2001 XLT D44-SAS

[Spas]

are you gonna wheel it?

I'd like to know who on Earth he's gonna wheel with... the only other Explorer on the North East coast in that league is Skunk! I'd never be able to go the places that beast'll be able to go. It's a pity about the rear bumper needing the BL to work; It's my understanding that losing even 3" makes a helluva difference in on road handling as well as preventing tippage in off camber situations. If you don't mind me asking (and I don't mean this in any kind of negative way, I'm just curious), you've been fourwheeling before, right?


Wow. Good Gawd that sucker's huuuuge. I dare say the taxis will think twice about cuttin you off, LOL.

 

[cdsl227]

I ordered them and the DOM (tube) from M.O.R.E . I forget what the individual parts cost, but I think the total for 3 Right Hand thread and 3 Left Hand tube ends + rod ends (3/4") w/jam nuts + 15' (3 x 5' sections) of the heaviest tube they sell (1-1/2" x .250 wall) was about $470.

The heims have the Teflon inserts so they're self lubricating...

If you go with heims best bet is to get some misalignment spacers, I had to order them after the fact and I'm still waiting...I ordered them from another place that's closer.

HEAVY DUTY Tube!

 

[cdsl227]

I'd like to know who on Earth he's gonna wheel with... the only other Explorer on the North East coast in that league is Skunk! I'd never be able to go the places that beast'll be able to go. It's a pity about the rear bumper needing the BL to work; It's my understanding that losing even 3" makes a helluva difference in on road handling as well as preventing tippage in off camber situations. If you don't mind me asking (and I don't mean this in any kind of negative way, I'm just curious), you've been fourwheeling before, right?


Wow. Good Gawd that sucker's huuuuge. I dare say the taxis will think twice about cuttin you off, LOL.

Nope, not really. I had it on the beach in Florida a coupla times, but I got stuck- AWD+open differentials stinks. I plan on going wheeling with it at some point.

I can lose the Body Lift if I modify the rear bumper, but then I'll have to modify the front now also...sounds like a next summer project if anything. Right now I'm just trying to beat the weather.

It might actually look a little better without the BL, but it's staying for now...

I think I'm going to have to set up some mirrors so I can see the front for driving in traffic.

 

[cdsl227]

Here's a link to an article that lists specs for Rancho shocks...

Shock Tech Article

Thanks again Robb!

By the way...I can't get those damn springs to flatten out for nothing!

 

[zainyD]

Looks great!!!!!

 

[cdsl227]

Thanks!

I got in the universals and DD steering shaft.

I ordered the universal from the box to 3/4" DD according to what JBG said it was and they were wrong, rather than hassle with returning the new universal I got from No Limit Power Steering I just took one joint apart for the 3/4"x36 spline end I needed for the box end of the shaft...I'm going to put in the carrier (support) bearing just to add some stability, it doesn't need it, but since I bought it I'm going to use it.

The universals are Flaming River and they can run at a 45 degree angle.

Steering box is in and the support for the passenger side is almost completely welded...shock towers go on tomorrow if I have time.

I flipped the tie rod over the top of the knuckle end to gain some height, I'm going to weld in a 3"x1.75"x1" plate tab to connect the drag link and tie rod. Angle doesn't look like it's going to be bad at all.

 

[j602]

Lookin good. Is finishing the steering up the only thing you have left to do?

 

[cdsl227]

Lookin good. Is finishing the steering up the only thing you have left to do?

I have to change out the transfer case and get drive shafts, regear the rear to 4.56 and put in an ARB (I should do it myself, but in the interest of time- I'll take it somewhere), brakes (but I have almost everything), mount the F-250 shock towers (running duals front), rear brakes good enough for now (gotta locate a longer hose), power steering hoses...

I'm going to lengthen the rear shaft so I can move it around till I change the T-Case.

The T-Case is going to be the pain, still gotta get an Atlas II.

I think that's about it.

I give it ~2 more weeks.

 

[cdsl227]

Got the high pressure power steering hose made today a fitting for the low pressure side.

