More than a little crazy but... f350 explorer... is it even possible?? | Ford Explorer Forums
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More than a little crazy but... f350 explorer... is it even possible??

D

dogodell

Member
Joined
February 5, 2009
Messages
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City, State
north carolina
Year, Model & Trim Level
97 XL (2 door) 5 spd
So,

the title pretty much sums it up but...

basically I can get my hands on a 98 (i think) Explorer sport (all stock) has a toasted motor and a bent frame... and... sitting in the field is a early 90's (probably about 94) F350 diesel 4X4 5spd (not a dually)... about 130K tree crushed the cab last year frame is straight...

I know its a possible nightmare but some twisted part of me wants to see it... :D

other than steering/ other linkage shift etc... frame length/ driveshaft... and possibly some custom suspension perches anyone see some obvious problems off the bat that I may be missing (yes I know the f has a frame that is 4-6" wider... I am hoping that it will line up with the very outside of the X body)...
 



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Somebody on here put a first gen on a shortened f250 chassis, it can be done
 






ANYTHING can be done with the right time and money!

That said, DO IT! lol

Who here wouldn't like to see a bada&& diesel powered explorer!

theres nothing more :us:
 






plus that'd make a helluva cool build thread!
 






Not sure how well it would handle. That engine weighs close to 1000 lbs. compared to the 400-450 for the V6. I don't think the stock torsion bar suspension would hold up to well. Remember the F-250's and F-350's those come in have a leaf spring or heavy duty coil spring front suspension.

Like others said, anything is possible. The Ex already has a bent frame. Is it worth fixing that? Are you gonna use it for off road/off highway puposes?

I have been a big diesel fan and owned many. I think a better choice for an Explorer would be a Cummins 4BT or a Mercedes OM617. These engine are lighter and would be an easier fit.
 






coonerboy said:
Not sure how well it would handle. That engine weighs close to 1000 lbs. compared to the 400-450 for the V6. I don't think the stock torsion bar suspension would hold up to well. Remember the F-250's and F-350's those come in have a leaf spring or heavy duty coil spring front suspension.

Like others said, anything is possible. The Ex already has a bent frame. Is it worth fixing that? Are you gonna use it for off road/off highway puposes?

I have been a big diesel fan and owned many. I think a better choice for an Explorer would be a Cummins 4BT or a Mercedes OM617. These engine are lighter and would be an easier fit.
Click to expand...

He wants to put an explorer body on an f350 chassis.
 












That would be a badass explorer!
 






I know there is a user on here who swapped a 2nd gen explorer body to a TTB ranger, he was running on mickey thompson baja belted tires i think. He might be able to help you with the body swap.
 












thanks for all the input especially the link to the f250/1st gen X...

looks like it is indeed possible

though I am not sure what I am gonna need to do to make the big diesel fit under the hood though I would am thinking that if a 302 fits it may not be all that difficult especially since I am just dropping a body over it (but Ive defiantly been wrong before though) ...

also I am not a big fan of cutting frames in the middle and re-welding/ bolting them back together so I will most likely be attempting to move the rear axle forward and re-weld suspension mounts etc which means a custom driveshaft at the very least.... though??? anyone think the stock X driveshaft would hold up for a while if not driven too hard??? I would guess no but....

unfortunately after looking at the other build (he budgeted $5000) this one is gonna have to sit in the wings for a little while until I can save up the necessary $$$ but the good news is that I dont think either of the donor vehicles are gonna go anywhere...

so I guess next time I add anything to hear will be when I finally get things rolling hopefully not too terribly far into the future...

anyone interested in a 78 F100 ranger custom 351 stroked and built C6 also built f350 axles on 38's not too pretty and needs a new intake and headers to help it run better (I was planning on doing some more work on this one but its gonna have to go if I wanna fund the 350X)
 






well, you don't have funds but you do have the trucks. Lose the body of the diesel and start staring at it while letting your imagination run wild. Shortening the rear could be easy. Depending on where the gas tank sits, you have a couple options for the rear suspension. Also, with so many explorers in the junkyard, why not look and see about stretching the body.

I remember seeing a guy who cut a wrangler down the middle and in half and worked backwards to fill it in (11 slot jeep grill:D). He basically made a full size jeep to sit on a full size chassis. That maybe would be an option if you really wanted to be the first guy to run a big diesel on an Explorer body!
 






unfortunately I only have one of the trucks as of now.... since the diesel does run and theoretically drive (you'd just have to be a midget) etc the owner decided that he would rather sell it than give it away... such is life and the asking price is not high just gonna take a couple of months to save up since I am just finishing up a resto job on a bike...

I like the idea on the body :thumbsup: I can see several benefits from at least splitting it down the middle as far as getting the engine/ trans to fit and it might even be possible to simply chop a little off the front and rear of the frame and not have to move the suspension etc if I cut the body into 1/4s and make it a little longer as well (hmm an 7-8' bed inside an X would also be interesting)...

only issue would be the windshield and rear glass and maybe a few other small things...
 






I was thinking about this, maybe slide the rear window back and then either just fill it in or use that triangle window section from a sport. That could get really wild really fast. Also, there's a guy on here with a yellow 4 door he turned into a 2 door convertible that is wild. I can't remember the name to give you a link at the moment.
 






Dannyboy said:
I was thinking about this, maybe slide the rear window back and then either just fill it in or use that triangle window section from a sport. That could get really wild really fast. Also, there's a guy on here with a yellow 4 door he turned into a 2 door convertible that is wild. I can't remember the name to give you a link at the moment.
Click to expand...

I thought I had that bookmarked but I guess I didn't. I do remember that he did a SAS, had an Atlas transfer case which he needed a body lift to fit, he painted it yellow, welded the rear doors shut, had a soft top, and did a V8 swap from a rolled mountaineer. Also one of his first posts was asking where to get a body lift. Hopefully this info will help somebody find his build thread because I can't seem to.

AHA! found it

Build
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204960

The first thread about it
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190331&highlight=atlas
 






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