2nd gen clip on 1st gen.. | Ford Explorer Forums

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2nd gen clip on 1st gen..

Xeek

Explorer Addict
Joined
March 21, 2010
Messages
2,868
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City, State
Virginia Beach, VA
Year, Model & Trim Level
1991 xlt
i can get anything i want off a donor for the conversion. what exactly is needed to graft it together? cut inner fenders apart and reweld 2nd gen front half on?

and are the doors the same? my doors are gutted so i dont care about the doorpanel fitment and stuff. i just need a new door shell
 



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From what I've seen, welding an entire 2nd gen front frame and body on is the ultra-overkill hard way of doing it.

It looks like you could just cut out the front radiator support panel and weld in one from a 2nd gen, make whatever mods, if any, needed to the existing front inner fender pieces for the sloped 2nd gen hood to fit, and that should be it.

Of course, if you're doing this on a lifted rig with big tires, you can just get the fiberglass conversion kits, they even have ones to make the front end look like a 01+ Sport / Sport Trac and F-150 Raptor instead of the older 2nd gen conversion.

attachment.php


explorer-to-raptor-conversion-4-medium.jpg


photo-w2.jpg


Of course, similar DIY "conversions" are also possible. It doesn't take a whole lot to stick different headlights or taillamps on a vehicle if you just do a little bodywork and wiring.
 






From what I've seen, welding an entire 2nd gen front frame and body on is the ultra-overkill hard way of doing it.

It looks like you could just cut out the front radiator support panel and weld in one from a 2nd gen, make whatever mods, if any, needed to the existing front inner fender pieces for the sloped 2nd gen hood to fit, and that should be it.

Of course, if you're doing this on a lifted rig with big tires, you can just get the fiberglass conversion kits, they even have ones to make the front end look like a 01+ Sport / Sport Trac and F-150 Raptor instead of the older 2nd gen conversion.

attachment.php


explorer-to-raptor-conversion-4-medium.jpg


photo-w2.jpg


Of course, similar DIY "conversions" are also possible. It doesn't take a whole lot to stick different headlights or taillamps on a vehicle if you just do a little bodywork and wiring.

O MY !! , That Raptor look would be sweet on my Navajo lol !!.
 






I don't need bigger fender wells, tops of my tires are damn near at the bottom of the rockers. Don't want glass as I'm planning to smash it up. My front end is already smashed to bits and i have a 2nd Gen on hand to work with. The only salvageable part off mine is the inner and outer fenders, Core support is banged up but OK. Lol

The way I see it, cut the top half of the inner fenders off mine and graft the 2nd gens to my lower half. Same for core support. After that Its bolt on? How far down mine do I need to cut?

What you see is what I have with mine lol
ForumRunner_20131125_181424.jpg
 






The way I see it, cut the top half of the inner fenders off mine and graft the 2nd gens to my lower half. Same for core support. After that Its bolt on? How far down mine do I need to cut?

I don't think you need to cut the entire upper half of the inner fenders, just the very front where the hood curve starts. That's assuming there actually is any difference. You might not even need to weld in anything, just trim or beat in any metal that's in the way of the hood closing or that needs to meet up with the core support.

Weld in the 2nd gen radiator support and either splice wires or do what you need to get the signal and marker lights working, swap wires for the headlight bulbs (the 9007 bulbs will work ok with the 9004 plugs but need the wires switched around)


Overall it's very cosmetic though. If you're just planning to smash it up as a trail rig why bother with a sheet metal swap?

You could do something more custom by popping in some 7" round or 6x8"/200m headlamp buckets and using E-code lenses instead of plastic, and make a custom metal grille and bumper for improved front end protection.
 






True. But I've noticed around here at picknpull they barely have any explorers anymore, plus most are 2nd genes. So it'd be easier to replace parts
I have the 2nd Gen anyway. And fabbing a bit aint no biggie.
I've got a full painless harness so wireing isn't an issue either.

Guess start cutting and see how things line up. Ill be sure to have some detailed pics if I remember
 
























Yeah, TTB...

1-2-medium.jpg

from the pic posted , you couldn't see the full front suspension , I seen the coilover and just assumed a 2nd gen , excuse my lack of detail and I retract my Previous statement :D
 






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