let's try this again

[J_Train]

well im back with a 96 red sport and it will be lowered. i gave up on lowering the green 96 that i had asked questions about back in 2010. it has since been converted to 4wd and lifted 7 inches and rolls on 36 inch tires. now on to the lowered explorer. im thinking maybe 2 inches. seems safe that way. it kinda sits low as it is now. will post pictures later. the front end needs work i found a limited grill that it going to get. I may look for a street appearance package bumper from a ranger. what do you guys think? and possibly the wheel i talked about last time.

Was also thinking about QA1 coilovers for the front and QA1 shocks for the rear. Anyone has some experience with QA1?

 

[J_Train]

No one I guess. For exception of the lifted guys.

 

[College Student]

Did you take those american racing wheels off? I think they look good and give it an old racing appearance.

 

[J_Train]

No they're still on it. But it's hard to find tires for them. I've been thinking about fuel formula wheels for and try to keep a racing type them to them.

 

[College Student]

yeah depends on what style of racing you're going for. The AR make it kind of an old nascar vibe. Have you lowered it any yet?

 

[J_Train]

I lowered the front to match the rear. If I get a multi leaf pack I may need to lower the back.

 

[College Student]

Pretty. I'm not really a huge fan of the black wheels thing that is happening, or 10 spokes but I can see it. I would definitely prefer the split 5 spoke above.

Question Time:
Were you able to get the limited grille?
How did the front bumper get tweaked on the driver side....and did the front cover on the side step break off?
And by street appearance do you mean the one with the large round fog holes in the valence?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

how about this. use a black rim, and put a red pinstripe on the edge? or is that to ricey?

edit, i should say lip, not edge

 

[J_Train]

I've liked the whole black wheel thing before it became a thing but only on certain color vehicles. I will be repainting the trim black to match the wheels better. Also I have thought about painting the wheel lip/edge red. This is the bumper I was talking about Btw.

 

[J_Train]

As for the current bumper idk what the previous owner hit but the passenger side is tweaked downward. I've since got it as good as I can, also I noticed the core support behind the bumper is tweaked as well. I will get it on a frame machine and pull it out some since it won't let the turn/parking light assembly sit in the header panel properly. I did get the limited grille just need to paint it. Was actually thinking about a 2000 mountaineer nose swap but not sure.

 

[College Student]

I'm interested in the look of the red stripe, could match really well.
As for the bumper, I've never even seen one like that. I thought you meant this one

But If going for dramatic change, why not the entire ranger front clip, like your thinking with the mounty

 

[J_Train]

The ranger clip requires cutting and welding that I'm not good at, at all. Never picked up a welder lol.
This a ranger with a explorer front you can see where he had to stop the ranger body line. Too much work for me and my current skill set.

 

[College Student]

Ah I've actually never noticed that body line but I do now.
What's the plan for the rear bumper, if pan I believe there is a lot of welding, vroom could elaborate on that.

 

[J_Train]

I haven't actually thought about the rear yet.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

to bad you can weld. i did this to the front bumper of mine when i did the body years ago

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224998

i wanted the fogs to look like the 94-98 cobra mustangs, but i dont like the look of the 99-01 explorer front bumpers. to plasicy

and the rear bumper, click on the roll pan link in my signature. i copied another members bumper she had made for her truck on here (which i was lucky enough to not only meet her in person more then once, but am now good friends with, but have seen her truck in person as well). the roll pan is kinda involved however.

 

[J_Train]

That all looks good. I really like the front bumper build. The rear looks real clean.

 

[J_Train]

Ok update. A coworker wants to buy the sport. With my wifex and I waiting on our son to come into our lives @ the end of next month and the sport being 2 doors and manual it's got to go. I've replaced it with a 2000 4 door v8. It will take the lowered spot from the sport. It's also rust free as I found more rust then I originally wanted to see on the sport. The limited grill will go on the new explorer, I will be looking more into the ranger bumper or a 2000 mountaineer bumber. As for the rear.... idk it is "illegal" in Florida to have a roll pan. Now I do have a question about the rear leaf springs. Actually aftermarket leafs. I found that airbagit.Com has a set of 2-3 inch lowering leaf springs on their site.

http://www.airbagit.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=LEA-EX9100-3

 

[J_Train]

its been busy year for me but I did happen to get somewhere with the 4 door

 

[blakshukvw]

its been busy year for me but I did happen to get somewhere with the 4 door

View attachment 312168

Is this awd? Is there room for a 9.5”wide wheel in front?