Offroad bumpers, tire carriers, and ladders...

[JMan689]

zhanx how did you fit a 33 under your X? i thought it was hard to fit a 31 let alone a 33

 

[zhanx]

zhanx how did you fit a 33 under your X? i thought it was hard to fit a 31 let alone a 33

I used a saws-all to remove the peice that comes down in the front of the tire carrier. It fits look up my zhanx and 33 spare tire under the x

 

[old mechanic]

Hmmm... just to throw something in here, how hard would it be to put in a pop-out sunroof on an Ex? Would it just require cutting out the sunroof panel from another car, cutting out the roof of the Ex, welding it in and touching up the trim pieces, or would I have to reinforce the sheet metal around the sunroof as well?

___
I would not use any heat on the roof. If anything use a jig-saw to cut it out. When installing make sure that you have the right rubber gasket for it or you will have many leaks.

 

[pope_face]

Heat could cause the roof to warp or loose it's rigidity, correct?

I found a place that'll sell me a BII carrier for $25 bucks, so I'm hoping I'll have time to get out there and pick it up along with a full set of wheels... I just read another thread on a lift, and I'm considering going higher than my originally intended 2"... I haven't even started lifting and it's already not high enough...

Fil

 

[pughman]

I haven't even started lifting and it's already not high enough...

lol...thats right !

 

[pope_face]

Ok, I was going to go to the junkers tommorow, but the South-West coast of BC (Read: Vancouver) is on an Earthquake Alert for the time being... the scientists say that if an earthquake is to happen, it's most likely to happen sometime in the next week. Apparently it's supposed to be about 75 km off the coast of Vancouver Island and could be about 9.0 on the Richter scale...

So, having said that, I'm not driving across the bridges for the next week and a bit, which leaves out going to the wreckers... I think until then I'm just going to replace my muffler and put in new plugs and wires... I also need to replace my fuel filter (when it stops raining) and do an oil change...

Fil

 

[Gatorblazer]

While you are waiting, I think we need to get 410 involved in this BII tire carrier issue. Hes the expert on the BII and might be able to provide insight. I'll PM him

 

[410Fortune]

mounting a BII tire carrier on an Explorer will take some work, cutting of metal for the hinges, gaining access to the back side of the rear quarter panel and you MUST re-enforce the body panel.

The BII has a metal sub structure under the quarter panel (behind rear pass tire) to support the forces placed on the hinges.

You will also have to mount the hatch catch plate on your hatch, and re-enforce the hell out of it from behind. Running a 33"+ tire on these suckers requires ALOT of re-enforcement, the swing out carrier itself and the hinges are stout, but the two mounting points and the plate that attaches to your hatch need to be beefed up, IE lots of metal work behind the attaching bolts.

Good luck!

 

[Gatorblazer]

Thank you

 

[pope_face]

Thanks guys...

410, I remember reading that the BII was reinforced... I've actually just tracked down a used welder today, and the guy lives near the Junkers, so if he doesn't come out here this week to bring it by, I'll pick it up when I get the carrier. I'll work on reinforcing the body panels behind the rear wheel... however, I think I may try to work out some way to mount the latch on the rear bumper itself... if I can, I'll make a little support to come down from the tire carrier that will rest on the bumper when closed. That'll allow me to have a heavier tire on the back without worrying about it flexing too much. Plus, then I can go ahead and mount a ladder on the tire carrier so I can access the roof. That was my original plan, and I think it would work if I go this way.

I'm sorry for taking so long to get my **** organized... I'm in college, so I've had a lot of assignments to do lately, plus I work on my days off... that means I don't have much time or money, so I'm trying to fit this in wherever I can. I'll try to work on the carrier and rear bumper concurrently so that they suit my needs... I'll try to keep everyone updated as I go along, and other than the bumper the rest of the installation should apply to anyone.

 

[Gatorblazer]

No problem with the wait, I think that there are many who are interested in this. Just let us know how it goes

 

[old mechanic]

Heat could cause the roof to warp or loose it's rigidity, correct?

