A couple pics of my project.

[Erki]

Wheels I'm not too picky. Whatever works, Id like to go with at least a 33" tire possibly 35". I plan to do spring over in the back. What are my options for lifts for the front to match the spring over? I have done some reading on cutting the I beams but not sure If I have read enough to tackle that yet.

By the way thanks all for posting and keeping me motivated. I'm quite enjoying it myself, especially since the explorer frame and tire width is working out so perfect. I didn't do any measuring or planning ahead. Just used it cuz it was cheap and fell into my lap. I'll probably be asking more questions in the future for lift ideas and help. As well probably upgrading engine and tranny and keeping 4wd.

 

[awdsixbolt]

You could do a sas in the front, from what i have read cutting the i beams is the same as just getting drop bracket but alot cheaper since you do the cutting and welding vice paying for the drop brackets.

 

[Erki]

yeah I'm not afraid to cut fab or weld. Just hopefully find enough info so I only have to cut once. I have thought about the SAS in front as well. If I find an axle for good price might go that route.

 

[Naasau]

Well, if you are aiming for 33" tires, I'd say a 6" lift would work great, and a SOA in the back will net you 5.5" or so as well, that with some custom shackles, and stock springs will be fine.

For the lift, I would suggest either Skyjacker (beefiest drop brackets ever made) or James Duff (who are also working the kinks out of a SAS box kit that looks beefy as hell - and they have a nice set of progressive rate lift coils) I went with some janky off brand TTB drop brackets and nearly got myself killed... and then bought the skyjacker ones in the end anyway, so that'd be my 2 cents there.

Also, look up the JD upper coil buckets with dual shock mounts... they are tasty.

 

[hondakillah]

I vote keep the TTB. Sure it's not going to be the greatest thing for extreme off-roading, but I feel that not enough people proudly rock it. And if you're showing off that you're keeping the explorer at heart, keep the TTB, once again.

 

[Rick]

Looks like a great build! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[Erki]

Well, if you are aiming for 33" tires, I'd say a 6" lift would work great, and a SOA in the back will net you 5.5" or so as well, that with some custom shackles, and stock springs will be fine.

For the lift, I would suggest either Skyjacker (beefiest drop brackets ever made) or James Duff (who are also working the kinks out of a SAS box kit that looks beefy as hell - and they have a nice set of progressive rate lift coils) I went with some janky off brand TTB drop brackets and nearly got myself killed... and then bought the skyjacker ones in the end anyway, so that'd be my 2 cents there.

Also, look up the JD upper coil buckets with dual shock mounts... they are tasty.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Naasau]

I vote keep the TTB. Sure it's not going to be the greatest thing for extreme off-roading, but I feel that not enough people proudly rock it. And if you're showing off that you're keeping the explorer at heart, keep the TTB, once again.

I'm with Killah. Besides, the thing that I love most about the Dana 35 TTB is that my 4 door X can turn tighter circles than my wife's '06 Heep Rubicon or her dad's lifted CJ-7. The TTB is an awesome piece of engineering and I wouldn't trade it for the world. (That statement is based, of course, on my off-road driving style and my terrain, as the rockies tend to require turning radius more than extreme flex)

Just be aware that the alignment is going to be a bit of a PITA, only because alignment shops tend to not know how to tune a TTB properly. I gave up on them and I do my own now, there are some great threads around here somewhere that describe the process better than I ever could.

 

[bcbid]

That is thinking outside of the box!!!!awesome build.

 

[Erki]

I traded my old tires from my Tundra for these 285/75/16's for This project. Now just need to find some cheap 16" wheels.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Now that is starting to look really really Tough!!

 

[hunter930]

Looking good! Cant wait to see more.

 

[1Aauto]

This is pretty awesome.....Pulling up a chair

 

[RaveDigger]

Subscribed

 

[specialized7]

wow what a great idea, this is so cool.
it kind of reminds me of my neibours build

 

[O.Madsen]

DAMN! This is so cool. I like the way it looks.. Both of them.. Too bad rigs like that can´t pass inspection over here. No chance to get plates on a f**ker like that.. : (

 

[Xeek]

its coming along so nice. i want to see it finished already (and in my driveway lol)
specialized7, that one looks so nice

 

[Erki]

thats a sweet truck.

I have a feeling there could be a bit of a hassle with inspections to get it actually registered as a modified explorer or whatever else would work. but It isn't my only vehicle as a daily driver so i'll just be patient.

 

[Erki]

So, Im going to need to do an extension on the steering shaft since I had to move the cab back to center the wheels in the wheel wells. I was wondering if anyone has cut and welded an extension in, or where I could purchase an actual extension for our model Explorers?

 

[specialized7]

The body lift comes with a Steering shaft extension, maybe you could get just that part from summit or performance accessories.