Quick video from our ride yesterday

[Freshmeat]

Wanted to share this with you other box Ex guys... A little background on this climb... everyone before me had to hit it three and four times, backing all the way down every time before they tried again, even with automatic transmissions. My determination was to see if I could crawl up it (only kept about 1,000 RPM until I hit the ledge that blocked me) and when I couldn't, I was definitely not backing down completely. A brand new FJ Cruiser with 3" lift and 34s tried the climb right before me and ended up crunching off a big section of his rear bumper.

The Explorer has performed flawlessly since I welded the spider gears in the front axle almost a year ago. I've had zero problems. The rear is still traclock so I've honestly noticed minimal (if any) loss in turn radius. I'm sure locking the rear would dramatically change that lack of loss. haha!

They kept fussing at me all day because they kept having to hit things WOT to power through while I was idling through almost all of it. Once I get the NP435 installed I'll be able to idle even better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjDxES8AvYI

 

[safn1949]

I noticed your rear tire was not spinning. Great video by the way,if you would have had the rear locked it never would have hesitated on the way up but it would be a bear to drive.

 

[Freshmeat]

I have only been strapped once since welding the axle and no one made it through, including a Rubicon on 37s. I'll take a front locker and decent turning radius over two lockers any day.

The guys with rear lockers were having fits with pulling themselves over ledges all day.

 

[Foxracin]

Went right up it no problems. Cool deal.

 

[Freshmeat]

We really had a great time out there. Last time I rode this property it had been raining all week, so the clay had super saturated with water and it was eight kinds of nasty. That property is the sole reason I had to get my front bumper built (tore up the stocker) and decided to weld the spiders in the front (lost track of how often I was strapped.)

Doesn't look like much of a climb, but it gave trouble to everyone before me. All the climbs yesterday has me anxious to get the new transmission set-up in so I can crawl better; I also think I have a serious exhaust leak- sounds like a tank climbing in low RPM.

 

[mazdanavajo]

hey how are u ? i like ur explorer man, kixk ass. i have a 91 navajo i am fixing up. after i saw ur 34x10.50 i am reconsidering. can u tella big difference u think between 33 and 34" i am putting a 3" boddy liaft just until i can get money for a suspension lift. and would 33x12.50 do as much damage as urs is doin on youtube ?? first time moddin my ride, any help would be great man. and some more info on the bumper too !! thanks

 

[Freshmeat]

Thanks for the complements! If I could make a suggestion, skip the body lift completely. It's- what- $160? I have about $300 in my lift. $20 in my angle grinder.

It's hard to say because 33x12.50s are a lot wider than 34x10.50s when it comes down to it. Here there's a lot of mud so the skinny tires do better by digging to the hard ground. It's all in the terrain you plan to wheel. The best way to learn is to get out there and hit the trails, even if you're stock (arrange recovery points first!)

As for the bumper, check out www.searchers4wd.com and e-mail them. He did a good job on mine and if you need to save a few bucks you can skip the stinger or have a local shop add one. Tell him Woody sent you.

 

[mazdanavajo]

ok, thanks.. and from that point is it easy to later on ad a 6 in. suspension lift kit ? cuz eventually i am thinkin a bit higher than yours appears. and ya your right i love the mud too so i am thinkin 34x10.50 will be the better choice.. do you have any mor pictures of your suspension and added leaf in the back ? the entire lift?

 

[Freshmeat]

I have more pictures scattered around here, but all you need are Skyjacker 132S (or X, can't remember) coils and 2" lift shocks to get you started. From there research F150 spring swaps for the rear and you'll be set. Keep an eye in the sale section- guys are upgrading from a 2" to bigger all the time and selling their old parts for cheap. It's not a "lift kit", just springs and shocks. "Kits" include bump stops, drop brackets, and other crap that you won't need until you go bigger.

 

[mazdanavajo]

alright sounds good, have you seen larger shocks, coils, and leafs available for the mazdanavajo/ ford explorer? i have only seen 2-1/2" at largest .. thanks

 

[mazdanavajo]

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/82350.html : is that the f-150 leaf you are reffering to ?? sorry for the 21 questions man.

 

[rhauf]

I welded the front spiders in my bronco recently (D44)... broke the front end the first time i wheeled it after that. next time it's open front or lock-rite for me.

btw a detroit locker or lock-rite won't hurt you're turning radius.

 

[Freshmeat]

I welded the front spiders in my bronco recently (D44)... broke the front end the first time i wheeled it after that. next time it's open front or lock-rite for me.

btw a detroit locker or lock-rite won't hurt you're turning radius.

Either your tires are way too big or something wasn't right with the axle. I beat the absolute snot out of my Ex with heavy bias ply tires and an extra ~100# on the front end. My center joint is even a worn out junk yard joint and I've not had a single issue. That said, if you're on rocks a lot, you'll grip a lot harder than the mud we see down here and that introduces a whole new world of trouble.

Detroit and Lock-Rite won't hurt my turning, but I have a HP-D44 sitting in my shop waiting for the 35 to break so it can be replaced.

 

[rhauf]

Either your tires are way too big or something wasn't right with the axle. I beat the absolute snot out of my Ex with heavy bias ply tires and an extra ~100# on the front end. My center joint is even a worn out junk yard joint and I've not had a single issue. That said, if you're on rocks a lot, you'll grip a lot harder than the mud we see down here and that introduces a whole new world of trouble.

Detroit and Lock-Rite won't hurt my turning, but I have a HP-D44 sitting in my shop waiting for the 35 to break so it can be replaced.

it has 35's on it, i broke it on dirt. i'm not exactly easy on it either. they may have just been fatigued and ready to go. i originally broke the front spider gears by whomping it up a hill backwards a few times.. (getting a feel to jump it backwards)... have that on video too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xaCGs5TbUY

here's a couple other vids of said bronco (all taken before welded front)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X-QDelPBzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02vGZj92N9o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0aqMtuqyY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZaXLmWxgCI

 

[Freshmeat]

Good stuff man. I honestly welded mine hoping it'd break something so I'd have some justification to build up the 44. Now I'm kinda just doing my thing to see how long it'll last without breaking.