1994 Explorer 4x4 Monster Build Suggestions

[boomer0587]

Hey Guys,

I've been on the site for a while but haven't been around much in the past 2 years. I used to drive my Explorer everyday and then I got my Ranger. The explorer has been sitting for sometime now. Last weekend I decided to get it back up and on the road so I can start my new project.

This is probably the same as every other newbie thread you all see. I am basically looking for a crash course. I am open to any suggestion.

So, basically I just want to turn the Explorer into an awesomely fun offroad vehicle that can still be driven on the street from time to time. I really just want it to be HUGE!!! I don't know if 35's are in the question or not but I really don't want any tire size lower than 33's.

As much as I know as of now is that I have these options, im guessing.
Dead Link Removed

Can I do a 4" suspension and then add blocks for and extra 2"? Or should I do it in conjunction with a BL?

Any help or suggestions on the best methods to acheive this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: I fat fingered the title, it's actually a '92...whoops

 

[Doomie17]

i have a 93 and i run 35's with a 3 inch body lift and maybe 2 inch suspension llift from coil spacers and shackles. you can get a 5.5 inch lift from superlift for about a grand on 4wheelparts.com.

 

[boomer0587]

Awesome information! thanks! Do you have any pics of your rig?

 

[Baddecision93]

I have a 92 I'm building right now!

Check my sig for my registry, you'll prob pass me if you're quicker at putting on parts, lol.

I just finished doing a 4" Rough Country lift for the front w/spring over axle for the rear. That netted me enough clearance for 33s, although I haven't tried them out at full steering lock (I just borrowed a buddies 33s and put them next to my tires on the truck).

The biggest thing about that size is you're going to need to run some better gears in there to move 33s at any decent speed (try 3.73s or higher).
What gears do you have now?

Let me know what all you end up doing, I might want to copy
Also, let me know if you want any tips if you end up doing that suspension option. I learned a lot being that I'm a very amateur mechanic.

Also, if you really want closer to 6", just run F-150 coil seats in the front, do an add-a-leaf in the back with the spring over and the Rough Country 4" and you'll get all the clearance you want.
I will caution you that you will need to extend your driveline at 6", as well as potentially purchase extended steering linkage. I think the better bet would be a 32/12.5. You'll get a little extra clearance, a nice wide footprint, and you won't have to dinker around with all the extra work that comes with going from 4" of lift to 6".

 

[boomer0587]

You gave me a ton of good points to think about. Right now, it is just stock gearing. Actually the whole truck is pretty much stock right now. I think I way just stick to a 4" suspension lift and possibly a 2" body lift. Does anyone have this setup?

 

[boomer0587]

Is this the best way to do a SOA?http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46236

 

[Baddecision93]

Is this the best way to do a SOA?http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46236

Yes, this is. I ran into a few hiccups I can talk you through if you like it. I finished mine up Sunday morning. For reference, my Rough Country kit was $365 (I got a free shipping promo), I had to buy new shocks at $36/ea, and the spring perches were only like $13 at Summit.
Any questions, just ask.

 

[boomer0587]

This one from their site is 440 with Hydro 8000 shocks. Am I looking at the right thing? Do you know of any documentation on gearing also?

 

[Baddecision93]

Ya, decline their shocks. Everyone I talked to said that the bushings that the bolts go through fail rather quickly and then you are left with a wobbly shock and a rattle from the metal bolt hitting the metal housing.

And as far as gearing, you can find your current gear from the sticker on your driver side door.
The door sticker looks like this:
http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2583270

The codes are:
http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

To distill it down, the bigger the gear number, the quicker the takeoff and the higher RPMs you run at cruising speed.
Basically you have to strike a compromise between crawling/low speed ability and highway cruising. Think that changing the diameter of the tire changes the entire ratio (which is why bigger tires = different gears).
Using correct gearing you are able to match or beat factory takeoff, even with bigger tires.
This chart helps to illustrate:
http://www.4wheelonline.com/superlift_tiresize.htm

Here is another helpful post:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153160

Finally, a color-coded one to simplify what you should be shooting for:
http://www.sierrabronco.com/TireGearRatio.htm

 

[boomer0587]

I replaced the tranny about 2 years ago with one a junkyard gave me. Is there anyway to find out the gearing by looking at any markings on the tranny itself?

 

[Baddecision93]

I replaced the tranny about 2 years ago with one a junkyard gave me. Is there anyway to find out the gearing by looking at any markings on the tranny itself?

The gears, as I am referencing them, are in the differentials in the axles. I would assume a junkyard tranny would have been sold as a transmission alone, no new axles. Correct?

 

[boomer0587]

Yeah just the transmission... duh....my bad, still learning all of this :/ I just got done reading your thread and it looks to be extremely helpful!

 

[Baddecision93]

Hey, I'm still learning too man no worries.

If I wasn't it wouldn't have taken me over a week to finish my lift and I'd be driving the dang thing right now, lol.

We're all learning, always. I'm gonna keep keyed in to this thread but PM me if you ever have any specific questions. I'll impart what knowledge I have and try to admit when I have no clue.

 

[boomer0587]

hahah thanks for your help, I'm sure you will be seeing a few PM's from me in the future

 

[Doomie17]

here are some pics. and i can tell you one thing you do not want 3.27 gears with 35 inch tires.