Guy from Miami looking for some tips...

[CapoDiCapi87]

Hey everyone I bought my 2003 Explorer Sport XLT about two months ago and im looking to take it offroad. The car will be mainly driven on road considering I live in Miami so its nothing but flat pavement everywhere. When im taking it offroad it will mainly be over small bumps, trails, and alot of mud. My question is what would u guys suggest as far as modifications are concerned, i dont need anything extreme because frankly there is nothing extreme in south florida lol just a lot of flat open area! I just want it to handle the occaisonal mudding and offroad session, while still maintaining a decent ride and its daily driver status. Any parts you guys could suggest to make my explorere a little beffier would be great thanks!! (btw its a rear wheel drive not 4X4, i know i know, but its all i could afford!)

 

[dman726749]

is it a 4door or 2 door? the answer to that will determin what you can do with it

and if you cant afford 4x4 then how do you plan on affording all the mods to make it a off-road rig...this stuff isnt cheep by any means.

 

[CapoDiCapi87]

two door

Its the two door sport, i couldnt afford the 4x4 at the time but due to job changes and time constraints that finally let up i have the extra money,again im not looking for a serious rig im just lookin to make it tougher to handle smaller bumps and mud without breaking on me or causing major problems

 

[MONMIX]

moving to a year appropriate section,,,

 

[IAmTodd]

moving to a year appropriate section,,,

Actually its not

 

[CapoDiCapi87]

lol i made sure

Yeah i made sure when i posted that because i have a 2003 Sport that i posted in the 95-01 Explorer section. But if it will get me any more answers i appreciate it monomix.

 

[MONMIX]

Actually its not

do you mean a 2003 does not belong in the 2002+ section ??

 

[IAmTodd]

You can crank up the torsion bars(search for Torsion Twist) and add "add a leafs" in the rear as well as shackles, around 2 inches of lift.

You could also get lift spindles for the front, and do the TT and relocate the rear springs over the axle for around 5 inches of lift.

 

[CapoDiCapi87]

Great thanks for the advice!!
Should I be adding shocks and a rear sway bar (from EE) or is that overkill for the type of driving i will be doing?

MOnMix- it says in the forums that for all 02+ Sport and Sport Trac models to post in the 95-01 section of the forums and not the 02+ section, im just following the rules, assumingly becuase the "3rd" gen is only the body on a 95-01 sport chassis respectively.

 

[gijoecam]

do you mean a 2003 does not belong in the 2002+ section ??

Yeah.... the '03 Sport is essentially the same as ALL the second generation Sports, save for the transfer case function on the 4x4. It has the solid rear axle, not the IRS, and torsion bars in the front instead of coilovers. Mechanically and electrically (aside from the rear wiper and glass), the 2003 sport DEFINATELY belongs in the 95-01 forum IMHO....

-Joe

 

[IAmTodd]

Yeah.... the '03 Sport is essentially the same as ALL the second generation Sports, save for the transfer case function on the 4x4. It has the solid rear axle, not the IRS, and torsion bars in the front instead of coilovers. Mechanically and electrically (aside from the rear wiper and glass), the 2003 sport DEFINATELY belongs in the 95-01 forum IMHO....

-Joe

Oh no, they have different part numbers, it belongs here when even the rules say not to lol