Project Pale Rider 2.0 98 XLT Budget trail rig

I just wanted to post a journal of my upgrades to my new 98 Explorer XLT 4x4 OHV as I upgraded it to be a cheap but functional trail rig on the weekends.

It was bone stock when I got it and had just over 160k miles.

Ive purchased Rancho RS5000 front shocks, Monroe Sensa Trac rear adjuactable struts, Warrior 153 Shackles, Torsion Twist, 31x10.50xR15 Achilles Desert Hawk XMT's, 15x8 American Racing Black Steel Wheels, and a roof rack. Painted the Grill, Removed the running boards and mudflaps, and Ive also done the plugs and wires and most fluids.

 

[WormsExplorer]

That's cool

 

[Spudhut]

Greeat work on the Explorer. Photos are exceptional. Love the view.

Liked the video...and the music!

 

[JungleSkunk]

Greeat work on the Explorer. Photos are exceptional. Love the view.

Thanks a lot for checking my build out. I love colorado this time of year! I actually listed this rig for sale but am thinking twice about keeping it for a toy and just sucking it up and buying something else haha. Something about these fords.

 

[Tasco37]

Subbed.

This is what I have in mind for my ex.

Is there a reason you went back to stock length shocks over the Ranchos?

Also how's those Monroe? Are they worth the money?

 

[JungleSkunk]

The monroes are worth the money for sure. They are a little "bouncy" at first until they break in a bit. I went back to stock length as I was having serious alignment issues and just wanted to start fresh and redo everything. I think it rides better without the ranchos, at least on the highway.

 

[JungleSkunk]

Officially fall around here. Cedar mountain trail and Rifle Gap State Park. A quick ride after getting rained out at work, figured id play in the mud a little.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Looks like you had some fun. I need to get out there also with my Ex. I need more Mountain Therapy

 

[JungleSkunk]

Looks like you had some fun. I need to get out there also with my Ex. I need more Mountain Therapy

I love it out this way but sometimes forget there is so much stuff to do around here and get too distracted with work! Sadly I will be going back to florida for a few months for the winter until work picks back up in the spring. Thats a whole different level of fun down there!

I initially had planned on selling my explorer but have since found storage to keep it for the winter. I left it up on the forum for sale but took it down locally in case any fellow member may still be interested.

Looks like I will have to pick up work on the pale ride project again in the spring.

Thanks for checking my thread out!

 

[JungleSkunk]

Just a few pics of some trails I went on in the past few weeks. Horse mountain, triangle park, and rifle mountain park.

 

[JungleSkunk]

Just checking in. Last ride for the winter and I will be storing my rig until April. Hopefully I can find a cheap project to work on this winter while I am away.

 

[MM.4x4.Explorer]

What MPG do you get? I really like it!

 

[JungleSkunk]

What MPG do you get? I really like it!

Ive never gotten good MPG with my rig even when it was bone stock. Id say 12 to 13 highway after all the mods. I suspect an injector or intake issue and will be replacing the injectors and upper and lower intake gaskets in the spring when I go back to work.

Ive been enjoying florida for the last few months but do miss being on the trails in colorado. Never was one that enjoyed snow much tho haha. Ive got big plans for the explorer project this summer!

I put together a little Jon boat for fishing and duck hunting this winter and have been busy with that. A few pics to entertain the few people who actually read this page

 

[JungleSkunk]

P.S. Ive been thinking about building a little offroad adventure trailer like the old teardrop design. Does anyone out there have any experience in a project like this!?

 

[WormsExplorer]

Look at @gmanpaint project. he built one almost just like your drawing. It should be in the Project section ok?

 

[JungleSkunk]

Ive found a few trailers built like the one I want and will have to put together something in google sketchup. Ive been wanting a smaller offroad trailer to hold all of my gear for awhile.

I also purchased a cheap 4G tablet on ebay and a OBD2 Bluetooth transmittor to try out the "Torque Pro" app to live monitor my rig and the trip ect.

Anyone have experience with any apps like these? Especially with what info you get on a gen 2
explorer? I think it would be a cool addition to an overland type rig.

Will give a few updates when it arrives.

 

[JungleSkunk]

I got my OBD2 Bluetooth interface and tablet today. I cant way to see how much of this Torque Pro app actually is compatible with the 2nd gen explorers. I wonder what gauges will actually work. I like the fact that you can save your gauge overlay and sync it with a camera for live feed for my youtube videos

 

[JungleSkunk]

Spent a few days in Moab this week wanted to share.

 

[RockRanger]

Awesome video. What kind of drone do you have?

 

[JungleSkunk]

Dji phantom 4 pro. Some of the shots were done with a Sony DSLR on a gimble.

 

[RockRanger]

What gimble do you use? I want to start making some better videos.