Has anyone.......?

[sirhk100]

I don't even own a '95+ Explorer but am curious. The front end on those uses A-arms and torsion. Correct? Has anyone thought about taking out the torsion bars, fabbing up some widened A-arms and using a coil over set up in there like some of the Toyota and nissan desert trucks.

Just curious!!!

 

[BislamJoe]

Actually, I've wondered the exact same thing Khris. I actually kind of came up with a concept in my head for a long-travel Explorer IFS 4x4. Maybe sometime I'll get the chance to get a really good look at a late model and sketch out my idea. I was thinking new a-arms (widened, maybe even built with kind of an elbow to give lift - like the cut&turn TTB) with high-angle u-joints or cv's to allow lots of travel. top it off with a coilover mounting to the backside of the spindle (so's not to interfere with the halfshaft). Could be cool. But I like the TTB too much

 

[sirhk100]

Exactly what I had in mind. If you wanted to be hard core you could maybe move the A-Arm mounting position more towards the center whcihc should also yeild more travel. I don't know how the axles would still work but hey, it's an idea!! I know you can get some CV joints that have a lot of angle to them. I agree though, for long travel and bombing around (not rock crawling) TTB is the way to go!!

 

[sirhk100]

That's what I'm thinking the Explorer could do but that's a 1st generation Explorer with a '98 clip. I've seen him jump that thing out at Glamis. In fact I'm having the guy that built that (Perry McNeil) do my front suspension probably with in 6 months but instead of using heavy duty adjustable buckets and dual shocks with F150 coils I'm going to have him do a coil over setup on mine.

 

[BislamJoe]

Yep - That one's a '93 I think.

Moving the pivot points (right term?) inward would yield a lot more travel. As far as the high-angle cv's go, I was thinking start with a 2wd, cut off most of the front suspension and fab a center point to hang the A-amrs from. Use a Dana 44 or Dana 35 front differential, but mount something like the 80-degree u-joints (from High Angle Driveline) where the axleshafts come out and at the hubs to allow some travel. I'd use the D35 or D44 to allow the use of an off-the-shelf Limited Slip or Locker. From there where would I go? Make the A-arms with a bend in them to give the desired lift; maybe mount the fabbed suspension crossmember farther forward. Make spindles with a mounting point for a coilover just behind where the A-arms would attach, then run the coilovers up into the engine compartment. It'd probably be cheaper to swap in a TTB though.

 

[BislamJoe]

Dude - We're nuts.

 

[sirhk100]

I know, I swear I think about the suspension for my Ex. just about as much as sex. (That could probably be a famous quote) If only I had the money or the equipment which again costs money. Have you seen the trucks for sale on Dead Link Removed ? Look at the three rangers about 2/3 of the way down. One is $75K, $40K, and the other is $29K. That's what I want my Explorer to be some day!!!! Granted those aren't 4WD but mine will be!! I take it you didn't win the power ball?

 

[BislamJoe]

lol - Haven't won it yet, still hoping I'll have a long-travel War Wagon yet, mind you.