What's in store for Rick's Pumpkin?

[Josh P]

Budget would be whatever it takes. Part of me wants to take it to the next level, another part says just leave it be.

I just can't picture what I would be using it for or how often I would be using it.

V8 and boost. Drive it to church on Sunday. Whatever you do, get a more powerful engine under the hood. My vote is for a 351W but a 2.3 Ecoboost would be just as much fun.

 

[Stic-o]

Budget would be whatever it takes. Part of me wants to take it to the next level, another part says just leave it be.

I had this problem with JP. She's really ready to be torn down and redone on some things. Somethings I would have done differently now. Yet a lot of me just wants to leave it alone because despite it all. She works just the way she is.

Also I bought the Navajo to do something more extreme. We all know how that's going. Too busy making money...

 

[Turdle]

Correct me if I'm wrong.
A lightweight engine in front would be best for climbing.
4 cyl Ecoboost has more power than any framed stock engine explorer.

 

[Rick]

Funny how things work out. I just got a friend request on Facebook from Torrey and another from Torrey's son. Torrey was the guy who worked on my Explorer first at Fly-N-Hi and then at FST. I haven't seen him in over ten years. Just started working on the Pumpkin again and I got friend requests from him and his son. His son said they had been talking about the Pumpkin recently.

Here is a photo of his son from one of the last times I saw him:

And here is one I just took from his FB page. He's grown just a little bit.

 

[Josh P]

Motor swap party @ Rick's garage.

 

[Rick]

@Kris Guilbeaux @NICE59FORDF100

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

 

[410Fortune]

When you say “take it to the next level” what pops up in your head? 6 ton military axles and 54” tires? 427 stroker and 600hp?
Or?

 

[Rick]

@Kris Guilbeaux @NICE59FORDF100

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

More horsepower, replace the D44 with a D60 and 40s.

 

[Josh P]

When you say “take it to the next level” what pops up in your head? 6 ton military axles and 54” tires? 427 stroker and 600hp?
Or?

I'm thinking more displacement, 351W based stroker.

460 CUBIC INCH BOSS SHORT BLOCK - WINDSOR SB BASED

460 CUBIC INCH BOSS SHORT BLOCK - WINDSOR SB BASED|Ford Performance Parts

performanceparts.ford.com

 

[410Fortune]

427 and some Built 60s ooooh la la cough cough rear steering cough

 

[Josh P]

Probably be the most capable explorer built. With 40s, you'll want more torque than a 2.3 Ecoboost will put out.

 

[Rick]

"The best-laid plans of mice and men" got me again.

I really had high hopes for this electric hydroboost setup. Tried it out today for the first time and it's really not much different than what I had as far as initial stopping power. I put a pressure gauge in the bleeder port and found that the initial hit only gives me 500psi. It will build to 1500psi which is great but it takes a few seconds which you don't have the luxury of when it comes to panic stops. I think part of my issue lies with the GMC/Chevy calipers which use a single huge piston, not sure though. A smaller piston in the master cylinder would help, but the electric hydroboost isn't available that way.

 

[Rick]

Probably be the most capable explorer built. With 40s, you'll want more torque than a 2.3 Ecoboost will put out.

It's been a long time since I priced out wheels. I'm looking at $1000.00+ ea for 17" beadlocks. I just can't see it happening unless I find a used set for $1000.00 a set! They now sell 15" beadlocks for SxS that cost more than the beadlocks I have had on the Pumpkin for 24 years.

I guess my brain says my budget should still be where the value of the dollar was back in the year 2000. Not going to happen.

 

[Rick]

 

[Josh P]

Maybe Santa will put a V8 and some new wheels under the Christmas tree.

 

[sandsprayer]

Ok I have thought about this for a couple hours.
#1 Paul is the most correct
We are spending your cash.
That said I will temper this response.
Given your experience with performance I can't for the life of me figure how you are fine with the OHV, and haven't repowered that vehicle.
You said it yourself wheel speed is necessary in soft stuff.
V8= easy wheel speed.
Personally I would take any of the strokers, aluminum heads and custom cam. So much so that I will be doing the same.
My SOHC is fine- especially since I off road and not hard core 4x4.
But TBH driving my buddies 383 1/2 ton, and kicking the back end around easily puts the smile to my face.

 

[Josh P]

Ok I have thought about this for a couple hours.
#1 Paul is the most correct
We are spending your cash.
That said I will temper this response.
Given your experience with performance I can't for the life of me figure how you are fine with the OHV, and haven't repowered that vehicle.
You said it yourself wheel speed is necessary in soft stuff.
V8= easy wheel speed.
Personally I would take any of the strokers, aluminum heads and custom cam. So much so that I will be doing the same.
My SOHC is fine- especially since I off road and not hard core 4x4.
But TBH driving my buddies 383 1/2 ton, and kicking the back end around easily puts the smile to my face.

I think Rick is spending his money, with input from us. If he handed me his Amex and said make it a surprise. Then I'd agree, I'm also sure once the regret wore off he'd be happy with the results.

 

[tdavis]

Did you ever get new seats for it?

irate4x4 is doing a group buy on PRP seats..

 

[Paul]

Offered for your consumption, Rick. . . .

1993 XL: 1993 Ford Explorer XL for sale - Everett, WA - craigslist

A few dents, interior is gray (instead of Prairie Tan), but it has the roll-up windows. . . A4LD and questionable mileage, but still a clean slate.

 

[Josh P]

I like that color