Recommended Off-Roading Mods

[robmurt04]

1994 Ford Explorer XLT.
DAILY DRIVER and Off-Roader.

I plan on modding my explorer to make it more capable of doing some serious off-roading. I just have a few questions about the mods I plan on getting and other mods i should probably invest in. (Please note this is also a Daily Driver, so i want to keep atleast somewhat safe and completely legal for the road)


1) Lift Kit - I hope to get a 4inch lift kit. I wanted to get a either a Rough Country or Tuff Country kit b/c they are the cheapest. How well do these hold up on the trail?

2) Tires - I hope to get either 32x12.50's or 33x10.50's mud terrains. Which would preform better?

3) Gears - Currently the explorer has stock 3.73 gears in the front and back. Should i get either 4.10 or 4.56 gears?

4) Lockers - Are Aussie Lockers good? And should i get them for both back and front? I wanted ones that were automatic so I'd have less hassle with them.




Is there anything else I should invest in that would help me off-roading?

 

[aeaglenfitch]

choose your gears based on the size of tire you're running. your gear/tire ratio will mess with your MPG dramatically (and not in a good way) if you run those tires with your stock gears for any amount of time your mpg is gona SUCKKKK. i think you can run the 4.10's for either tire size but i would go with the 4.56's because i know i'd want to go even bigger later.

from what i've heard aussie's are great.

but im gona suggest a couple mods that i think everybody should do to their truck no matter what it's for. let it BREATHE. Intake and exhaust. i suggest the volant intake, i chose it because it's enclosed in a box to help keep heat and water out when im wheelin unlike others which are completely exposed. best of all they improve mpg and add hp/tq

 

[Tbars4]

just my opinions...
1) go with the skyjacker...and you get what you pay for...here's a helpful link..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187193

2) tires will give you axle clearance so the taller the tire, the more axle clearance...this is all relative to what lift you will put on and the lift sites usually have info on what size tire for your truck..

3) gears, as mentioned before are relative to what size tires you put on...gears will cost 150 up plus install of about 200 per axle

4) aussie lockers are good and are priced right..there are different wants and needs thats why there are different variations of lockers...you do need to know that you will have to get open carrier for the rear to put the locker in if you have limited slip on your truck...aussie will cost you about 250 plus install plus open carrier for any locker..

i hope this helps as you want to sit down and take in alot of info to figure out which way you want to go...it's cheaper if you do it in order, rather than doing it twice, for example, put your locker and gears in the rear first and then you will only be 4x2 until you do the front axle...it's actually alot of money at one time thats why so many start buying parts and then have their truck down a month installing all at the same time...

 

[sn0border88]

1994 Ford Explorer XLT.
DAILY DRIVER and Off-Roader.

I plan on modding my explorer to make it more capable of doing some serious off-roading. I just have a few questions about the mods I plan on getting and other mods i should probably invest in. (Please note this is also a Daily Driver, so i want to keep atleast somewhat safe and completely legal for the road)


1) Lift Kit - I hope to get a 4inch lift kit. I wanted to get a either a Rough Country or Tuff Country kit b/c they are the cheapest. How well do these hold up on the trail?

2) Tires - I hope to get either 32x12.50's or 33x10.50's mud terrains. Which would preform better?

3) Gears - Currently the explorer has stock 3.73 gears in the front and back. Should i get either 4.10 or 4.56 gears?

4) Lockers - Are Aussie Lockers good? And should i get them for both back and front? I wanted ones that were automatic so I'd have less hassle with them.




Is there anything else I should invest in that would help me off-roading?

1. I would do a shackle/spacker lift and 3" )5" overall) BL and save money for #4

2. As far as performace goes, think of your member. Some people say "bigger is better" others say "size dosent matter, its how you use it." Same applies.

3. 3.73's will be ok for 32 or 33/s but if you got change to spare after #4 then go for it.

