hows it goin everyone? just a few simple questions

[dtack]

so im lookin at a 94 2 door explorer 4x4 v6, body and interior are perfect, engine looks great, well maintained and as far as i can tell was never used as an offroader.

im an avid offroader and plan to use this as a daily driver and a project.

my questions are simple.

what are some things i need to look for in this explorer?
are there any major pitfalls i should know about to watch out for?
does the v6 provide enough power for 33 inch tires and not be working too hard?
how strong was the factory 4x4?
and whats the size on engine, code for tranny, and transfer case?

this is an all stock explorer and am getting it for a good price (1950) and i have always loved the 2 doors.

 

[safn1949]

The transmission will be the weak link,mine just failed at 142,000 on a stock 94.The rest of the drivetrain is very strong but you will need to do some re-gearing for 33's along with some type of lift and perhaps some fender trimming.

The 4.0 is reliable but no powerhouse stock,but with the right gears it will do fine.

 

[dtack]

what is happening to your tranny? also right now its on factory tires, i was thinking 33's because normally you dont need a lift with them, whats the best tires to run on stock 31's? i live in florida so all im really going to be doing is tredding water and sand runnin:exporange

 

[Maniak]

Most 1st Gen explorers (91-94) can only run 30" tires on the stuck suspension. In rare occasions, people can run 31x9.50's.

The a4ld transmission (auto in the 1st gen) is not known for its longevity, or cheapness to rebuild. #1 thing you can do to it is add a transmission cooler to keep it cool and then make sure you keep it clean too.

Since your in Florida, I'm assuming you drive through water. The vent tube that runs over the top of the transmission (metal line) actually has a hole on the top of it. That will be really bad if you go through water that goes over the top of the transmission.

The other weak link will be the automatic hubs. Switch them out to manual hubs which are stronger..

As already mentioned, regear.. The Transfercase can handle 33's without an issue. The front axle can take quite a bit of abuse, but it depends on your driving style. Enough skinny pedal and lifting a front tire and having it all of a sudden get traction is a sure fire way to break the front hubs or u-joints.

~Mark

 

[safn1949]

The front pump is busy chewing itself to pieces on mine,$2200 will pay for a rebuild and R&R with a 3 year,75,000 mile warranty,so not cheap.

I could do the R&R myself but ...A) I used to be a mechanic and now I'm old and lazy.

B) I don't have anywhere to do it.

C) Did I mention old and lazy?

 

[dtack]

Ok so tranny cooler is a must, and save for a tranny rebuild. 30's max without mods. Is there anyway to plug that line? I mean it tends to flood a few times a year down here. Anything else that has issues with water? I mean there's no real mudding down here mainly sloppy sand but I like to play in the water lol. I kniw weak points like intake but anything else I need to waterproof?

Also anyone got a DIY for a drum to disk conversion kit?

 

[dtack]

Also I have manual locking hubs

 

[Maniak]

Simple easy lift will be the f-150 spacers and war-153 shackles (or Add a leaf if your rear springs are too soft now). That will still be alignable.

For that vent line, I'd just cut the hard line and run a rubber hose high into the engine compartment. While your at it, do the same for the transfer case and both diffs as their vent lines aren't very high up. Just run/extend the hoses into the engine compartment. Maybe put a little filter on the end too.

And yes, you can put in a rear axle from a 2nd gen into a 1st gen to get rear disc brakes.

For more info on all those mods, use the search feature so you can find way mor e info than I can remember..

~Mark

 

[Mudboy]

Ok so tranny cooler is a must, and save for a tranny rebuild. 30's max without mods. Is there anyway to plug that line? I mean it tends to flood a few times a year down here. Anything else that has issues with water? I mean there's no real mudding down here mainly sloppy sand but I like to play in the water lol. I kniw weak points like intake but anything else I need to waterproof?

Also anyone got a DIY for a drum to disk conversion kit?

I'm familiar with the terrain your speaking of "wet sand" We have it in southern jersey and alot of it lol. It's roughest on bearings and seals. Make sure seals are in tip top shape and use marine grease for your wheel bearings. As mentioned above be sure to extend all vent lines. Di-electric grease is your freind at all ignition connections. Also be sure to clear swap grass away from your pinions it will wrap around and kill the pinion seals allowing water and sand to enter the diffs and eat away at you pinion and diff bearings. The wet sand you speak of I find a tire of medium agression to be best. obviously you can't beat a bogger in real mud but in wet sand they will displace too much earth at to quick of a pace. I'd try a BFG MT, Mud grapplers, Genral Grabber, Parneli Jones, Super Swamper( one of the mild ones, not TSL or bogger or thornturd) Old school Mickey thompson baja belts were one of the best tires I could find for this terrain, I don't believe they make them anymore but should be found pretty easily in an area full of mud such as florida. They are undesired by the guys playing at RNYC, Pudding Creek, Okeechobee, etc. remeber wherever oil leaks out, water can come in, Think of water in oil as an STD in a women, you wouldn't play with it,....right??

 

[dtack]

ok thanks everyone. so i got some hosing to replace, potentially an axle swap, way later on in the future i would like to do a 351W engine and tranny swap with 1 ton running gear under the explorer but thats going to take a while before i can afford that lol

right now my plans for this explorer is simple

by November i will have the lines replaced with rubber ones, new bearing and racers in axles with marine grease, have the engine mostly waterproofed, full exhaust, new plugs and wires, decent set of tires (ive had bfg mt on my old dodge power ram and loved em), full size spare, and a lightbar for night riding. this for now is going to stay a mild offroader and daily driver, i figure after about 2 years ill start working on the swap and get a new daily driver lol

so if i want bigger then 30's i have to lift it, anyone know where i can get some decent 30's for a good price?

 

[safn1949]

ok thanks everyone. so i got some hosing to replace, potentially an axle swap, way later on in the future i would like to do a 351W engine and tranny swap with 1 ton running gear under the explorer but thats going to take a while before i can afford that lol

right now my plans for this explorer is simple

by November i will have the lines replaced with rubber ones, new bearing and racers in axles with marine grease, have the engine mostly waterproofed, full exhaust, new plugs and wires, decent set of tires (ive had bfg mt on my old dodge power ram and loved em), full size spare, and a lightbar for night riding. this for now is going to stay a mild offroader and daily driver, i figure after about 2 years ill start working on the swap and get a new daily driver lol

so if i want bigger then 30's i have to lift it, anyone know where i can get some decent 30's for a good price?

http://www.treadepot.com