DBR/Giant 64 Ranger to Explorer

[Ranger242]

Picked up the Explorer today. My job over the weekend will be to replace the interior and wire my radios and accessories. Here are some pictures from when I picked it up tonight. Oh... did I mention that it is painted?

Next week it will get it's final touches for now, a front bumper and a mounted Baja Rack. By next Friday it should be ready to roll to CA for the Offroad Expo!

 

[Tbars4]

..Hoping to catch up with you today at Expo to check out your build..

 

[Ranger242]

..Hoping to catch up with you today at Expo to check out your build..

Sorry that we missed each other.

These are a couple of my favorites from my recent trip to Anza Borrego:

 

[mounty71]

I'm in love! Seeing your build makes me more anxious than ever to start mine. Did you end up running wheel spacers in the back for the time being? I have an idea of how to avoid having to do that myself but I also don't plan to run bypasses so I should have more room to spare.

 

[Ranger242]

I'm in love! Seeing your build makes me more anxious than ever to start mine. Did you end up running wheel spacers in the back for the time being? I have an idea of how to avoid having to do that myself but I also don't plan to run bypasses so I should have more room to spare.

I am currently running 1.5" wheel spacers on all 4 corners. Since my rear width is almost identical to my front width, running spacer on all 4 corners was my only option. I still rub a bit on the rear, but it is fairly minor compared to what I was getting before. I have found that American Eagle make a 15" wheel with a 3.25" backspace. If I can get a 15" wheel to clear the caliper on the rear axle that might be an option for me to lose the wheel spacers. However, given that I am still rubbing a bit with a 1.5" spacer, only gaining 1.25" in backspace probably is not enough.

Were you able to figure out how to make the Dixon shock towers work?

 

[mounty71]

No not yet, I decided just to wait on them until I do the whole front end.

On the rear I'm thinking about notching the side of the frame if I have to. Would doing that and moving the lower mounts in help? You could move the upper mounts in too but that would require more modification.

 

[DB_1]

Nice work...Is that Fish Creek Canyon? My buddy and I did a day trip through there last Nov. I'd like to do a weekend camping trip there sometime.

 

[theluke19]

Sorry that we missed each other.

Holy hell this picture is awesome. Do you have any more like it?

 

[Ranger242]

No not yet, I decided just to wait on them until I do the whole front end.

On the rear I'm thinking about notching the side of the frame if I have to. Would doing that and moving the lower mounts in help? You could move the upper mounts in too but that would require more modification.

I thought about doing the same thing. I still think that it could work. Now that my shock mounts are built into the cab cage and my wheel wells have been re-tubbed, I don't see myself reworking the back end to do what you are considering.

 

[Ranger242]

Nice work...Is that Fish Creek Canyon? My buddy and I did a day trip through there last Nov. I'd like to do a weekend camping trip there sometime.

Same general area I believe. We started out on Vallecito Wash and took the junction up Little Devil Wash. The first picture was taken in the canyon that exits after Devil's drop (Broken Shaft Gulch - I believe). The second picture was taken on the bench after the first of the three drops in Devil's drop. The third picture was taken in Little Devil's Wash.

 

[Ranger242]

Holy hell this picture is awesome. Do you have any more like it?

Thanks. I have a few more. Some turned out better than others.

 

[Rick]

It would be great if you could join us at Truck Haven in January:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397451

Great build!

 

[PrerunnerManiac]

Great build. I'd be great to get you out to Las Vegas so I can do shoot on your Explorer for Prerunner Maniac.

I have also taken over for Dixon Bros Racing and would love to add it to the gallery. PM me I you're interested.

Also do you have anymore detailed pics of your shackle set up? I just sold my Ranger and going to start building a 99 5.0 AWD Mountaineer. Your set up looks like it will provide more travel.

 

[Ranger242]

Great build. I'd be great to get you out to Las Vegas so I can do shoot on your Explorer for Prerunner Maniac.

I have also taken over for Dixon Bros Racing and would love to add it to the gallery. PM me I you're interested.

Also do you have anymore detailed pics of your shackle set up? I just sold my Ranger and going to start building a 99 5.0 AWD Mountaineer. Your set up looks like it will provide more travel.

PM sent.

 

[Ranger242]

Just hit the news stands!

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Congrats man!!!

 

[DoraThe_Explorer]

That's awesome! Congrats buddy!

 

[james t]

Congrats! I'll pick one up this weekend!

 

[turboexplorer]

Congrats! That's awesome!

 

[Rick]

Congratulations Off-Road always did have good taste in cover trucks