4. Single most important thing, aussie lockers are awesome. I have one in my front 44 and I wish I had gotten one a long time ago. If you can only afford one, get it in the front first.

 

[Rick]

4. Single most important thing, aussie lockers are awesome. I have one in my front 44 and I wish I had gotten one a long time ago. If you can only afford one, get it in the front first.

I would recommend just the opposite. I have selectable lockers front and rear, ARB Airlockers. I barely lock the front diff. In fact I barely get into fourwheel drive on many trails as I run in 2wd low range with the rear locked. The front only gets locked when the rear just can't push the rig on it's own, mainly boulder fields, and STEEP climbs.

 

[sn0border88]

It defiantly is a matter of opinion, but in my experience a front locker is the way to go, since he most likely has a LS rear.

This has also been beaten to death on pirate, general consensus is front locker if you can only have one. Not that that means its true, but its something to consider.

 

[Rick]

The rear does most of the work in the majority of situations. Try driving your rig with only the front driveshaft connected and see how far you make it up your favorite trail. I have had to do just that on a few occasions (busted u-joints and pretzled driveshafts) and I found myself behind a tow strap on what appeared to be the easiest of climbs.

If you have a L/S in back then put the locker in front. If you are open front and rear, put it in the rear.

 

[sn0border88]

And ive found myself in quite a few situations with only a rear shaft and I got just about no where but dirt trails and a few hills. Like I said, matter of pref, there is no right or wrong.

 

[aeaglenfitch]

put it in the rear.

tee hee hee...

 

[Rick]

.

 

[JDraper]

That's Baaaaaaaadddddd...

Man I feel kinda sheepish now...

 

[Rick]

And ive found myself in quite a few situations with only a rear shaft and I got just about no where but dirt trails and a few hills.

Funny... you should see how many times I can't figure out why I'm not climbing an obstacle only to realize that I had been through the whole trail in 2wd with just the rear axle locked. It's become a standing joke... Other guys are doing their best to make it through in 4wd, and I make all, but the worst in 2wd

 

[mrboyle]

If you want an example of weither a front or rear locker is better take a look at where I have taken my X. I run a Powertrax NoSlip in the rear only and wouldn't have it any other way. The only time I have ever had a problem is on slick mud.

That being said there is one thing everyone needs more than any lift, locker or big tires. That is to know how to drive! You can have the baddest rig out there, but if you can't drive it, you might as well stay home.

 

[Black Goblin]

If you want an example of weither a front or rear locker is better take a look at where I have taken my X. I run a Powertrax NoSlip in the rear only and wouldn't have it any other way. The only time I have ever had a problem is on slick mud.

That being said there is one thing everyone needs more than any lift, locker or big tires. That is to know how to drive! You can have the baddest rig out there, but if you can't drive it, you might as well stay home.

Verry Verry true.... I have always said it isn't the rig that makes it work its the driver in most cases.

 

[IZwack]

That being said there is one thing everyone needs more than any lift, locker or big tires. That is to know how to drive! You can have the baddest rig out there, but if you can't drive it, you might as well stay home.

Dont forget that "line" -- gotta have the perfect line, makes things so much easier, especially in tight situations

 

[Tbars4]

but come on now, he is a newbie who is proud of his truck and he can't learn by staying at home...and nobody that goes wheeling learned from staying at home nor have they kept their truck 100% stock...:

 

[Black Goblin]

but come on now, he is a newbie who is proud of his truck and he can't learn by staying at home...and nobody that goes wheeling learned from staying at home nor have they kept their truck 100% stock...:

LOL that is very true

 

[sn0border88]

Funny... you should see how many times I can't figure out why I'm not climbing an obstacle only to realize that I had been through the whole trail in 2wd with just the rear axle locked. It's become a standing joke... Other guys are doing their best to make it through in 4wd, and I make all, but the worst in 2wd

****y, just a little bit?

 

[cybergasm]

nahh just confident

 

[R.J.]

i like what tbars has to say. and i would say go with the skyjacker kit too.