MrQ's Red Flyer

[MrQ]

Well, I'm back and no vids. I couldn't tear my brother away from fishing long enough to get anything done. However, I do have some nice stills in compensation.

On the way down I managed an amazing 22 miles to the gallon. No a/c at 55mph or better. Here is how Red sat in the beautiful morning sunlight.

Once I finally got to Surfside beach I had to grab my 3/8 wrench and get underneath the truck (in the sand) to get the tcase into 4 HI. After getting sand all inside my shirt, I was really hoping this would work. With the hubs locked, I hit the gas...

And a Converted 4WD Explorer is born!!

I then checked everything after I drove it for a while up and down the beach. Everything worked like it should and the system was smooth, no grating, chattering or knocking. Then the beating started. I hit soft sand, wet sand, sea water, small dunes (I didn't violate the law here) and large driftwood logs at speeds in excess of 30mph. I nailed every one. I couldn't believe how well Red plowed through the incredibly soft sand. All it did was drop the speed by 5mph, but it in no way put the truck out of commission. Red didn't even bat an eye at the water or wet sand, she just dug in and ran through it like butter. The logs were another story, clearance was an issue on one of them as I heard a scrape as I went over, but I never high centered.

As a reward for all the stuff I have put her through, Red got her first bath in 10 months. I promised myself that I wouldn't clean her up until I had completed the conversion. If figured Red would get dirty after every phase, which she did.

The badge was the crown I wanted to save for last. After a year of planning and action, Red is done. The taste of victory is sweet.

Will the truck be airborne in said vids? If so, hell yeah...

Joe, I did hit some dips and valleys that I am sure got me a couple of inches in the air. I did beat on this thing pretty hard today to test the 4x4.

EF, I now present to you a new 4WD Explorer to increase your ranks. Red Flyer is ready to rock!

 

[reapereviltwin]

And I am ready to see the "Red Flyer" rock!! Good to hear how your hard work has paid off!!!!

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Wow, again I'm impressed. Glad you didn't have any problems. I'm glad to see all your hard work has payed off now.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Aren't you much happier now that you have decided to keep Red now?

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Also, be sure to have yourself a beer!

 

[black91EB]

unless you have moved in the past year, the postman should have visited you.

 

[MrQ]

I just got it. Thank you so much!! I was totally not expecting this. I just put it in the truck and calibrated the shifter. It works great and not to mention its beefy as hell. If you ever need a recommendation for any of your fab work you just let me know. I definitely received a quality part here.

Its the least I can do.

For all those out of the loop, black91EB just sent me the shifter lever for the transfer case he fabbed himself. I wish I had a picture of it, but I was so eager to get it in the truck I forgot. Big to this guy!!

 

[black91EB]

I just got it. Thank you so much!! I was totally not expecting this. I just put it in the truck and calibrated the shifter. It works great and not to mention its beefy as hell. If you ever need a recommendation for any of your fab work you just let me know. I definitely received a quality part here.

Its the least I can do.

For all those out of the loop, black91EB just sent me the shifter lever for the transfer case he fabbed himself. I wish I had a picture of it, but I was so eager to get it in the truck I forgot. Big to this guy!!

lol, that part was ugly, It coulda been alot prettier. I put it together in about 25 minutes, and it is an exact duplicate of a factory one. You may want to put a coat of paint on it so it doesnt rust. Also, I put a piece of fuel line hose over the peg to reduce the play in it, as the stupid little plastic piece ford put there is prone to wearing out quickly.

 

[MrQ]

I may do that when I find some fuel line for the peg. It worked perfectly and I greatly appreciate it.

 

[MrQ]

Well, I think my major mods are about wrapped up. I am starting school in the spring and am anticipating working longer hours to pay for it.

With the 4x4 conversion done that's been hanging over my head for over a year, its nice to breathe easy and give it a rest. I know I have some maintenance issues I have been putting off to get this mod off the ground, but now they need some attention before they get worse.

The last thing I want on the truck is some decent BFG ATs and some lights to replace the broken ones on the front. After that, its going to be four years of hard, no-maintenance work getting back and forth to school.

