Racing explorer tips?

[mr.frenchy]

Here is another event we do, this track is a little more high speed then expected this weekend and has less obstacles...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts-IhS9PN-s


It's a tough call between taking it easy to save the truck for 2 days, go ballz out going for glory, pleasing the crowd, being safe, etc...

Typically, these trucks are re-used for many events, teams gather spare write-off's for parts, etc...
Time will tell for this explorer. IFS has me scared.
I like the theory behind the front IFS, if only it were strong like those custom desert racing setups!

 

[carlover]

Here is another event we do, this track is a little more high speed then expected this weekend and has less obstacles...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts-IhS9PN-s


It's a tough call between taking it easy to save the truck for 2 days, go ballz out going for glory, pleasing the crowd, being safe, etc...

Typically, these trucks are re-used for many events, teams gather spare write-off's for parts, etc...
Time will tell for this explorer. IFS has me scared.
I like the theory behind the front IFS, if only it were strong like those custom desert racing setups!

It can be, just costs money. im running an IFS long travel setup and it performs just as well as any other setup. There are a few tricks you can do to save your suspension......

Upgrade to the moog upper control arms which allow for more travel wthout binding up the ball joint.

Install a set of limit straps so you dont over extend the stock ball joints and break them.

run a hyro bump stop to limit your uptravel to save parts.

You really need to keep the suspension within its safe operating range so you dont start breaking parts.

 

[storlied]

Hm.... your comment on upper moog parts for more travel interests me.... is this something that can be considered a good off-roading 'mod' for a practically stock front end?

 

[carlover]

Hm.... your comment on upper moog parts for more travel interests me.... is this something that can be considered a good off-roading 'mod' for a practically stock front end?

They ball joint moog uses is a high angle ball joint so yes it would be a good method to help the strength of the front ends. I personally have broken a stock ball joint in a situation where i would not have if it was a high angle one.

or if you really want to go stronger you get one with a big uniball and more than likely never have to change it again. They cost a little more but it's well worth it.

 

[LBarr2002]

After watching that video, and you saying that that is faster and less obstacles than you're expecting, I'd run in 4 low.

 

[carlover]

gotta do it cali style...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3O_8FvlLP8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjEVwKg6wmk

 

[trj360]

limiting straps would be a great idea, whoever posted that is a smart guy...

 

[rhauf]

First, It's sad to see a nice ex thats going to be destroyed. but i guess this is a much better fate than that cash for clunkers bs. anyhow. i do have one suggestion, which is i would not run bigger tires. if you are in 4wd you will have plenty of traction with stock tires. traction i dont think will be a problem. you're biggest problem will be breaking stuff, and bigger tires will = more leverage on stock suspension parts and more breaking stuff. be sure to videotape it and post up the video.

 

[mr.frenchy]

First, It's sad to see a nice ex thats going to be destroyed. but i guess this is a much better fate than that cash for clunkers bs. anyhow. i do have one suggestion, which is i would not run bigger tires. if you are in 4wd you will have plenty of traction with stock tires. traction i dont think will be a problem. you're biggest problem will be breaking stuff, and bigger tires will = more leverage on stock suspension parts and more breaking stuff. be sure to videotape it and post up the video.

First, I hope it lives. Think of how many new ford fans will be leaving those shows thinking "holy crap, them Fords is tough!"

I love your thinking about traction gains Vs. breakage. This is a 5 race event. Don't need to be the fastest, just decent times, but consistent.

I just learned tonight that my camcorder has a "USB stream" feature.

Might be able to connect a laptop on the sidelines somewhere to get this low budget, cheap entertainment event out to the interwebs somehow...

 

[mr.frenchy]

Are there any sort of sensors that detect a "crash" and shut off the fuel pump?

Easy to drift in 2WD?

Maybe I could hit jumps in Reverse and save the front end components?

 

[storlied]

I don't know which sensors cause the fuel pump cutoff, but I know how to turn it back on... there's a switch/button behind the passenger side kick panel.. but if this happens.... please.. before you start em again... check for leaks.. we don't want ya to get hurt.

 

[97sprt4x4]

Are there any sort of sensors that detect a "crash" and shut off the fuel pump?

Easy to drift in 2WD?

Maybe I could hit jumps in Reverse and save the front end components?

i think that the sensor shuts off if the car is ever inverted... i'm no sure tho as far as 2wd. you don't have it unless you have a 95 or 96. and if you're going to jump i don't think it will matter whether you're in drive or reverse you're still hitting the ground at the same speed. but it should be fun as hell

 

[gavin]

the intertia switch will get tripped by a hard enough impact.

it works on a similar scale as airbag sensors, I guess you could say. Except that you can reset it.

but yes, if the intertia switch gets tripped, it kills the power to the fuel pump.
I'm not sure how hard of an impact is needed to trip it thoug.

 

[ProjectAviator]

They ball joint moog uses is a high angle ball joint so yes it would be a good method to help the strength of the front ends. I personally have broken a stock ball joint in a situation where i would not have if it was a high angle one.

or if you really want to go stronger you get one with a big uniball and more than likely never have to change it again. They cost a little more but it's well worth it.

Any more info on these Moog parts: like part # etc sounds like parts I want to look into.

Tim

 

[mr.frenchy]

Good news for the truck It is still in one piece, didn't get abused, it was sold to my sponsor for $500

It was a free truck I was allowed to use for this comp. as there were not enough teams registered, but the show had to go on...

Last minute, plenty of teams signed up and showed up. As an "alternate" I was bumped. They ran over time limit for each show as it was, so I didn't even get a chance to run

Maybe a good thing, for my neck

Little vid of some of the action
offroad expo

Thanks again all!

 

[trj360]

Could a stock explorer have even made it over that track?

 

[mr.frenchy]

Could a stock explorer have even made it over that track?

I would've taken the time penalty and skipped the rock garden section.
Backing down the big culverts in the middle was allowed, bonus time for going over.
The rest would've taken it's toll on any stocker to be able to complete all 5 shows, but possible.

 

[Currency]

My 94 explorer is pretty much bone stock and I wouldn't try that. But I wouldn't take my old 86 S10 blazer over a rock sticking up two feet on an off road trail either. I did however take a 2wd S15 I got for $200 up the dirt bike trails at the same place when I was younger without a care in the world. All you could hear was the frame and gas tank dragging over the rocks. But my cousins 4wd stock ranger wouldn't go up but she doesn't know how to drive

I think it's a little different if your using a daily driver, Otherwise why not just try it?

 

[trj360]

Otherwise why not just try it?

I was thinking the IFS would get caught on anything and everything.

 

[Currency]

I believe it would at the stock ride height, Which is why any 4wd needs a little lift. My buddy has an 8 inch on his I think 98 explorer. But mine couldn't be that high for a daily driver. Would be hard putting my 13 month old in a car seat unless I climb in every time. It's always something.

I believe it was this thread where someone stated trashing it this way is better then cash for cunkers. I junked a 96 grand am yesterday and while I was unloading my eyes were drawn to a 2002 explorer with every single option, not a scratch on it and in yellow paint it had someone's name and the word "destroy" on the drivers side front window. I almost cried because some poor guy without a heart let an explorer go to be crushed that was ten times nicer then my 94. It's hard to even talk about it let alone go back there until it's gone. it's sitting next to a bunch of real junk cars one and 1/2 blocks from my front door.