Possible Big Project

[falconace]

Thanks in advance for your help. I have a 97 XLT SOHC with 103k miles. The auto tranny is about to die and has been acting up for about 3-4k. My parents have offered to help me buy a new vehicle now before the transmission goes out or they can replace the transmission and they will help me purchase a new vehicle in a few years. I love my explorer would like to take advantage of this situation if at all possible. I have a 2x4 and have been wanting to do a conversion to 4x4 for quite some time. I understand that to do this I would need a new transmission to mount to the transfer case. I was thinking we could buy that transmission, a transfer case, and a solid axle and convert it and lift it at the same time. I was thinking of putting the solid axle because it is supposed to be better than the IFS anyway and cheaper and easier to lift. Is this even feasible? If it is, how much do you think the tranny, transfer case, and axle would cost. I have run this by my mom and she thinks she would probably pay for all but the tires and lift if the price isnt too outragous but wants an estimate before she runs it by my dad. I live in houston so there are plenty of junkyards around to get axles and things from, I just need to know what. Please respond with any ideas you have and any estimates on the price. I figure this is pretty much the same as converting a 4x4 IFS to a solid axle since i need a new tranny anyway. Thanks again for your help.

Matt

 

[taxx]

It is feasable. There are only one or two solid axle second generation explorers around here. I cannot comment on how well it will ride when all done. THe one I know of is a guy down in Venezula. He put leaf springs in the front. No matter how you do this you will end up with a LOT of lift. The second generation frame comes to the front flat and does not curve up like on most solid axle trucks. What you need to determine first is the following:

1) What will I be using this vehicle for (mainly)?
2) How much lift do I need for this purpose?
3) When I am done how safe will it be to drive on a daily basis(if it is your only ride).

I am not saying it can't be done, just trying to get you to think about a few things. If you design it right I am sure it can be made safe for highway and around town driving. It will take a lot of custom fabrication. If all you want to do is run 33" tires then look into getting 1.5 to 2" out of shackles and a torsion twist. Then slap on a body lift to make them fit, if you need more tire like a 35 then you can either cut and bang your fenders or buy some fiberglass fenders for $230. THe BL and shackles/TT will run you about $200. Remember no matter if it is an IFS or a solid axle the only way to more clearence is bigger tires.

 

[falconace]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice. It is my daily driver and I will need it to be safe on the highway. I was thinking of going with a solid axle so that I can eventually use it offroad only when I get another truck. If converting to a solid axle is going to create major onroad safety issues then I shouldnt do it. I was thinking that since I need a new tranny, why not go 4x4 at the same time. What about converting to the stock 4x4 system. Which would ya'll recommend the solid axle or the IFS 4x4?

 

[Jason_25]

I have to say you've got some balls for wanting to do that. I don't want to talk you out of it because I would do the exact same thing in your situation. How much money do you have saved up? Do you plan to do it yourself? If so, how much experience do you have working on trucks? If not, who do you plan to hire to do it?

 

[taxx]

It just depends on how much time and engineering you want to put into it. I wouldn't think it would take much to convert to 44 keeping the IFS, parts should be all over. Another thing you may want to consider while you research it is to go ahead and get the tranny and transfercase and just hook the rear up for now. I would recomend going with a manual transfercase. The electronic transfer cases require a lot of wiring and computer crap. Do it nice and get an Atlas II, if you want to spend that kind of cash. It is totally up to you how you go about this. All we can provide is ideas. I honestly don't know how driveable you could make a solid axle. I know it could be done, look at all the solid axle trucks, it is just a matter of how.

 

[falconace]

thanks guys

Thanks so much for your fast responses. I would probably not be doing this myself. I would either have my mechanic, who does great work and fixes things for free alot, put all lin or if I go the solid axle route, prob one of the many offroad shops around here. I have a friend that works at one of them and will talk to him tomorrow. Thats a good idea about getting the tranny and transfercase, atleast I'd have 2 lo until i figured out what to do. There is a junkyard around town somewhere that is supposedly explorers only so getting the IFS parts should be easy if that is what I do. I have the high series center console so I dont know where I would put the manual transfercase shift lever, I would rather manual if possible.

 

[Texplorer]

You could mount the shift levers to the side of the console like Jefe did. His install looks real clean.

 

[Jason_25]

You definitely want to go manual. Rigging up all that electronic crap isn't worth it for s transfer case that is actually weaker.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Why not just trade in for a 4wd Explorer?

No work to be done and probably much cheaper. For the couple grand of parts (probably more) to make it 4wd, you could trade yours in and add $2K to it and get a 4wd.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

if i were you i would take the money it would take to convert to 4x4 in a sophmore model and buy a zuk or somethign you can learn and have fun with.

 

[falconace]

a what?

what is a zuk?

 

[jimbo74]

Re: a what?

Originally posted by falconace
what is a zuk?

in most off road circles, it is a nicknmae for a suzuki samurai

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

a suzuki? like this

this guy has so much fun everytime we go on a trail ride that almost everyone in our club has bought one. i recently got a project jeep to wheel in.

 

[taxx]

Re: a what?

Originally posted by falconace
what is a zuk?

A Suzuki! Like a Samari (sami).

Definetely go manual on the t-case. The Atlas II (weighing in at about $2k) will do a lot for you. You can engage the rear without the front engaged and it was (I beleive) a 4:1 crawl ratio. A 4x4 conversion with an Atlas II and a locker in the rear, and you would be surprised what you can do without much lift at all.

 

[falconace]

ah