my 96 explorer slight build

[ZkAr15]

Guess I will start a build thread to show the small build up of my 96 explorer.

Basic specs are as follows:
96 explorer xlt, 4.0l v6, with auto trans 178k
4 wheel disc with open diffs w/3.73's

Here it is stock as I u got it. Has a flowmaster (not sure the model) and a k&n filter. Painted factory wheels. A pioneer deck, 400watt amp with a jl 12" sub and alpine speakers in the doors.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140115_125054.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140115_125054.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Raised it up a little soon after. With a torsion bar crank and some shackles
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140115_164036.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140115_164036.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140115_164027.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140115_164027.jpg.html)

Made some shackles for out back using 3/8" flat bar and grade 8 hardware. gave me a solid 2 inches on the rear. Not the best pictures
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140127_203219.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140127_203219.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140127_203247.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140127_203247.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Fabbed up some sway bar links. Made one a disconnect. Not sure if I will use these. The old endlinks rusted out and who knows how long they had been broken. I like the way it rides without the swaybar and never noticed much dofference. May just pull the swaybar off all together and make a disconnect for the rear.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140128_185351.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140128_185351.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Out fooling around http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140127_202755.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140127_202755.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140127_202906.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140127_202906.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Got tires today! Cant wait to get them on. Hopefully will get them mounted up tomorrow.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140207_182530.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140207_182530.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140207_182537.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140207_182537.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

As of now I dont have much plans to do a whole lot to it as it is my daily beater. Was thinking, shocks more than likely going bilstein 5100's or similar. Building bumpers and possibly sliders, a roof rack and some better lighting. Then just drive the hell out of it

[ExplorerTom]

They are fairly capable trucks in stock form. I enjoy mine.

[The StRanger]

It is fairly easy to make an Explorer into a very capable offroader that can still be use as a Daily Driver.
A lot of Ranger stuff swaps over to Explorers give it light lift

[ctracy5]

I like those tires.

[Starkman]

That makes 3 gen 2 Explorers on here, and the fun begins...

BTW, against all safety recommendations I run without a front sway bar. Mine rusted off too and I just removed it. It's on my list to build disconnectable links soon.

[The StRanger]

That makes 3 gen 2 Explorers on here, and the fun begins...

BTW, against all safety recommendations I run without a front sway bar. Mine rusted off too and I just removed it. It's on my list to build disconnectable links soon.

That was the 1st thing to go on the Ranger !!

[ExplorerTom]

My rear bar is gone but I haven't taken the front off yet. I think I may go with coilovers soon and probably take it off then.

[ZkAr15]

You know I never realized that the links were even broken until I dod the breaks a couple weeks ago. Never noticed a difference and had been driving it for months that way. So thats why i am now thinking of just pulling it off and just leaving the rear. And making a disconnect for it

[Cr33p3r]

Have you noticed your rear springs swinging to the sides or side sway since you made the shackles?

[ZkAr15]

No nothing of that sort yet. They seem to holding pretty solid and straight so far. Have about 700-800 miles or so since I put them on.

[ZkAr15]

Had the tires mounted today on my lunch break at work. The ride is great now

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_152235.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_152235.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_152244.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_152244.jpg.html)

Wheels now need to be refinished

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_152321.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_152321.jpg.html)

[ctracy5]

They look even better on!

[Starkman]

Looks good!

[ZkAr15]

Thanks guys.

Im thinking maybe tomorrow I may to pull off the little side skirts the front valance on the bumper and the tow hitch reciever. Dont plan on towing anything so have no need for it and it is just unnecessary weight and it sits way low. Only thing its good for is being a bumper for the shackles that hang down pretty low, but what I was thinking was making some sort of piece that hangs down and acts as a gaurd for the shackles as well as tow hooks or something of the like

[ExplorerTom]

Until you get a bumper that's worth a squat, I'd keep the hitch. I scraped mine many times but I never got hung up on it. Now I have a stout bumper with boat loads of clearance.

[The StRanger]

Thanks guys.

Im thinking maybe tomorrow I may to pull off the little side skirts the front valance on the bumper and the tow hitch reciever. Dont plan on towing anything so have no need for it and it is just unnecessary weight and it sits way low. Only thing its good for is being a bumper for the shackles that hang down pretty low, but what I was thinking was making some sort of piece that hangs down and acts as a gaurd for the shackles as well as tow hooks or something of the like

And move the driving lights to the top of the bumper

[ZkAr15]

Yeah, I just dont like how far it sits down. It hangs down like 4-5 inches below the bumper. If it was tucked up more it wouldnt bother me
as much.

[ZkAr15]

Oh for sure, I had already planned on doing that. The lights were like that when I got it havent gotten around to moving them

[The StRanger]

Ya. If ya dont move them the first good approach angle will..

[ZkAr15]

They have already been knocked around a couple times. Been meaning to move them for a while now but haven gotten around to it.

[Brad]

Lookin good! :thumb:

[ZkAr15]

Valance removed and skirts removed. Still need to drill holes and re mount the lightshttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_124931.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_124931.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Just needing to get plugs to fill all the holes from pulling off the skirts
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_114400.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_114400.jpg.html)

[ExplorerTom]

I never plugged mine. I figure they were never water/weather tight so what does it really matter.

[Fordguy77]

Looking good. Exploders are a lot of fun on 31s.

