2002 "Predator" Sport Trac

[Predator Trac]

So i finally got around to making a profile and joining the forum. My name is Chad, and this is my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. I bought her on September 11 2015. Nicknamed Predator, and as you will see throughout the build my "logo" of sorts that i put on all my fab work is the predator symbol.

 

[Predator Trac]

Day 2

I previously owned a 98 ford ranger, so the day after i bought it i cranked the torsion bars all the way, and swapped over the wheels and 2" spacers. had to do a bit of trimming but i intend to cut off the lower part of the valence later on anyway. and also repainted the brushguard and the steps, and painted all the trim black.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum!

 

[Predator Trac]

First Week of October 2015

Decided to scrap the brushguard and build a tube bumper and skid plate. the brushguard uprights are all that i used for the bumper, and the skid plate bolts to the factory plastic skid plate mounts on the bottom of the frame rail. The skid plate has two cradles that the bumper sits on. Both plates are aluminum and bolted on to allow easy access to any engine parts underneath.

 

[Mike65]

Welcome.

 

[Reverend Greg]

Jesus Man!
From one fabricator to another, you have skill.
Welcome.
Greg

 

[Predator Trac]

Jesus Man!
From one fabricator to another, you have skill.
Welcome.
Greg

Thanks much man! I absolutely love fabrication. tonight I'll try and upload a picture of my old ranger, I fabbed the bumper and chase rack and steps on it, they were absolutely badass.

 

[Tech By Trade]

How does she handle at highway speed with the offset so far out? The only truck I have ever had the privileged of driving with the offset that far out was a late 90's chevy of my brother inlaws, and it handled like a grain truck with no load at 70mph. Quite scary actually.

 

[Predator Trac]

How does she handle at highway speed with the offset so far out? The only truck I have ever had the privileged of driving with the offset that far out was a late 90's chevy of my brother inlaws, and it handled like a grain truck with no load at 70mph. Quite scary actually.

She rides like a ####ing dream...offset has absolutely nothing to do with how a truck handles at highway speeds, bad sway bars or poorly done suspension causes that. The offset actually improves driving because it is a larger track width, making it more stable at higher speeds. And having the 4.10 gears make running these size tires a breeze

 

[Tech By Trade]

Huh, I always thought it changed the force angles on the suspension itself rendering it less functional than stock, and if you go far enough non functional. With solid axles in the back, not so much, but independent would be more of an issue. I guess not.

 

[Predator Trac]

Huh, I always thought it changed the force angles on the suspension itself rendering it less functional than stock, and if you go far enough non functional. With solid axles in the back, not so much, but independent would be more of an issue. I guess not.

Yeah it would if you had like a 12" wide rim with a 2 inch backspacing and massive tires, like show trucks, but on a 16x8 with 4.5 backspacing and 2 inch spacers with only a 10.50 tire, the only difference you notice between this and stock is you feel a lot more stable when off-roading and high speed turns, and it's an improvement over stock

 

[1Aauto]

Thanks for joining Chad, great looking truck!

Tony