did my first "off-road" mod

[ezeedee]

well did my first mod today, i disconnected the rear sway bar. i like it a lot. it doesnt feel like it rolls over much more if any, but it rides a little nicer. i think im gonna fully remove it tomorrow. just pretty excited. i also found some 31x10.50's mounted on 15x8's locally for 200 bucks. dont know what brand or condition theyre in, but im thinkin about getting em.

the pic was taken with a disposal camera, its not really that clean. and its even uglier now.

updates:
fully removed rear sway bar 07/11
disconnected front sway bar 07/11

 

[Tbars4]

i would set the sway bar up with some quick disconnects...that rear sway bar comes in real handy on the road and with the disconnects it takes about 2 1/2 minutes to unhook them for off roading...try searching quick disconnects and there is a parts list and i believe it says it cost about 10 bucks at a local hardware store for all the parts for both the front and rear sway bars...

 

[steves99]

Stic-o's sway bar disco's!

First this one was done on a '99 explorer in the rear. So it should work on all I think (exsept 4 dr 02+)

I started by buying

*two 7/16"x 3" studs with pre drilled holes (not sur what there called but there like a bolt with no threads and 5 or 6 holes)

*six 3/8's washers

*two pull pins.

Unbolt the links from the sway bar and frame. You will notice the bottom bolt is pressed in. The top has a nut which has a frame clip, pop it off. Flip the link over and bolt it in to the frame using the exsisting hardware from what was the bottom. This will be a little of a pain and you probbaly need a washer for a spacer being that the bolt isa bit to long. After bolt in up the bottom hole should match up as before. Now take your stud slip on a washer slide it through both link and sway bar. use two more washers for spaceing and put in the pin.

There you go! Quick discos done cheap!

 

[bikeboarder]

I think you just got bit by the "bug" have fun.

 

[ezeedee]

I think you just got bit by the "bug" have fun.

i spent the next 15 minutes driving up on the curb outside my house and looking for stuff to stack up in my driveway and drive on. haha. i need to find somewhere close to me i can drive.

i found a spot that, if you turn left out of a neighborhood and swing a little wide, theres no curb, and theres a few feet of pretty rough dirt there, and i can go down that for 100 feet or so and launch off the curb. haha. did that twice, didnt want the cops to show up.

 

[bikeboarder]

i suggest getting those tires even if they have some ware because you will want bigger tires soon after you buy them.

Search around the site for Info on shackels and F-150 spacers.

I have Autozone shackels with an added support and i love them. They gave me about 2-3 inches of lift for around $20, and they stick down further and look cool. I also have 31s. i ordered the F-150 spacers about a week go but are not in yet.

 

[Black Goblin]

Have fun with the modds. The modifications never end LOL. Where in So-Cal are you? San Diego? There is a few places I go out here that are pretty fun.

 

[ezeedee]

Have fun with the modds. The modifications never end LOL. Where in So-Cal are you? San Diego? There is a few places I go out here that are pretty fun.

i live up in oceanside.

 

[ezeedee]

is lifting the front with just a 2" skyjacker spring ok? ive been reading around and hear all kinds of talk about radius arm drop brackets and extended radius arms, etc... and i was wondering if they were needed for any amount of lift, or just after a certain amount.

 

[bikeboarder]

yeah you can do it, but it will cost more then F-150 spacers. No need for drop brackets, extended radious arms, ect... You just need to get an alignment after you put the springs in. Then you need to lift the back.

 

[Tbars4]

my personal opinion, that is one really sweet ride and i'd hate to see it get thrashed...just my opinion...as for the f150's, look on the search for "f-150 coil seats and shackles" ....

 

[ezeedee]

yeah you can do it, but it will cost more then F-150 spacers. No need for drop brackets, extended radious arms, ect... You just need to get an alignment after you put the springs in. Then you need to lift the back.

but wont lift springs give more travel too? i want some functionality in the lift too. im only putting 31's on, and it can clear them stock, i just want to flex a little better too.

im gonna get the autozone shackles for the back, it should lift it 1.5" if i measured everything right.

 

[ezeedee]

ive asked once or twice, but havent gotten a straight answer. will i notice a difference in atriculation between skyjacker 2" springs and f150 perches? it seems the perches are cheaper, but dont improve ride or travel, but the springs are more expensive and do both, right? or is there another component that limits front suspension travel other than the springs?

 

[Tbars4]

let me put my 2 cents worth in...your old springs are softer and have more flex...the spacers just give you some lift...if you like how your vehicle rides then thats what you want....until you start spending some money for some serious lift, you won't get major articulation...what i have on my ranger is exactly how i wanted it...my ex has the max i could put on it until i go solid axle...if you do the spacers and shackles you will be happy...

 

[ezeedee]

ok, that sounds fair. got tomorrow off so ill go to the junkyard and see what i can find.

i disconnected my front sway bar just now and drove around a bit, i think im gonna take it all the way off tomorrow, i like how it rides without it.

and a question... does anyone have pictures of an explorer that came with running boards, that had them removed. i wanna know what it looks like before i go take them off. i mean, does it look like the explorers that didnt come with running boards, or is it unfinished and ugly with exposed brackets, etc...

thanks.

 

[ezeedee]

got a couple quotes for an exhaust from local shops, im lookin at 400+ for a new cat and catback exhaust. im thinking for that price, i might as well regear and put on 32's. guess i better sit down with a calculator and figure some things out.

 

[bikeboarder]

i got new flowmaster 50 installed with 2.25 pipes for $180. If i were you i would shop around and ask some local guys for a good deal. And the cats that come on the explorer isnt very restrictive and gains will be small from getting a flowmaster cat. just get 2.25 tailpipe and a flowmaster.

 

[ezeedee]

i got new flowmaster 50 installed with 2.25 pipes for $180. If i were you i would shop around and ask some local guys for a good deal. And the cats that come on the explorer isnt very restrictive and gains will be small from getting a flowmaster cat. just get 2.25 tailpipe and a flowmaster.

ok, the catback only i think i was looking at 225-250. ill shop around and see if anyone i know has a hookup anywhere. thanks. just saved me 200 bucks

how hard is it to replace the radius arm bushing? mine is shot and i hear it clunking all around when i drive over speedbumps.

 

[ezeedee]

so i was thinking of painting everything thats chrome and tan, black, and painting everything thats green, flat army green. and im gonna take the little skirt on the front bumper off tomorrow.

 

[Tbars4]

i have some exhaust guys i use up here...i think my ranger was 150 custom without a new cat...to regear gears and install would eat up your 400 bucks and that is if you are only 4x2...if you are 4x4 it will be double that or you will only be 4x2 until you do the front end...you should look at a few rigs and get a game plan going while you save up some money and do it right, the way you want to...there are a lot of reasons you don't want to do it twice...