Got a new truck - questions

[Dre]

Thanks to splashman I just bought another Explorer yesterday. It's a 94 Sport with manual transmission. Green with grey interior. As soon as I get a few pictures I'll post them here. Truck is in a very nice shape with 123k miles on the odo. Pretty soon I'll start building it but first want to gather as much info as possible. Is there a manual transmission that could replace the original factory unit? perhaps geared a little different for off road use? The one in the truck might need work soon so might as well...
I'm gonna lift it and install at least 33" tires on it but I have a question to all the first generation Explorer Sport owners.... is 4" suspension lift enough for 33's? or would I have to go 5.5"? drop your comments here please.

Thanks,

 

[Girlpower4x4]

I have a 6" lift on mine and used to run 33's. There was plenty of room. So a 4" lift would probably be ok, but if you ever want to run bigger tires you might as well go with the bigger lift. That way you only have to do it once.
Just my .02.

 

[Dre]

I know... installing a 6" never hurts... just for the future. I don't think I'll even go with bigger tires than 33" but I've said that before...

I do prefer 6" better... it's cheaper... and seams to be better. SOA in the back instead of new set of leafs... and install a second generation rear axle at the same time... sounds good.

what about a transmission though?

 

[Dre]

Before pics are up here:
Dre's 94 Sportster

and I am posting them to my gallery.
These are strictly and only "BEFORE" pictures available.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

No transmission replaces the stock Tranny yet. I hope in the future AA will make adaptors for the NV3550

You can run 33"s on the Road with a 4" lift but you might rub off-road. I ran 33"s on my Navajo on the Road with 3.5" lift rubbed a little but not too bad.

Oh yeah if you switch to manual Hubs and Want to get rid of those crappy autos let me know. I dont pay that much but at least it is some thing.

 

[Dre]

Kris I have noticed that you're buying those automatics left and right.... you'll have them since I'm going manual... that's number one. Then I'm going with 5.5" Superlift set-up... although I have heard that people buy just the front and perform SOA ritual on their own.... why do tehy do that? Superlift's kit includes necessary brackets to do so anyway... then why? give me one reason before I order.

At the same time I will replace rear end with newer one (disk brakes, 4.10 factory)... and I'll go from there. I can't just buid this truck in a day. It's gonna be as much fun I'm sure as it was with modifying my previous truck....

and yeah... I need to do something with the tranny... eaither replace with used one and rebuild the old one myself or just buy rebuilt adn give them mine as core... I think I'll go with the first option... at least I'll have spare tranny in case I need one later.

Thanks Kris,

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Super lift SOA brakets are not welded on which end up causeing Axle Wrap. I think it was TwotoneX's Explorer that had them on there and I it caused him to lose his Drive shaft a few times till he got a longer drive shaft made.

What is Wrong with the Tranny? It might just be the Clutch since they are weak on the M5R1..

 

[Dre]

Transmission... I have posted on a different forum and got a few tips. Clutch is new... but someone forgot to check oil level and run it dry... it's whining in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and in 5th gear.... 4th is OK...

As for the SOA conversion I would definatelly weld brackets on... no corners cut. This is suppose to be safe truck not only a looker but also a performer.

thanks,

 

[hornz2000]

Why not just go SAS.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

A while back me and Rick talked about the M5R1 and it might be a good Idea to cahnge the Oil in it to Motor Oil or even a gear oil. I had Noise in my T-case even after I rebuilt it. so I changed the oil from ATF to a heavier Gear oil and it does not make noise any more. I change the oil in my Navajos Tranny every year it gets new syn ATF. I am also going to change the Oil in my A4LD once a year no matter mileage.

 

[Dre]

why not SAS? for starters.... I just bought this truck and I'm about to start spending lots of money to get it off-roadworthy ... so for now a lift, gears and lockers with nice size tires would do the trick... but later??????? who knows?