Foxracin's 1991 Exploder | Page 26 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Foxracin's 1991 Exploder

Real Name: Trevor
Year : 1991
Model: Explorer
State: North Carolina
City: Mount Holly



Just picked up this Exploder last week. Its not in the best of shape but overall its decent. The motor runs great and the body has very few dents and dings.

When I got it the trans was out like every other a4ld. I am a 5 speed guy myself and was planning to convert to 5 speed anyway.

First thing and did is check the fluid in the trans. Nice and red, full, and doesnt smell burnt. Pulled one of the lines at the radiator and fired it up and no fliud. Nothing at all. Pulled the pressure plug in the side of the trans and fired it up to make sure the lines were not stopped up somewhere and still nothing so I knew something wasnt right with the pump.

Got it home and put it on some jack stands and started tearing out the trans.
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Got the trans out and pulled the torque converter out and found some scaring on the snout. Thats not supposed to be like that. lol
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Pulled the bellhousing off then the pump from the bellhousing and theres the problem. One of the pump gears cracked and spread the teeth apart and locked up and spun on the torque converter.
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Oh well time to throw it in the scrap pile. Dont want to spend the money on it again not even know if the rest of the trans is good and for it to just break again. I figured I could swap in a 5 speed for not much more then fixing the a4ld.

Figured I would mess with the inside a little while I try to find a trans.

Put in a Sony headunit. Ran new speaker wires and used the internal amp after 2 stock amps were not right. Soldered all the connections and ran new speaker wire and its good as new.
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Put it in a Midland CB I had laying around.
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Overall shot of the interior.
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Then I figured I would ride over the the Pull-A-Part to see if I could run across anything. Sure enough ran across a 1992 5 speed Exploder. But somebody already robbed the trans and starter. Figured I would go ahead and get what I could off it. Got the computer, Manual trans wiring harness, pedals, and Master cylinder(when they got the trans they cut the line so it wasnt useable). Still had the flywheel, clutch/pressure plate still on it too but I didnt have the money for it right then.

So I came home and started swapping out some stuff.

Manual trans wiring harness.
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Swapped computers and moved it to behind the glove compartment to get it a little higher.
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Swapped the pedals. I left the pedal assembly in and just changed out the brake pedal and put the clutch pedal on. It was aggravating but definitely beats pulling the dash out to change the entire assembly.
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Went back the next day to Pull-A-Part to get the clutch and flywheel and all that good stuff crawled under it and somebody done took the clutch and pressure plate. So I missed out on that. Went ahead and pulled the flywheel off though. It looked fairly new.
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Pile of junk parts I have pulled off so far. lol It keeps getting bigger.
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Thats where I am at so far. Need to scrounge up some money to get me a trans and a few other pieces and I should be set.

For now I will probably just do a body lift and coil spacers and shackles for now with some 33's or 34's after I get it on the road.

Then save up for the d44 SAS down the road.

Ill keep this thread updated as I get some more work done.
 



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nice axle shafts. was that the rear drive line or the front? i Built a Square D for my brother crawler and has never broke yet. its been in several competitions has maximum slip. they dont work for the rear if your streeting it cause you cant balance it. but you could pogo your whole truck on it with no probs.
 












Heres some updates to get everybody back up to date.

About ripped the stock bumper off.
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So I said ill try making one.
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Gussets on the inside.
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Got it painted and put on. Its head one with 12 half inch bolts so it shouldnt be going anywhere. Its all 3/16 plate I cut out with a angle grinder. lol

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So then needed one for the front so started on one for it. Still havent finished it yet so no finished pics yet.
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Then went wheeling at Callalantee in Mountain City, TN with some buddies. Had a blast.

My buddy had a little accident on the big water fall. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuiWHL5jstk

Pics
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I had to crawl up the jeep to hook the winch controller up. Once we flipped the jeep back down couldnt find a way back down. lol
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I made it up and out of the waterfall without winching or flipping. lol. Dont think anybody got it on video though. But if I find one ill post it.

Other random pics from other trails.
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Night wheeling.
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Managed to bend a leaf spring pretty good.
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Now got to get some leaf springs swapped in and finish up the front bumper and a few other little things by this coming weekend for the URE trip.
 






Very nice work on the bumper, and glad you didn't break anything too major before this weekend.
 






stuff looks good man. Im looking forward to checking it out in person next weekend. what are your plans for finishing the front bumper?
 


















Great work on the bumpers. You really do beat the living crap out of that thing.
 






























great job with this build. keen eyes, a good sense of economics all mixed with a DIY spirit. when will the Hydro Assist be coming?
 


















Nothing serious. Just another driveshaft. Thats 3 or 4 now. Going to have to do something about that. lol

Did a little more work on the bumper Saturday. Almost finished with it. Got a little more grinding and welding to do and wire up the lights. Also took the roof rack off.

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Well here are some pics and vids from the Uwharrie ride july 4th weekend.

My first attempt at on the hard line at kodak rock didnt turn out to well. Got on top of it and it started running out of gas. Acted like it had a carb on it. lol Was only getting air to the fuel rail so I dont know what the deal was. It was fine all day the next day though.

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Second attempt crawled right up it since it stayed running. lol

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC4Pz1TFTlE

Pics
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Here is another line I crawled. Made it up it but the video quit before I made it.

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF66S0lVUz0

Pics
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And random other pics.

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So I just read this build thread. 26 pages schewww.

All I have to say is; When can you make all that stuff for mine?

lol j/k but seriously nice build.
 






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