My Explorer Sport wants to be a 4x4

[FordGirl]

I have a '97 Ford Explorer Sport 4x2 and she wants to be a 4x4 I just don't know where to start I guess I'll start with tires...What size tires is the maximum allowable size to put on my truck without having the tires rub on to the metal? Did I say that right???

 

[PekingMan]

Hello, and welcome to the site! For a 97 sport, the largest tires that will fit without any rubbing is 31"x10.5". Be sure to get a quality all terrain tire. BF Goodrich seem to be the one of choice with the people here (mine as well). However, with some slight modifications, like a torsion bar lift, you can fit larger tires. Search the message boards for info, you will find TONS of information as to what you can do to your explorer. As for making it a 4x4, the conversion is extremely expensive. For more off-road prowess, though, a rear locker would be your best bet. That will give you much more capability off-road. In fact, some 4x2's with lockers can go places that 4x4's without them can't. Also, what kind of stuff would like to do with your explorer? That will influence the type of modifications that you might be willing to make. Like I said, search or browse the message boards and that will give you many ideas. There are a bunch of 4x2 on the site and I'm sure they would be more than helpful. Hope this helps!

 

[Alec]

Do you actually want to change the drivetrain to 4wd? Or do you just want to make your 2wd more capable? If you actually want four wheel drive, I would recommend trading trucks, and not trying to convert yours. 4x2 to 4x4 conversion can be tricky and expensive. However, you can make your 4x2 more trail capable without actually going to 4x4. Tires are a start, maybe a body lift. You could get a LSdiff for both axles from http://www.truckperformance.com to make your front axle act partially like a 4x4....am I making sense, or just rambling?

Good luck!

 

[BenS]

You're making sense except for the part about adding a limited slip diff to her front axle. She has no diff on her front axel and no driveshaft for the front either. 4X2's dont have those things. But a limited slip for the rear axle or better yet a locker would help her out a ton.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi FordGirl,
Since you are in So Cal look for Brian Wooton in the members list and give him a email. He lives in Huntinton Beach. He has a pretty nice set up on his 4X2. I'm sure he would be willing to show you his truck. He's a real nice kid. He could also tell you everything he has on his truck.
The thing of it is, once you do something to one part, you have to do things to other parts. for instance, tires. well you could go 31's, but if you lifted it a bit, you could go 32's. You would also have to concider what your gear ratio is in order to know if you could do this without changing gears. If you have a 3.73, or 4.10 gear in the back, you really don't need to change gears, but if you had 3.27 or higher(lower the number the higher the ratio) you would loose a lot of power. In order for your 4X2 to go where 4X4's can go, you need a locker. period! You also need ground clearance. You have a 97 so you have torsion bars. They can be tweeked and it won't cost you a thing. For the back, it's either new springs, shackles, or add-a-leaf.
Hope this helps. Any other questions, just give a holler.

 

[FordGirl]

Thanks for all the replies...

Okay, a couple of questions:
1. How would I be able to find out what my gear ratio is?
2. If I get a 2.5 in. lift, would I be able to get bigger tires later on?
3. How big (tires) would I be able to go with the lift I want to get?
4. Should I even consider getting bigger rims?

My tires are still pretty new (4 mos. old) I bought a Bridgestone 30x9.5 Dueler Mudders. They're pretty loud but I can put up with them until they're worn. I am planning to buy BF Goodrich 31x10.5 ro bigger, if I can? I think I'll take the advice of not switching to 4x4, but I am far from being done modifying my baby.

Anyone know a site where I can find locking diffs for my truck?

In a nutshell, that is my plan right now, the 2.5 in. lift, wheels and tires. My boyfriend has a JEEP that he is fixing, but I'll leave that for the JEEP Forum

Thanks again

 

[ExplorGM]

Ford Girl

My Explorer wants to be a Desert Excursion so I feel your pain!
On the 4x4s, 2" is about the max that you can go with a torsion bar twist without hurting your cv joints and bearings. That still gave me room for 32.8" tires. I purchased my Powertrax No-Spin locker from Drivetrain Direct in SD. Easy install in my driveway. I fit both 32x11.5" and 32.8x10.5" tires on my 16x7 rims,(not at the same time)so you can probably save your dough for now as far as rims go unless you are looking for some added flash. Depends upon your budget! Mine said locker instead of wheels for now!
Now if you want to go 33" tires, do the 2" twist, and a body lift of about 2-3" and you'll have more beef under your wheel wells than 99% of the 95+ Explorers out there! Ad the locker and you should be able to keep up, if not surpass the non locked stock 4x4s. Changing your rear gears will be less explensive than the 4x4s as well.(Only one axle)
Rick

 

[FordGirl]

Locking Diffs

I am so amazed at the great responses to my cries of help... You guys are the best.

