Ford Explorer Chassis Frame

[a33am]

Hi everybody,

Any of you guys know does a 1997 Ford Explorer uses the same Chassis Frame as the 2002 Ford Explorer?

I would like to convert my 1997 Ford Explorer to a 2002 Ford Explorer by changing the whole body shell. Is it possible?

 

[Rick]

Sorry no, they made massive changes between '01 and '02.

Swaps between the 1st and 2nd gen Explorers are possible.

I suppose anything IS possible, but it's not going to be easy, and you will be losing the solid rear axle as the 3rd gen Explorer has independent rear suspension.

Welcome to the forum

 

[a33am]

Do you know any workshop that can do this? Or anyone that has done it before?

 

[a33am]

Since you said it is possible, but its not gonna be easy. How much do you think it would cost?

 

[DoraThe_Explorer]

Hi a33am , Welcome to the forum!

Why are you looking to do this swap? Is it just for looks or do you have a salvage '03 in your back yard that you want to tinker with?

I hate to be too blunt, but realistically you could buy several 3rd gen explorers for the price it would cost you to have a shop frankenstein a '97 into an '03.

 

[a33am]

I am from Malaysia. The last RHD Ford Explorer was sold in Malaysia in 1997. No more Ford Explorer were brought in to Malaysia. And also Malaysia government only allows not more than 5 year old car to import in to the country.
There is only a few RHD units here. And i found one...

 

[Rick]

It could be made to work with enough time and money. I have no idea how much of either it would take.

You can start by measuring wheel base, track width, etc. to see how far or close it is.

 

[Turdle]

The 2 door (explorer sport) frame is the same from 1996 up to 2003 , if this option is available to you.

 

[Carguy3J]

I am from Malaysia. The last RHD Ford Explorer was sold in Malaysia in 1997. No more Ford Explorer were brought in to Malaysia. And also Malaysia government only allows not more than 5 year old car to import in to the country.
There is only a few RHD units here. And i found one...

Anybody else catch the RHD part? I think that makes this even more unlikely. I doubt there is anyone in Malaysia with the skill or the required specialized tools and equipment to make this happen safely; certainly not at anything approaching a reasonable cost. Plus, you would need a 2003 donor/parts truck too. You have already stated that nothing older then 5 years old can be imported. I'm assuming that would also apply to a donor '03?

It would probably be cheaper, and easier, to bribe some local official to look the other way and allow a real 2003 to be imported, if that is what you want. Honestly though, I don't see what's so special about a 3rd gen Explorer that it is worth all that effort.