I found a place that'll sell me a BII carrier for $25 bucks, so I'm hoping I'll have time to get out there and pick it up along with a full set of wheels... I just read another thread on a lift, and I'm considering going higher than my originally intended 2"... I haven't even started lifting and it's already not high enough...

Fil

_________
Correct! When I had to straighten out damaged roofs I used wet asbesto pads and many wet rags to try and stop the heat issues and of course take the headliner out. A few beers made me forget the simple things like taking the headliner out.

 

[Arthur]

anyone have an idea what the most economical tire carrier for a 1rst gen is? i mean with keeping the hatch workable

 

[pope_face]

Ok, I just picked up my welder last night, but work and rain are preventing me from doing any work on the Ex for today... Plus, I still have to go pick up the tire carrier... haven't had time... Still on my to do list, hopefully for Saturday, possibly Sunday...

However, does anyone know if it's ok to weld chain-link fence posts? I think they're steel... but I suppose they could be zinc... As I've probably mentioned, I work in construction, and we do a lot of demos, so things like this come at no cost. Plus they're about the right size for what I want my bumpers to be... But, weldable?

 

[SBJ420]

Ok, I was going to go to the junkers tommorow, but the South-West coast of BC (Read: Vancouver) is on an Earthquake Alert for the time being... the scientists say that if an earthquake is to happen, it's most likely to happen sometime in the next week. Apparently it's supposed to be about 75 km off the coast of Vancouver Island and could be about 9.0 on the Richter scale...

So, having said that, I'm not driving across the bridges for the next week and a bit, which leaves out going to the wreckers... I think until then I'm just going to replace my muffler and put in new plugs and wires... I also need to replace my fuel filter (when it stops raining) and do an oil change...

Fil

HAHAHAHA WHAT!!! have you been on craigslist??? Im in surrey and I have never heard that yet! Maybe ill check out the news! Dont be scared of the bridge, thats no way to live! You know you might hurt yourself wheelin too I hear yeah on the rain tho! Oh yeah I got a tire carrier here too from my BII.... Now it had a 35x12.5x15 on there, the only problem was the rear hatch is made of fiberglass, so not strong enuff, so I took it off. I may get rid of it tho if you want it.....

 

[pope_face]

HAHAHAHA WHAT!!! Im in surrey and I have never heard that yet! Maybe ill check out the news! Dont be scared of the bridge, thats no way to live! You know you might hurt yourself wheelin too I hear yeah on the rain tho! Oh yeah I got a tire carrier here too from my BII.... Now it had a 35x12.5x15 on there, the only problem was the rear hatch is made of fiberglass, so not strong enuff, so I took it off. I may get rid of it tho if you want it

Yeah, apparently the alert is over... the tremors just stopped one day... But I'd rather roll the truck wheeling then fall off a bridge...

And how much you thinking for the carrier? I was quoted $75 for one from Ralph's... but the guys from Pick-A-Part wanted like $30. The only thing is, Pick-A-Part is in Chilliwack... a little far to just drive out there on a whim... it's an hour-and-a-half drive for me, give or take. I have made it from Abbotsford to East Van in 45 minutes... but that's doing about 140 the entire way...

 

[SBJ420]

hahaha well im just off of Scott road and 96th ave in surrey. Not 100% sure what kind of shape its in, I took it off the first day I got the truck, but a 24 pac of beer would do it
ill go snap a pic now

 

[pope_face]

Hahahaha... well I can't say no to that... do you have the latch for it as well?

BTW... if I come out there I'm probably going to end up sticking around and oogling your BII... So far my Ex is pretty stock, but it's slowly coming along...

And... what kind of beer?

 

[SBJ420]

I can check around for the latch that goes on the door, it "should" be here some place but who knows. I also got a ex 94 but its stock aswell, but my BII has ex axles. I am putting a D35 in now but need to wait for the rain to go away!!!
As far as beer, ahhhh either bud or Kokane, I think thats how its spelt.
when would you want to come and get it?
I also work in burnaby, right by BCIT, you can get from me there if that helps at all.
I do have the bolts for it also

 

[pope_face]

Ummm... sometime this week? Maybe tommorow of Friday, if that works?

And yeah, it'd probably be easier for me to pick it up from BCIT... just depends on when you're around.