94 exploder wheelable?

[garagedog]

is an exploer worth the work and effort to lift , straight axle the front end, s.o.a the rear and wheel or is it the piece of crap it drives like on the road?
any input is appriciated.

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Junk.

[Dr.Danger]

Do a search you will turn up several awesome Explorer builds. Think of it as a Ranger with a permanent camper and 4 doors on it.

Stock, they aren't the most capable rig, but neither is a stock '66 Bronco. With modification they can be very capable.

[Jules083]

I like them. With a solid front axle, well thought out front link suspension, and a spring over rear you basically end up with a Cherokee except having a full frame. The 4.0 and 5.0 are both good motors, just add a trans cooler to help it out some. My girlfriend's has 263,000 miles on hers and it's running strong still so the drivetrain can last if it's not abused.

*edit* Check out this Ranger. Very similiar to yours, I believe the only real difference between the Ranger and Explorer is that the rear leaf spring setup is spring over on the Ranger instead of under like the Explorer, and the rear axle is a bit stronger on the explorer.

/forum/ford/913840-94-ranger-build-low-budget-capeable-rig.html

[f350n4.6ranger]

Originally Posted by Idaho4x4Bronco

Junk.

Great post.

Wheel the piss out of it. Lifts are cheap, the D35 is decent as well as the 8.8. Parts are dead cheap and a dime a dozen in junkyards, and you can wheel with 4 friends.

[45acp]

I can (mostly) run with the big dogs, and drive down interstate with the cruise control on 75mph, AC blasting, and one finger on the steering wheel.

If you're wanting to stay medium core then fullwidth HP44/9" is were its at.

[Andy351]

damn, thats a pretty sick little exploder. build thread?

[45acp]

No build thread, it's pretty basic. HP44 front with extended radius arms, 9" rear with just a spring over, fenders cut out, rockers cut off, wheelbase stretched to 108", cage blah blah blah

[f350n4.6ranger]

That exploder is TITS. Engine? Trans?

[mwebb]

zapper has a pretty built xploder

[Code]

Yeah explorer's are very wheelable! I like the 1st gens the best but 2nd gens can be built pretty nice too.

Here's mine, this was the first obstacle I took it on after the sas was finished so it's not too cool but it did great on the trail. It's got a d44 9" 5.13's and a spool in the rear. Need to get a locker up front but it had no issues on the orange trails at badlands (first trip, wanted to make sure it didn't fall apart lol)

[45acp]

Originally Posted by f350n4.6ranger

That exploder is TITS. Engine? Trans?

Stock 4.0, A4LD, needs a doubler bad and 4:88's. Strange 3rd with a spool out back and lockright with superiors/CTM's. Its finally to the point that i can bunny hop it without breaking stuff.

[LOGANSTANFORTH]

I had a 94 extended cab Ranger with a 4.0/5 speed/auto case/35 front and 8.8 rear on stock suspension with 31 A/T's and I wheeled it through most things and it did great. Now I have the same combination in a 2 door 94 explorer but with 265/75/15 tires and it goes just as good...

[HahnsB2]

Originally Posted by Jules083

I like them. With a solid front axle, well thought out front link suspension, and a spring over rear you basically end up with a Cherokee except having a full frame.

This.

The 4.0 is great and believe it or not makes the same peak torque 600RPMS lower than the Jeep I6 as well. The A4LD auto is crap IMO, the M5OD 5 speed is much more durable. If you have an auto, put a cooler on it!