These thoughts need to stop

[yellowford]

After being around some of my friends with jeeps and all the aftermarket support they have I am seriously considering selling the Explorer and buying a cherokee. I want a solid front axle and a selectable transfer case and that is not going to be cheap or easy to do on the explorer. I just don't know if I could ever drive a jeep and not be in a ford. Somehow the kbb on the Explorer is now almost $1000 higher than what i paid for it and I can find jeeps cheap this is really looking easy. There is also a local jeep club that has acess to private land. These thoughts need to stop I've always been a Ford guy but damn jeeps come with the stuff I want. If I were to get a Jeep it would definetely be built up with Ford parts though. ::

 

[unclemeat]

You could buy a gen I Explorer or Ranger to mod. Lots more posibilities, cheaper parts. some of these older trucks can be had for a song.

remember, "its a jeep thing, nobody understands..."

 

[briwayjones]

So you're going to go with a uni-body and weaker rear axle, give up a stronger frame to get a stock solid front axle?

 

[jad2411]

Does this help?:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0802/gallery.2008_cr_worst_cars/

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=435706

 

[briwayjones]

WOOT, not a single Ford on the bad list. Not one on the good list though either.

 

[yellowford]

The unibody is not that big of deal to me, it lowers the weight and has a lower center of gravity, and the rear axle I would probably swap in a 8.8 and get all the strength back. I would love to have a 93-97 ranger but around here people think they are gold mines with 4wd and ext cab. I still havn't decided but there are just so many possibilities with a jeep. There is also the greater access to private land with a jeep becuase of the KCjeep club.

 

[Riddle_Rob]

Pretty racist if they don't allow non jeeps. I just TRIED joining our local jeep club and they accepted me no problems. They have a few members without jeeps. The mentioned not caring as long as I have proper tow points for recovery and that I come to meets and things like normal members. Try it, just sign up and say hey, new here without a Jeep. If you get booted... big deal. Go back IF you get a Jeep.

 

[IZwack]

LOL you cant ask this question on this forum, we're biased by nature . Just do what you feel like doing. If its more cost effective to off road with a Cherokee, then by all means.

IMO, the unibody is fine for off roading but when you start getting serious and start modifying (swapping axles or whatever), then I think you're going to want a full running chassis.

 

[Rick]

The unibody is not that big of deal to me, it lowers the weight and has a lower center of gravity, and the rear axle I would probably swap in a 8.8 and get all the strength back. I would love to have a 93-97 ranger but around here people think they are gold mines with 4wd and ext cab. I still havn't decided but there are just so many possibilities with a jeep. There is also the greater access to private land with a jeep becuase of the KCjeep club.

We've got a big Cherokee guy out here in AZ. He runs them until the doors won't shut anymore due to the chassis flex then scraps them and runs another... Don't forget, every good Jeep runs Ford rears, Ford or Chevy motors, etc...

Sure is nice to have a real frame under a real 4x4...

Just check our For Sale forum, there have been some unbelievable deals on Explorers, both first and second gen which have already had a ton of money poured into them, solid axles etc... but the owner wants out and is willing to sell for dirt cheap.

 

[james t]

Depends on the Jeep.

If you're thinking of a YJ or TJ, ive got nothing bad to say other than its the same bland generic buildable offroad rig that 80% of the other wheelers have. They really are great rigs, albeit bland.

If you're thinking XJ (Cherokee), well they've got a cult following but i think you'd be better off keeping your X and doing an SAS. Sureshot40sw had an XJ for a while... i slammed the door one day and cracked the roof. Also, we were always welding the door hinges on the thing because it would crack around the hinges. Jack it up to change a tire and the back hatch would pop open and you couldnt open the door on teh opposite side. It really made me aware of how nice it is to have a frame.

 

[Tbars4]

...This truck is for sale...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232574

 

[james t]

Id like to add... if you have money on hand watch our for sale section and be patient.

Chances are, you could sell your explorer locally and buy one already SAS'd for dirt cheap. In todays market it really makes sense to buy an already built rig and change it up a bit to fit your needs.

 

[yellowford]

I ended up picking up a 93 wrangler sahara with the 4.0 and five speed, my mom is buying my Exploere to drive so I will still get to drive it. This little thing has been pretty fun with the doors off and will take the top off once it warms up. I really like having a five speed and manual transfer case with the solid front axle. I know that it will probably end up with a ford rear end in it and some other ford parts. It feels so little after driving the Explorer with 31's, this thing has babby 215/75/15's on it.

It will eventually get lifted with 31's since I still need it to ride decent on the highway but it should be pretty fun going topless in the summer.

 

[Dannyboy]

Congrats on your new purchase.

Out of curiousity what is the gear ratio? I had a buddy get a TJ with 215s and it had 3.07 gears. A good plan of attack would be to look for an 8.8 with 4.10 gears at the junk yard and keep your eyes peeled on the jeep boards for somebody who stuck a lot of money into a Dana 30 and is upgrading to 1/2 or 1 ton running gear. Like advise given to your about buying a built truck, you could buy a built axle for cheaper than you could build one.

 

[yellowford]

I think it has the 3.07s which really suck but on the highway in 5th I'm barely turning 2000 rpm at 75, but I 've got some 31's to put on it but it is going to bog down really bad with them. I'm hoping I can find some axles out of one that came with a 4 banger and just swap them in to get 4.10 or at least for the front and get a 8.8 for the back. But this thing has been fun the last couple days with the top and doors off. I just have to keep it streetable since I will be driving it to college next year.

 

[yellowford]

How it sits with 31's, its going to need lifted as the tires rub at full flex its nice being able to flex out the front end on this thing as the Ex could not flex at all.

 

[yellowford]

I couldn't stand being away from a Ford I've been trying to sell this Jeep and it looks like I am going to buy a Explorer sport after being away I realize how much superior Fords are to other vehicles specifically chrysler's.

 

[Joe Dirt]

'atta boy...



It really is evident how well Ford vehicles are built after driving other makes, isn't it?

 

[briwayjones]

WOOT! Good thing you came to your senses.

 

[yellowford]

Just sold the Jeep now I'm on the lookout for a new Explorer. The prices of used cars it seems have went bazerk, I got the same amount out of the Jeep that I paid for it but oh well it has a few things that needed fixed I'm just glad to not be working on a vehicle covered in Torx bolts anymore.