95 Exploader Solid Axle Swap Info Needed for New Owner

[OneWheelBiting]

I just bought the explorer and I bought it on the fact it was a cheap farm/work truck but I think it needs a solid front axle. I am going to do a SOA convert on the rear axle along with a add a leaf for about 5in lift there. I just need a real front end. I am a logger, some wheeling is part of the job. I use jeeps mainly but for $2500 of a 95 one owner explorer with 53k miles on it I became a ford guy quick. Well I want to run leaf springs up front so lay it out for me what kind of options do I have........I got a welder, set of torches, and lots of other tools( family in the scrap metal business for years). HELP

 

[hazardiz]

well the first word that comes to mind is.... SEARCH :fire: ...the search option on forums is a great way to start...second of all just go through all the solid axle threads and just get ideas, look at pictures, etc. I solid axled mine with leafs in the front...so if ya got questions...go for it...as for axle...you'll hafta decide if you want to stay minitruck width...then you'll need an early bronco front diff...but they are coil sprung...so then you'd need to get a leaf sprung D44 or 60 dependin on how big ya wanna go...and have the front diff narrowed to stay with the stock width...or replace both front and rear diffs as i did and make it a tiny bit wider ...comes down to what you want to use it for...mud? rocks? general trails? a bit of everything...? post what questions ya got...once you've done your research of course

 

[OneWheelBiting]

Well,

As to what I want to do is Leaves. I have a set of 2.5 tons I had cut down by a machine shop I was saving for a jeep project I could use but I was thinking a Dana 30 would be a good way to go for the axle. As for springs I thought I would use a set from a early 70's chevy truck 1/2 ton for length and flex reasons. As for perches I would just get some weld on's. Now for mounting the spring to the truck I thought I would french in the rear hanger to the frame and go with a revolver shackle set up for the front. If I don't go that route I am looking at just getting together some 1.5 .250 walled stainless tube and have the shop at the yard cut some rod end thread inserts out of stainless and just build a basic 4 link coil over front(trianglated to prevent alot of side to side shifting). for the money going that away I would just use a set of fox coil overs and bend up a set of towers for the shock mounting and a cross over tube to stiffin up the towers. That route will put me in at $200 in steel, $350 in shocks, $100 in rod ends(hiems joints), and $250 in extras I know will come up......plus the axle I would have to buy either way.

Later
Thoughts needed

 

[OneWheelBiting]

As for the terrain I drive on.....My drive way is 14 miles of Right of way all mountains and mud, rocks here and there and up and down to boot....That is the ride to and from the road home every day. If you never been to the mountains of east ky before you need to go. It doesn't get much rougher or wilder. I know I lived in Truckee, Ca out near the rubicon (joke) trail and I have seen proove so many times before it don't take much as long as you are a good driver and know you limits to travel that piece of ****.....But to run here in the woods you need clearance, Tires, lockers, flex, and stablity.......Power is a second place item as you will be in low most all the time. Anyone else from the mountains of ky that could help explain the demands of having more then two elements to contend with in a single mile of trail or road?


Thanks

My explorer I just got stays at the high way and I drive my jeep out to it every morning, I would rather be able to drive the exploader to the house since I store my saws, and data equipment in it.

 

[hazardiz]

what do you do for work that you store data equipment and other kool stuff in the ex? well it seems like you have it all figured out already as for what your wanna run...the only thing i would suggest is doing a d44 in the front instead of the d30(big difference for 2.5 tons...haha)...yes your bolt pattern will change and you'd either hafta get adapter plates for the front or rear or simply change the rear axle...but the d44 is much easier to get parts for and has the added strength...but thats just my 2 bits...k well i understand what you mean as in crazy mountain road driving as i live in the rocky mountains in BC's north...which is way awesome and super crazy terrain here too...but the whole idea with the weld on perches and rod ends sounds good...if you can...go with the triangulated 4 link...it would work awesome...but leafs are the tried and true tough suspension that you can still get awesome flex from if done right...the only thing you'll hafta figure out if you do the leafs is the front perches/crossmember...which obviously from your available parts/tools/expertise, it shouldn't be a problem...i used 2001 ranger rear packs in the front...i built 4 packs into 2 so it would hold the heavy end of the truck...but they are almost flat and flex awesome..

as for the pricing of the project...ya might be able to get the steel cheap from work or somewhere, but the rule of thumb...what ever you budget for a project...double that...and its about where you'll end up...thats the way it always ends up for me at least...the other question is how much you wanna flex and how big a tire do you wanna run? cause depending on that is how high you truck will hafta go or fender trimming you'll hafta do...what were you thinking for lockers and gears?

 

[slravene]

and another thing....you wil get MUCH more than 5 inches out back with a SOA and AAL...more like 8 inches or somewhere in the whereabouts....just some info for ya

 

[bmxking5]

^^Definitely agree with Lee. I plan on temporarily running the SOA and AAL setup in the back when I do my SAS and I'll have about 7-8" of lift.

 

[Rick]

Search through this forum http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=63 You'll find loads of ideas.

 

[OneWheelBiting]

Thanks,

As for why I carry a Data Logger? I do low impact logging and forestry using horses and other low impact options. I do a lot of soil samples checking for compaction and fertility. I also have to keep the data for harvested log age and average growth ring thickness. The data logger is like a laptop with out a hard drive.....every thing is stored to RAM about 10 Gigs worth of if. That way I don't have to worry with a I/O error or other lame ass thing claiming a season worth of data. In the off time I compile this data to share with the local forestry department and clients I have. I do all this out of my hippy need to make something better as it is not required by law or recommended by the forestry departments anywhere. But hey I get a lot of work and I get a lot of repeat clients...... www.RatliffLogging.com

Later

 

[n3m3s1s]

Edited by admin...

congrats on your explorer purchase.

like everyone else said, search and you shall learn more than you ever wanted to know.

 

[OneWheelBiting]

Well I think I am going with a 94 Dana 30 out of a YJ Jeep. I intend to weld up some tubing though I thought about a leaf sprung set up. The fact that fox 2.5 coil overs are $375 each ready setup with springs made me change my mind. Now for the real questions....Should I move my axle forward 3 inches? and should I use a 4 link setup with a axle truss as a trianglation point? I am just going to run 3/4 rod ends as links with 14mm bores. Also I am going to use stainless tube but if anyone knows how to powder coat or where I can buy a kit to do it at home I would like to here from you. All help welcome.


Later

 

[SkunkMagnum]

What size and type of tires are you gonna run? Why an AAL and an SOA? I would just wait on the AAL and see if you really need it.

 

[OneWheelBiting]

Skunk,

I am going to use the coilovers upfront and do the SAS ASAP since I managed some real damage this past week out in Pike CO. So I ended up with a set of Dana's out of a Dodge 1 ton single wheel truck I am going to put both axles up under the exploader. I should be starting work the first weekend of Nov. I will be using a shop I own out at HWY 151 and I-64 in Frankfort(40601) just down the road from you in louisville. You should get a hold of me to come by if you want. Also I got a set of shortend 2 ton axles you might be interested in.

Later,
Me