Big ideas and big plans..

[Poorwheelers]

Hi, I am 17 and have been a part of this forum for quite some time now. I have learned so much about explorers, trucks, and many other things. So i thank you all for your ample knowledge. Anyway... My dream is to have my own custom fab shop, i work at one down here in Ms in the summer between football. Right now it looks as if i will be playing college ball, but thats another story. So... Enough with the bs.

I have a 1996 E.B. Explorer 4.0 OHV 4wd and all that good stuff, I got it for 1000 dollars and have been driving it for about 2 years now, I am planning to do a SAS this summer. I have the tools and what not, and i have been researching this well.. Since ive been part of this forum. I want to do a SAS for 2 reasons, 1) To wheel the crap out of it and 2) I plan to build everthing for the truck myself(bumpers roof rack sliders console etc.) and to use it as a advertisement piece. Here are the plans:

Rear:
8.8 Ford axle
4.88 gears
S.O.A.

Front:
D35
4.88 gears

Shocks/coils:
8.5-9" XJ Coils
Bilstein 5150 shocks

Type of suspension:
3 link with a panhard
Leafs in the back

Tires:
33" dont know yet..

stock motor, t case, and tranny

I have to finish my panhard design and then i will post 3D pics of my 3 link so yall can critique and help me out some.

Completely open to suggestions tips insults and compliments, you know more than i do. For now

 

[LONO100]

just make sure you dont put the rig over your education! good luck with everything. where will you be ballin'?

 

[FROADER]

The list looks good except the front axle. Did you mean D30?

Good luck with it all and keep up posted.

 

[Poorwheelers]

Thats the thing.. D30 or 35?

LONO100: Not sure yet.. still a junior so who knows

 

[FROADER]

I guess I'm asking what would you get D35 out of?

In my experience, I wouldn't go smaller than the D44. I broke stock shafts with mild wheeling. I never broke the upgraded axle shaft though.

 

[Poorwheelers]

Dont know what i was thinkin... D35 is rear axle in jeeps.. i was planning on getting it out of a jeep, if i did do a D44 wouldnt the front end be wider than the rear? therefore making me have to do a 9" Ford in the rear? to make it even?

 

[FROADER]

There are D44s from Early Broncos that are similar widths but low pinion (really not a big deal). There are D44s from early to mid 80s jeep wagoneers that are similar widths, (check section525 and rockranger's threads off the top of my head). Or you can get a full width D44 and (like Stic-o) get a full width 8.8 so you don't have to change the drive shaft and you can use your gears out of the stock 8.8.

Really go through the SAS registries and you'll find everything you need.

 

[Poorwheelers]

My adolescent knowledge.. obviously have alot to learn! i appreciate it, ill research alot more and repost my plans and designs and see what you think then. Again i appreciate it.