[ctracy5]

Looks way better up front. You gonna make China Wall?

[javaman34]

Looking really good.

[ZkAr15]

Plugged off the holes. Unfortunately not all of them sit flush, bu looks a bit better than the open holes

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_154514.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_154514.jpg.html)

Sitting next to a stocker

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_155430.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_155430.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Installed new headlights last week. Made a night and day difference in light output over the factory faded pieces
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140304_085520.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140304_085520.jpg.html)

[ZkAr15]

Well after a trip up some trails to find a spot to try out my new toy. This happened on the way home. Hit a little rut in the dirt road at about 30mph. Over extended the shock im assuming and sheared off the driver side shock washer and bushing. Passenger side looks as it is about to do the same as well. Decided to upgrade and ordered some rancho rs5000's http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140306_092054.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140306_092054.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140305_192012.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140305_192012.jpg.html)
The new toy
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/20140225_164705.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/20140225_164705.jpg.html)

[ExplorerTom]

How is that even possible?

[ZkAr15]

I have no idea! Cheap parts? The washers seem real thin.

[The StRanger]

How is that even possible?

Iv seen it a lot .. Cheap shocks have cheap hardware...

[Java]

Any chance it was lifted but kept the stock shocks? That would do it. Nice Glock.

[Cr33p3r]

Looks much better, let us know what you think of the tires after you run them a while.

[Starkman]

Any chance it was lifted but kept the stock shocks? That would do it. Nice Glock.

This was caused by cranking the torsion bars to give lift. With Explorers and Rangers the shock is the droop limiter. There is a rubber bump stop to limit compression but the only thing that stops the suspension at full droop is the shock. So when we crank the torsion bars to gain lift the a arms are now closer to droop all the time so the shock takes the hit sooner when you jump or almost jump the truck. Good shocks will take more of a beating but they too will fail after a big hit. The other thing to note is that once the shock is no longer limiting droop the arms now can travel far enough to bind the axles and this will destroy them. I found on the shorter drivers side axle there is only about a half inch of travel past the shock limit before the axle binds. Desert guys add limit straps to save the shocks.

[Funrover]

Nice!!!

[ZkAr15]

Installed the rancho's tonight. Took it around the block and hit some speed bumps to test it out, ride is great! Pleased with it so far, no more clunking on bumps. Need to hit the trail soonhttp://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140307_214415.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140307_214415.jpg.html)

[AccordRanger]

That makes 3 gen 2 Explorers on here, and the fun begins...

BTW, against all safety recommendations I run without a front sway bar. Mine rusted off too and I just removed it. It's on my list to build disconnectable links soon.

I think that's 4. Mine has a 2.5" TT and 32's with front and rear disconnects. It's pretty capable it's done plane crash and didn't have any real problems besides scraping the tcase and bumpers.

[AccordRanger]

That makes 3 gen 2 Explorers on here, and the fun begins...

BTW, against all safety recommendations I run without a front sway bar. Mine rusted off too and I just removed it. It's on my list to build disconnectable links soon.

I think that's 4. Mine has a 2.5" TT and 32's with front and rear disconnects. It's pretty capable it's done plane crash and didn't have any real problems besides scraping the tcase and bumpers.

[ZkAr15]

Definitely ground clearance is one of the biggest drawbacks. Ive scraped a couple time on the torsion bar xmember. And having open diffs! Another major drawback. Need to find a trac lok or something to toss in the back

[AccordRanger]

Definitely ground clearance is one of the biggest drawbacks. Ive scraped a couple time on the torsion bar xmember. And having open diffs! Another major drawback. Need to find a trac lok or something to toss in the back

My tbar mounts have hung me up before. Look into the Aussie or Spartan locker. They seem to be the popular ones for these.

[ZkAr15]

Its my dd so id rather go with a limited slip instead. Or I would look at lockers

[ZkAr15]

Here's a little bit of one of my last trips out

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_155121.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_155121.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140727_131835.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140727_131835.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_155300.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_155300.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_160111.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_160111.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_160056.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140713_160056.jpg.html)

Been a while since I have posted here. No updates here really. Just been driving the hell out of the ex, hitting the trails every chance I get. And it keeps taking everything I throw at it and just asks for more. Besides being a guttless pig lol

Been thinking about getting under it and doing a little more lately(when finances allow) starting to look into adding new wheels, want something a little wider than the stockers and need something with a little more offset. Been noticing when the rear flexes out looks as if the tire is rubbing against the body in rear and think that may be limiting suspension flex a little. As well as still needing to pull a rear sway bar link off and build a disco some how. Dropping the trans and getting a rebuilt unit to put in, one in it has been slipping since I picked it up. Building a skid plate for the front and possibly try to find a limited slip unit to drop in it.

[ZkAr15]

Looks much better, let us know what you think of the tires after you run them a while.

Tires perform great! Dont have any complaints about them yet. Grip well on and off road. Have about close 8k miles on them now and practically zero wear other than slight rash from off road use. Little bit of noise come from them on the road but not too much

[ZkAr15]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/the-silent-ghost/_3.jpeg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/the-silent-ghost/media/_3.jpeg.html)

Ran across these earlier browsing through some wheels and think they would look good under the ex. Look like a good quality wheel for the price. Found a set on ebay $399 shipped for a set of four. Theu are the style I was looking for and the price is right in budget