Many Many Mod ???s

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

first i would just like to say hello, as i'm new here. i don't personally have an explorer (jeep cherokee actually) but my best friend is getting ready to get a 94' XLT. and he wants to make a lot of modifications, not only for offroading, but performance and a sound system. problem is, i don't know much about explorers to help him, so i figured i'd do some research for him here. i spend a lot of time on a jeep forum, so i understand what it's like to have newbie questions asked over and over, but hopefully you guys will be so kind as to bear with me please and answer them again.

(note that all questions here are refering to use on a 93-94' explorer 4X4 with the 4.0L)

first question: Stock - what is stock on the explorer as for axles/gears/skid plates? what's the 4.0V6 (is it a V6 or I6?) make for hp and torque? are there any weak areas that should be upgraded early? and what's the stock 0-60 time for an auto and a 5spd? any idea what kind of stock RTI score it has? is it possible to disconnect the front sway bars? what about the rear, can you take that out?

second: Performance - my friend wants to build some hp. how would you go about doing that? he's considering headers/catback/open air intake/chip. (he found a jet chip listed for $60, what's the word on that?) is it possible/usefull to add a throttle body spacer on the 4.0? what are some good websites to buy through, not only for quality but for value also? are there any other performance mods that he could look into? and how much of a gain should he expect from these mods? also, he wants to add upgraded sway bars for better handling? any suggestions?

third: Offroad - my friend wants to be able to run 31"s. how much lift does that require and what's the best way to get that? he might have the money to regear and add limited slips, so what's your advice on that? what explorers come with skid plates? are stock skids good? does anybody make rocker rails for a reasonable price? final goal here would be to be able to run some moderate trails at Tellico, NC plus hit the local trails with it also.

fourth: Sound system - my friend basically knows what he wants to do except for the subs. should he go for one of those custom fit sub packages that fits into the cargo wall or just build a box? which will sound better in the long run?

ok, i think i've exhausted my questions for now, but i'm sure i'll have more later. btw: thanks in advance for all the help with the questions, i'm sure it will be very valueable. if you could, please note which mods you think are do-able by two 18 yr old guys in a driveway with a few select tools. sorry this is so long but i figured i would ask all my questions at once so as not to foreget anything.

thanks,
bigmac

PS: the Explorer my friend is looking at is a 94' XLT, 4X4, 4.0L, 116K miles - $4650. is there anything in particular that he should have checked out? do you think he will have any problems with that many miles? quick answers would be especially helpful as we are going to look at it on wensday.

PSS: and so as not to give the wrong impression, my friend will be paying for the vehicle and all the mods himself with the money he's worked for.

 

[Big K]

http://www.users.qwest.net/~ntrpriz/spec1999.htm

this site lists many of the specs for a stock explorer

 

[glc8937]

91-94 explorers are infamous for losing the transmission after 70K. Find out if it has been replaced yet..if so great! If not...replace with synthetic fluids and install a trans cooler. This should be done anyway but more so if it is the original transmission.

Performance mods:
1) KKM (tru-rev air intake system) $100 or less
One of (if not the best) mod he can make! Install is with basic wrenches.
2) catback exhaust
3) bosch platinum +4 plugs
4) synthetic fluids throughout
5) clean the MAF sensor (how-to directions found on this site under product reviews)
6) Manual 5spd....no superchip (not worth money)
6a) Automatic (go with a superchip ot flip chip..stay away from Jet chips!!)

Sound:
1) Find out if it has "Premium Sound System". If so then it will have a stock amp. If he decides to go with an aftermarket head unit then he MUST bypass the stock amp. The stock amp will produce the same amount of sound as if the stock head unit were still installed.
2) Put some pioneer 3-ways in the door
3) A lot of people install custom boxes in the rear that hold the subs and amp. Some even put in neon lighting in or around the box that really looks sharp!!

Exterior look:
ZAINO!!! ZAINO!! ZAINO!!
www.zainobros.com

 

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

thanks for the link to the stock info. and the warning about the transmission. any warning signs/noises to check for to see if it's getting ready to fail?

any other opinions on the above questions?

thanks again,
bigmac

 

[mikeresin]

well if you are going to do any work on the air intake you might as well go all the way and get the kkm tru rev and also a larger MAF and a more high performance 66mm TB. i would also get some abs tubeing and make your own ram air scoop

 

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

what is a MAF? where would you find that and where would you find a 66mm TB? is there a good web site? and what kind of gains do these give?

is a TB spacer of any benefit?

also, how do you rig a ram air scoop? would that be a problem offroad, taking in mud/water?

btw: my friend bought a 94' EB explorer, 4 door, 4x4, 102K miles. - $7400 (is that a good price?)

thanks,
bigmac

 

[glc8937]

MAF= Mass Air Flow Sensor

Ram air...do a search on this. SEVERAL people have rigged dryer tubing to run into the MAF for more colder air. Some have pics of it too.

$7500 is a decent price assuming it is in good shape.

 

[mikeresin]

truck performance
this is one of the best parts sites i know. just do a search by vehicle.
the thing about doing work to the air intake is that when you do just one component (i.e. filter or MAF etc..)
there isnt much of a gain. when you do it all is when you see the difference. throttle body spacers are useless. dont waste your money. they will mess up your somputer. everyone i know who has put a TB spacer on their car or truck has taken it off becuase it ran goofy.

 

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

my friend did some calling today and found a shop that will make him a custom cat-back system w/a flowmaster muffler, installed for $170. good price?

will adding a chip shorten the life of your transmission? i know that a chip will change your shift points, so i was wondering if it might push the tranny over the edge?

anybody know what gears come stock in an 94' EB?

thanks,
bigmac

 

[Jason_25]

Yep, that's a good price.

No, I don't think it will shorten the life of the transmission, however it may actually increase it by firming the shift points. Quicker shifts=less heat buildup.

Depends on the axle code. Do a search on it and you will find much information on it.

 

[karl_burns]

my .02

KKM is one of the best $100 you could ever spend. Maybe second only to the $170 for a flowmaster custom exhaust.
I've got the bigger TB, and KKM, and am working on a heat shield and cold-air induction with dryer tubing. The MAS will finish the job, and I'll then be able to post times. I'm pretty sure I'll be suprised with the times. When I get a larger rear-end, I'll be overwhelmed with the times. Good luck with this site. Lots of useful info.

TruckPerformance.com and ExplorerExpress.com have had great prices thus far. I've only heard good reviews about the superchip, but there is also a thread with a link to Car & Driver (or something like that) where the mag compares three to four different chip makers on several varieties of cars/trucks. Read that for some great info.
See ya,
Karl

 

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

any ideas how much of a gain you will get from the MAF/ custom cat-back/ KKM/ and the TB all together? should you add a chip after you do these other mods?

for you guys with headers, who did you get to put them on? my friend called around to several shops and nono of them wants to do it, said you would probably have to lift part of the engine out to get to them. ??

thanks,
bigmac

PS: i agree, this site has some great info and very nice folks.

 

[mikeresin]

well i would say fro the maf,tb,kkm,exhuast probably something like a 25-35 hp gain
and yeh add the chip after.
and any good shop should be beggin to put on headers.
thats like 6 hours labor for them. they make alot of money off headers when they do them.