I looked up the two sites that were given to me regarding the differentials. So I thought, Limited slip diff vs. locking diffs? I have no idea...As per DriveTrain Direct, all I know is that ARB locking diffs are REALLY expensive and Spicer Track Locks are really cheap. There are 6 to choose from on this site, including the two mentioned above. I don't know which ones would be compatible with my truck (the site doesn't say) and the other site (truckperformance.com) only lists limited slip diffs.

Did I say that I really appreciate everyone's help?
Well, I do!!!

Thanks
FordGirl

 

[Ray Lobato]

FordGirl,
Before you even think about bigger tires and lockers/LSD, please look on the drivers side door jamb and under "axle" there is a 2 digit letter/number or 2 numbers. this is the axle code. Can you tell us what this code is?
It won't do you any good to put bigger tires of the gear ratio is too high. Your truck will be gutless, plus if you have to change gears then that is the time to put in a locker or Limited slip. They will put the locker/LSD in for free if you are changing gears.
Trak-Loks are cheap, but DON'T Last, and won't give you the traction that you would need, since you only have one axle that drives.
What makes the ARB "air locker" so good is that you can engage it only when you need or want to. If you are concidering a limited slip, I would suggest an Auburn or Auburn Pro. Otherwise the ARB, Powertrax, or even a Detroit lockers would be much better.
You gotta remember, you get what you pay for, and modifying a truck IS NOT A CHEAP THING TO DO! by the time I finish with the first portion of my truck, I will have invested around $7000.00 and that's just for a 4" lift, 1" body lift, a new HD transfercase, gears, ARB locker in the back, limited slip in the front(the only thing available for 95+ models at this time),35X12.5 R15 BFG KO's,ER-117 wheels and labor.

 

[brianb9]

Lockers for 4x2

Hey FordGirl,

You may want to read up on some of the lockers available or talk to some people who have experience with the specific ones you are considering. Although they will definitely make your truck more capable off road some demonstrate less than desirable behavior on the highway. As someone else said that's why the ARB costs more because you can engage it only when you need it via an air actuated mechanism run by an air compressor and line.

Hope this leads you in the right direction.

Brian

 

[FordGirl]

The code that I found was: 41. I was also reading an article in Off-Road Magazine (Sept. issue) about differentials. That article helped me out a lot. Although it has been said that ARB lockers are the "top-of-the-line," I heard that those lockers are subject to breakage because of the rubber hoses...Is that true?

Anyways, I am taking the advice of reading up on the diffs so that's what I've been doing. I'm still a little confused about gear ratio...the math was a little confusing, but I'm sure I'll get it. I just need to do a bit more reading. I will certainly post a pic of what my truck looks like now. Then, hopefully, I will be posting an "after" picture soon thereafter. Thanks guys.

 

[Ray Lobato]

FordGirl,
The code 41 on your door jamb under axle means you have 3.27:1 gears. these are pretty high. If you go over 31's you will have to do a gear change or your truck will be pretty gutless.
Do the ARB air line brake? Yes they can, but for for best on road handling, it's just like an open diff and off roading, you have a full locker. You can't beat them. The best of both worlds. If you want bullet proof, then the Detroit Locker is the one to have. Not very good on wet slick pavement though. The locker doesn't break because the hose gets a hole in it or "breaks" just fix the hose and your good as new.

 

[jwild4x4]

Hey FordGirl,

I also live here in sunny So. Cal, and I know that there is a place that will do a 3 inch BODY lift which will give you even more clearance for bigger tires. You may still have to do some cutting around the inside of your wheel wells, but check out the thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13721

SDMike has the body lift, and the torsion twist, and it looks sweet....

Peace,
Jason

 

[kvo]

If you're looking for a locker and on a budget, I would suggest the Powertrax No-Slip locker for the rear (about $400).

The only time you'll notice it is when you're making sharp turns and give it some gas. The inside tire will chirp but other than that, it's operation is transparent. I have learned to use momentum to turn instead of gasing it so as not to chirp the tire. Other than that, I have been extremely pleased with it.

Ray is right about the costs of modifying, it only adds up. So if you're ready, plan your installation carefully so the costs is minimized (i.e. if you're getting new gear for the rear, install the locker at the same time).

You have a very capable set of tires so I would regear to 4.10 and install a rear locker at this time. It may cost about $1000 total for gear ($300), locker ($400) and installation ($300). With 4.10 you're pretty safe that you can go up to 33" tires if you want to later on. Some on the board have cranked up their torsion bars and install new rear shackles to fit 33".





[Edited by kvo on 08-22-2000 at 03:26 PM]