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.

 

[blueka]

beast!!



Si

 

[danwaters]

Thanks guys, Im starting to get excited about it taking more shape.

 

[danwaters]

All the suspension is finally done and being put back on the truck to start finishing the engine cage and all the header panel mounts and fender mounts.

 

[Demo1986]

looks good dan! your X looks real clean and the way i like trucks to look. probably since its an sub and it hides it all inside. keep bring updates!

 

[danwaters]

Engine cage 90 percent done. Shes on her own weight finally. Some more tubes to kick to the frame and a support to the other side of the bump can and a few overlay plates and welding on the shock mounts and the front is done! Plus the removable engine cage crossmember has to be built today behind the rad mount that we havent done yet. Just got the tube clamps this week. Took the bypasses out to swap to 90 deg fittings on the res. Mounting the hydroboost today and making a new brake pedal. Ill show the shock mount pics now because there is a plate that covers the top but is not on yet.

 

[danwaters]

Pulled all th shocks off to revalve them. added much more compression to the front coilover and the rear bypass.

heres droop to bump, 20"

 

[jakemccarthy]

Wow, looks awesome

 

[carlover]

You're gonna have that thing back in the dirt in no time.

 

[danwaters]

I certainly hope so! lol

 

[danwaters]

Got the new trans in on Thursday night and started on the new trans/lower control arm crossmember. It will be all together but have the ability to split up via 2" tube clamps. Progress will move a long a little faster now. Ordered all stainless lines for trans cooling and the new Hydroboost lines.

 

[danwaters]

last week all the welding on the front end/engine cage was 100 percented. Here's a pic just before. Got all the hydraulic fittings in for all the new plumbing so well tackle that as soon as the new hydroboost assist unit is mounted and the new brake pedal is fabbed.

 

[danwaters]

Couple pics of the engine cage finished up. Just have to finish the radiator mount.

 

[carlover]

Its turning out *****en dude

 

[danwaters]

My boy just finished the rocker arm on the hydroboost behind the dash. Only place it would fit running 12" shocks with a arms, haha

 

[danwaters]

Got my front end all back together an aligned. Just need fender, grill, mounts and some small misc stuff. Dark picture but this is the new ride height with the lighter upper springs. It sits perfect.

 

[carlover]

ohh damn, almost ready.

 

[turboexplorer]

Looks great! Good job on the quality fab work.

 

[Demo1986]

Looks good man! Are you gonna take it out or are you tackling the rear first?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[danwaters]

Ya its close, Im going to go wire the batteries, fuse pannel and all the switches today. Once the exhaust is finished it will fire. Got the last of the high pressure fittings for the steering yesterday and the new hood!
Ill take it out a few times, Going to take it out for Easter weekend, then put the fuel cell in it, take it out a few more times to get some time on the new front end. Then Ill pull it back in the shop and start on the 4 link.

 

[danwaters]

Got the hood in and mocked it up to see how I liked it.