2.5 race hubs, weld on snouts, 40 spline 4340 gun drilled axles, Wilwood superlite 6 piston calipers and 13" rotors for my rear full floater axle. Have a Mark Williams aluminum case 3rd member with 5.43 gears and race spool. Just got my Mark Williams yoke to fit the drive shaft and Trailing arms are being welded as we speak. Heres the yoke, I have received all the hub parts yet. Better pictures coming soon!

 

[danwaters]

Got some new parts and made the final pass today in Glamis with leaf springs!

 

[danwaters]

And 40 spline 4340 gun drilled axles

 

[NWOff-Roader]

Awesome!

 

[danwaters]

Ran 2013 Del Mar Fair Tuff trucks for the time and had a best time of 44.xx for a 4th place in the round and 10th overall out of 30+ trucks. Heres a few vids

 

[Tbars4]

..Thanks for sharing...:biggthump

..How many riders did you have in your truck (cause I thought I saw someone in the back seat) and how many Mcneil's were you racing against?

 

[danwaters]

haha, I only had one co driver each run an there were at least 12 Mcneils lol

 

[Tbars4]

..Only a dozen Mcneils?...They are slackin'..:

..We have a California section and it would be cool if you would post up other events you might be entering in the future..:biggthump

 

[turboexplorer]

Are you running any more events this week? I happen to be right down the street from that area for the next week. On vacation staying in the Solana Beach Tennis Club. Would love to come see you run and check out the truck.

 

[danwaters]

Ahhh California section, didnt know that. This was a kinda spur of the moment entry but I had a ton of fun and had the ole lady ride with me all 4 runs. No more events this week but next time I run ill have a 4 link rear set up

 

[danwaters]

Couple still from tuff trucks courtesy of dezertwife photography!

 

[Ranger242]

Looks great Dan! These pictures make me even more impatient to get my Explorer driving again.