Buggy time!

[FAT CAT]

Hey guys!

I'm getting the wheelin' bug again so it looks like I'll be keeping the Explorer and making a buggy out of it.

I was thinking of taking it in 2 steps:

1st. Remove doors, interior and cutting the back end (pick up truck like) swapping in two leather front seats I have. Then seeing how I like it over the next few runs... (pic 1.)

2nd. Cutting off the tub after the front seats and tubing the back, removing the fenders and tubing the front. (link rear in the future) like pic 2.

My question is, should I bother with step one, or just jump right to step 2 and make with the full buggy idea???

Let me know...

Thanks!

 

[burtonbrd138]

I think the second pic is a solid idea. You going for a prerunner type truck or more like a caged rock crawler?

 

[Premier]

why dont you like it the way it is?

 

[FROADER]

Step 2 from the get-go. Save some time and money.

Check out Michael's old one which was sold to trckmagik (redbull). It was 3-link in the rear and cut behind the front doors.

I'll look for it right now too.

EDIT: A couple pics of it. RedBull

 

[FAT CAT]

why don't you like it the way it is?

Short answer is; I only use the rig for rock crawling and 4x4 events, so what ever gets in the way, doesn't need to be there...

Long answer is:

1. The truck sits pretty high & gets tippy, I'd like to lighten it up to reduce the COG.

2. Making it lighter will make the axles and other parts last longer and will also act to increase horsepower.

3. I've never liked the feeling of wheelin' a full body SUV. Compared to my friends open Jeeps and buggy's, the Explorer feels closed in like riding in a big shoe box. This feeling is pronounced when going downhill, when the back feels huge & ready to flip.

4. I originally built the rig for my family to come with me, but they hardly ever do...so I just want to make it into a little screamer that I can smash around & not worry about body panels etc...

5. I like changing the rig around as much as I like wheelin; & whenever I get bored, I think of stuff to do to the Explorer.

Oh well, we'll see how it turns out...

 

[Brian1]

How about #3, remove body and build a "Formula Explorer" using a F-toy chassis on the explorer chassis. Keep the hood and grill then cut to fit on new chassis.

 

[james t]

How about #3, remove body and build a "Formula Explorer" using a F-toy chassis on the explorer chassis. Keep the hood and grill then cut to fit on new chassis.

^ this gets my vote.

 

[IZwack]

In, thanks for the chance :

I do like the "F-toy" idea (I guess we can call it an "F-ex"). But if you want to keep the body, there's no reason why you can't just go witha modified shell (remove most of the interior support and maybe narrow it or dovetrail it on the ends). But as stated, its a lot of work which might be pointless in the end because one roll and its all crinkled.

 

[Stic-o]

how about "F-Fo" : or "Formula Fo" sounds better

 

[FAT CAT]

How about #3, remove body and build a "Formula Explorer" using a F-toy chassis on the explorer chassis. Keep the hood and grill then cut to fit on new chassis.

Great minds think alike! A while back I talked to Hendrix about using their FTOY chassis, and it would work. I guess I just don't want to pony up the $1,500 for it... I have a friend down here that can make me a custom buggy that I could put all the Explorer drive stuff in, but again, it's $2,000

For what I'm going to use it for, it's just as good to hack it up and run $300 worth of tube and call it a day...

Right now, I've got all the doors off and am sending the fiberglass door and fenders in to be fixed. I hope to recoup some $$$ selling those to some prerunner guy.

 

[Stic-o]

If you'd like to donate your rear liftgate ...let me know. I have a project I'd like to try...but don't want to go cutting mine up Colin said I could have his when he cuts his up and dosn't need it, but I would prefur a 2nd gen gate naturally.

 

[FAT CAT]

If you'd like to donate your rear liftgate ...let me know. I have a project I'd like to try...but don't want to go cutting mine up Colin said I could have his when he cuts his up and dosn't need it, but I would prefur a 2nd gen gate naturally.

Yeah, you can have that... you'll have to figure a way to pick it up though. I sold the back glass, but the rest is in good shape, more or less

I'll see if McNeil can take it to his house in Lemon Grove, that way it will at least be in the US...

 

[mounty71]

It will be a little sad to see your explorer cut up, but as always, i'll be interested to see what you come up with.

 

[RockRanger]

I'll see if McNeil can take it to his house in Lemon Grove, that way it will at least be in the US...

If you get it to lemon grove I can probably get down there before the truckhaven run and pick it up. Then bring it to Steve there.

 

[Stic-o]

If you get it to lemon grove I can probably get down there before the truckhaven run and pick it up. Then bring it to Steve there.

Chris...and Mat that would be great.. I'd really apprecate it. I plan to cut it in half and make the bottom into a tailgate, and keep the upper half as is. We'll see how it goes

 

[FAT CAT]

Chris...and Mat that would be great.. I'd really apprecate it. I plan to cut it in half and make the bottom into a tailgate, and keep the upper half as is. We'll see how it goes

Steve,

Sent you a PM, your good to go with the tailgate...

 

[Stic-o]

Got it...Hopfully Matt can stop bye and pick it up before t-haven Because I really need more projects

 

[crazyflights]

So any updates? what happened to this rig??

 

[DB_1]

He parted out most of the Ex and then he built a YJ. The build up is on Pirate, jeep hardcore forum I think...don't have a link for ya sorry.

EDIT: Chris moves fast, he's already selling the jeep he built up:
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=818336&highlight=soa+thoughts

And here's his build-up thread on it:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=746492&highlight=soa+thoughts