Help to build a smaller "Icelandic" Ex.

[NorthernWheeler]

Hey Guys! I live up in Northern Ontario, Canada. We get tons of snow in the winter, and have plenty of killer trails and old logging roads to play on in the summer. I saw ExIce's rig on here, and fell in love. Now here's what I need to know...If he can fit 38s with a 4" body lift and altered wheelbase, and 33s fit with only a 3" body lift, would it stand to reason that a smaller version of ExIce's rig could be built using a stock Ex, some 33s on new rims, and some fender trimming and flares? I'm sure the front would be OK, because a body lift doesn't change where the tire would rub on the frame or control arms. my biggest worry is how close the rear tires would come to the front edge of the rear wheelwell (there's not much room to trim before it gets to the back door). I have an ex right now with a body lift, but it's life is just about over. I'd like to buy one in better shape and build it like I just described. Any help/comments or concerns from anyone with any knowledge or building experience in this area would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks for your time and help guys!

 

[IZwack]

You can move the rear axle back ever so slightly by making a new set of perches and putting the center hole (that the leaf spring eye bolt goes through) forward a bit.

Pics below are of my Explorer stuffing a 36" Interco TSL-SX with the axle moved back (via the method above) about 3/4" of an inch. So I'm sure you'll be fine with 33"s cauz dont forget, the axle moves back as the leaf spring gets flatter ("stuffed").

 

[corkey]

where are you at Northern ?
i am up north there too ,

 

[BrianDye]

holy sh*t!!

 

[NorthernWheeler]

Man! That Ex is WILD! I don't want to relocate the suspension or anything. I was hoping to fit them with as little mods as possible. I Live in Kirkland Lake, ON. It's about 3 hours north of North Bay.

 

[NorthernWheeler]

Where are you located corkey?

 

[corkey]

i am a bit of a trip away from you than,, i am near Kenora on the western edge, by the manitoba border,,

 

[IZwack]

I don't want to relocate the suspension or anything. I was hoping to fit them with as little mods as possible.

Well like I said, I dont think you'll have any problems stuffing if all you're going with are 33"s.

 

[FireZapper]

I moved mine back 1" for the 37's.

I agree, no need to for 33's.

 

[NorthernWheeler]

right on! Thanks for the quick replies guys! Do any of you know of someone who has fit 33s on a stock ex. and put it on the street? I found one guy on here that fit them, but he couldn't turn. I'm now wondering how much I'd have to cut off the fenders to eliminate rubbing. Then I just have to find some bushwacker type flares to fit!

 

[corkey]

kind of depends on which 33's, some seem bigger than others,,
another factor is width,, 10.5, 11.5, or 12.5 inch ,
so there would be more cutting with a 33x 12.5, than a 33x10.5,,

 

[eXcali]

I was thinking about 33's and the biggest problems are going to be your backspacing and bumper. right now with no TT my bumper sits right about 17 inches from the eyeballed center of front hub, wouldn't be a problem going in a straight line, but when you turn or it flexes there would be a lot of rub. I'm hoping adding 2 inches of TT will eliminate this, but I'm affraid that when it flexes I will be back into this problem, most likely I will have to look into modifying the bumper edge.

 

[NorthernWheeler]

yeah...I kinda figured that I'd have to give my bumper a new facelift as well. too bad the ex I have right now isn't stock! with the shape it's in, Id have no problem using it as my test-fitting guinea pig! LOL

 

[corkey]

http://www.bushwacker.com/fender.asp?make2=3&cat2=68#20073-02, Rear Part # 20074-02

 

[joshuaj0214]

Heres mine on 33x12.50's with a 3 inch bodylift, 2 inch shackles, and a torsion twist.View attachment 53881

 

[99MercMount]

Heres mine on 33x12.50's with a 3 inch bodylift, 2 inch shackles, and a torsion twist.View attachment 53881

Nice looking X Josh, very similiar to what I want to do with my mounty, but Im gunna build a bumper

 

[joshuaj0214]

Thanks a lot, but it woln't look this way too much longer. I have allready sold the wheels and tires, and am lowering it back to stock

 

[NorthernWheeler]

Hey Corkey...Thanks for the link. I checked the bushwacker site for Explorer and ranger flares, but they only had the ones that extend the stock fender. I never thought of using F-150 flares.