j602's 2wd Beast

[bmxking5]

He had to drill them because he used some super thick steel (angle, so it curved around the frame) to brace the frame. You'll definitely have to drill it, because the 2nd gen was never meant to have a steering box.

 

['97 V8]

What i couldnt find in any of the threads..or maybe im blind, is how do i go about connecting the steering shaft to the box. I'll be using a ford box btw.

 

[bmxking5]

That's what I'm unsure of as well. Are you using a 1st gen box(same one as most big Ford trucks, etc) or one from a 78-79? Once you decide which one you'll use, you should PM others that have used that one and see what they did. Post up what you find out because I'm be doing a leaf sprung SAS pretty soon too (21robbie21).

 

[sn0border88]

So how much do you enjoy the fact that your 2wd explorer got a solid front axle before bmxking?

Bahahaha

 

[mynameisaric]

steering box will be my biggest issue, and i dont even think it will end up being that bad. i could probably SAS this summer if i wanted to, but i'm going bmxkings route and doing it right the first time, so it will just be longer, but i'll love myself for it in the end. besides. i just put $650 into my front end. i'm going to get good use out of it before i tear it out. and if everyone has solid axles, people will think that explorers are incapable of wheeling in stock condition.

 

[j602]

Got the crossover steering in, along with the axle that it came on. The drag link is 1.5" DOM with heims and the tie rod is 1" DOM with heims. The bracket is custom built by BTF out 1/4" plate, and bolts to the spindle. We had to drill out the pitman arm and opposite spindle to accept the bolts for the heims. The new axle has 4.10's and welded spiders in it, which I'll probably swap later on for a 4.56's and a LS. The new steering turned out great. The caster is correct, no bump steer, and it handles beautifully.

The new axle waiting to go in.

We had to take the driver side spindle off the old to put on the new.

Old axle out.

New axle in.

A little driveway flex.

 

[FROADER]

So when is it going to be 4wd?

 

['97 V8]

Sweeet. Now get a driveshaft in thier and show us what it can do.

 

[mynameisaric]

he needs more than a driveshaft. (but hes closer to 4wd than i am now.)

 

[JS91X]

is the new axle still a d30? hows that front hanger holdin up?

 

[j602]

When this tranny dies it goes 4wd. I just put the current one in not too long ago. No sense in pulling it out.

The new axle is a D30 as well, and the front crossmember/hanger has held up perfectly. I've beat on it tons and it has never given any sign of failure.

I wheel plenty like it is now. The locker helps alot, and makes it very capable.

 

['97 V8]

oh yeah..forgot about the tranny part and t-case.

 

[bmxking5]

I wheel plenty like it is now. The locker helps alot, and makes it very capable.

I would have never believed you until I tryed it with mine. I have 2lo which helps out a lot with the stick shift, and being able to crawl through stuff, but a locked 2wd on 35+ is much more capable than I'd ever expect.

 

[j602]

Fawkin' yeah.

 

[zainyD]

Can't you just put a different output/tailshaft in your current tranny and get a t-case and adapter?

 

[mynameisaric]

has your tranny died yet?

 

[j602]

Haha, funny you should ask. To answer, almost. I was on the way home from Tallahassee on the freeway and it started to smoke and slip in and out of neutral. Turns out I lost a ton of fluid, but I had just put a quart in that morning. Well, I put 5 quarts in a drove it home. It's acting funny, but not dead yet. I got a new toy, so I'm not too worried about getting 4wd in this POS. The new pile is a '79 Chevy Luv. Runs like a champ, and is absolutely unstoppable.

 

[buckshotmudder]

looks like you lost your spare along with everything else in the bed haha

 

[JS91X]

does that little rig have a solid front axle or is it even 4wd ??

 

[mynameisaric]

your alabama roots are showing with that rig. haha