Searching for mod options

[Bobby Brown]

I own a '93 EB explorer with a 4.0 v6, 6 inch trail master suspention lift, 3 inch body lift, and 33x12.50 BFG MT's. I havn't owned my explorer long but I'm almost positive my engine and gears are stock. I am looking for modifications that would enable me to tow a 40 foot boat short distances, and very occationally for maintenance. I've consulted W local offroad shops and been told 3 things. Change to 4:27 gears, use K and N air filters, and there is a posibility that I could change out the engine to a (hopefully because I've built a Bronco with one) 351 Windsor or a smaller v8. I'm looking for anyone who has performed any of these mods and who can tell me what's worked. Money isn't an option. This is my hobby (this is my 4th 4x4 to build). If the mod is really expensive it may just take longer to get done, but I need to know what works. If you have any answers please post or e-mail at bobby_1398@hotmail.com. Thanks and I really enjoy the readers' rides photos. I'll post mine asap. Please post yours if you havn't yet, we're all looking for ideas.

 

[BislamJoe]

You could fit a 351W, but I'm told that it's a real bear to wedge in. A 302 fits quite well though. But V8 swaps work, and work well. I'm in the planning stages of mine right now. What size tire are you planning to run? How much lift do you want to end up with? Will you use this truck for rockcrawling or what? In my build I'm going to end up with a 302 (from Ford Racing, likely the 345hp one), AOD, Dana 20, 9" rear, 4" of lift, 35's, 3" wider per side TTB with the 9" cut to match, flared fiberglass fenders, and either 3.73 or 4.10 gears (probably 3.73). You could swap in a Dana 44 live axle in front if you rockcrawl. I think that swapping in a V8 you can get away with a higher gear ratio, esp. if you have a fairly built V8.

On another note - 9 inches of lift?? Whoa! That's a lot for just 33's.

Good luck with your build though bubba. :smoke:

 

[Bobby Brown]

Thanks, BislamJoe, for your reply. I will be doing lots of rock crawling in Hawaii over lava rock. However, this is my daily driver as well. My main concern right now is towing. I want to build so that my engine can tow a 40 ft boat with as little strain as possible. I don't want to be restricted to the slow lane of the interstate either. I want, eventually to run 35's, but that is down the road a little, I'm still dealing with the rubbing from my 33's. I was told by a off road shop that my stock gears were 3:73 ratio. I am thinking of upgrading to 4:27's. Will that be sufficient, for now at least, for towing the boat with the added strain of my tires? or would an engine swap be the cheaper option down the road?

Good luck on your engine swap. Please keep me informed as to your progress and outcome. I'm very interrested cause I may do the same thing.

Oh, and the question about my lift and tires.........I have room for 35's right now everywhere except the corners of the front fenders nearest the doors. My 33's rub there when turning. I'm in the planning stage of cutting my fenders, however I'm worried about leaving a sharp edge that could possibly damage the tires worse than the rubbing already has.

 

[BislamJoe]

The engine swap would likely end up more expensive down the road, but I like the idea that I can start with a fairly stock 302 and in the future upgrade it further and further. Gearing is probably the cheapest way to solve your problem, but if you're thinking about expandability in the future, to me the V8 seems the best route.

If you'd like (or even if you wouldn't) I'll tell you how I build my truck in your place.

I'd ditch the body lift, and swap in a solid Dana 44 front axle, probably a little wider than the stock TTB. Out back, I'd do a Ford 9" cut to match the D44; set it up with coils front, leaves rear, probably around 6-7 inches of lift. I'd swap in a V8 (I'm crazy, so I'd start with the Ford racing 345hp 302 and add a blower.... hmm... mo power....) and gear the diffs to 4.10 or 4.27. Then I'd get a full set of fiberglass fenders to clear the biggest tires I could fit. I'm thinking under 'glass with 7 inches, 37's or 38's could fit; since Fenderguy has 35's under 'glass with only 4 inches.

I'll be sure to let you know how the swap turns out, but it's still a ways down the road. :smoke: