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Next Phase... Exterior Mods...

Arthur

Well-Known Member
Joined
January 2, 2006
Messages
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City, State
Houston TX
Year, Model & Trim Level
'93 Eddie
Life has been keeping me busy recently and it has taken away from my wrench time. It's been over a month since I did anything to my explorer and it is still way too stock for me as it sits. I started buying parts again and they are starting to accumulate. This means that I am going to have one full wrench day once I have all the parts in.

1.)
First off, the skid plate from James Duff is in the mail right now. I have never seen an explorer with this skid plate and I think it should be pretty sweet.

skidplate1.jpg


2.)
The next is the spare tire carrier. I ordered this off ebay for 26 bucks! It is a tire carrier of a YJ and I already tested to see if it would fit and it should work. I am going to get flat stock and drill out the holes to match the holes on the tire carrier. I am going to put these flat stock pieces on the inside of the hatch to distribute the stress on the hatch instead of on just one spot. The tire carrier will be mounted over the t-handle. I still want to be able to open my hatch so I'm rigging an extension to the handle so that I can just pull it down and that will open the hatch. While I'm at it I am going to remove the rear window wiper and the hole won't show because the spare will be blocking it. Because I am doing this I still need to get another rockcrawler wheel and a 31" tire to match the rest.

ex54kv1.jpg


3.) I still haven't installed my tow hooks. Two in the front and two in the rear. This really isn't exciting and that is why I haven't gotten off my lazy ass to do it. But here is a picture of one anyways.

ex55qd2.jpg


4.)I really need to order my Skyjacker 2" suspension kit soon. I definitely think my 31's look stuffed. This kit should fix the problem.

132EXK.jpg


5.) I want to do a tube style front bumper this is the other part that I still need to order because I don't have the tools to make my own. I'm thinking about this James Duff bumper, but I want it in black. When I get the bumper I am going to mount some daylighters on it.

AirD7931.jpg


6.) Tupperware removal! I have searched and searched on this subject, and all I found out was that there would be a bunch of little holes on all the way across. Does anyone have a picture of their explorer with this valance removed and cleaned up? I am afraid to do it because I'm worried about it being ugly. I need feedback on doing this for sure.

ex57hp0.jpg


7.) My last step is going to have to wait till the summer. I need to get either a selectable locker or a limited slip rear end. Also since I plan on a 3" body lift in a year or two I am going to get the 4.56 gears that I will run with 33's. Don't expect the 33's any time soon though.
 



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sounds like you are going to have a nice mudder. post pics when you get done.
 






Yeah you'll be seeing this thread often, because I am going to update it with pictures.
 






Sounds awesome... I just got around to yanking the front valance off the bumper today and taking measurements for my new bumper... I'm making my own because I'm not willing to pay stacks of cash to get one imported, and I have a certain style in mind... I'm so broke though... If I had the money, I'd get around to doing a whole lot more... like finishing the rear tire carrier... that's been on hold for way too long...
 






what do you mean by valance. is it the little plastic POS under the side and bumper? if it is then take it off, it makes it look like it is lifted from the front. and less breakable stuff. i will poast some pics of mine.

sorry dident see the pic at first, it diden't work for whatever reason.
 






yeah most of us have already removed that front valance... but I am talking about the "Tupperware" along the rocker pannels
 






pics

ok here it is i couldent get anymore it was getting dark
 






do the body lift first, geting a alignment is a pain....and i love mine, best 100.00 i have spent.....
 






sounds good
 






Been doin the same stuff to mine. I dont like that tupperware either, or any cladding for that matter. Your body is in good shape, mines gonna tale a little work to get it like that.
 






are there little holes all along the side with the tupperware removed? I cant tell from the picture
 






there are probabily 6 1/4 inch holes but they are on that pinch weld under the rocker paneling. you cant see them
 






I'm going to take it off tomorrow then and if it's ugly then I'll just put it back on
 












Ok bad news about the skidplate... just heard back from james duff over a week after i ordered the skidplate... they dont stock it anymore so now i need to find a different front skidplate



Anyone know of a different front skidplate for the first gen?
 






just took off the tupperware... and I put it right back on it looks way better with it on.... its a daily driver not just a trail rig so looks still matter to me

still need feedback on getting a skidplate

Adding a new part to my list... steering stabilizer

skyjacker_single_stabilizer.jpg
 






get the skid.
 












i just realized that srry
 



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Make your own? I'm considering doing that when I get around to making my front bumper... does anyone know where the aftermarket skid-plates mount to the frame? The front should be fairly easy... I'm assuming the back of the skid plate mounts somewhere just in front of the axle, correct?
 






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