I hope unclemike still has those 32's for sale and I had to turn him down twice because of financial issues, but I want hope to get them soon. My only concern is rubbing issues. I may invest in that cheap 2" lift from Procomp to get them to fit.

 

[MrQ]

Welp, I noticed unclemike's EF first anniversary post and it reminded me that this is my second year with EF!

I have realized over the past two years how much this site has blessed me. Everybody has treated me like family and has put up with my incessant posting on a 4wd conversion that took forever to complete. I thank you all for supporting me when I wanted to give up and advising me when I made my frequent mistakes. This is truly the BEST site on the net.

 

[reapereviltwin]

That's a lot of work, Dan. You have to proud of what you have done to your rig in two years. Red Flyer looking good!!!

 

[black91EB]

x2 on the good work. However, I have a minor gripe, you said on rookieshooter's thread that you have put new lights on, and you havent posted anything about them here????


:ttiwwp:

 

[MrQ]

Ask and ye shall receive.

Sorry, I finished the lights up just after it got dark, so I grabbed some night shots. At the same time I wanted some daylight shots, but I had to head to work at 5 am, so I have just now had the time to put 'em up. Anyhoo...

They are some Walmart Specials 55w halogens, however they are much better constructed than my old Pilots, yet they cost the same. I guess time will tell whether they will last longer. Unfortunately, when I tried to aim the passenger light I kept blowing the fuse. :scratch: I think I have a short somewhere on the wiring to that light. I need to check it out with my voltmeter and make sure I am getting a good ground.

Also, I had a wonderful electrical smoke show coming back from the donut shop. I was stupid and forgot to insulate my positive post on my new fuse box from the cigarette lighter, so there was a little light show going on in my ash tray. Oh well, that's where the smoke is supposed to be anyway, right?

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Glad to see everything has been going good with red. I'm sure you've been quite happy now that all your major projects are done on Red and she can stay mobile!

How has the ticking been under the hood? Nothing more than a alight audioable nose right? Would you mind posting a video of it on youtube or something? I've always read about it but have never actually heard what the famous "ticking sounds like".

 

[MrQ]

Its a fairly slight noise and its probably only because I am super sensitive to my truck that I hear it at all.

 

[MrQ]

I am practically drooling over the 32's reapereviltwin gave me. I mean they are right there, sitting patiently in the garage and tormenting me. I can't put them on yet because my job situation and financial situation are a like pair. Both suck. Once everything levels out and I can get a little stability, those tires are going on. And then nothing will be able to stop me! :insert evil laugh here:

Anyway, big thanks and props out to Uncle Mike for his generous gift. I hope one day I will be able to repay him.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Better yet, go find yourself some junk rims at the bone yard and mount those onto the rims. That way you can switch back to your street tires in a jiffy and you don't have to scrap your street tires either. And you can save the tread on the larger tires for the mud

 

[reapereviltwin]

I am practically drooling over the 32's reapereviltwin gave me. I mean they are right there, sitting patiently in the garage and tormenting me. I can't put them on yet because my job situation and financial situation are a like pair. Both suck. Once everything levels out and I can get a little stability, those tires are going on. And then nothing will be able to stop me! :insert evil laugh here:

Anyway, big thanks and props out to Uncle Mike for his generous gift. I hope one day I will be able to repay him.

I'm glad you like the tires, Dan. You are welcome for the tires, I have to admit, they were just leaning against the house collecting spider webs not doing anyone any good.
The work you have done on the Red Flyer is more than enough payment, I like to see a young person such as yourself bust you ass, bleed your knuckles, for something your are interested in, it is nice to see a young person such as yourself work for what u want. A produce clerk can't pull in a huge paycheck, and yet you have converted Red from 2wd to 4wd.
It was a pleasure meeting you in Austin at the meet, I had been wanting to meet you in person for a long time.
Mike's idea is a good one, maybe you can find some rims at a JY and rotate the tires from road to off road.

BTW, I inserted the evil laugh, and it's good!!!!

 

[black91EB]

I am practically drooling over the 32's reapereviltwin gave me

:ttiwwp: