Ryan's F250/Explorer hybrid

I guess this is what happens when you take someone like me, add someone like Kevin (DWD), and throw in some beer!
Here's the plan. This weekend I'm looking at buying a '79 F250 longbed. It has a 300 straight 6, leaf sprung dana44 front, dana 60 rear. Basically, I'm going to put my Explorer body on the F250 frame.
First things first. I need to rebuild the 6banger, trans and axles. Then, I cut some of the frame out of the F250, bring the dana60 forward a bit. Fab up some body mounts, get creative with the engine compartment and steering linkage coming out of the Explorer firewall. Then I spend 200 or so manhours rewiring, fabbing fuel and brake lines. Then I slap on some new tires (38s?) with 8lug rims and bingo....I go 4wheelin'.
This project doesnt have a 100% green light yet. I have a lot of messurments to take on the F250. If I'm satisfied with my tape messure, then its a go.
This project will obviously take time. My inital calculations for money are around $5000, although thats surely going to climb 20-30% (much like building a house). That cost includes the cost of the vehicle, but does not include tires/rims.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Nice

 

[95exploderboy]

Nice

Very insightful words for a 6 year old thread...

 

[arsoul]

It's been a few years. Thought I would post some pics to show what the old girl looks like these days.
And yes...she has been rode hard and put away wet.

 

[arsoul]

 

[arsoul]

 

[lynchy wa]

It doesn't get much better mate. F*****' incredible work.

 

[RangerX]

Arsoul!?!? You last posted in this thread ---> 04-06-2003, 11:00 AM

Real good to see you're alive and so is the beast. I really like the parts of the cage that run along the front fenders, can you show what it ties into?
That last pic, the taillight reminds me of a Defender, what's it from?

 

[arsoul]

Heres a picture that better shows the fender bars. They just tie into the front down piece.

I made the tail lights from scratch. I got tired of buying tail light assemblies from the junk yard. Had some sheet metal laying around, some extra trailer lights that never got used and a case of beer. Haven't broke one since.

 

[Joe Dirt]

That's too cool for school...

 

[Punjab]

Very cool indeed. You see it and want to say hey that's an explorer! But thats no explorer. That's a beast.

 

[Paul]

It's been a few years. Thought I would post some pics to show what the old girl looks like these days.
And yes...she has been rode hard and put away wet.

Hey, these pics are from 2008! ! ! Get back out and wheel that Beast!

Paul
'91 Sport

 

[james t]

Blast from the past! Good to see this thing is still out there getting beat on.

 

[arsoul]

2008?!! Has it been that long?
I only got to take it out twice last year...once to the Oregon dunes and once to Manastash. But...now I have a Lance camper for the truck, so the girls won't complain about having to pee in the woods.

 

[Micah J]

Anyone know if this thing is still around?

 

[Godzilla2y]

Anyone know if this thing is still around?

Doing my classic late night browsing. I checked out Arsoul's profile. It looks like he parted it out in 2012. What an amazing read, though.