Regards from Iceland

[Turdle]

That looks fantastic!! I'm amazed.

How--38's? Ifs?

 

[ExIce]

38 vs IFS

38´s and IFS pose no problem. We have a lot of trucks in Iceland running that combination. Toyota Hilux and LandCruisers, Izusu Troopers, Nissan Pathfinders. Some guys have even modified the 120 LC for 44" on IFS
I´ve had a Trooper on 38"s and even a Sidekick on 36"s and the IFS didn´t even notice the change

 

[Yomie]

Yeah, the terrain for 'wheelin is very forgiving in Iceland and trucks up there barely see american highway speeds, the commutes are usually very short and that is one bad explorer

I kinda miss living in Keflavik

 

[Bluehue0]

38´s and IFS pose no problem. We have a lot of trucks in Iceland running that combination. Toyota Hilux and LandCruisers, Izusu Troopers, Nissan Pathfinders. Some guys have even modified the 120 LC for 44" on IFS
I´ve had a Trooper on 38"s and even a Sidekick on 36"s and the IFS didn´t even notice the change

Don't you guys typical have problem of wheel bearing failure due to the width of the wheel and unsprung weight? I would think you're running 4" backspace on 12" steel, right?

how did you increase the wheel base by moving the IFS system if you have?
I can't tell by the picture if you also moved the wheel base for the rear...

(I own 2002 explorer sport).... I know that Thrandur Arnthorsson, host of the www.4x4offroads.com used nissan 35" clearance fenders (sport-trac in iceland). Do you know any fender makers for my model in iceland? I couldn't find anyone in US.

Please advise.

 

[ExIce]

Sure

Don't you guys typical have problem of wheel bearing failure due to the width of the wheel and unsprung weight? I would think you're running 4" backspace on 12" steel, right?

That is correct, it´s about 3.75-4" backspace and nobody expects the same durability from the wheel bearings under these stresses. Many travel with a spare bearing to be prepared for a failure. Many also take a few hours every year to repack and retighten the front wheel bearings to be prepared for the winter. I would say that if moderately used a front wheel bearing should last 30-60k. miles for most.

how did you increase the wheel base by moving the IFS system if you have?
I can't tell by the picture if you also moved the wheel base for the rear...

Nothing was moved or changed in the front. I only moved the rear axle 3 cm (1.2 inches) rearwards using homemade relocation plates.

(I own 2002 explorer sport).... I know that Thrandur Arnthorsson, host of the www.4x4offroads.com used nissan 35" clearance fenders (sport-trac in iceland). Do you know any fender makers for my model in iceland? I couldn't find anyone in US.

I don´t know what flares they used on his Sport Track but me and the guy who modified the truck for him, work at the same company (the Ford importer/dealership for Iceland) and I can check with him and get back to you. One person there had a 35" Sport Track with flares similar to Bushwacker´s but I can also check if those are icelandic.

Untill then,
ExIce

 

[Bluehue0]

ExIce,

Thanks for your quick reply.

Practically speaking, I'm not knowledgeable on extending the rear wheel base and how exactly it's done. From what I have read from various threads, it seems to require a new rear driveshaft and new spring position welding. Can you elaborate on your homemade relocation plate and how it works w/o the custom driveshaft and new spring positions?

In addition, I'm wondering if it's also a popular setup to install 4" superlift for the 38" tire setup.

I currently have 4" lift spring from superlift and 2" torsion lift on the front. I'm hoping to keep the rear lift setup and and install front superlift kit from www.summitracing.com . Wondering about your thoughts?
(My suspension setup is primarily for local/highway/ and snow-terrain. I do not do rock crawling or anything too wild.)


In the meantime, I'll wait for your next response ( + 'bout iceland fender flares for the sport).


Thanks,

 

[ExIce]

Flares

Hi,

for the Sport Trac Þrándur used icelandic made flares for Nissan Navara modified for the Sport Trac. The other I was talking about used Bushwacker´s.

I´m going on vacation tomorrow to try out my Splorer and I will do a rough writeup when I get back, with pictures.

Until then,
ExIce

 

[trj360]

n tomorrow to try out my Splorer and I will do a rough writeup when I get back, with pictures.

Until then,
ExIce

Where's the write up?? I want to see this thing in action!

 

[NorthernWheeler]

If 38s will fit with only a 4" body lift, is it reasonable to think that a smaller version could be built with only a stock ex, 33s, and fender trimming and flares?

 

[jimwww]

Beautiful trucks - wow. In jeep world there is a saying - You don't buy a Jeep you make one. These are the best examples of Fords..

 

[CoolB]

Fenders

ExIce

Where and what fender flares did you get for your truck.
By the way love the look

 

[OffTrac]

ExIce

Where and what fender flares did you get for your truck.
By the way love the look

From post #11

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1770337&postcount=11