I'm assuming the smaller hole - 5/16th was the high side, I tried to find out for sure, but nobody seemed to know.

Also got the extended stainless steel braided hose in for the front brakes.

I'll be starting up the truck for the first time in like 3-4 months tomorrow...

 

[Robb]

The universals are Flaming River and they can run at a 45 degree angle.

And WOW!! You are pushing that claim to the limit aren't you? Hope that works out, that is a MEAN steering angle!!

 

[RFR2212]

Good to see it commin together, tires look too small... Have you actually measured them? Ricks ol 35in claws only measured out to 33s

 

[cdsl227]

Robb-
The angle is a little on the high side, but it's smooth as hell. I thought there'd be some binding, but there's none.

I could drop in another universal, I got the support bearing in case that was the case, but I'd rather not run 3 universals...I'll see what happens and if I feel the need I'll add another and put in the support bearing.

That one joint with the mean angle is actually 1/2 Flaming River and 1/2 whatever I got from JBG, I had to split one and combine them because I ordered 13/16x36 spline base on what JBG said it was, they were wrong it's 3/4x36. It was too late to switch the order once I found out- so I worked it.

RFR2212-

I saw some specs on the claws, they're supposedly a true 35" OD. That was my concern when I was shopping for tires. I have a pic in this thread somewhere of a 35" SuperSwamper and a 35" Claw side-by-side and the difference is like Whoa!

I'm going to measure them up tomorrow...

 

[cdsl227]

I drove it out of the yard tonight...

I'll get better pics tomorrow...I have to get the wheels somewhat aligned, the shocks are coming in from Sams tomorrow (well today). I bought 2 pairs RS9012 for the front and 2 pairs RS9126 for the rear.

I took it for a short slow drive, I didn't do too well aligning the wheels...so-

I'm going to try (and I did say try) to get a local shop to do a basic wheel alignment on it first thing tomorrow morning.

I had the stock drive shaft retubed so I can use the truck temporarily. I should be buying the Atlas II transfer case next week, after that I'll get permanent shafts made.

I still have to drop a crossmember in it. I'm going to put a piece of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 1/4" box tube with a removable bracket welded as close as possible to the steering box to split the work between the 2 frame rails and to provide support under the front half of the engine.

And the tires actually measured out to just shy of 35".

 

[j602]

As said before, that thing is massive. It dwarfs those 35's. Besides the alignment issue, did the test drive feel pretty solid?

 

[Premier]

Wow.

 

[cdsl227]

As said before, that thing is massive. It dwarfs those 35's. Besides the alignment issue, did the test drive feel pretty solid?

I'm definitely going to have to lock down those buggy leafs for the street.

I don't think I got over 10mph...I just went to fill it up with gas, when I put it in the yard I made sure I ran it down low on gas...I didn't want it back there with a full tank just in case...even though it's the fumes that ignite- the fuel is what burns.

It did feel solid, but the alignment is too far off to tell, plus no shocks. I must have the toe-in too far in. I didn't put in a track bar yet, that's another definite.

It was real hard trying to get a measurement with all the stuff in the way...so I know that's got to be way off, besides the steel tape measure isn't the best way to work it.

I should be able to actually drive it by Friday- tomorrow wheel alignment, shocks and recheck the caster.

That Bronco box with the 2001X pump turns the tires like butter.

 

[cdsl227]

Wow.

Exactly what I said when I pulled up behind a car at the light!

I'm gonna have to learn how to drive all over again! Cause I can't see ****!!

 

[Nick26]

awesome!! will a track bar matter with leaf springs? the springs should control lateral movement on their own i would think.

 

[cdsl227]

awesome!! will a track bar matter with leaf springs? the springs should control lateral movement on their own i would think.

They do, but some say it makes a difference and some don't need it...

I've got the buggy leafs so if I lock them down I might not need it...playing it by ear, but I think I'm going to put one in at this point.

 

[stretch]

Now I'm really jealous! That thing looks awesome. Maybe I missed it, but do you mind saying how much the Bronco steering box cost you?