410Fortune - 96 5.0L XLT refurbish (making 1 great Ex from 2)

[410Fortune]

Not as far as I can tell I measured and measured and it appears to be 100% untouched.

The previous owner did not have the front two body mounts installed (3" body lift). Apparently he couldnt get the bolts out or something so they were just left with the radiator support kinda hanging there. Shortly after he wrecked it, light front end and it pushed the body/headlight etc back but the frame just slid right under un-touched.

the shape of the Gen II frame horns is odd, it looks twisted when you look at it from different angles, I prefer my boxy BII rails.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

any updates?

 

[r37ribution]

...the shape of the Gen II frame horns is odd, it looks twisted when you look at it from different angles, I prefer my boxy BII rails.

agreed

even if the front horns are bent sometimes it doesnt tweak the rest of the frame and just needs to be straightened...for example a '97 X I had repaired, the front was hammered against a poll by a 16 year old girl whose daddy couldn't afford full coverage, the front horns were bent at like a 30 degree angle and the rest of the frame was purfect.

what the hell does TTB mean anyways? I'm assuming it has something to do with IFS?

 

[410Fortune]

TTB is twin traction beam, or the earlier 4x4 suspension found under 83-97 Rangers, 84-90 BII's and Gen I Explorer's.

the damage on my green explorer STOPPED at the control arm brackets, the frame horns from there forward were tweaked alot more then 30 degree's This truck was slamed into a concret barrier at aprox 40 mph head on, then deflected straight up in the air and landed on its side, sliding another 10-15 feet. All the damage was forward of the front axle, the frame rails (you can ee in the pics) twisted like wet noodles...
I will be able to keep 80% of the front end parts for spares.

As for updates I am out of town for the holidays, when I get back next week I am having a friend come over to run 220V to the garage. Once this is done I can weld in the new radiator support. Before this happens however I will take a weekend and install the new cam/lifters/pushrods and prep the truck for the new body parts

As with all projects I am waiting on more $$$ in the budget

 

[JS91X]

what kind of welder did you get ?

 

[410Fortune]

Hobart 180 Mig, 220V with Argon/C02

I need to run 220 to the garage, happening next week, then it is ON!!

I got a self adjusting mask and gloves for X mas as well

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

Cool i bet they will be put to good use

 

[410Fortune]

Lifted or Lowered, I cannot decide people! I am back and forth onthis daily

There are some awesome 4x4 A arm lift kits about to hit the market in addition to the Dixon Bro's kit that is already out.

towing is a concern but I just love the idea of being able to do a little romping in a 4 door ex and a 4-5" lifted 4x could tow my boat just fine.

HELP!

Updates to this thread coming real soon, I cut off the rad support metal with a chissel and have swapped out alot of the underhood stuff with the new refurbished (cleaned basically) stuff from my lower milage rolled truck.

I also ordered my camshaft (E-303), timing set and water pump. Once it is installed I am ready to weld on the new rad support and then its just bolting it all back together and buying all the parts I need.

Whatever I decide the body lift is coming off ASAP. Also I will be swapping the 8.8 from the green truck under this one once its running.

Green truck = 87K miles
Blue truck = 153K miles

 

[slravene]

lift it....for sure

 

[FROADER]

Lifted or Lowered, I cannot decide people! I am back and forth onthis daily

Don't make me drive to CO and

you!!

Lift it!

 

[Nick26]

I say lift it, then you can go full all out rock crawler on the B2 can't you? you did say you wanted the best of both worlds, whats better than having a truck specifcally for each!

 

[410Fortune]

the only thing is I already have the BII and the big tires and noisy cab gets old after a while a Slightly lowered stock suspension and 18 mpg just sounds like a nice change of pace, thats about the only argument I can make for that

that and the $$$$ it costs to go up with LT

 

[FROADER]

Doesn't it already have 33s on it?

 

[96limitedX]

i'd say keep it lifted..or lift it more...but put some A/t tires on it so noise is not a problem.

 

[zainyD]

I say just do a TT and add-a-leafs or shackles, front locker, 31's and call it a day, but it's up to you.

 

[rookieshooter]

the only thing is I already have the BII and the big tires and noisy cab gets old after a while a Slightly lowered stock suspension and 18 mpg just sounds like a nice change of pace, thats about the only argument I can make for that

that and the $$$$ it costs to go up with LT

That's a good argument. I like the idea of getting into my stock X with non aggresive tires, stock exhaust system putting the windows up and listining to my CD.s or nothing at all. Sometimes silence is golden. But then again I do have the B11 and can't imagine how loud inside the cab is going to be.

 

[410Fortune]

you = wind noise hahaha
Think of driving a boat with tire sounds instead of water.

My BII is just squeaky, the body mounts and shocks, etc.
Thats okay all that is the next project (cage tied into cab, interior stripped down, body mounts all replaced w/urethane and a fine tuned suspension.
Dont get me wrong the BII takes bumps in the road better then a stock Explorer, it's plush, but driving around in my 96 (pre rollover) or room mates Sport Trac or in my parents cars I am like, hmmmmmm nice and quiet, no big tires, gas gage doesn't move every time you go to get the mail, etc...hahaha



Yes the 96 has a 3" BL and 33" worn out mudders on stock rims.
This sucker had mud packed up around the top of the fuel filler, I think I took about 85# of mud off the truck already, and everytime I hit it with a hammer more mud dust falls to the floor This AWD was taken through some stuff by the previus owner for sure! The blue interior also has mud all over it.

The BL is coming off however, but that will be after shes back on the road and running around a bit. If I decide (more like when) to lift it the truck would get a long travel 4-5" suspension (no more torsion bars) and a low range t case. would get 33's, no 31's for me Sport Trac fiberglass as well.
I think you guys can see where I am going with this.

But that costs $$$$$$$$$$$$$ and will take time.

Here are a couple pictures showing the sheetmetal on the inner fenders, just after I used a hammer and chisel (thats right by hand) to remove the remains of the radiator support:

That sucker cut right through the factory spot welds with no problems. Took approx 2 hours to do both sides going slow (football was on):

I'll get some pictures of the rest of the work ASAP.
Getting closer, plenty to do while I wait for more parts...

 

[briwayjones]

Lifted or Lowered, I cannot decide people! I am back and forth onthis daily

I vote lower it. Make a nice DD out of it. You already have your BII lifted and were talking about getting a ranger or something lifting it and turning it into a desert rig.

 

[410Fortune]

yes this would eliminate the Ranger project, but then I could do a Mustang hahahaha

 

[r37ribution]

cars are designed to be lowered...

trucks are designed to be lifted...

nuff said