1998 XLT Daily Driver Build

[sandrat84]

I have 1998 Explorer XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 SOHC. My end goal is to have a mild daily driven prerunner/family hauler.
here it sits stock, minus after market wheels and 31

rear bumper mock up

receiver braces and sand whip brackets/end caps

i have to relocate the spare in order to fit the new bumper

 

[sandrat84]

next is cutting the rear frame to move the bumper in about an inch. i have a friend who will weld the bumper up and the cut hole in the frame

here is where the the spare tire carrier needs to be modified in order to clear the bumper and receiver. plan is cut the center out and 180 it. then reweld it in place so it curves inward to clear.

 

[sandrat84]

maintenance preformed: new plugs, new front pads, new rear rotors and pads, oil change, new pcv, and new wipers

swapped to a k&n drop in filter and removed the factory air box reducer

i plan on running true duals 90ed behind the passenger rear tire after I cut the rear quarters

here is how it will look once i get time to cut it

 

[2TimingTom]

Looking forward to the progress.

 

[sandrat84]

this weekend. I got around to replacing the front pinion seal and filling the front differential

 

[sandrat84]

i finished the frame cuts and crossmember mock up

clearanced my angle iron around the body mounts

new crossmember clamped in place

final frame cut and bumper bracket mock up

 

[sandrat84]

crossmember buttoned up

painted the crossmember

bumper is welded and painted
primer

.
paint

bumper to crossmember clearance

all thats left is round the whip mount edges so they aren't sharp